Teal Sky

Happy Travels -- Enjoy our Blog

Thanks for visiting, we'll look forward to hearing from you--Pam and Henry

5/5: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

Posted on Tue, 23-Feb-2021 by pam

Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world in these shale hills.

A perfect day to wander around all the various formations.

This was a petrified log among a huge amount of petrified wood covering the hills.

This looks like an entire turtle has been turned to stone as it scaled the ridge.

Cap rock formation of sandstone over mudstone. Textures abound!

An entire army of CapRockers advancing, creating shadows.

Was this Antoni Gaudí ‘s inspiration for Casa Milà rooftop garden in Barcelona?

This gateway arch led farther into the badlands for more exploring.

An acropolis: the highest city on a rocky outcropping. 4th century citadel?

De-Na-Zin is Navajo for Cranes. Sandhill Cranes?

Posted in Hiking, New Mexico, Wilderness Areas | Leave a comment

4/5: Datil Wells/El Malpais

Posted on Mon, 22-Feb-2021 by pam

We blew across the plains while enjoying fun cloud formations.

Very Large Array had a road stop spot to get a photograph.

Datil Wells was one of 25 watering sites on a cattle drive route across New Mexico.

A very pleasant 3 mile nature loop had enough snow that finding the trail was challenging.

Reward was fabulous views that were worth the effort.

We found one of the hidden rocks a Farmington group was doing – it made us smile.

Such a small spec on the big landscape of El Malpais NM , Joe Skeen BLM Campground.

The Lava Falls trail was similar to Valley of Fire.

Grants and Mt Taylor in the background of our campsite.

Enjoying another outdoor happy hour – our first of hopefully many in 2021.

Official twenty-fifth year celebration.

Posted in Hiking, National Parks, New Mexico | Leave a comment

3/5: White Sands NP/Organ Mountains NM

Posted on Sat, 20-Feb-2021 by pam

The clouds and remaining snow made a revisit to White Sands National Park feel unique.

The gypsum sand does not look so white under the snow.

The winds shifted the clouds into different formations.

It looks dark and stormy over the mountains providing contrast with the sand.

There was some fresh snow at Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks NM but is suppose to warm up.

Test (la) drove a Model 3 and marveled at the design details. Electrifying!

Hiked Pine Tree Loop into the foothills of the Organ Mountains.

Very unusual clouds and sunset lighting as the moisture rose.

The Chihuahuan Desert and all its amazing diversity.

Enjoying the picnic area from our #1 site at Aquirre Spring Campground.

Posted in Automobiles, Hiking, National Parks, New Mexico | Leave a comment

2/5: Valley of Fire/Three River Petroglyphs

Posted on Wed, 17-Feb-2021 by pam

Sotol yuccas grow on Pahoehoe, ropy like lava fields at BLM Valley of Fires.

A collapsed layer gives access to a cave. Lava flowed from Little Black Mountain on the horizon.

The flow was 44 miles long and up to 160 foot depth, and covered 125 square miles.

It is one of the youngest flows in the USA – maybe 2,000 years ago.

Camped looking out over the Tularosa Valley with the entire lava flow.

A wonderful twisted 400 year old juniper.

An afternoon with interesting cloud formations gave us some additional photography fun.

They lingered for us to enjoy a picturesque sunset.

We next camped less than an hour south near prehistoric Jornada Mogollon rock art.

The Sierra Blanca in the back ground is not very blanca today.

There are over 20,000 petroglyphs here at BLM Three Rivers Petroglyphs.

An impressive amount of rock art on the 2 mile hike.

It was fun to find them hidden among the boulders.

Back to Valley of Fires for electrical hookup to sit out a cold and windy storm.

We glamped inside with good food, interesting books, and non stop heat.

Dusting of snow on the Pahoehoe – like a zebra, with no two stripes alike.

The sotols add a nice green to the scenery – quite memorable.

Posted in Hiking, New Mexico | Leave a comment

1/5: San Lorenzo Canyon and Bosque del Apache

Posted on Mon, 08-Feb-2021 by pam

Something different today. On the road heading south into New Mexico!

We pulled into BLM’s San Lorenzo Canyon (PDF), northwest of Socorro.

Very impressive heights – to think a Rio Grande tributary carved this canyon.

Unique rock formations made the slot canyons and hikes interesting.

Fun to contemplate the uplifts and other geological features.

An hour or so drive took us to Bosque del Apache for some birdwatching.

Reportedly 20,000 snow geese winter here. They are impressive.

You can not really quite image the noise as they are very vocal.

They are looking so calm here but there is a lot happening. So much fun to watch.

Sandhill cranes also overwinter here, numbering around 10,000.

They tend to hang around in smaller clusters and are quieter.

For a couple hours we enjoyed this view from our van with windows open.

They eventually flew away and we appreciated the entertainment.

As we headed out on the Camino Real. This is February 8th and warm. Nice!