a visit to the visitor center while visiting the Bosque

Click the pics while I'm still a visitor.

The main building at the visitor center. There's a lot of walking trails in the area, so I went walking around and found that there's two trails that start from here, and neither one of them are very challenging.

I did something yesterday that I haven't done for ten years... No, it wasn't take a shower; I have no intention of ever breaking that long-term record. I went to the visitor center at the Bosque Del Apache.

In all the times I've been to the Bosque, I've only been to the visitor center once. I tried to go again during the Covid pandemic, but they were closed. But I went there yesterday and found it very interesting; I learned a lot about the Bosque Del Apache. But the only thing I remember is Bosque Del Apache means "the woods of the Apache," and I should call the place a Refuge instead of a Park.

I paid for a three-day stay at the little RV Park I'm at, but the weather's been so nice, and I'm having a better time than I thought I would, so I talked to the RV Park owner about extending my stay; I knew that wasn't a problem because there are only five or six RVs here. And I knew I was talking to a man I could deal with because when I asked him how much he would charge me to change my three-day stay to a one week stay, he said, "how much do you think would be fair?" So I suggested a price, and he said that was fair, so it looks like I will be here until next Sunday.

I don't think I've ever stayed here more than three days before. But this time, I'm slowing down and trying to do and see things at the Bosque that I've never done before, and by slowing down and not being in a hurry to take pictures of everything that moves, I feel a lot more relaxed, and I'm enjoying everything more.

And I think the main thing responsible for my newfound enjoyment is I mosey down the road to the Bosque at about 8 or 9 a.m., park next to the "Flight Deck," and hang out until dark. I take some pictures, go in the camper and work on the pictures, and throw away all the bad ones, which means I have to go out and take some more pictures. I make some lunch, relax, take some more pictures, and relax some more.... This is a great life!

Theboondork

Since this places claim to fame is a birder's paradise, there's plenty of bird-feeders scattered around, and benches for the old geezers to sit on along the easiest of the trails.

The easy trails looks like this, and can be navigated by just about anyone, and the only challenge is an occasional deadly desert quail, that stands in the middle of the trail waiting for their next meal to casually stroll by.

The tenderfoot trail is well marked making it difficult to aimlessly wander off the path; not impossible,  just difficult.

The tenderfoot trail does offer some navigational challenges, such as this "which way do we go now conundrum ?!!!" Hint from a professional traveler... It doesn't matter.

A trail that is a bit more interesting is this gap in the fence trail that leads away from the visitor center.

What you will soon run into, maybe literally if you're not careful, is this aptly named spiky field spider. I can't imagine any critter wanting to eat this thing more than once. But it might be a question of who eats who.

After walking past a few signs that warn of mountain lions in the area, and suggesting that you don't run if you meet one, I guess you're just supposed to stand there and wet your pants, you catch sight of some pretty scenery like this.... If only you could get over that feeling of something scratchy crawling on your back!