The Wilster and Me

Organ Mountains from Baylor Canyon Road

We had to wait for a plumber from Sun City Plumbing to change out the hose bib next to the garage; fortunately he finished at about 9:15.  Then Dr. K went grocery shopping, and I took Willow for a short hike.  It was rather hot out there.

She and I drove to the small post office to mail two bills and a payment to Carter Drilling for work done on our water tank in the Sacramentos.  That was our morning.  Afternoon dental cleaning was the appointment I had.

Ocotillo blossoms

The Wilster in yucca shadow

This & next 3:  Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus

Ocotillo flowers

 

Views from the Grand View

Sacramentos

We did the Grand View Trail this morning, surprised that nobody else was there on a Sunday morning.  We hiked the entire first leg on a cool, but pleasant day, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Both of those first impressions were permanently altered about midway down the loop trail when we heard the voices of hikers coming up in our direction.

Before long one of their big dogs appeared, heading toward us off lead.  Willow, who was on lead, went bonkers, far over the threshold of acceptable behavior.  Fortunately we were able to get her far enough off the trail so the two-dog hikers could pass.  The incident partially spoiled what would have been an excellent all-around trek, but didn't really ruin it for us.  It only made us more desperate to find a solution for Willow's hyper-reactive responses to other dogs.

At the curve of our road

Willow searching for dog neighbors

At the top of our drive

Fendler's Bladderpod

Trail marker and bench at the Grand View loop

Willow and Dr. K

Grand View Trail

View to the east

Another eastward look

Prickly Pear growing on rock panther head?

White Sands NP at the horizon

Willow in shadow at the midway ramada

Another view of White Sands NP

Davis Mountain Mock Vervain (Glandularia wrightii)

Hedgehog Cactus growing at cliff edge

Through the notch

A passel of Sotols

More Sotols

High country vista

View from the loop trail

 

Forest Trek

Forest behind the cabin

We did a hike in the forest behind our cabin this morning, and we trusted Willow off lead for the entire trek.  She was outstanding in her behavior, never wandering too far, always coming when we called her back.  She had a really good time, and so did we.

After we got back I went up our road, removed the old "Private Drive, No Turn Around" sign and replaced it with a new "Private Drive, No Turn Around" sign I bought online.  The new one is aluminum, coated (supposedly) with a treatment that prevents it from fading.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Our road

Willow on our road

Starting the morning trek

In the mountains

Willow following an elk trail

Long view in the mountains

The high life

Hedgehog just budding at 7,000 feet

Big hedgehog

Forest view

This & next:  Willow leading the way back

Wils waiting for us to catch up

The back 40

Our irises budding

 

The Low High Country

Morning sky

Dr. K, Willow and I did our regular hike this morning, headed back home and finished packing for our trip to the high country, where we are now.  Current temperature in Las Cruces:  86F.  Temperature here:  71F.

A little over an hour ago we took Willow out to explore the property; we weren't surprised when Cahl, Coop and Cowboy showed up.  Cahl is a young Hangin' Tree (supposedly) Heeler who is determined to mount Willow.  Willow, however, has made it clear to him she's not interested.

We'll go out again later, hopefully without the neighborhood boys showing up.

Odd light

Chihuahuan Desert scene

Willow leading the way

Soaptree seed pod

W at rest

This & next:  Claret Cups

Haynes Canyon

Sacramento Mountains

Bladderpod

Willow with the boys

Left to right: Cowboy, Coop, Cahl, Willow rounding the bend

Coop