A Flashing Light

First 2:  Claret Cup Cactus

Five minutes after we got started this morning a deputy sheriff in a black-and-white SUV pulled up behind us and then stopped almost alongside.  The officer powered his window down and said, "I got a report of a flashing light out near the mountain.  Have you seen anything?"  I told him we'd just gotten going and hadn't seen any flashing light.  The dogs were pretty good while I chatted with the deputy, though Frio barked at him a few times.  He asked where we were headed, and after I told him, he said, "Have a good hike."

It seemed likely that the report of a flashing light had come in while it was still dark or not quite dawn; we saw no lights of any kind while we trekked up to First Arroyo where we popped in for a water break and brief respite before turning around.

It was oddly cloudy/overcast while we were out there, and the temperature was pretty cool:  56F.  We're under a Red Flag Warning for the rest of the day, with the distinct possibility of blowing dust and sand.  Not something you look forward to when you live in the desert.

Alongside LDR

Entering First Arroyo

Frio and Willow

Large Soaptree Yucca on the bank of First Arroyo

Lower reaches of the Organ Mountains

This and the next:  Tortugas and the Organs

This and the next:  Mesquite Tree leafing out

Site of last night's banquet

Tortugas and the Organs

Last 2:  Organ Mountains