Almost Over the Hump

Just before bushwhacking

I drank an Ensure (16g protein) and ate two small pieces of toast for breakfast (trying to cut down on carbs) before Becca and I headed out early to do a morning trek.  We wanted to beat the heat--it was already 71 degrees--and we're slated to reach a high of 99F this afternoon.

It already felt pretty warm in the outback west of Tortugas Mountain, and there was little breeze to ameliorate the heat.  One solution for Becca was to plop down in the cool sand in the shady spot she's come to love.  Seeing her lying in total relaxation there it's always hard for me to prompt her to get moving again, so I often spend time taking photos of the surrounding area, which I did again today.

I think there's a chance for rain in the next few days, and all I can think is "Great--let's add some humidity to the blast furnace temperatures and really make the desert days feel unbearable."

Bouquet of Velvety Nerisyrenia

Slow ripening Prickly Pear pears

Flax not yet ready for business

One of Becca's favorite shady spots

Velvety Nerisyrenia (white) and Twinleaf Senna

Can't ever seem to ID this plant

It could be a type of flax

Just west of the mountain

The long view

Something's got her attention

View to the southwest

This and the next:  James Rushpea (Pomaria jamesii)

Cow Tongue Prickly Pear with Ocotillos in the background

Big, old Ocotillos

Loaded with pears

Stinging Serpent (Cevalia Sinuata)