Too soon for spring

Despite the calendar saying it's only a third of the way through January and the rise time of the sun has not really turned around, the weather is definitely trying to convince us it is spring. I see a faint sheen of green on some trees, the doves are cooing in the pine outside of my bedroom window and it's been very mild and not even too windy.

Ginger and I took a drive yesterday just to get out and away a bit and enjoy the day. A lot of people might not find the trip down the Tularosa Valley too scenic or inspiring but I enjoyed it. The hills around the little old mining town of Oro Grande look so much like those behind Tombstone, AZ that I felt a real jolt of deja vu. Then we went on down to the northern outskirts of El Paso, across to a road heading back north and thru a low pass in the jagged range that separates the Rio Grande Valley from the Tularosa Basin called "the Anthony Gap" since it comes out at Anthony which kind of straddles the Texas/New Mexico state line. Still desert and pretty barren but comfortable to my eyes. Of course the mesquites are not yet showing a hint of green--they know its not spring yet but they wait patiently. From there we took I-25 north up through the east side of Las Cruces and headed toward home on US 70 through another, higher pass. Just on the east side, we pulled off and got out to take a little walk. Ginger was ready, having had to forego much of one at the Anthony Rest Stop due to sand burs. Those are a nasty grassy looking weed that has brutal burs shaped like the head of a medieval mace with burning prickly stickers! I had to take a comb to get them out of her furry legs. Ouch!!

We walked about a quarter of a mile from the pull off from the highway and I took a couple of pictures. The Organ Mountains were beautiful and the sky that perfect blue! If you click on the upper left one to get a larger view, you can see a hiking trail leading away; next time we will follow it for a distance!We were home about three thirty which was just perfect.

                                                                                                            Gin was tired as she has not yet gotten used enough to travel, especially in Red Hot Mama (that's my red pickup, you know) to lie down and relax for more than five seconds at a time. A few more longer trips and I think she will learn. I want her to be the great travel companion that Belle was for several years. Anyway here are the photos I shot and also recent ones of Rojito on "our" bed and Ginger in a favorite little spot near where I work on the computer!


At any rate if winter was always like this I would love it! We're bound to have some more really wintery weather but this January break is certainly welcome. I just hope the plants do not get too far ahead of the schedule and get frosted badly. Still I enjoy this special kind of gift and blessing that we get to soften the bite of the grimmest season here in my desert home