I hesitate to post this because I think it's letting out a secret… New Mexico isn't the same as the Sahara. I know that's a shock, and if you can't handle that, you better not read any further. In fact, if you live in California don't read any further anyway. Although I know it isn't great for the New Mexican economy, I actually like that people have the wrong idea about our state; that way they stay out of it! Arizona is overrun by people from around the country looking for the Grand Canyon in Phoenix. All they find is pavement so hot, you'll melt your feet. That's probably not fair to the fun things that you can do all over the state, but I have to say the New Mexico is not nearly as bad as the inexperienced claim.

As proof, I submit pictures from our most recent vacation. We went hiking and camping north of Taos, NM in a wilderness area called Valle Vidal. I was just gorgeous!

One day we hiked up to a dam (looking for the lake on the other side) only find that the dam and lake were on private property. Gotta hate that. Mia loved the river, though.

Dad thought he would cool off, but decided it was TOO cold.

Here he is with Dallin showing how pleasant the temperature of the water was...

Well, I couldn't have that. I wanted to see what was on the other side. So Mia and I ventured forth.

Dallin wanted to come too.
We made it! (Mia did too, just not in the same trip).
Dallin discovered oversized dandelions.
I used an old sheet of Dad's to make a wrap for Mia for the hike, since we didn't bring her snazy backpack.
Oh, and this is how to build a fire in the rain.
John and Dad had such a rough time getting the fire going this day because it was so wet and the rain kept putting out whatever they got going. It turns out that one of the sticks in our pile was from an old rancher tending to cows. He would dip the stick in tar and pitch and use it to seal wounds on cattle. When we finally got that one in the fire, it practically erupted! If only we had known, that would have been a lot easier fire to build!

We had so much fun, it was just the right temperature (mid-70's) and there was even rain to make the mountains seem greener. We definitely missed Mom, though. Thanks for showing us more of the beauty of New Mexico, Dad!