April 23 - Hyde Memorial State Park, Santa Fe

So, to get us in the camping mood (it usually doesn't take much) we decided to go scope a new (to us) potential campground - Hyde Memorial State Park.  Hyde Park is between Santa Fe and the Ski Santa Fe ski area on SR 475.  Unfortunately, by the time we hit Santa Fe it was starting to snow and by the time we drove the 7.5 miles to the campground there was about 3" of snow on the ground and the most of the park (which we expected) was closed.  We did think we would be able to park and walk around but opted not too since we didn't dress for 28 degree weather & snow.  I managed a couple of pics and we hope to go back in better weather to explore a bit more.

There is another campground just before you get to Hyde Park called Black Canyon.  My Dad thinks we may have celebrated my nephew, Scott's 6th birthday there with my Godparents, Jake & Mary but I certainly don't remember and until he sees the place, he probably won't either.  :-)

This weekend I have been cleaning/packing the camper in preparation for our first camp trip this year.  We are heading down to City of Rocks State Park in southeastern New Mexico for a few days - hopefully we'll have nice weather that far south.  And we are trying to plan a camp trip with friends over Memorial Day weekend - wish us luck finding a spot.  ;-)

Below are the three photos I managed to get at Hyde Park...

April 17 - Spring Has Sprung

Spring has finally (or at least beginning) came to Bernalillo, New Mexico.  Trees, weeds and flowers are blooming, birds are singing, bees are buzzing and I have had my first hummingbird visitor!  Spring must be here!

Today (Sat, 4/17) dawned cool and very, very wet.  We had a hard & steady rain overnight that brought just under an inch in our gauge. The ground is saturated and Hannah & Maggie are in heaven - mud, mud everywhere.  I took advantage of the respite (more rain is supposed to move in) to work in the yard and plan a flower bed or two - not planted mind you, just planned.

Bryan took his PE (Professional Engineer) exam yesterday after months and months of studying.  Hopefully he passed it, I don't think either of us could stand it if he had to do it over.  It's a pretty hard test - 8 hours for 80 questions.  Everyone he's talked to said it took them 2-3 times before they passed it so we'll see.  Fingers crossed!!  He is also buried in school work - he took a math class this semester and what a math class it is!  I don't think it should be called math if there are no numbers in the problems - right?  Between it and the PE exam - whewweee, he's been a pleasure to be around. haha

Apple tree

I love the flowers against the blue NM sky.

I really need a better camera for close ups - Pear Blossoms

Plum tree

Plum blossoms

Despite the forecast of rain our neighbor to the south of us watered (flooded via irrigation ditch) his yard yesterday.  His ditch overflows a bit into our yard much to H & M's delight.  They have a hole near the fence and almost under the irrigation ditch that fills with water - not quite deep enough for a swim, Hannah will lay down and place her front legs and chest in the water and rest her head on the other side - I ALMOST caught it from the kitchen window. It is actually very cute.  Maggie just digs it a little deeper, slinging mud and water everywhere.  And what mud this is - clay mixture I suppose, old river bottom mud (we are within walking distance to the Rio Grande river) - whatever it is, it is the stickiest, nastiest mud I've seen.  I think H & M go out and mash their feet in it, making sure it is caked in between their toes and foot pads.  Oy Vey! It's a mess to get out and when it dries on their feet, it just cakes off all over the house.  

Hannah in her "swimming hole".

Sweet Muddy Maggie

Let the BBQ's begin!!!  We have patio furniture!!  Probably not a purchase we needed to make right now but we did it anyway.  Ahhh it feels nice to have a full size table to sit at and nicer weather in which to enjoy it.  

My third semester is coming to a close.  I have had some wonderful experiences out in "the real world" - some more interesting than others (like biomedical abridement (maggot therapy) and seeing a real, live human lung breathing in a real, live human body). It has been a great ride and I am so glad I chose this field.  Next semester I start ventilators and then will be in the ICU wards for my clinicals - I'll let you know if I feel the same way after my vent class!!