A Longer Hike at Last

Becca looks hot, but she isn't

I slept about 20 minutes longer than usual this morning because I felt pretty sure it was raining.  It was.  Becca and I started out on our morning trek in a slight sprinkle.  It was obvious that the conditions would last so I decided on a much longer hike, perhaps the longest we've done so far this summer.  It stayed cloudy and cool the entire way.  Headed back in we saw our buddy Jimmy heading up the mountain road.  I whistled and waved, and he came back down to greet us and talk for a good spell.  As usual Becca was ecstatic to see him.  I was happy to see him as well, but Becca is far more effusive in her greeting.  I'd venture to say Jimmy would be a bit put off if I said hello the way she does. :)

Plumed Crinklemat

Plumed Crinklemat

On the new trail

Twinleaf Senna

Hog Potato

Stingleap

Large Ocotillo west of the mountain

Hog Potato again

The long road

Trailing Four O'Clock

Trailing Four O'Clock

On the crosscut trail

Nipple Beehive Cactus bud

Waiting patiently

Cloud wisps

Long view of the mountains

Cloud snagged on the Organ Mountains

Another look at the cloud snag

Yet another look

The desert's not on fire; those are clouds

Swirly clouds

Chihuahuan Desert scene

Sandy section of desert

Further away from the mountains

Road around the mountain

Heading the other way

Northwest on the dirt road

Looking back at Tortugas and the Organs

Hog Potato (Hoffmannseggia glauca) is aka "Indian Rushpea"

Starting to see more Barrel Cacti in bloom

Cactus Wren

Another road west