Thunder and lightning cut short my four-mile hike yesterday. But on the way to where a loud crack of doom sounded directly overhead—and where I was became the turnaround—I stopped to admire some astounding tiny cactus flowers. You don’t see them here, because when I went back this morning to find them again, the blossoms [...]
New Mexico
New Mexico wonder insect in the sagebrush
Out on the mesa after a rain, there was more than one of these. Sometimes they make modulated buzzing sounds that come across as human speech just out of comprehension range. Either that, or I have mis-identified the source, there really is a voice I’m hearing, or I’m cracking up the way my mother did. [...]
Movement to the east (right)
There’s just no stopping those cloud shadows. The other day at Taos Valley Overlook, I watched them march across the valley and plunge 800 feet into the Rio Grande Gorge. You’d think they were goners, but no. After a minute or two, they’d scramble up the other side and keep on moving. Hell, if I [...]
Location, location, location
Whoa, look out! It’s spring in the terrible high desert. In the impressive drought we’re enduring, the water might not flow beyond a month instead of until November (?) like it usually does. When the ditch first starts running, you feel this crazy electricity in the air. We hang our clothes to dry just a [...]
Looking SSE from upper Llano Quemado
It’s very simple, really. Dust and cactus at your feet—watch out for that broken bottle, geez that wind is cold—and then you raise your eyes. (“AwRIIIGHT!”) You are also broke or will be soon, and the toilet doesn’t work. The official state insect is a fucking wasp. Natives have been here for thousands of years [...]
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