The drive through the Black Range is a winding climb to Emory Pass. We ascended from low juniper, cholla and yucca to increasingly larger pine and finally the grand Ponderosa Pines which eventually thinned at the summit.
We met friends of Steve’s at the pass, enjoyed the view and then descended to Hillsboro, New Mexico.
Breakfast at the Cafe was excellent – green chile everything was on the menu. The cafe was a feast for the eyes with antique farm implements and furniture. A pellet stove kept things cozy and large windows let the morning light reflect warmly off the beautiful old woods of tables, floors and cabinets.
Across the road, next to the post office, is the town library and this Saturday was the monthly bake sale in support of the library.
We procured a few or several goodies in case further sustenance was required…
Then we headed for the hills!
A drive up a dirt road, through 2 ranch properties, over the same creek about 8 times and we ended up at a forest service spot where the creek ran through. The air was clear and dry, the sky as blue as you can imagine in your minds eye, the sun warm enough to make us all warm and send Karl into the creek.
A pile of bones marked a dumping ground for dead cattle. Karl took a hoof for his own and lay down near the creek for a chew while we explored.
We headed further along the road which changed from a solid dirt road to a humpy-bumpy dirt road. The Jeep was in heaven :)!! – not 4-wheelin’ but in the dirt and rocks. There was a cave to maybe find and explore that required a short hike, but it was warm for Karl – and for me! – and I had brought computer and Kindle so…
…Karl and I had some quiet time in the shade – wonderful!
It was a southwest day.
