On July 1st, I traveled to Dallas, TX to attend a lecture by the Dalai Lama. There are no pictures, as cameras were not allowed, and my cell phone pics were no good, but it was an adventure nontheless.

What peaceful and compassionate, loving presence!!

Ketchup day, cont...

On Wednesday, June 24th, I traveled to nearby Sunspot, NM to see the National Solar Observatory located there. There are two National Solar Observatory locations in the U.S, the other being at Kitt Peak, AZ, which I visited about 6 months ago in January.

the drive up to Sunspot was absolutely beautiful, and even if you have no interest in the observatories, it is still worth the drive. When i went there was lots of mountain laurel blooming, with it's lavender/purple flowers, and quite a bit of the yellow mountain sumac blooming as well. 

groves of aspen amongst the pine forest, and the occasional meadow added interest to the landscape.

Finally, it's ketchup day!!

I have fallen way behind of keeping up with this blog, and you have my apologies for that. Like the opposite of a murder case, I've had the weapon, but not the opportunity or motivation...


On June 17th, I went to the Three Rivers Petroglyph site. The Three Rivers site is a few mules north of Tularosa, then back to the east about 5 miles.  This was a fascinating hike up a hillside completely surrounded by thousands of petroglyphs.  There is no shade whatsoever, so come prepared with a hat and sunscreen. 

View of Sierra Blanca from the trail through the petroglyphs...

Behind!

I am obviously behind in my posts. More to follow soon!

Missing Adventure...

I missed my Adventure Wednesday on June 10th. I was unexpectedly called to return to Amarillo to conduct a funeral service. I did go on an Adventure on Wednesday, June 17th, and I will write and post pictures about that sometime this weekend. Safe travels to all of my friends, and please don't drink and drive!!

Adventure Wednesday #3..."It's Smokey!"

I'd classify this as a "Little Adventure". I drove up through Ruidoso to Capitan, NM to the Smokey the Bear Memorial Park.  Capitan sits on US 380, where NM state Highway 48 intersects. I had a nice lunch at Renee's Cafe' (remember to bring CASH, no debit, credit cards, and no out of town checks...but the best egg salad sandwich that I've had in a long time!!

After lunch, I drove a couple of blocks up the road to the park. This is a small park, only a couple of acres. There is a nice little museum dedicated to Smokey the Bear, both the iconic cartoon forest fire prevention bear, and the live version who resided at the National Zoo for years.

I wasn't prepared for how this little memorial would affect me emotionally...Smokey was a part of my childhood, up until I was college age. Seeing his grave site was a bit of finality that impacted me more deeply than I had anticipated. The park also has a $2.00 admission charge, and they don't take cards or checks, either...

Museum Entrance

Exhibits of different new Mexico plant life in the park

Smokey's grave...still chokes me up.

Adventure Wednesday #2

For my second Adventure Wednesday, I traveled a few miles past Alamogordo (fat Alamo?!) to The White sands National Monument. This is a fascinating place, with a completely otherworldly feel to it. Pictures do not do it justice. The sand is gypsum, rather than silica, which accounts for the whiteness, and also for the coolness of the sand, even on a sunny day. Lot's of people have disc sleds and go sledding on the dunes. I didn't.

I don't know what this purple flower is, but note the lizard to the left...