First in Many Months

Ridge west of the Organ Mountains

Lordy, lordy!  For the first time in a long time Dr. K joined Willow, Frio and me for a morning trek.  Her decision may have been predicated, in part, on the clock; because I didn't return from the vet with Mr. Frio until after 9:15 a.m. she may have been more inclined to accompany us.

We shortened the hike a bit due to Dr. K's knee, but she seemed to do pretty well using a hiking stick to help support her leg.  We had to alter our route somewhat because an SUV was parked down in the Tellbrook Arroyo, and we didn't want to encounter any outdoor enthusiasts, either of the sane or deranged variety.  The SUV began to drive up and out of the area as we descended Right Branch Arroyo.

We headed up Left Branch Arroyo, descended along Middle Branch, and continued all the way down to the east/west cross trail, which we followed over to LDR-A.  From there we took the LDR-A arroyo into the upper flatland and our waiting CR-V.

P.S.  Dr. Jones examined Frio's rear right leg extensively, compared what she felt with his left leg, pronounced him "incredibly muscled," and concluded--after examining his Xray carefully--that he had sprained his leg muscle.  She put him on Rimadyl and Gabapentin for thirty days, advised not to play ball with him (which I haven't been doing), and said he could resume ball playing at the end of the month-long drug treatment.

Dr. K with the Heelers

Frio and Willow

Ocotillo and the Organs

Organs

Some type of sparrow (Chipping?)

Small forest of Soatree Yuccas