An Awesome Morning

Sky at start

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I had a very good, long hike departing from the Monte Vista side of Tortugas Mountain this morning.  Behind the mountain we encountered a man and woman with their miniature Australian Shepherd, and although Frio barked and Willow whined a bit both dogs were distracted enough by the treats I offered them that they didn't lose their cool like they did yesterday.  Both Dr. K and I felt encouraged by their behavior.

Not long after that encounter we heard someone calling my name, and we turned around to see our friend Jimmy coming up behind us.  We waited for him at a level area of desert just short of the intersection with the south/north road that leads to the mountain.  Frio barked quite a bit at Jimmy so I didn't let him approach; I don't want Frio thinking it's okay to rush at another person.  During the short period in which we humans palavered Frio barked for seemingly no reason, and he did the same thing later after we had parted company with Jimmy and were stopped for a break at the far point of our morning trek.  It made me wonder if Frio sometimes barks during periods of inaction because he wants to get moving again.  Our dog Becca would often whine to express her disapproval of overly long breaks.

The weather was beautiful this morning, and at the midpoint of the hike both Dr. K and I removed an article of outerwear.  We're headed for a high of 73F today.  Not bad conditions for the latest day in February you can reach only every four years:  Leap Day.

Single-track across the southern plateau

Contrast

Frio on the single-track

This and the next 4:  views of the Organ Mountains

Dr. K and the happy Heelers

Heading back

This and the next:  on the outer loop road south of the mountain

Heading east

Another contrast

Looks further than it is

Headed for the Organ Mountains

Surprising to see ripe fruit on a Barrel Cactus