Chihuahuan Desert Spring

At first I thought this was a flower, but it's a missing chunk of cactus

We're headed for a high of 78F or 80F today, with even higher temps tomorrow.  It didn't feel too bad out there, though, but I did remove my Marmot PreCip jacket less than a quarter mile in.  Mr long-sleeve Craghoppers shirt kept me plenty comfortable the rest of the way.  We ran into Becca'a "doggelgänger" Clover about midway through our trek; this time he was with his mother, Lisa, who we'd never met before.  She and I spoke briefly while the dogs interacted with each other.  They got along quite well, though Clover was a bit too exuberant for Becca who's just about ten times her age.

Incredible number of contrails this morning

Flat section of trail in the upper foothills

Velvety Nerisyrenia

All the way to Bishop Cap

Soaptree Yucca seed pods

Large Ocotillos

Ocotillo starting to bloom

Ocotillo buds and dog

Ocotillo buds

Bend in the road

Soldiers or ROTC recruits in training?

Who's the loafer sitting at the side of the road?