With another Friday workday ending early and sunny, cloudless skies overhead, we took off for the Burro Mountains

The road into the desert was graded smooth. Silver City at just under 6000 feet was in the mid-50’s when we left. As we drove higher, the temperature cooled and patches of snow were visible in some shady spots.

This bit of road with overhanging oak trees was unique.

After a couple of brief side trips on more jeep-like tracks we headed further up into the mountains on Gold Gulch Road and crossed the “creek” at Thompson Canyon.

We drove through/across it…splish-splashing all the way!

Big fun for all -Karl remained attentive…

The sun was sliding westward as we descended and started back towards Silver City. Another Friday afternoon…another desert road.

Karl met his friend Coffee Girl this morning for a bit of play in the desert…

…and yes, snow….again!

Desert Dogs.

This morning’s walk, just as the sun rose: Rose Valley RV Ranch. One of the windmills left from the dairy farm.

Although this particular windmill has been disconnected from the water pump that it ran in its former life, the blades still spin. Yesterday and for the next several, those blades will be getting a workout. Snow squalls with the force of mini-blizzards came through all day yesterday. The wind whistled through the antennas on the roof and set the slide toppers flapping and the motorhome rocking.

Last evening, the sky mostly cleared and this morning is sunny and bright, but cool and breezy. The weather folks say things will be “unsettled” until the end of the week.

This morning, even with the wind, the morning sun is bright, the air is clear and sweet and the cool wind feels good in this high desert place.

Blue sky, sun tea brewing yesterday afternoon. The “walking stick” is dead, dried ocotillo or cholla – the cactus “stalk” after it has died and dried in the sun. The green plant is chaparral which grows in the desert and is used in a tea or to make a tincture. The tea/tincture has antibiotic properties.

As I set the jar of tea to brew in the sun I thought what an interesting tableau everything made. Rose Valley RV Ranch is located on property that was home to the Rosedale Dairy here in Silver City. They used farm artifacts and parts of the barns for decoration as well as for some wind break/privacy fencing around the sites.

But the fences don’t keep snow off the sites! Yep, again…

Snow tea?

The drive through the Black Range is a winding climb to Emory Pass. We ascended from low juniper, cholla and yucca to increasingly larger pine and finally the grand Ponderosa Pines which eventually thinned at the summit.

We met friends of Steve’s at the pass, enjoyed the view and then descended to Hillsboro, New Mexico.

Breakfast at the Cafe was excellent – green chile everything was on the menu. The cafe was a feast for the eyes with antique farm implements and furniture. A pellet stove kept things cozy and large windows let the morning light reflect warmly off the beautiful old woods of tables, floors and cabinets.

Across the road, next to the post office, is the town library and this Saturday was the monthly bake sale in support of the library.

We procured a few or several goodies in case further sustenance was required…

Then we headed for the hills!

A drive up a dirt road, through 2 ranch properties, over the same creek about 8 times and we ended up at a forest service spot where the creek ran through. The air was clear and dry, the sky as blue as you can imagine in your minds eye, the sun warm enough to make us all warm and send Karl into the creek.

A pile of bones marked a dumping ground for dead cattle. Karl took a hoof for his own and lay down near the creek for a chew while we explored.

We headed further along the road which changed from a solid dirt road to a humpy-bumpy dirt road. The Jeep was in heaven :)!! – not 4-wheelin’ but in the dirt and rocks. There was a cave to maybe find and explore that required a short hike, but it was warm for Karl – and for me! – and I had brought computer and Kindle so…

…Karl and I had some quiet time in the shade – wonderful!

It was a southwest day.

We drove from Silver City through the Black Range to Emory Pass meeting friends of Steve’s from Las Cruces at this overlook early yesterday (Saturday) morning. It was a beautiful start to a gorgeous day wandering about the area, looking, shooting (with cameras :)! ) and sharing stories.

It rained overnight. This morning dawned cloudy with cool, sweet air. It is to be rainy and possibly thunder and hail but there are a lot of photos to be looked at and maybe a story or two to tell so a good day to be home.

More later.

Yesterday afternoon, Cherry Creek, just above Pinos Altos, New Mexico.

We came to New Mexico for the snow :)!

Overlook above Pinos Altos – We got high!

One of the things that “broke” this trip was the plastic lever that throws the dead bold on the “front” door. But you can’t buy only the plastic lever.

The entire front door lock assembly was awaiting our arrival here at Rose Valley RV Ranch. Steve decided to install today.

Karl has become accustomed to “Adventures with Steve” – they take off in the Jeep with a first stop at the local bakery for sustenance and then on to some wonderful venue for a run around and who knows what.

But this morning, things were delayed as the door assembly was tackled.

As many things RV do, this turned out to be less than an easy fix.

Patience is not going to be on any of our tombstones…

Even Bob kept an eye on the progress.

Oh, brother…might as well catch a nap.

Finally, the thing was finished. Karl and Steve went off in search of adventure and serious napping could be had.

And then it was evening. Another day done. Another desert sunset.

Thursday’s story.

Bob and I stayed home. I took my computer outside, put Bob on his leash and we enjoyed a bit of sunshine.

There are a lot of birds in the Junipers. I stayed in the shade, but the sun was warm and that was Bob’s choice.

Later, Bob waited for Steve and Karl to return.

Bob in the desert.