These are the dog days of summer. It's been so hot for the last two weeks, hovering at or above 100 degrees most days. Of course, 100 degrees in Albuquerque is still more comfortable than 85 degrees with 100% humidity in Nashville, but even so...
Especially when you have a swamp cooler instead of air conditioning. For everyone who doesn't live in the desert, a swamp cooler works by blowing in outside air through pads which are kept saturated with water. It's kind of like hanging a wet sheet up in an open window. As the water vapor evaporates, it cools the air. It works somewhat well, as long as its dry. But as soon as you get any humidity, it's worthless. Plus you have to leave your windows cracked, or the house just feels damp, hot and clammy.
So to escape the heat, we've spent a lot of weekends up in the mountains this month.
Fortunately for us, there are any number of mountains within an hour or so from home, so it's easy to find a beautiful alpine area to cool down in. This is Valles Caldera, in the Jemez Mountains. It is absolutely incredible. It reminds Sean and me of Hayden Valley in Yellowstone, except without the buffalo. This is where the movie The Missing was filmed.
This is upper Nambe Falls, near Santa Fe. We hiked up to the lower falls, but to get there you have to wade through the Rio Nambe (which is more like a creek than a river). The water was cold, but it felt so good on our feet.
We also went for a ten mile hike up in the Pecos Wilderness. That one was a workout, I must admit. The trail was gorgeous, however, studded all over with tons of beautiful wildflowers. Plus it gave Sean a chance to check out his new water filter. I'm pleased to report that he did not come down with dysentary.
It's hard to believe that the kids will be back in less than two weeks. Did I mention that everyone I know can't believe how lucky we are to have sent Declan and Aislin to their grandparents for the whole summer? It's been nice to be able to do a few things, like that 10 mile hike! that we wouldn't be able to do with them, but I must admit that it will be nice to have them back, as well. On the other hand, they've had so much fun that I'm not sure they'll want to come home!
By the way, the last picture of a very pretty plant called Water Hemlock. It grows all over the mountains in the swampy areas next to a stream. It also happens to be one of the most deadly plants in the United States. This stuff can kill a sheep or a cow in 15 minutes, and has been used as a poison for centuries. So feel free to look, but no nibbling!