How to Start a Weekend

Another view of Centennial High School

It was freezing (32F) when Becca and I struck out for our morning hike west of Tortugas Mountain.  Only a few vehicles were parked in the Sunset side lot when we got there.  When we were trekking along the trail leading to the upper foothills we saw Tracey and George hiking back along the road.  Tracey and I waved good morning, and we were going to leave it at that; our dogs had other ideas, though, bushwhacking across the slope to greet each other.  So Tracey and I stopped to say hello as well, going on our separate ways after a brief chat.  The sun was doing its best to warm things up, though at times it was shining through a gauzy overcast.  Nevertheless, Becca and I enjoyed our moderately long trek on and about the mountain this Friday morning.

Let's do the twist

Looking west (power lines lead to the mountaintop)

The Magi (actually a single Torrey Yucca)

Not Christmas lights, but Ocotillo buds

Becca in the upper foothills

Valiant effort

Across the Mesilla Valley

You can see a semi-truck heading south on I-25 (bottom left)

Trail over the saddle

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

In the distance the city of Las Cruces

Trail to the lower desert

Cacti growing on boulders