The Rio Grande Healthy and the Gila Wilderness

The Rio Grande Healthy and the Gila Wilderness
Jason and Nancy

 

The Rio Grande below Caballo Reservoir

 

 The riparian zone is dominated by an imported Tamarix commonly called Salt Cedar. Along miles or river it is almost impossible to find any other plant on the river bank.  Think Russian Olive.  Sitting on this bank nearer the water I wrote, "Oh to imagine camp in a cottonwood bottom when the river ran free."

And next came Bosque del Apache National Monument we came to a stretch of river designated by Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 for protection.  The monument must have water rights enough to manage flow to create as possible a stretch of the natural ancient river.

 

Found this plant in one of the canals used to manage the water in the monument. Hope it isn't another weed.

Jason and I loved seeing the cottonwoods well.  Most come here for the birds.  Sand hill cranes, geese etc do winter migrate by the thousands through this monument. 

The javelina looks piggish, but we are more related to chimps than pigs are to this critter.  It is an herbivore and common throughout desert areas.  We were puzzled why, normally nocturnal, they were out in the day on the monument. 

It was thrilling to finally be able see the possibility of the Grand River spreading out 3 miles wide and creating huge wetlands that are mostly gone now.  The whole river was once like this.

Tularosa names a vast area in which we camped in different places for some weeks. The name translates to something like rose colored willows.

 

This from our camp just outside the monument.

The next photos are from a hike in the monument off the river.

 

 Following, the Gila Wilderness established by the efforts of Aldo Leopold.

 

 The Gila River

 

 Hiking into the Gila Cliff Dwellings.  Locals claim Geronimo was born in this canyon.

 

  Spring on the Rio Grande.  We found a site away from the main campground right on the riverbank.  Just below Caballo Dam.  Registering for an unnumbered site I wrote "down the road by the river."  Asked the rangers if that was okay and they seemed mystified by the question--what else would be needed? New Mexico is casual, practical.  The lovely shade is from the salt cedar dominates all plant life here.  The park tends some a small native reservation of cottonwoods.  We have another beautiful campsite.  

Wanting to see the river as it was and always being grateful to see it even now.  We have come to and back to this river many times and are going to stick with it through New Mexico at least to Taos.  

Had our third meal at La Familia Mexican Restaurant—and it really is.  I like Hatch because it is an agrarian community going about its own business, not catering to tourists.  They are beginning to recognize us there.  I like these people.  Jason reminds me that they are all irrigators.

In the afternoon sitting in my camp chair on the riverbank feet buried in warm sand I was at home.  Watching the landscapes through changing light.  I want a doctorate in being with a river going by.  In the night I often want to go home.  Now up in the sun it is the rational and good thing to be on the slow pace headed north.  No longer looking for things to see, rather

the experience of being in these environments and landscapes with an open heart that is not too distracted with wanting home.  It’s all home.