Only having been in New Mexico for 2 1/2 months, I am still learning to dress for the weather here. Temperatures swing wildly from night to day; even from day to day. You need to be prepared for a little of everything. Although for the most part, it's usually pretty sunny here. The light and the dry air make for the most amazing colors and clarity. No wonder it's a haven for photographers and artists. I wish that I had a good enough camera to capture the sunsets here. They are incredible!
I woke up this morning to several inches of snow. It has been cloudy and threatening for a few days now. The sky was a gorgeous carolina blue. The sun was shining. It was cold.
Not wanting to stay in the house again, I decided to head out for an adventure. Yesterday I picked up several books on hiking and touring in New Mexico. I have decided to work my way through the Falcon Guide, "Best Easy Day Hikes Albuquerque". The first hike was in town at the Rio Grande Nature Center. So I pulled on some hiking shoes, jeans and a fleece pullover; leashed up the dogs and headed out. According to the guide book, the hike takes you through part of the Rio Grande bosque . "The bosque, partly wooded with cottonwood trees and partly open sand flats, is a fall and winter stop for migrating waterfowl, including sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and several types of ducks. Year-round residents include beaver, coyotes and raccoons. The Rio Grande bosque is a unique riparian area that extends for more than 100 miles along the central portion of the river through New Mexico, and is critical habitat for migrating birds. The Rio Grande and adjacent marshes provide food, water and cover during the birds long journey."
Although the guidebook says dogs are allowed, they are not actually allowed in the Nature Center grounds. You can pay to park in their lot ($3), with the dogs, but must take the bicycle path out to the bosque. By the time we got there, the sun was shining brightly and it was 65 degrees. The fleece pullover was a huge mistake. Couldn't take it off since I didn't wear a shirt under it. Not very smart. So I boiled beneath it. Because I had the dogs, I couldn't visit the actual Nature Center, so that will have to wait for another visit. However I did see mallard ducks, Canada geese and a road runner! I tried to get a picture of the road runner - but it was too fast! LOL! Mostly because Doc got excited when he saw it and danced a little - so it startled. It was about 30 yards away - just in case you were worried that I let the dogs spook the wildlife. I don't. And I gave the cyclists the right of way as well. The Bosque del Rio Grande is another trail that runs for 16 miles along the river. So we only walked a tiny part of it - along the drainage ditch. Then I found an offshoot trail that took us along the bank of the actual river! It's exciting to be there - how many songs, books and movies mention the Rio Grande! And I was standing there today!
I have decided as well that Jane does not make a good hiking dog. Doc, of course, being part border collie, was a trouper. He enjoyed himself. Jane basically complained the whole way! LOL! She suffered from the heat (panting and scowling). She got stickers in her paw and stopped - holding it up so I could take it out. She wanted to stop frequently and would sniff around at nothing in particular - I suspect just so she could take a break! Don't get me wrong, she's not a lazy dog - quite the opposite. But she gets bored very easily and a forced march (her words, not mine) is not her idea of fun. The people and dogs we passed didn't stop to play or speak to HER. And we didn't get to do anything SHE wanted to do. So with the exception of a few stretches, she scowled and pouted and hung on the leash. <g> That's my pampered princess! Next time I'll leave her at doggy day care and take Doc.
We drove home with the windows open! What a fascinating place this is -- New Mexico! I'm definitely falling under its spell.
I woke up this morning to several inches of snow. It has been cloudy and threatening for a few days now. The sky was a gorgeous carolina blue. The sun was shining. It was cold.
Not wanting to stay in the house again, I decided to head out for an adventure. Yesterday I picked up several books on hiking and touring in New Mexico. I have decided to work my way through the Falcon Guide, "Best Easy Day Hikes Albuquerque". The first hike was in town at the Rio Grande Nature Center. So I pulled on some hiking shoes, jeans and a fleece pullover; leashed up the dogs and headed out. According to the guide book, the hike takes you through part of the Rio Grande bosque . "The bosque, partly wooded with cottonwood trees and partly open sand flats, is a fall and winter stop for migrating waterfowl, including sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and several types of ducks. Year-round residents include beaver, coyotes and raccoons. The Rio Grande bosque is a unique riparian area that extends for more than 100 miles along the central portion of the river through New Mexico, and is critical habitat for migrating birds. The Rio Grande and adjacent marshes provide food, water and cover during the birds long journey."
Although the guidebook says dogs are allowed, they are not actually allowed in the Nature Center grounds. You can pay to park in their lot ($3), with the dogs, but must take the bicycle path out to the bosque. By the time we got there, the sun was shining brightly and it was 65 degrees. The fleece pullover was a huge mistake. Couldn't take it off since I didn't wear a shirt under it. Not very smart. So I boiled beneath it. Because I had the dogs, I couldn't visit the actual Nature Center, so that will have to wait for another visit. However I did see mallard ducks, Canada geese and a road runner! I tried to get a picture of the road runner - but it was too fast! LOL! Mostly because Doc got excited when he saw it and danced a little - so it startled. It was about 30 yards away - just in case you were worried that I let the dogs spook the wildlife. I don't. And I gave the cyclists the right of way as well. The Bosque del Rio Grande is another trail that runs for 16 miles along the river. So we only walked a tiny part of it - along the drainage ditch. Then I found an offshoot trail that took us along the bank of the actual river! It's exciting to be there - how many songs, books and movies mention the Rio Grande! And I was standing there today!
We drove home with the windows open! What a fascinating place this is -- New Mexico! I'm definitely falling under its spell.
as usual, a great posting. i love the way you describe your trials & tribulations and your joyousness & warm fuzzies. the pictures are crackerjack. you will have such knowledge about the area that when angela and linda come out, you'll be able to show them whatever they want to see. we love you girl............s
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