First of the Week

Ocotillo sky

Seemed like it was going to be quite cold this morning just before Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I hit the trail for our morning outing, but the wind died down for three-fourths of the hike and the high in the upper 40s made conditions fairly pleasant.

The wind did pick up again when we were heading up Right Branch Arroyo, but by then we were nearly finished with the trek.

We let Frio and Willow off lead for a bit longer stretch today, and both of them were really well behaved.  Of course we haven't kicked up a jackrabbit or cottontail yet, and I'm anticipating a mad Heeler dash to try to catch the fleeing critter.  I've been trying to coach Willow to keep Frio in check and to herd him back to us should he get too far ahead; so far the message isn't getting through to her.

Soaptree Yucca and the Organ Mountains

Grassland

Faxon Yucca

Aurora-like clouds

Soaptree

Bored

Frio and Willow

Organ Mountains

Clouds!

Far into Right Branch Arroyo

Ocotillo and beautiful sky

Last 3:  distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

 

Fuel for Spirit and CR-V

The long view

Both Willow and Frio went haywire as soon as we let them out of the CR-V before our morning hike today; it seems that dirty Basset man and at least three of his hounds had preceded us on the trail.  Two piles of poo acted like catnip on our pups.

They both calmed down somewhat when we entered the LDR-A arroyo and descended to the east/west cross trail.  By the time we reached Right Branch Arroyo they were composed enough to walk off lead for a good portion of the way; in fact, they were very well behaved during that section of the trek.

After our outing we all drove over to our local Circle K to gas up the dogmobile.

Soaptree Yucca

Ocotillo's fall colors

This & next:  Willow and Frio at rest

This & next 4:  same Soaptree Yucca still flowering

Golden Crownbeard in our yard

 

Cinema Saturday

First 2:  views from LDR-A arroyo

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did our regular hike on a pleasant late-October morning, temperature about 40F, plenty of sunshine and no wind.

I let the Heelers off lead in Right Branch Arroyo, and I made several videos of their behavior, which was all good.  As Dr. K said, "They're really treat oriented."

After our outing Dr. K left for a three-hour training session at the county government center; she's volunteered to be a poll worker for the upcoming election.  I'm proud of her for making that commitment.

This & next:  fall colors on an Ocotillo

Willow and Frio

 

Five Degrees

First 2:  Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Dr. K had a doctor's appointment early this morning so Willow, Frio and I did our usual hike together.  It was 41F with a stiff wind when we started off, which made me glad I had worn a vest under my Marmot PreCip jacket and brought gloves along to keep my hands warm.

By the time we reached Left Branch Arroyo the wind had subsided enough for me to remove the gloves.  Fortunately the sun was shining brightly so I never felt the chill.

As soon as we entered Right Branch Arroyo I let the Heelers off lead, and they came through like champs; there was a bit of exuberance I had to I had to tamp down at first, but both Frio and Willow responded well to my commands.  I let them loose all the way up to the small mesquite tree, and we stopped there for a short respite before heading out.  To add to my overall pleasure at their behavior Willow was well behaved in the CR-V on the ride home.

From LDR-A arroyo

Ocotillo

This & next 2:  ridge west of the Organs

This & next:  House Finch

This & next:  Frio and Willow on break

Last 2:  from Right Branch Arroyo

 

Even Nicer

Robledos

We all had a good time on our morning trek reveling in the nice weather--45F, no breeze, plenty of sunshine--and enjoying the beautiful desert scenery.

As an added bonus both Willow and Frio were very well behaved; in fact, I let them off lead for a longer period of time, reinforcing each "come" return with mini reward treats.

We did our usual hike down LDR-A arroyo, east on the cross trail to Left Branch Arroyo, up the left, down the middle and out along Right Branch Arroyo, exiting up the steep hill to the west where the CR-V was parked.

Ocotillos and clouds

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organs

Nearer view of Tortugas and the Organs

Organ Mountains

Northern Chihuahuan Desert grassland

This & next:  Barrel Cactus with ripe fruit

There are clouds and then there are CLOUDS

This & next:  Frio and Willow on LDR-A

Another Barrel Cactus

Soaptree Yucca crowd

Yucca antennae

Top of Picacho

Willow and Frio on break