Desert trip episode 4: Travel shots

Random shots from the road (4000 miles gave me plenty of time for pictures)

It was hot in the desert


rainbow!


weird solicitation sign in LA



"UFO" in Shreveport


Gorgeous sunset after driving through 15 hours of torrential downpours






Austin (thanks for the hospitality Ruth!)


gassin' up


Study Butte, TX (pronounced Stoodie Byoot)


Jason's travel attire


wind in NM after front passed through


Cloudcroft motel


Sweettooth


Guadalupe Peak from behind a car windshield


last desert sunset on our 30 hour drive home

Desert trip episode 3: Gila Wilderness

Our final stop on our desert tour was the Gila Wilderness in the Gila National Forest- this included a tour of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and multiple hot springs.

Desert couple


Homebase- West fork of the Gila River




Camp




Canyon grapevine above our tent spot


fire comes so easy in the high desert



Morning excursion to the Lightfeather hot springs. Liza could have killed me for this. It was around 20 degrees that morning and we had to cross an icy cold river twice to get to hot springs that were 6" deep and 140 degrees!










Gila Cliff Dwellings



view from large ceremonial room- the echo made your hair stand on end!


more of the dwellings and canyon...




Amazing lichen was all over the desert


Gila Hot Springs Ranch







Hiking the Gila Wilderness- this included a magnificent 12 mile loop from the top of a mesa to Little Bear Canyon and then 6 miles down the Middle Fork of the Gila River!






caves and waterfalls in Little Bear Canyon





more dayhike beauty in the Gila







from this point where the trail met the river we had 29 river crossings- the first dozen or so were frigid, but quickly became comfortable on firey feet



Sycamores and Cottonwoods



this cottonwood was the fattest one I've ever seen- over 20' circumference!



final shots of the hike