Another Day on the Trail

June 11, 2014

I wish I could share:

The sounds of the birds in early morning

The whirr of the wings of hummingbirds as they zoom by

The glimpse of a tiny piece of history unearthed by a tiny rodent

 And the joy of leaving it for someone else to see.

The fragrance of the desert just after an afternoon rain,

The vision of puffy clouds above the crest of a mountain

An arch in the sandstone rock developed by time,

The friendly sign of a cairn marking your way on the trail

The gnarl of the tree twisted by the wind

But since I cannot, I will share photos as I saw them.

 A view at Salinas Pueblo National Monument

At the visitors center we had a long conversation with a volunteer from the Laguna Reservation.  He loved to talk and make suggestions of places not to miss on our travels.  We need to return to make a hike with him called Hole in the Wall area.  He is an athlete who has run the Houston Marathon when sponsored by ElPaso Gas and Houston Baptist.

El Malpais National Monument

A shower of rain ran us off the top of the bluffs at El Malpais.  The wind was pretty strong and we could see it coming.

 It is moving quickly across the lava beds.

 Moving toward the arches area.

 La Ventana Arch at El Malpais ~ catching the light as it moves across the arch.

 Flowers are few in the desert but so special.

 Many cairns marked the trail through the Narrows Rim Trail.   We walked separately so we could enjoy the quiet of the area.

June 9 ~ This is the first day of what I call real hiking. Still getting up around 6am but not making it out the door until 9.  Hiking should be done early and get back to camp to rest by noon. 

We chose a 4 mile hike called Salado Canyon Trail.  It is one of the rebuilt trestles of the New Mexico Rails to Trails.   I eliminated the photo of me and promise to be in better shape by next year.  Ha!  At least I am still trying.
The highlight was Bridal Veil Falls.  It was beautiful and refreshing sight.

Returning to the truck at high noon was a hot trip.  My clothes were wet under my army camel pack.  Surely happy Nick shared that piece of equipment with me.  I was Army proud with US Army on it.

June 10 ~ Left Silver Campground early on Tuesday morning.  I had a lot of fun with the camera and  the  hummingbirds.  They buzzed around me like crazy when I was removing the bird feeder.  I took lots of photos but since I had the camera set improperly, I will need to wait until I can get them processed.  The format is too LARGE for my program. I will show them and the good ones of a cow elk and her fawn.  I will post this one but not good.  See if you can find the fawn.  Well hidden or at least it thinks so.

 

 The first educational stop was at the Mescalero Apache Museum. The new curator if he should be called that, shared much information about the museum and the lady I met there in the 1990’s.  The second stop was worth another lend a ear.  Cameron Blagg is an artist and owner of Three Rivers Trading Post.  I truly wanted to be the proud owner of an old Two Grey Hills rug but even with a reduced price I could not bring myself to do such a thing.  I left with only a cup of coffee.  We had a long conversation about the weavers.  Very interesting information was shared on the evolution of rug making and what we each appreciate.

The delight of the day was at Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument.  Mario Medina, the NP Ranger at the site, took us on a personal guided tour.  His knowledge and love of the history was outstanding. Since I had been there in 2011 and learned only what I read in the museum, this was a treat.

 

 This is a beautiful place and not one of the most visited.  Find it on your map and put it on you list of "to dos."

Mario is explaining the history to Paulette.

We are now camped in a little town south of Albuquerque and will be headed toward southern Utah tomorrow unless we change our minds again.

See you along the trail and remember " if you stumble just make it a part of the dance."

Leaving the Snail for cosmetic reasons at a friend's in Bardwell.  Harry and Wanda will take good care of her. Knowing how I love farming and the beauty of a field of almost anything, I forget how beautiful sunflowers can be...and in Texas.

 My new free campsite that even has electric and water.  Lamesa, Texas encourages travelers by offering and night or two free.  You pay after that.  The night was so cold that you did not need to  put the AC on.  the car next to us is the lady I drove to Cloudcroft.  She had a cute bed arranged in her van and refused to use the trailer with us.

 You know I cannot pass a Bulldog.  This was a huge sculpture.  I believe it was the Artesia Bulldogs but could be for my favorite Waller Bulldog Puppies.

 What a display of condiments at the cutest restaurant where we had breakfast.  Paulette and I always find the one with the locals enjoying their morning breakfast..... we choose well.

 Our little lady is an artist and insisted that we stop for pictures of yucca and wow did we find a beautiful century plant.  do you see the bug flying near the bottom blossom.

 Here we are set up in Cloudcroft NM at a Forest Service Campground ~ Silver.  Lovely, quiet, birds singing and hummers zooming by our heads (photo next post)

 Yes, I cut my hair and it is not pretty.  Mama told me before I left that she did not like it.  Cut 14 in off.  I am ready for a hike somewhere.

 Pretty little flowers popping their heads up and no I don't know the names of flowers but love to enjoy their beauty.

 Looking out the front door of the trailer at the beauty before us.

Left the campground and attended church this morning after a short hike, had a light lunch, checked on our little lady friend to see she was settled in her  home and back to the campground to run the generator for 2 hours.  More on that later.  Just stumbling along and enjoying life.  Hugs to all, Mary Alice

Seems that the plan is coming together after all.  Our little lady will have her car ready by Thursday afternoon and the caravan will pick me up on Friday morning.  I will take a run by Mothers tomorrow around noon and then on to our meeting place.  Mama wants to see me one more time before the trip.  She is very excited that I will be meeting John and Kay for the Red River Family Encampment on the 21st.  I found the jackets that she and Daddy wore when they went to the encampment.  Watch for the next events of this trip unless you get bored.

Small Delay

Two day delay. Ugh! As a favor, we are driving a little 85 year old lady to Cloudcroft. She was all packed and ready but on her way to visit her husband at the Alzheimer facility, someone hit her car and knocked out the headlight and right fender. We will be leaving on Friday. I will go see Mama tomorrow. I am being positive.
I will be taking the Snail to a friend for a few cosmetic changes.  Little things that will make my traveling life easier. The Snail will stay while we travel in Paulette's trailer.