The Solar Eclipse in Rodeo New Mexico

Although Rodeo and the Chiricahua Mountains were not in direct path of totality for the eclipse on Sunday, it was still a spectacular viewing opportunity.  The passage of the moon across the sun reached it's peak at about 7:30 PM local time and as the event progressed it grew progressively darker.  Without a solar telescope or adequate filters no direct photographs were attempted.  Instead a pin hole camera approach was used to cast a shadow of the eclipse on the wall.  In reality, the holes in the window blinds served as the pin holes and since these are spaced evenly down the blinds it cast a multiple shadows of the eclipse on the opposing wall.  So instead of a single image it was possible to capture multiple linked images of the eclipse.

Multiple shadow images of Sunday's eclipse

East Turkey Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains

There are 2 Turkey Creeks in the Chiricahua Mountains, one on the west side and one on the east.  Upper eastern Turkey Creek canyon was the goal of the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club this week.  Turkey Creek flows from Long Park at the top of the range down and east swinging north through the lower elevations and the town of Paradise then out into the San Simon Valley.  A popular spot along Turkey Creek is just south of Paradise where there are several pools constructed by campers and a waterfall.  But the remote upper section of Turkey Creek more beautiful and heavily forested.  The Canyon itself has no trail and requires hiking on some steep slopes above the many plunge pools along the route, but the scrambling is worthwhile.  Just a little over a mile and 1000' up is a nice 70' waterfall that cascades down a cliff face and then flows over another small 10' drop.  For those more adventurous a climb up and around the waterfall leads to a second smaller falls above the first and eventually to Long Park.  Although the area was only lightly burned in last years fire a large amount of water has flowed down the canyon since last year and a new side canyon was noted by one hiker who had not been in the area since the fire.  The route up Turkey Creek may be found here.

One of many plunge Pools along Turkey Creek

70 ft waterfall

Greenhouse trail #248 with the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club

A group of 7 hikers from the Portal Rodeo Hiking Club met at the preappointed time at the Silver Peak trail head and carpooled up FS 42 to the Herb Marytr road then regrouped at the turnoff on FS 713, a 4 wheel drive road, where everyone piled into a truck for the mile and half drive to the trail head.  At the trail head a brisk pace was established up the Greenhouse trail quickly passing the new sign at the wilderness boundary placed during a Friends of Cave Creek Canyon work day awhile back.  The Forest Service has accomplished a great deal on this trail since last year.  The trail has been cleared up past the Winn Falls overlook which makes for easy walking.  Spring wild flowers are currently in bloom in the high country including the wild strawberry which was found all along the creek bed.  Blueberry and Blackberry bushes were also in evidence along the trail though not yet blooming.  The first stop was at the Winn Falls overlook.  A small amount of water was flowing over the almost 400' waterfall and some members scrambled around looking for the best place to photograph.  Then it was onward to Cima cabin, a former summer ranger station near the top of the ridge.  Completed in 1934, the Cima Park Fire Guard Station is listed on the National Resister of Historic places and was the stopping point for lunch.  Afterwards, a number of hikers continued on the short distance to the crest trail for a look over the west side of the mountain range.  Covering about 9 miles round trip the elevation gain was about 2700'.  The map for this hike may be found through the following link.

Winn Falls from the Greenhouse trail

Cima Fire Guard Station

Portal Rodeo Hiking Club on the Greenhouse trail

Gardening in the New Mexico Desert, Results

It is amazing what a little water will do for thirsty plants.  Many of the problems with the irrigation system are now resolved and the work has paid off.  With the help of the owner, all the irrigation heads have been recovered and are being tested, the system flushed (again), and all the filters cleaned.  As a result all the trees have now leafed out on the property and the oaks that were dropping leaves are now a dark lush green.  Many of the plants in front of the main house are now blooming and particularly spectacular are the Yuccas.  The Blue Violets have returned and are beginning to bloom as well as the Salvia and Sage.  Finally, the Cholla behind the guest house has also started blooming.

Yucca with Portal Peak

Cholla in bloom

Something old and something new

The Black Hole Resort

A number of posts have appeared on Blogging from the Boot Heel and the Sky Gypsies about the bubble in southwestern New Mexico/southeastern Arizona that encompasses the San Simon Valley where it seems time is slowed relative to the rest of the planet to local residents.  This seemed a viable explanation why everything takes so long to get done.  Whether it be a building project or the mail which requires transversing the bubble boundary everything seems to take longer than usual.  The idea of slow time also means people age at a slower rate compared with the rest of the planet and the area is ideal for those who want to get away from it all with easy access to the Chiricahua and Peloncillo mountains.  This idea has been expanded to include the guest option of a "Black Hole" at the Painted Pony Resort, that is no cell phone or internet service.  Currently, cell phone service (Verizon only) is provided by a Wilson cell phone repeater which picks up the signal from Lordsburg through Antelope Pass and re-amplifies the signal inside the main house.  While wireless internet is provide through individual wireless routers in the main house and guest house connected through DSL provided by the local telephone company, Valley Telecom.  This of course may be expanded to include satellite TV service as well.  This equipment is normally turned off when guests are not in residence and activated before their arrival, but with the Black Hole option, this equipment is left off, ensuring guests privacy and eliminating all electronic distractions.  This encourages overly stressed guests to enjoy the landscape of the high New Mexican desert and 80 acres of the estate.  While some may find this experience troublesome at first, there is always something to do from the hot tub or swimming in the heated pool to basketball or searching for evidence of ancient inhabitants around the property.