Sunrise/Moonset

We really do have a critical mass of amazing sunrises and sunsets here. Today was moonset in the west with some pretty amazing colors for the sunrise.

The moon was setting over The Needles in the Organ Mountains - I had to grab the camera before work and snap some photos.

Cheers,

Marc

Happy birthday Ian!

And just like that, Ian turned 17 yesterday!

I took him to El Paso to get his Eagle neckerchief, slider, and uniform knot/badge at the Scout store, then some dress shirts and slacks for his high school work experience program.

Leah and Catherine did a cooking experience with Leah's friend from Maryland - it sounds like they had a nice time.

Otherwise, nothing terribly new here - the photos were just an excuse to break out the cameral gear. Cheers,

Marc

Middle of Nowhere, New Mexico

 

On our drive home from the kids high school yesterday they asked me to stop at the pull out at the top of the mountain pass we take to get to "town" (Las Cruces).  One of them wanted to take a picture of the mountain from there.  I thought it sounded like a fine idea, so decided to take a couple of pics of my own. 

I also thought everyone might enjoy getting a good view of where we're living now from up there.  So, here is a view of our base: 

Can't quite see it? Here is my zoomed in version from the overlook.  You can probably just make out the water tower & other sights we have on base here: 

We really are in the middle of nowhere, but it sure is pretty here. Thought I'd post this pic from our backyard that I took the other day.  Not such a shabby view for where we are.  However, it is quite a change from living on the East Coast for 6 years.  I do have to plan my grocery store trips a little better...

Will try to post a few pics of the flowers I've been enjoying seeing here soon!

Catherine

Dripping Springs Hike

Like I said in the last post, we had a STRONG storm Saturday night. That effectively locked us on base for the day as the road to Las Cruces was closed...again. So after an early start to my brew day (Helles Bock), Ian and I drove over the pass to the west side of the Organ Mountains to Dripping Springs. The road that goes to Dripping Springs had two large washouts, one still running with water.

We stopped and pulled the car off the side of the road to inspect things. High clearance vehicles had no problems on either side.

We ultimately stuck to the left (high) side of the washout, and had no problems.

The hike from the visitors center to Dripping Springs (more of a waterfall with all the rain we've had) was mostly uphill, but the path was gravel, and so easy to travel. We only had to scoot around 2 tarantulas along the way.

It was only about 1-1.5 miles up, and the scenery was spectacular. 

This photo (above) is from a picnic area - La Cueva. I love the rocky ridge here - very photogenic. I'll be sure to come during a sunset one of these days.

Have a great day everyone!

Marc

Not technically a desert anymore?

We had another crazy night of rain last night - it was raining HARD for a solid hour. We are basically stuck on base - the road to the north is closed in both directions while the NMDOT folks work to get mud and rocks off the highway (again). IF that road is not fixed by Monday morning, the kids have a LONG way to get to school. It also looks like the road was damaged this time, not just mud on the road. Meanwhile, the road to the south had some flooding damage, too. I think that one is still open, but there is a bridge over an arroyo that is detoured around.

This is the arroyo - normally a dry gully in the desert. I love the sound of running water - it is just weird in the desert.

I keep trying black and white conversions - this one is a bit dark in my opinion, but it gives me something to play around with.

With these two rains (mid-July and now mid-August), I think we've blown past our upper rain limit, disqualifying us from using the desert label.

Stay dry everyone!

Marc