This is the day we see what we can see. The short but heavy rain had stopped overnight and the sky was clear. Our dogs are small and really not ready for a long hikes (nor allowed on the trails) but we walked them all around the camp ground and then we started our walk.
We stopped at the park store and spoke with the ranger staff about our hikes and if the cave with the bats were open. Sadly they were not. We then started out from our campsite and proceeded through tent campsites to a gate that said we need to keep the gate closed so wild hogs would not run through the campsite and cause damage! It was ok for them to attack us just not the grounds.
We did not expect the many beauties we stumbled upon.
We knew we had not had any rain lately so walking along a dry wash was not expected to yield such beauty. We had seen the photos on the posters of all the wild flowers that grow throughout the park but did not expect to see them. Luckily my brother brought his camera and captured the wonders. It was dry but the morning wasn’t too dusty or dry. There were no more than 4 hikers encountered on our first leg of the walk! There was no strenuous increase in grade as we ascended to the natural museum trail head.
All I can say is I am amazed! We live so near the mass of civilization and who would guess that we also have pristene wilderness. Not just squirrels and crows we have underground water wonders, microclimates spread over just a few miles, pre-historic vultures, caves, bats and fresh air! Oh, no ability to connect to the internet.
We started at 8:00 am and returned to our campsites at 3:00 pm. We were not exhausted but awed! Mostly gentle terrain and more to see and experience that just the caves and bats! We did get to see a circling Condor so that was unbelivable.
Then we relaxed had a short nap after taking our doggies out for a stretch and then planned for the evening. It was a beautiful afternoon to evening. So many people had left for home and it was even more quiet. We luxuriated in the quiet and calm. We had our dinner preps going and our outside dinning room ready. We had would for our fire pit and smoores too.
Canned Comfort 