We're Back

We are back from Ruidoso, new Mexico.  Not all that far from home.  But I found out, I don't tolerate long drives much anymore.  Took a couple days to get over the sore back while there, and I'm still sore from the trip home.  But that allowed me to just chill out on the deck of the house we rented and enjoy the great view.  Below is a panoramic of the view off the back deck.  Click for an enhanced view.  The deck is actually straight, no bend in it at all.

We got a little rain one day but it wasn't significant.  So we stayed inside and I got involved in a board game with the Grandson.  We were able to run into town and try some food.  Another day the ladies wanted to shop around downtown and we went with them.  We offered the kids a hike to some petroglyphs but they weren't interested.  We did take a short drive up one of the mountains to a lookout monument.  With so much altitude, I found out all the walking I do was no match.  While I didn't struggle for air, my legs were like rubber.  Glad it was short.  This is a shot looking West, and as you can see a fire had devastated this area in 2016 but we could see until tomorrow.

One morning we woke to temps at 39*.  We actually enjoyed it after the Summer we had.  The ladies did bundle up since we didn't use a heater.  In the shots below, I have zoomed in on the mountain you can make out on the left side of the pano above.  I think it's called Sierra Blanca.  The first shot is the first day we got there.  The second is the 39* day.  Can you see what I think I see?  Snow?  Pretty cool for this flatland Texas boy.

We saw some wildlife, not a lot but these wild turkeys feeding below the deck were pretty cool.

And a few Elk with this one small bull were something I have never seen in the wild so this was pretty great although no bugling.

There was a little color in the trees which is always nice.  

All in all it was a good trip.  I guess it was a scouting mission for the future.  A little over 500 miles one way and I know I probably won't try that again.  They are already talking about another trip next September and have determined we will break it into two days to get there.  Doesn't sound fun right now with my neck and back still sore.

Happy Trails