85 degrees and snow?

Today, we drove over to Ruisdoso, NM to visit my cousin and see a few pine trees.

On the way, this is what we encountered.

At least, they had plowed for us, but the road still looked slick.

Flowers?  Growing in the snow?  Never saw that before.

And lizards!  In the snow?Did you know that a lizard's eyes are stationery. They can't move their eyes around like we can, so they do "push ups" to enable them to see further.

What's this?

Dunes?  White sand dunes?  Wow!  Could have fooled me.  Sure enough, we were in the White Sands National Monument.  (We used Don's Eagle Pass again and got in free.)  The white dunes are beautiful and just amazing.  We thoroughly enjoyed seeing this place in New Mexico.

The roots of this plant is what makes this mound.  As the wind moves the dunes around, the roots hold the sand in place and creates this strange looking "clump."

As I mentioned, we were headed to Ruisdoso, first because I have never been there and second, because while talking to Mama, she told me that I have a first cousin who lives there!  Let's see, I haven't seen Carolyn in about 56 or 57 years!  Carolyn is the baby daughter of my mama's oldest sister, Ginny. Their doggy, Baby.  Soooo sweet.Their cat, Cat.  Too mean to deserve a name, according to Ken.They were wonderful, preparing a delicious lunch for us and also taking us to see a little of the Ruisdoso area.  This is Benito Lake not far from their home. Ken stopped the truck for me to take this picture.  Carolyn completely understood my fascination with dead trees:  "they have character."  We ARE related!There are deer everywhere and they are not afraid of people. Sierra Blanca, as seen from Carolyn's back yard. The beautiful home they built and have retired here.  Love the huge porch that wraps 3/4 around the house.  No AC is needed here and one wood-burning stove heats the whole house, for the most part.  Thanks, Carolyn and Kenny, for a wonderful afternoon.  It was amazing to see y'all!

On the way back to the Q, we stopped at a pistachio ranch in Tularosa.  Now that's one big nut.

Hey, this was DATE DAY and it was a great day.  Thanks to my wonderful husband for the idea to go to Ruidoso.

We are so blessed.