Partial Bushwhack

Sandier section of the desert west of the mountain

Becca and I didn't intend to do any bushwhacking this morning; in truth, Becca never "intends" to do anything but be the best sidekick wherever I go in the desert.  And she does an excellent job of it.  We started off on a normal hike, but changed plans once we entered one of the major arroyos west of Tortugas Mountain.  We climbed out of the arroyo and headed south across a stretch of desert we'd never explored before.  Since there were no hilly areas that required extra exertion I felt pretty confident Becca could handle the exercise; actually she seems nearly at full capability after her recent surgery.  She wasn't even supposed to resume normal activity until tomorrow at the earliest, but if Becca tells me a chicken can pull a chuck wagon I hitch it up. 

Becca exploring

Checking surroundings

Moving away from Tortugas

Further away from the mountain

Still scouting the area

Bend in the road

Living at desert's edge

Tortugas from the west

Cloud

Doing some bushwhacking

I gave up counting stems at 45

Gnarly old Torrey Yucca

Becca loves bushwhacking

Confluence of mountains (not really)

Headed back toward the mountain

Amazed to see Ocotillo buds in mid-December

Pincushion Cactus

Yucca and Ocotillos with Tortugas as backdrop

Closeup of the Pincushion