Northern New Mexico Part 6. A couple Last Hikes

Tuesday I visited my mother's grave at Guaje Pines Cemetery. The workers did not know how much their voices carried, and after a discussion of (literally) "13 bodies" and (literally) "6 feet under," I decided it was not the peaceful visit I had envisioned, so I moved on. 😆

This gal was on the street leading to the cemetery.

I drove the short distance to Bayo Canyon trailhead and did one more hike!  

I hope this blond furry poop wasn't related to the missing orange tabby sign at the trailhead. 😿

More trail scat. Big! Bear?

The tuff is soft and lots of traffic formed "wagon tracks" according to some trail descriptions. Not so sure they are wagon tracks, as their width varies and sometimes merges into one track. But I'm not an expert so....

I love seeing trees that have been hit by lightening. Mother Nature, she is powerful!

Looking west back toward town.

Giving side eye

I also love downed and decaying trees. This one had cool woodpecker holes. 

I love living trees, too!

That little jig detour was on the way back. I made a wrong turn on the trail. I eventually saw some horse poop, and thought, "I didn't see that on the way out.... and I didn't see any horses!" Oh, duh! I went the wrong way! I woulda made it back just the same, but I retraced my steps.

After a quick refreshment break at Sonic, I headed back down the main hill to White Rock. I had planned to end my day then, but as I approached Tsankawi, an Ancestral Puebloan village and part of Bandelier National Monument, I said, "Dang! I better go! It is my last chance!" I pulled in to the parking area with just over an hour before the park was to close.

It was a quick walk around the mile and a half loop trail. Well, as quick as it could be with going up and down a few ladders, over rock scrambles, and through some very narrow and deep walkways through the tuff. 

Pictures!

There's Poppy!

Petroglyphs in the next three pics:

I made it back to the trailhead with a few minutes to spare! Back in for the night, I decided to skip my planned trip to Santa Fe on Wednesday and just head back home.

I'll have one more post, a wrap up and a video compilation!

Northern New Mexico, Part 5. More Bandelier and a Prank.

I had a good rest Sunday night and slept well until dawn. Bright and early, though, as I lay awake in bed, I heard a "ka-chunk" from the van. Hmmmm.... looked out the windows and didn't see anything. Maybe a wayward pinecone? It sounded more mechanical than that. Hmmmm....

More about the mystery later.

I wanted to have a yummy lunch with BobBIE! so I got an early start on my last Bandelier hike. I stayed on the mesa and headed out from the campground to the Tyouani Overlook Trail. A mile and a half each way on an out-and-back. Another easy one for me!

It was similar to yesterday's Frey Trail to the rim, but also different! Here ya go:

Something new! This trail has at least one example of alligator juniper (Juniperus deppeana), whose bark is checkered instead of hairy, as has a "regular" New Mexico juniper (Juniperus monosperma). I did not know about this kind of juniper before this day! Juniperus deppeana is usually found in the southern part of the state, but here is a nice one!

Here is the typical juniper you'll find in the area:

Juniperus monosperma's hairy bark.

A partially excavated dwelling. There were more unexcavated rooms in this area

The view of Tyouani Village in Frijoles Canyon.

Another view of the riverbed looking up the Frijoles River

A white velvet ant (actually a wasp). I did not know white ones existed. Do not touch! Just for looking. 

Geez! Either my device dies or I forget to start my walk. This is the map-ish of my loop to the lookout and back.

I got back to my campsite in time to pack up before heading to base camp at BobBIE!'s to take a much-needed shower and head off to lunch.

But first, dump Poppy's tanks!

Remember the "ka-chunk?"

I'm so careful to check the dump tank levers throughout my trips, and especially before I dump. I've heard of ne'er-do-wells pulling open a lever on an unsuspecting camper.

On my way out of the park, I went to the dump station. Checked the levers once more to make sure they were closed, started to take off the cap, and .... Yikes! SHIT! 

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" 

I quickly put the cap back on but not before black waste had spilled. I was wearing gloves, thank goodness, and it didn't splash. I was able to get the cap back on before too much gushed out.

I checked the lever. Yes, closed. I looked under. Was something broken? No. It was then that I realized, the ka-chunk was someone opening and closing the black tank. 

Who does that?! Mean people, that's who.

I was able to finish my dump in the usual fashion, although with an extra rinse on Poppy and the surrounding area. I hoped it all washed down the drain. I apologized to the people who had pulled in behind me. 

Soon I was on the hunt for some sort of idiot deterrent. There are no available locks for the levers, but I was recommended to get a clear extension/cap. At least I would see what's coming, and it would probably be a deterrent since the element of surprise is removed from whatever motivates the idiot's mind. I really don't know why it's funny. If they could follow me to the dump station and watch me get shit on, then maybe I would understand. But no, they just get to imagine the scenario, and they could do that for free without involving me.

I just don't get mean people. 

Anyway, I was able to get back in time to take a good long cleansing shower, get to lunch with my twin sister 10 years apart at a favorite restaurant, and used the rest of the afternoon for a needed rest.

My friend the raven cawed a goodbye.

I had only a day or two left! Stay tuned for more!