Almost Beating the Wind

Baby Desert Cottontail (the Golden Barrel is about 8" tall)

The forecast was for windy conditions to begin late morning so Becca and I had a pretty early start on our daily trek on and about Tortugas Mountain.  We hiked the narrow trail along the arroyo, but when we began crossing the road to the mountaintop she wanted to head up the road.  I could tell she had picked up a scent so I acquiesced, and, lo-and-behold, no sooner had we reached the first bend than two guys with a dog appeared heading our way.  It was a young male Brittany Spaniel (1 1/2 years the guy holding the lead said), and the two dogs interacted.  The spaniel was much more interested in Becca than she was in him--too young, no doubt.

We continued up the road to the spot where it intersects the high trail leading down to the lower desert.  There Becca paused to rest in the shadow of a large boulder.  She had a long drink of water--as did I--before we headed partway down to the upper foothills trail where we turned north and started back.  On the final leg of our hike we would have encountered a man and woman hiking with their Golden Retriever, but I took Becca into a desert alcove away from the trail where I could give her more water.  It's been very hot the past few days, and I want to make sure she stays hydrated while we're out in this arid land.  When we were about a quarter mile from Whitey the CR-V the wind started to gain force, and we were glad to get out of it before it worsened.  

Road to the mountaintop

Rocky respite

Distant view of the Organs from partway up Tortugas

Rocky trail off the mountain road

Becca is a trooper

Trail to the lower desert

Whitethorn Acacia

Soaptree Yuccas west of Tortugas Mountain

Looking through an Ocotillo

White-winged Dove

Intersecting lines

Soaptree Yucca flowers