Beneficial Wind

Plopsie (Willow) likes to plop down in the shade

We were surprised by the force of the wind when we stepped out of the CR-V in the dirt pullout off Tellbrook this morning, but pleased by the opportunity it provided for real evaporative cooling.  Because of the wind we never really felt overly hot under the blistering sun during our daily trek.

I've never learned definitively whether the wind across a dog's panting tongue helps with cooling, but I imagine it does.  Neither of our Heelers seemed too warm out there even though we did the longer hike up to Second Arroyo and back.

We saw no other outdoor enthusiasts today during our explorations, and the only critter we encountered was a Black-tailed Jackrabbit that got the Heelers' "chase instinct" activated briefly.

Dayflowers

Willow and Frio

A funny Prickly Pear

This and the next:  Frio and Willow

Heelers and Dr. K

Jerry Garcia as a walrus

This and the next:  Organ Mountains

This and the rest:  Blackfoot Daisies

Century Mark Plus

This and the next:  just starting out

Abbreviated our normal hike this morning because it was too hot to push for a long trek.  We headed down LDR-A, went a ways up LDR before turning around and returning to the high ground on LDR-A.

Willow must have plopped down in shady spots about ten times on the way back, and even Frio sought shadow on occasion.

We were all extra happy to reach our waiting CR-V today, and grateful for the cool air conditioned interior on the ride home.  We're slated to hit 105F this afternoon, and I have little doubt that our temperature will soar close to or above that mark.

Podaxis Pistillaris

Chihuahuan Desert scene

This and the next:  Dayflower (Commelina erecta)

Twinleaf Senna

Frio on the window seat

Willow keeping watch at the front door

Frio looking cute

Hot and Hotter

Frio and Willow in Second Arroyo

It felt really toasty out in the desert this morning; we're heading for a high of 100F.  Blazing sun, little breeze, higher humidity, scant shade--all made for an unpleasant outing.

Frio and Willow didn't seem to mind too much, though, and, on the outbound leg, they had the added bonus of encountering two hikers--man and woman--who were heading along LDR back to their waiting pickup truck.

While we were parked in a shady spot in Second Arroyo, having just hydrated and put the Heelers back on their leads, two women and a dog suddenly appeared on the long dirt road; one of the women waved to us.  Both Heelers got very excited, thinking there might be a chance to meet a new dog; no such luck, though.  Willow especially has yet to completely internalize her "well-behaved dog" training; Frio is much better and easier to control.

All in all, despite the heat, we benefited--physically and psychologically--from time well spent enjoying nature.

Ant hole

Second Arroyo

Desert Willow

This and the next:  Barrel Cactus buds and flowers

Gumline

The rest:  guy in a nearby neighborhood must feed his Torrey Yuccas

They usually only bloom once a year

Probably using Miracle-Gro

A Trek on Tuesday

Hedgehog Cactus at the base of a Soaptree Yucca

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did our regular trek on this Tuesday morning, hiking up to Second Arroyo, popping in for a shade and water break, and then returning via LDR and LDR-A.

Even though it was hotter, the sun stayed behind clouds during a good portion of our outing, and there was a constant breeze to help with evaporative cooling.

We saw nobody else during our exploration, and all four participants in our party seemed to enjoy the trek very much.

Hedgehog Cactus

Barrel Cactus buds becoming flowers

West side of Tortugas Mountain

Soaptrees/mountains/clouds

Large Ocotillo west of the mountain

Dr. K with Frio and Willow

This and the next:  yin and yang from opposite perspectives

Looking eastward up Second Arroyo

This and the next:  Soaptree Yucca

Organ Mountains

White-winged Dove

Barrel Cactus

This and the next:  desert jungle

Typical Chihuahuan Desert scene

This and the next:  same Prickly Pear Cactus

Pair of dog ears