Forest Fun

Sacramentos from the upper curve in our road

Fortunately it didn't rain overnight so the forest behind the cabin was well dried out for a morning trek.  We followed a familiar route, until we didn't.  Recent heavy rains have altered the landscape of the mountain, and we had a bit of difficulty finding our way back.

After a short break in the cabin--during which we gave Willow her treats and drank some much-needed water--I changed clothes and went out to do yard work.  Dr. K stayed behind to take a shower and make potato salad for our Fourth of July meal.

I considered doing the work around our place in two days, but decided to finish it all today.  And now I'm a bit bushed.

Artsy forest view

Wils

White Sands NP at the horizon

Living the high life

Pincushion Cactus

This & next 2:  skeleton we discovered in the forest

Hedgehog Cactus

This & next:  forest vistas

Huge Hedgehog Cactus

Heading back

 

Brawlin' Bunny on the Bridal Veil

Grass in the creek above the footbridge on the Bridal Veil

Dr. K, Willow and I did an early morning hike on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail; the sun was a-shinin' and the humidity was high.

Not long after the start we almost had an encounter with three loose dogs, but the woman with them called the canines off.  Apparently they all turned around and went another way.  Good thing:  Willow was about to go ballistic at the potential meetup.

We went as far as we did the last time we hiked the Bridal Veil, but we couldn't relax in the shade of trees because there were far too many ants out and about.

This & next:  brawlin' bunny

Dr. K and Willow on the Bridal Veil Falls Trail

White Sands NP

Wils seeking shade

Our mountain home

This & next 2:  morning in the Sacramento Mountains

From our driveway

Haynes Canyon

Bridal Veil Falls Trail

Millipede mandala

Headed down the Bridal Veil Falls Trail

 

A Grand View Again

Clouds over the Sacramentos

Half an inch of rain last night made for a humid hike on the Grand View Trail for Dr. K, Willow and me this morning.  It was sunny, but a light breeze kept conditions bearable.

Although a blue GMC Sierra pickup was parked at the trailhead lot we saw nobody during our trek.  The truck was still there when we finished up.

We had a good time during our outing, and I was able to get some fairly good photos along the way.

This & next:  view from our property

This & next:  Ash-throated Flycatcher

Different view of our cabin

Grand View Trail (computer enhanced)

Grand view from the Grand View

Variegated Fritillary

Sotols, one with a new stalk

This & next:  Sotol with new stalk

Another view from the Grand View

Bewick's Wren

From the Grand View Trail

Rails-to-Trails ramada

 

This & next:  White Sands NP at the horizon

Great view from the Grand View Trail

 

Half a Hike

Desert Cardinal on a mesquite branch

Willow and I did half a hike this morning while Dr. K stayed behind preparing for our trip to the high country.  When Wils and I finished our short hike we returned home and got ready for the drive to the Sacramentos, where we are now.

It's cooler up here, but still pretty toasty:  80F, which is today's high temperature.  The chance for precipitation is pretty low, but we got 2 inches of rain during the nine days since we were here last.

Last 2:  Willow on break in the right branch arroyo