exploring a canyon

In the mountains above Rodeo-Portal, NM, is lovely Cave Creek Canyon. Some of the 33 caves were used by the Apache. It's now know as a birder's paradise, especially during the migration season, but IMO, it should also be known for its beauty & hiking trails. 

The drive into the canyon foreshadowed the interior. 

Near the entrance to the canyon, a large group of javelinas (maybe 20) crossed the road in front of & behind my truck. Couldn't get a good pic, but here's a "proof of life photo". The exhibits in the visitor center explained every aspect of the place.  

The trees along the road alone were worth the price of admission. Finding "fall color" in early March was a surprise!

The short walk to this viewpoint must hold the record for most reward per step taken to get there. It was a 360* view from a knob in the middle of the valley. 

The snow on the higher peaks really set off the greenery. 

I had an interesting experience today. Seeing an Escape trailer (same make as mine), I stopped to say hello. A few minutes of conversation revealed that Jim's (propane) furnace wasn't working. The most common cause of this is a bad sail switch, & I had 2 extras in my trailer in the RV park down in the valley. He had decided to move to the same RV park if he couldn't get the furnace working, as he (like most all of us) had a backup electric heater which would need the electricity available at the RV park. When I returned from exploring, he'd moved down there, so I gave him one of my sail switches. He put it in, & the furnace started right up. Our little "Escape Club" has its benefits. In fairness, 98% of all campers help each other out in this way, but we Escape folks seem to especially stick together.