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Published: February 4th 2012
On West Mesa
We drove to the end of West Mesa. The drop to the valley floor is about 300 feet. Those are the Magdelina Mountains in the distance (I think)Work days continue to be varied and interesting. Our reason for volunteering in the first place was to have a new experience. We were certainly content with our travels in years past - but felt that a change would be good for the spirit and the intellect. After a month here in Sevilleta we are finding that to be true. We are leaner and keener.
Our latest outing was again as tour guides and drivers - only this time we each had our own vehicle. This was my first time as a driver but I didn’t tell that to my 4 passengers since I wanted them to feel confident, even if I didn’t. We were driving on refuge roads which are closed to the public. The roads are very rugged, and after a few bouncy areas I switched to 4 wheel drive, got the right tempo and we were all set. There were 5 cars in our caravan and Ron said he'd keep an eye on my car in case there was a problem. All went well and the 'Scat and Track ' tour was a success. The refuge biologist, Jon , pointed out
Track and Scat
Here is part of the group sitting around a water hole during our lunch break tracks and picked up scat and Ron was right there helping him . They spotted tracks for mountain lions, elk, pronghorn, roadrunners, fox, and deer. After 4 hours of driving, hiking , having lunch and sightseeing on the mesa, we drove back to the Visitors Center. My group all said I had done a great job - maybe they had figure out it was my first time.
Our closest encounter with the captive wolves has been making a delivery to the canyon where they are penned. The gate across was locked so we couldn't get close enough to see anything. We are told that the pens are huge , 2-3 acres, but that probably is very small for a wolf. Later this month there is supposed to be a wolf capture with which we will help.
On our days off we are visiting areas around Sevilleta. One trip was to Bosque Del Apache, which is a neighboring National Wildlife Refuge, whose mission is to manage the refuge for migratory birds. The number of sandhill cranes and snow geese was very impressive. The mission of our refuge,
Badger
Ron thought the plaster casts looked way to plain and decided to paint them.
This lead to his next job... on the other hand, is to let the land return to its natural state. To accomplish this the refuge is pretty much closed to the public except for tours. Invasive plants are removed and native animals are being reintroduced. The University of New Mexico also has a campus here for long term research projects. We like OUR refuge better!
On the way back from Bosque we headed to the Buckhorn Café in San Antonio - New Mexico, not the one in Texas. Many small towns in New Mexico are drab and colorless in this desert setting, but San Antonio is more drab and lifeless than most. BUT it has a claim to fame. It has 2 cafes the Buckhorn and the Owl, and they are competing for the honor of the best green chili burger in the state. We choose the Buckhorn because on May 14, 2009 the Buckhorn Café won a "Throwdown" challenge against Bobby Flay from the Food Network. http://nmgastronome.com/blog/?p=164 Check it out for the article and pictures of the burgers. The burgers were DELICIOUS!!! Another new café we found was in the small old mining town of Magdelina. Again the
Elk and Deer
Ron painted the examples town is drab, grey and pretty much desolate this time of year - except for the Bear Café. Here we found Sour Dough Blueberry Waffles and a delicious variety of quiches. We now have 4 eateries that we love in this area.
We also visited the VLA - Very Large Array located 50 miles west of Socorro on the plains of San Agustin. This is a telescope array of twenty-seven, 230- ton, 25-meter diameter dish antennas. The purpose of this place has to do with space study; the look of it is totally alien. It is hard to miss the area as you drive down Highway 60.
Future trips: we are looking forward to taking the Railrunner Train to Santa Fe and staying in a B&B for 2 nights; seeing the old town plaza area of Albuquerque; visiting the Indian Ruins in Chaco Canyon , finding the ghost towns listed in a brochure of this area; biking the 17 miles bike trail along the Rio Grande………. So much to see, so little time.
All in all , except for wishing it was a bit warmer here, we
foot print cookies
They talked Ron into frosting cookies with footprints for the tour group since he is so artistic! are having a very good time. We are exploring, learning and in our own way contributing.
The pictures tell more of the story of the area and our adventures - click to enlarge.
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Richard
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Dedicated to culinary adventures.
You guys must be on new-experience overload. Great pictures and we're very much enjoying the way you're spinning the tale.