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