Grand Old Grand View Trail

Early morning moon

Willow got an early morning surprise today; when we came back down the drive after her constitutional we stopped at the pumphouse and I did a little whistling to see if I could attract neighboring dogs.  Bonanza!  Cowboy, Coop and Blackie (my name for him) all came over to interact with our little heeler.

All three males were interested in checking out her privates, and she did an amazing job of fending them off.  There were no barks or snarls, and they all got along well.  I felt good about the interaction.

Shortly afterward Dr. K, Willow and I left for a hike on the Grand View Trail.  That went really well, too, because we did the whole thing (including the "new" loop) without running into anybody.  The one downside, of course, was hiking the Grand View without Frio who loved that particular trek.  To be honest he loved all hikes.  He was the kind of dog who loved to do anything and everything.

Looking north on our drive

In the forest behind the cabin

Looking south on our drive

This & next:  first vista from the Grand View Trail

New sign on the Grand View

Lots of elk prints on the trail

Grand View Trail

Grand View

The trail again

Another Grand View vista

White Sands National Park from the Grand View Trail

White Sands National Park from about 7,000 feet

Ramada on the Grand View Trail

White Sands National Park

Forest view

Place where we stood (right) to avoid stampeding horses

Willow

Critters who live in this area

View from the loop

The new Grand View loop is narrow and rugged

Wils on the Grand View loop

 

Low Country and then High

This & next:  Pyrrhuloxia (aka Desert Cardinal)

Willow and I did our regular hike this morning, returning afterward to finish packing for our trip to the high country where we are now.

Definitely colder up here, but it's supposed to warm up tomorrow.

Both Dr. K and I share an odd sense of guilt; the three of us are in the mountains without Frio, who absolutely loved being up here.  There are times--like now--when I feel like I'll never get over losing him.  He was such a special, brilliant dog.

This & next:  Claret Cups

Willow

A different Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus

Haynes Canyon

White Sands and a snowy Sierra Blanca

 

Tuesday's Cold Trek

Early morning view of the Organ Mountains

It was plenty cold on our morning outing today; the sun made an appearance occasionally, but a stiff breeze made conditions feel even worse.

We did our regular hike without the slightest urge to add extra distance.  Dr. K certainly didn't want more; even Willow seemed content with the usual trek.

After we got back home Dr. K went grocery shopping and I began preparations for a trip to the high country.

Sunlight and shadow

Sky to the southwest

This & next:  sunlight and shadow again

Tops of the Doña Ana Mountains

Alongside LDR-A

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Flank of Tortugas

More clouds around Tortugas and the Organs

Willow

Cloudy desert

Long-distance view of Tortugas and the cloudy Organs

Tortugas and the Organs yet again

Soaptree and Torrey Yuccas

The long view

 

After the Windstorm, More Wind

1st 2:  at the trailhead

After yesterday's terrible windstorm we set off on a cold, but sunny morning.  Much to our consternation, though, the wind was still prevalent enough to make conditions even colder than they were.

Unfortunately stronger winds are returning this afternoon, with gusts up to 30 mph; that's 30 to 40 mph less gusty, but unappreciated nevertheless.

We did do our regular hike today, opting not to add any extra distance due to the weather conditions.

This & next:  heading down LDR-A

Tortugas Mountain

Alternate long dirt road

Tortugas and the cloudy Organs

Ginormous cloud

Tortugas and the Organs again

Willow and Dr. K

This & next 2:  male Desert Cardinal

West across the Rio Grande

Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus