Jan 28 - Jan 31, 2014
This is last year's snowy picture of our neighborhood.  We were so discouraged about our long, bitter. brutally cold weather that we didn't bother to record what the snow looked like this year. Just add more snow, more bone chilling wind, and prolonged gray skies, and that would have been the 2014 view.

We played tha game of.  "How far south will we have to drive to get above freezing?".   When we crossed the Oklahome/Texas line, the temperature finally nudged above 32.  Dodging winter storms that race through the midwest has always been our plan.  Since we delayed leaving on Monday due to 35 mile per hour wind gusts in Wisconsin and Illinois, we did not run in to any percipitation until New Mexico, and then just sprinkles.  However, the strong wnd gusts followed us all the way to Green Valley, Arizona.

 Jan 31, 2014
We detoured off our usual routes( I-94 to I-55 to I -44 to I-40 to I-25 to I-10) and drove through the Gila Mountain State Park in New Mexico( Rte 152).  It will be a favorite from now on.  This "flat lander" is always amazed at the high desert into mountain views.

 

Seeing any water in a stream is always a surprise

And then we're high enough for forest

Not sure when this fire occurred.  I wonder how long it will take to be re forested.

Picnic, anyone?  It is 43 degrees at this elevation, but the mountains block the wind.

And then, this massive scar on the land.  The southwest has its wonderful wealth of minerals and these mountain reducing mines can be seen many places.  It was such a shock after seeing the beautiful forests.  I am very thankful we have saved state and national parks or many views would look like this   

This is what is under the mountains.  Lots of copper but how can this ever be re forested??