Goodbye Walking

 

Shadows yet abound at 6 a.m.

We started out from the familiar neighborhood mountain road.

Happy dog girls!

Tried caption inside photo don't much care for it that way.

Road clearing crew -- good mountain citizen!

Remember when we climbed this one? Not today, though.

Shade is cool, sun is warm.

Big rocks abound, still cold to the touch from overnight.

Every prospect pleases!

Not a true willow but cousin to Michigan's catalpa. Similar blossoms.

Second of many walnut trees we saw --

Green leaves, green flowers, rocky peaks behind and above --

Nogales en todas partes!

Auntie Therese sends SJ back to the momma.

Sunny Juliet poses on the trail.

Many oak trees, too, of course. Good to be up in the tree zone.

Old oak at entrance to canyon, our turnaround point for the morning.

We will miss Dos Cabezas and each other!

The Many Faces of Snowy Dos Cabezas

From Twin Lakes

From Blue Sky Road

From Hw. 186

Arizona Range Scene

 

Magic Mountain Morning

 

Looking toward the dawn on a snowy morning

That early morning light was in the west.

There was more color in the west than in the east, too.

In the east, clouds delayed sunrise.

Waiting, waiting for sunrise....

But higher in the mountains, the sun already reached the ground.

And every minute, the light was changing.

The magic was dizzying.

Any moment now --

The SUN!!!

But sun we have almost every day in Southern Arizona.

Snow, now --

Snow is the big story today!

Sunny Sunday Expedition: Chiricahua National Monument

On the way out, a favorite sycamore

 I need to start using my camera again. Sunny Juliet needs a chance to explore new territory. So this Sunday morning I bundled us into the car with a very simple picnic, and off we went down the road to Chiricahua National Monument. 

So beautiful, always

The way is broad in some places, narrow in others.

Surprise: a savannah in the mountain forest

Rocky path, distant view

Bark

Lichen

Overhead view (from bench along path)

Grass

Cluster of dead leaves on rock

Tired puppy takes a break

Back to the Visitors Center parking lot...

...and a beautiful drive back home.