{living out west}

I love living out west. 

I mean, I don't necessarily love living in the desert, but it could be worse. And right where we are, we've got really close get-aways. Like Carlsbad Caverns, or Guadalupe National Park, or, in this case, Cloudcroft, NM, particularly Lincoln NF. That's where we spent our Independence Day. Campin' and Ridin'.

That's the way to live.

Cloudcroft reminds me a lot of Colorado {which is also pretty close by, considering where I used to live!} and so I always enjoy going up there. Smelling the sweet smell of aspen and the spicy smell of pine. Breathing in the fresh mountain air. Seeing wildlife and wildflowers. Hearing an elk bugle one morning. Feeling raindrops.Tasting camp food.

Ahhhh. 

 This is Hanny having a good time playing with a stick at our campsite.

 Cows!

 We also got to see a few herds of elk, which I always like.

We actually got a map from a park ranger this time, so that was nice. We actually knew where we were riding! So we covered a lot more trails this time, and found some new favorite trails, and a campsite for next time.