Yesterday, R and I got up early (5:15) so that we could get ready and be in Silver by 8:30. We made it on time and saw 9 deer on the way. We met with our friend, D and headed SE on Hwy 90. Within a few miles, you are out in the grasslands sprinkled with juniper and yuccas and, as you drive south, the vegation gets sparser. It's about 50 miles to Lordsburg, NM which has nothing going for it except the railroad and I-10. West on I-10,south on Hwy 80 into Rodeo which sits in a large flat valley with some nondescript mountains on the east and the Chiricahua Mountains on the west. Because it is spring and there has been lots of moisture this winter, the valley is green. I can imagine by summer, the color will become much browner. However, right now it looks good, with several wildflower types starting to bloom, Not sure what some were but I will show you just the same.
Stopped by the Sonoran Desert Museum. R wasn't that excited to see snakes on display so we only perused the very large and well stocked gift shop. Lots of items to look at i
ncluding the requisite hats and t-shirts with repiles on them. There was even a large selection of snake-handling equiptment like grabbers and wands and leggings for the active reptile person. (Not the perfect gift for R, by the way.)
Then it was time to head west to Portal which is about 10 miles west of Rodeo, and in Arizona, at the base of the Chiricahua Mountains. Birds that are normally only found in Mexico often stray into this warm portected valley making this a haven for birders. We stopped at the general store and purchased a few food items for a picnic lunch. (Another, slower, trip will have to be made to this area to explore it further.)
Then we drove up Cave Creek looking for a place to have our picnic. As we drove
into the canyon, the wildflowers gave way to rock formations and they enclosed us and we were forced to stop often to enjoy the formations and attempt to capture the feel of the area with photos. It never happens.
Stopped by the Sonoran Desert Museum. R wasn't that excited to see snakes on display so we only perused the very large and well stocked gift shop. Lots of items to look at i
ncluding the requisite hats and t-shirts with repiles on them. There was even a large selection of snake-handling equiptment like grabbers and wands and leggings for the active reptile person. (Not the perfect gift for R, by the way.)Then it was time to head west to Portal which is about 10 miles west of Rodeo, and in Arizona, at the base of the Chiricahua Mountains. Birds that are normally only found in Mexico often stray into this warm portected valley making this a haven for birders. We stopped at the general store and purchased a few food items for a picnic lunch. (Another, slower, trip will have to be made to this area to explore it further.)
Then we drove up Cave Creek looking for a place to have our picnic. As we drove
into the canyon, the wildflowers gave way to rock formations and they enclosed us and we were forced to stop often to enjoy the formations and attempt to capture the feel of the area with photos. It never happens.
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