Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Rockhound State Park and Spring Canyon State Park, New Mexico


Based on limited data (n=several), I have decided that I feel best with a mountain next to me. Second-place goes to an ocean.

Wolfgang Rebesky

In New Mexico state park language, that means that Oliver Lee and Rockhound are in my Top 2.






It doesn't hurt that it's spring in the desert, which rocks rocks.







You do not see me.

I am a rock. I am an island ... no, I'm just a rock.

I'm not especially ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.

Show-off.


This is kind of a crap picture, but it's a tarantula hawk, so it made my cut.



Spring Canyon State Park is a day-use-only park, open Wed-Sunday until late afternoon.








I will skip the saga of the unrated (super-strenuous) trail up the mountain to Lover's Leap (".5 miles"). Those lovers did not leap - they slipped.  I'll just say that 18 miles in, I sat on a rock and waited for my hiking buddy to check out the peak and return. I fell 27-1/2 times, and nothing doesn't hurt.






This blog post is brought to you by Deming McDonald's and too much coffee.



15 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful Roxanne. Love the panoramic views!

TravelBug-Susan said...

You have such a fun writing style. Love your writing, love your photos, love your travels!

Kate said...

POKEY LIZARD

Jim and Gayle said...

Spring Canyon is definitely a two hiking stick trail. And you know that tarantula hawk stings are considered to be the most painful of any North American insect, don't you?

Nickie and Jim said...

You're right, I did not see him, tho he fits right in with everything else in the desert, sharp and stickery. I like Rockhound, but when I was there, I nearly froze to death. Luckily, I didn't.

Jodee Gravel said...

The ocotillo bloom and horned toad are wonderful - such a contrast! The agave must really intimidate his friends...... Bummer that you got banged up on the hike, the vistas are beautiful.

Pam said...

The desert looks so beautiful in the spring, glad to see you out enjoying it, scraped knees and banged up elbows are worth it, right?

The Good Luck Duck said...

If you say so, Pam, I guess the Band-aids are a small price to pay.

The agave doesn't have many close friends, Jodee. They all think he's a jerk.

Nickie, I had the same near-death experience when I was here in December. I didn't score an electric site then, and I huddled my way through one night.

Gayle, I did know that about the sting, but he seemed preoccupied with that ridiculous shrub he found himself in. Plus I'm not a tarantula, so I have that going for me.

EXACTLY, Kate!

Thank you, Susan!

Thanks, Sandy!

Peter said...

Love your pictures!

JO said...

I've heard a lot about Rock Hound State Park and now I have seen your great pictures. Nice crisp shots.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Thanks, P&B!

Jo, I'm not a big hound, but this is a very nice park.

Laura said...

excellent photo essay as always - loved the horned (or is that horny?) toad.

The Good Luck Duck said...

Thanks, Laura. I call them "horned lizards" in proper company, and "horny toads" after a drink.

Rojo said...

Keep on a doing what it is your a doing, it's a motor-vating me.

The Good Luck Duck said...

As long as it's not irr-road-tating you, Red.