Early Winter

Smoking is bad for your health

44F when we started off this morning, but the absence of sun and a stiff wind made it feel like a return to winter.  We never harbored the thought of extending our hike today; in fact, we couldn't wait for the trek to end.

Weather forecast calls for a chance of rain this afternoon, and now (3 p.m.) it looks like a real possibility.  When I took Willow out into the arroyo beside our house at 12:30 it felt pretty darned cold even though it was 61F.

Storm clouds over Picacho

This & next:  this kind of morning in the desert

A dried Soaptree Yucca seed pod

Organ Mountains

Tortugas and the Organs

Little Wils

Heading up Right Branch Arroyo

Last 2:  same Claret Cup in the right branch arroyo