aspen and cottonwood

Im traveling to Taos, New Mexico, today. I haven’t been in New Mexico during Fall for many years. Too many years.

I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of Aspen, though it’s more likely I’ll see Cottonwood. The Aspen trees may have dropped most of their leaves by now.

Cottonwood is a good substitute tree when you can’t have Aspen. I’m talking about scenic beauty. Often found alongside streams and rivers, they are beautiful in their own right.

My hope is to visit The Valley Vidal. “The Valle Vidal (which is Spanish for “Valley of Life”) is a 101,794 acre area on the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains”.

It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The land with the stream running through it, the meadows, the distant timber, the winding road, mule deer, elk, birds and fish! Altitude varies, 8,000’ to 12,000’. Gasp. Gasp.