well desert and dessert are spelled differently but you get the idea. lol

Will add later. Still getting used to idea that no matter what I sign up for I find myself scrolling lower and lower to choose year of birth...

 Isn't it wonderful that desert as in 'arid'  and desert as in 'a tasty treat' are spelled the same? Ok here's a bit of desert background as to how I came to love it and need it's fix at least biannually.

I guess even at a very early age I loved how the adobe homes seemed to be a part of the earth and landscape itself. Granted, these images were from pictures and not first hand but it was delightful to see. The usually muted colors always fascinated me and have a calming effect. Even now given a choice I would take a day of the earth tones and silver gray foliage capped by the deep blue sky over a riot of fall colors common to my area in autumn.

I finally ventured to the Southwest after my oldest daughter moved to Albuquerque, sight unseen, after completing her graduate school. New Mexicans have mercy on me but I always pictured NM as a flat boring desert with nothing but cactus. Not just any cactus but Saguaros!!  Wrong and wrong and wrong. To my surprise it was nothing as I had envisioned and while I could be mistaken NM may indeed have more mountain ranges than any other state. I have often been surprised to see a different range in every direction I looked.

The first stop on each trip is Elena Gallagos area at the West base of the Sandias. It is a quick drive from the Sunport and the quickest way I know of to sit down and practically inject the beauty of the desert straight into my veins! Well actually the first flush of satisfaction comes the moment the last Midwest irrigation circles end and the plaines of Eastern NM come into view. Beautiful desolation. For those who have never flown it is awe inspiring to see in mere moments the transformation of the land from the bland Midwest to the contrasts and beauty of the Southwest.

more......someday