Christmas Day

Not that we need any justification for what we do, but when you do what we do, and then have the perfect day...well, it's just a good feeling.

Woke up around 8:00 this morning and the sun was already shining brightly.  I made coffee, Judy made breakfast and we began calling family and friends to wish them a Merry Christmas.

A video chat with our Grandson was very special.  He showed us his new bulldozer and tool kit.  But his favorite Christmas item was, of course, the box his mother's shoes came in.  It's been less than a month since we left home and he seems to have grown so much in that time.  Technology can be great!

By 11:00 am the bikes were out of the trailer and ready to roll.  We headed south through some typical but stunning Chihuhuan desert scenery.  A few miles later the road started to rise and fall over a changing landscape as we began to enter a more mountainous part of the desert.  A few miles later and we were riding though cavernous walls that jutted up alongside the road.  The 30 miles to the park entrance was a great ride.  The next 10 miles were fun!  Once you get near the entrance, the pavement gets much more twisted.  There are several 90 degree turns, and plenty of 90 degree switchbacks.  There were even a couple 180 degree turns thrown in for good measure.

Now approaching the Lincoln National Forest, the plant life was getting thicker, but still not the forest you may expect.  The ground and hills were covered with tan colored grasses, pear cactus, yucca, sage bushes, holly and the ever present tumbleweed.  Within the boundaries of the Lincoln National Forest lies Sitting Bull Falls State Park; our target destination.  But truthfully, whether we got there or not made no difference.  The journey was quickly becoming a highlight of the day.

Arriving at the falls viewing area we noticed several picnic groves for day users.  Even one picnic table up in the rock formations at the end of a short path.  For the more adventurous, there is a trail to the top of the falls, complete with warnings about "what to do if you encounter a cougar".  Opting to stay on the paved path to the falls viewing deck, we proceeded up hill.  About a 5 minute walk away from the parking area, the falls are not the magnificent roaring falls you find in many places.  Rather, at this time of year, it was more of a gentle spray from the spring fed creek that comes over the rock edges.   The odd rocks made the water splash toward the bottom in different directions.  I'm sure after the spring rains, the volume and speed of the water change the appearance significantly.  So, depending on when you visit, you may get a very different experience.  The Park and the Forest have a multitude of recreational opportunities including hiking and off road ATV/bike trails.

The ride home was just as enjoyable as the ride out.   It is always amazing how different things look from another angle.





Time for Christmas dinner.  Unconventional surrounding, but a more conventional meal. Baked ham, potatoes, cornbread and Turtle Cake for dessert.

This was our first time away from family and friends for Christmas.  Strange, but oddly one of the best holidays I've had.  No pressure, no rushing and the pure enjoyment of nature with my best friend.  I have to think that my Christmas gift this year was, as it has been for 20 years, is my wife.  Without her, none of what we are doing and experiencing would be possible.

Merry Christmas everyone!