Our first Hike in N.M.

Today we took our first hike in New Mexico.  We have a mountain/mesa behind our campground, and it has intrigued me the whole time I've been here.  Our boss lady, Eliana, told us to just follow our noses to the top and the view would be extraordinary.  So we started out before breakfast.  We had trouble at first trying to find a trail.  So we walked through the desert!  First thing we saw was a bunny!  This one is wild but I bet he'd like to live with our other bunnies.

As we continued walking I realized we were climbing the whole time.  The big hint:  my breathing was hard.  With my lungs, all walking is difficult, but I refuse to allow that to stop me.  I love hiking.

We are headed to the Mesa but looking back at the campground here.  Burl was leading and he had shorts on (dummy).  I had my hiking boots and longer 3/4 length pants on.  The scrub brush is very sharp, some with thorns.  He kept finding the river bed, with no water in it, to follow and it was leading us upward. Some of the mountain looks like rock with dredges in it.  Its kind of pretty.  Once you touch it, you realize it is merely packed dirt from mountains.  We continued up, but along the way I saw pretty wild flowers.  There is NO water here, so how do these flowers bloom?

Looking down at the Rio Grande

We continue up and it is straight up, not flowing like I imagined. 
When we finally arrive, I am in awe!  It is beautiful. 

Looking out on the other side of the Mesa

Desert Weeds along the path

Looking down into the Valley

On our trip down we followed the road (made for 4-wheelers, I think) which was extremely rocky.  Again, I am glad I wore my hiking boots.  The road took us way past our campground (to the left of it) and brought us out by a couple small ranches.  Not ranches like on TV, but a trailer with a couple sheds and fenced in area for the horses.  The horses seemed interested in us when we were walking by them.  I had to take the picture.. they were so contented and peaceful. 

 

We finally ended up on Hwy 187, the road that runs along the campground.  It was a steep walk, mabye 2 miles, but good cardio walk.  Especially for me!  As we entered the campground, we see two signs.  One telling of the campground and the other telling of our Pet Cemetary.  The pet cemetary is very peaceful and cared for tenderly. 

 

 

Needless to say, it has been a great day.  We came home, did our laundry, hung it on the line to dry,  cooked a breakfast burrito and now we'll head up to visit the animals.  I really love being here this time of my life.  It is rewarding and satisfying.