These past few days have proved the saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes".
Two days ago with strong winds and stronger gusting and high fire risk warnings we headed out.
We had wasted most of the morning hours listening and watching the winds and putting off the inevitable departure.
There was no sense in wasting the entire day
and,
after all, we're resilient, aren't we?
First stop was outside of Truth of Consequences, NM at the Powy Mud Springs Canyon Dam
for lunch.
Then off into the back country beyond.
What a surprise to find this dam that was unknown to us!
We walked to the top, fighting the wind the whole way.
I had to lean against the side concrete wall to maintain balance and hold the camera moderately steady.
Note the short sleeves and lack of a jacket.
The very next day we will be shaking out heads about the change in conditions.
In the evening we learned the wind had been gusting in the 50mph range.
No small wonder!
Vic looks, to me, like he is wing walking on a huge airplane wing.
The other side
Both sides visible here.
From the base of the far side.
Due to the wind this particular day and different conditions the next day,
most of the photos were taken through the windshield.
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting a British couple with a Jeep. Ian and Sandra like to get out and do the same things we do.
Almost immediately we made plans to get together on Thursday.
The plan was to head into the northern part of the San Mateos and go up and over at 9100-9200 ft in elevation.
Thursday at the RV park the day dawned sunny and still windy, although not so strong.
The forecast was for 30% chance of snow in the mountains.
As we headed up the road the dark skies to the north appeared ominous and, next thing we knew, snow.
Ian called back on his CB to ask if this was a tornado.
It was a dust devil from the wind coming around the mountain and stirring the dirt into a frenzy.
Never let it be said that we give up without trying.
Ian: "Scott of the Antarctic to Expedition"
Vic: "Mush"
This poor little guy was born only a few days ago.
What a wintry welcome to life!
Up we go as the snow comes down harder and harder.
I'm not too fond of narrow roads and slippery snow but, so far, so good.
We had good traction and no reason to turn back.
Finally, time for a pow wow.
Ian comes back to discuss turning around.
The snow is 2 'deep on this switchback with old snow and icy ruts under.
We have climbed from approximately 7100 ft to 8105 ft at this exact spot.
There is at least another 1200 ft to go and the guys determine that it isn't worth the risk.
Visibility descending
The snow is so heavy it gets harder to see our leader.
Stopping at this fireplace we have our picnic lunches in our vehicles.
It was really too miserable to get out and take these photos but I had to have documentation.
The wind was extremely bitter.
What a time to be without firewood!
This speaks for itself.
Now, I have to say this makes us wonder about our choices this winter.
The temperature at home in CNY was 57F at 11am there.
This photo was taken at 11:30a.m. in NM.
Even the signs were hard to read.
Not being ready to quit and go home this early, the guys looked at their GPSs and maps to find an alternate place to go.
We took a side trail that took us into Deep Canyon.
How beautiful and entirely different with snow.
Anytime we are near a water source and shelter we look for petroglyphs and pictographs. We were not to be disappointed here
pictographs
and a very faded petroglyph.
Back out of the canyon and at the end of that trail
- the view -
it appears to be clearing in at least one direction.
Gorgeous country and curvy wide switchbacks.
It was nice to have someone ahead of us to lend scale and interest to the photography.
Thanks, Ian and Sandra.
The day ends as it began - sunny!
It was a lovely day with new friends - and not the last.
Plans for another adventure together are already in the works.
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