#OptOutside Friday at the Shuree Ponds

For #OptOutside Friday this year, we celebrated the beautiful state we live in by driving north to the Valle Vidal lush mountain basin located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The Valle Vidal is a Rocky Mountain paradise with vast alpine meadows that provide a vital habitat for New Mexico's largest herds of elk. My human saw an elk when he first arrived but scared him away before the rest of us got a peek. Boo! He didn't even get a picture!

After a long but beautiful drive down a not-so-good dirt road (typical of northern New Mexico), we arrived at our destination, the Shuree Ponds. The ponds are the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery and a picnic lunch. You can see the surrounding mountain ranges and ridges of the Rock Wall from the valley.

 

The water was crystal clear, reflecting the great blue sky above. We enjoyed the afternoon walking around the ponds, enjoying a wonderful picnic lunch full of Thanksgiving leftovers, and the great outdoors with my family. This sure beats the lines, crowds, and consumerism of Black Friday!

I don't know about you, but #OptOutside Friday is my new favorite holiday!

-Rosie

First Snow Hike of the Season

Northern New Mexico is in desperate need of snow! So, you can imagine our shock when hiking high in the mountains today on the Winsor Trail, we ran into a dusting of a few inches, and thus, our first snow hike of the season. Our unprepared pawrents, were slipping and sliding around without their crampons, but lil sis and I, with our grippy paws and claws, managed just fine!

The beginning of our trail, facing the sunny south, was dry and clear. However, as soon as we crossed the ridge and continued down the north-facing slope, we found ourselves in a winter wonderland. Such a wonderful change of season for us desert-rats!

Winter hikes are by far my favorite! I love how quiet the forest is, and how serene the trees and trails look covered in a blanket of white snow. We really need more snow! Keep doing your snow dances, furiends!

Lil sis passed out on the ride home! Adorbs!

-Roxie