Clouds Seen from Potrillo Canyon Trail Near White Rock, NM

OK, I grant you that Montana is known as Big Sky Country but New Mexico definitely deserves the title too!   It always amazes me that for all our aridity, the most amazing cloud shows fill our skies.

Exciting New Hobby for Recent LANS Retirees

Did you recently take the Voluntary Separation Package offered by Los Alamos National Security?  Do you now find yourself lying on the couch, bored and lethargic from watching too much TV?  Would you  love to take up a challenging new hobby, one with life-changing potential?  If the answer is yes, then please sign up for tightrope walking lessons now being offered in a canyon near you!

More Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail Oddities

Last Thursday, took a jaunt on Pueblo Canyon Rim Trail, starting from the Los Alamos Airport.

The "diving board with handrails all around" is north of the airport terminal.  There are actually two of them, side by side, with splendid views into Pueblo Canyon.  I've wondered for years about the origins of these "viewing platforms and what they were used for.   

The "storm drain pipe from airport fence into Pueblo Canyon" is actually part of the trail, i.e., you have to step across the very top of it.  There is a wooden fence at this very steep drop off along the trail.   I always admire the steep way down but don't think I'll take it.

The "rusted truck chassis" is simply picturesque.

diving board with handrails all around?

storm drain pipe from airport fence into Pueblo Canyon

rusted truck chassis

Pasque Flowers Along Gonzales Road

Another good year for Pasque flowers along Gonzales Road.  Looking for them is like an Easter egg hunt for adults.  At first you see nada but if you look more closely, you'll see scads!

Pasque flowers along Gonzales Road

Barranca Mesa cliffs from Gonzales Road

A Fine HIke on Cabra Loop Trail

Almost didn't go on this hike today because I thought the trail would be plenty sloppy from yesterday's snowfall.  It was wet and slippery in places so I was glad I changed at the last minute into waterproof shoes.  The snow-covered parts were a delight to walk upon, though.

We were a group of 11 undertaking our annual Pasque flower pilgrimage.  We found some beauties but I wonder how many were still buried under the snow.   Saw some perky Sue and Easter daisies too.

This is from Beanfield Mesa looking west across the canyon where the western section of the Cabra Loop Trail travels.  The mesa top above the cliffs is northeast of Guaje Pines Cemetery.