Doña Ana Arch View from OHV

Doña Ana Arch View from OHV

Did some off-road exploration and just playing in the desert with my dad. Had heard there was a natural arch somewhere over in the Doña Ana area but wasn’t fully sure how close you can get to it on 4 wheels versus hiking so we took a look. The answer is…closer than I thought in … Read more

Organ Mountains – Baylor Canyon Rd Dispersed Camping

Baylor Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Moody sunrise views at Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument

I don’t have many photos from my time visiting family in Las Cruces as I was focused on enjoying our time together and not photography. Didn’t come away empty-handed though: My concerns about allergies to their cats led me to test out alternate lodging options, and my dispersed camp in the BLM land off Baylor … Read more

El Malpais National Monument – La Ventana Natural Arch

El Malpais National Monument - Zoomed view

Made it to Grants, New Mexico and stopped for fuel. Didn’t have anything planned in this area so I took a survey of the map and found an interesting feature relatively nearby. Headed south on NM-117 into El Mapais National Monument / National Conservation Area and checked out the La Ventana Natural Arch, the second … Read more

Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center

Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center - View of the Rio Grande River and Gorge

The Rio Grande Gorge and bridge were more impressive than I imagined. I was almost completely unprepared for this leg of the journey, so next destination was the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center to get more information. The first large sign on the outer wall of the visitor center details how the Rio Grande starts … Read more

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - Views of tall mountains in the distance

The scenic byway along US-64 south of Wheeler Peak was a great drive, and Taos is an interesting town but due to all the road work it wasn’t ideal to stop and walk around. So I kept driving a bit further northwest to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. There is a parking area but it … Read more

Dripping Springs Natural Area

Dripping Springs Natural Area – Trail into the Organ Mountains

Last Day in New Mexico for this trip.  9/22 is National Public Lands Day meaning it was time to get outside and stretch my legs.  No better place than the Organ Mountains right in Las Cruces just miles from the house. My mom Sue wanted to see Dripping Springs and hit the trails with me.  … Read more

Sitting Bull Falls

Sitting Bull Falls - Main Falls

Climbed out from Carlsbad Caverns with enough daylight left for long-shot destinations.  Where am I headed next?  Upwards into the mountains a bit in search of places less traveled.  Clouds were getting moody and threatening rain – not much fell, but the backdrop they provided was fantastic. Sitting Bull Falls If you follow this blog, … Read more

2018 New Mexico Elk Hunt

New Mexico Elk Hunt – Storm views across the plains

Our friend Jason drew an archery elk tag for New Mexico GMU 37 in September.  I didn’t draw myself but was lucky enough to help on the hunt for a few days.  Can’t give away our “secret” spots but this was near the town Capitan on Lincoln National Forest / BLM lands. We moved around … Read more

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon - Panorama Views

Headed back towards Vegas to get cell reception for funeral arrangements & ended up not needing to cut the trip short.  Was already past Pahrump so decided to stay close to Vegas.  Camping was done for now but booked my best AirBnB to date (seriously if you’re solo check for a listing called “Vital Vegas”, … Read more

2016 New Mexico Elk Hunt

Dad sneaking into a better position for the shot on a monster bull elk

After several weeks of travel and about 5,000 miles driven, I arrived in Las Cruces, NM and reunited with my family. Took one day off to rest and prepare for the elk hunt season.  My Dad drew a bull tag for NM unit 34 which is located in the Lincoln National Forest.  Based on intel … Read more