Feeling Warmer

1st 3:  Soaptree Yuccas

Although the temperature this morning was a few degrees below freezing it felt warmer when Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I set off on our hike; there was almost no breeze and the sun was shining brightly.  Surprising how 30F can seem pleasant under the right conditions.

We're in for a warming trend over the next few days, and the temps will near 80F by week's end.

This & next:  the "O"s

Meh

Last 2:  the "O"s

 

Cold Snap

This & next 2:  it's as cold as it looks

Overnight low of 35F, no sunshine and a breeze this morning made conditions slightly raw for our daily hike.  We did the entire trek without stopping for shade or water so that sped things up enough to make the cold bearable.

We're supposed to have a few more days of this weather before we start warming again, though this type of plummeting temperatures usually signals a change of season.

Hedgehog Cactus

This & next:  Soaptree Yucca we call "Three Wise Men"

Soaptrees and the mountains

Last 2:  Frio and Willow

 

Always on Sunday

From the east side of LDR-A arroyo

Dr. K, Willow, Frio and I did our traditional Sunday morning hike today; the weather was fine, but a big change is on the way.  Temperatures are supposed to plummet tonight with freezing lows over the next few days.

After the trek we drove over to our local Circle K to gas up the CR-V.  When we got home later I took an hour to cut my hair.  Watched some NFL football after that, and now I'm finishing the blog post.

Cheers!

Willow and Frio

Yucca and the mountains

This & next 2:  the "O"s

Tortuga and the Organs (phone photo)

 

Saturday's Desert Trek

Soaptree Yucca

Did our usual hike today on a pleasant morning.  Saw the Basset people with their hounds heading west down in the Tellbrook Arroyo when we were descending the LDR-A arroyo.  Willow and Frio, who were off lead, never saw them.

Heelers were off lead for nearly the entire hike, and they were very well behaved; so well behaved, in fact, neither dog showed an impulse to chase when a jackrabbit burst out of the underbrush right in front of them and took off in a lightning sprint.  The "O"s got big kudos for that behavior.

When we got back--after giving the Heelers their post-hike treats--I took Frio for a long ride in the Jeep, which he loves to do.

This & next:  Soaptree Yucca dried seed pods

Fishhook Barrel Cactus

Desert hill, Tortugas Mountain at left

Ocotillo

Ocotillo buds never to be flowers

Frio and Willow

Willow and Frio

Hill and mountains

Desert pebbles

The "O"s

 

Chilly, but not Cold

1st 2:  American Kestrel

Dr. K and I both wore jackets this morning because it was 50F when we hit the trail.  We did our usual route with Frio and Willow, both of whom really enjoyed the trek because they were off lead for most of it.  They behaved fairly well during the outing.

We saw the black side-by-side descend LDR when we were on the outbound leg and ascend the long dirt road when we were inbound.  The driver and his dog never seem to spend much time exploring the desert; we saw them depart the vehicle and then return to it shortly afterward.

Fishhook Barrel Cactus with fruit

Ancient Soaptree Yucca

This & next 2:  House Finch

Above Tortugas

Soaptree and the mountains

The "O"s

Yucca leaves

Frio turned his back on Willow

Soaptree Yucca

 

Vax Day

1st 2:  Hedgehog Cactus

Did our hike on a cool morning--47F when we headed out--but Dr. K and I were prepared; we both wore jackets.  The "O"s wore their usual coats.

Followed our regular route during which we spotted the Basset people bushwhacking westward through the desert at a great distance from us.

After we got home and showered Dr. K and I headed out to Walgreens for some vaccinations; I got the Covid booster and flu shot, and she got only the flu vaccine because she's not supposed to get the Covid shot for several months because she contracted the virus a month and a half ago.

Prickly Pear

This & next:  Frio and Willow

Ocotillo in right branch losing leaves