Lava and Libations

Hi Blog.  Today we headed North in the Tularosa Basin from Alamogordo toward Carrizozo, New Mexico, the home of the Valley of Fires Recreation Area.  The recreation area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.  There is a small Day Use Fee to enter the area, but as Golden Age Pass Holders, we could enter for free. (It's good to be old.)  The Visitor's Center, picnic area and campgrounds are located on top of a sandstone mesa that was completely surrounded by the Malpais lava flow. These isolated pockets of old rock are known as "kipukas."  Here is the view from the top of our little kipuka.

After a quick stop at the Visitor's Center to sign the log book, we headed out on the Nature Trail to get a close-up look at the flow.  The temperature was about 43 degrees with winds gusting to over 40 miles an hour.  Can you say Wind Chill Factor!  This was the fastest hike we've ever clocked.  However, despite the breakneck speed at which we traversed the trail, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the unique and varied landscape.

The winds dislodged a number of tumble weeds, which got caught on the fencing.  Here Kathy is setting them free to roam about the country.

Funny story.  As we first approached this quail, we thought it was real, and kept taking pictures waiting for it to fly away.  It never did.  Upon closer inspection, we realized it was just a prop to trick unsuspecting tourists like us.  We admit it - they got us.  I am sure some BLM employee was snickering back at the Visitor's Center - got another one!

While the Malpais Lave Flow is relatively recent, only about 1,500 to 2,000 years old, it already has lots of vegetation.

Malpais contains two types of lava - Pahoehoe (the fluid looking stuff that looks ropy) and a'a' (pronounced ah-ah) the blocky chunky stuff.  Here some Pahoehoe was laid out in a rope design.

Off in the distance, we could see the snow piling up on Sierra Blanca.  Luckily, no snow fell where we are camped.

This juniper is estimated at over 400 years old.

This particular juniper didn't survive the construction of the Nature Trail.  However, it still provides a perch for birds of prey, shelter for small animals and a food source for insects.

As we walked back to the trailhead, we noticed coyote tracks in the concrete.  They went on for maybe 60 feet!  Unfortunately, the pictures of the coyote tracks in the concrete of the Nature Trail didn't turn out.  I can just imagine the contractor's surprise having laid down the concrete in the middle of nowhere to come back the next day and see all these strange footprints in it.

Since it was so cold and windy, we decided to have our picnic in the truck with the engine and heater on. At least we had a nice view out the front windshield.  After lunch, our next stop would be the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site. You'll have to check out the next blog for more info on that visit.

After the Petroglyphs, we stopped at Tularosa Vineyards.  We have long known that New Mexico has some great wineries.  When we went shopping last week, we had found a fantastic local Cabernet Sauvignon by Tularosa Vineyards at the grocery store, and were excited to learn that their vineyard was nearby.

As we pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by the largest white dog we have ever seen.  His name is Max.  After a few cuddles, he led us to the tasting room.

We always share a tasting because of the whole "drinking and driving" thing.  However, just that little taste was enough for us to know that we were going home with lots of wine.  Unfortunately, they had already sold out of the Cab, so we had to settle (if you can even call it that) for the Grenache, Sangiovese and Dolcetto wines. For our friends, Connie and Karen, who like the sweet stuff (and who we plan to meet up with in New Braunfels, Texas in a week or two) we picked up a bottle of the Mission - a sweet red made from vines that have been around since 1862).  We tasted it and it was very good.  It made us wish we liked sweet wines more!

So folks, if you ever see New Mexico wines in your local wine shop, don't hesitate to try them.