Rockhounding Round Mountain!

We joined the Silver City "Rolling Stones" rockhounding club this morning, and immediately went on this first adventure to an area on the western side of the Burro Mountains, near the Arizona border.

After driving many miles on some dusty and evntually high clearance only backroads, we arrive at Round Mountain and were amazed at the number of crystalline rocks everywhere! yes, just all over the ground!

I think Kim was in "rock heaven" babbling and shouting "Look, look at this one!"  and on and on she went.  It didn't take long to realize that we had to be more selective in our choices, since the first bag filled up very quickly.

It takes a while to get that "selective eye" developed, because everywhere you walk and everywhere you turn are nice looking hunks of the "chalcedony" this particular form of crystals here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcedony

I carried my rockhound's hammer for a while, but realized it really wasn't need, since most stuff was just laying right on top of the volcanic soils.

Looking through our finds after getting home, I realize we had a nice sampling of the different forms the land had to offer, including one fist-sized geode that I can't wait to cut open. 

It was after we got back (and on the computer) that we realized we had not found what would have been a real prize from this area, Fire Agate... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcedony

Sorting through some larger chunks, 3-6 inches across, we'll have some nice "whatnots" to add to our already growing collection here at Gila Lodge!

Bye, Bye Alpenlite!

After sitting out on Highway 90 for only a couple of days, our 29 foot Spyglass sold to the first couple looking at it! Kim will miss it more than I, but with a move to traveling only half the year, it just makes more sense for us to go back to our 21 foot TrailBlazer. We will pick it up in Oregon after returning from Hawaii next month.

I'm looking forward to the smaller footprint for towing & parking, and I think we'll make many "local" trips here from Silver City this year.

Interesting Pack Rat!

RAT???? set a couple traps in the house last night thinking I'd catch a Pack Rat. Kim woke up saying "something's burning". Thank goodness - no fire, only this interesting critter in the trap in the downstair's bathroom! 

Spotted Skunk - Guess that's just life in the Gila Wilderness!

Gila River Outing

We explored the back end of Bill Evans Lake Rd today, after a tip from a fellow birder on how beautiful the canyon, beyond the lake was.  On the drive in we encountered some interesting creatues right along the roadside!

Yep, that's it,  wild turkeys and then  hiking down the road, those strange guys that look like a cross between a racoon and a cat are Coatimundi....first time Kim and I have ever seen them in the wild.

Needless to say, the're pretty fast, so the shots here we snapped at 720mm focal length at an unacceptably low shutter speed, but here's a few more views of these unusual critters.

After climbing over and around mountainous ridge, we are treated to a spectacular panoramic view of the river valley, just north of the canyon.

To say the river was beautiful is a heck of an understatement, what a delight to the eyes!

On the way back to Silver, we took a side road up the five+ mile drive into Saddle Rock Canyon.  Aside from an interesting 4x4 drive, the warm late afternoon colors of the rocks were a treat.  We got back here last night looking on the DeLorme Topo software realized that with a dirt bike or 4x4 (or on foot) we could have gone all the way through to the back of  Gila Burro!

Gila Burro Mountains Cabin - Part 1 The Property

YES, IT'S OFFICIAL, IT'S OURS!
Situated about 12 miles as the crow flies west-southwest of Silver City is a section and a half of private land within the 196,000 acre Burro Mountain portion of the Gila National Forest (the light green patch near the center).  Our new "home" is located on 15 acres at 53 Rafter D Road (you can do a Google map search and zoom right in on it!).  The Gila National Forest is a total of 3.3 million acres, with about 600,000 being designated wilderness (Aldo Leopold and Gila Wilderness). (The large light green patch across the entire upper part of this map)

Driving into the property from Rafter D, you first pass the guest casita off to the right, climb a small hill with the drive curving around this beautiful old alligator juniper. 

The cabin is nestled about halfway up a small draw, protected on both sides.

Walking up the draw behind the cabin, I glance back and get this view of the mountains in the distance (facing northeast).

A little higher up gives us a great view of the cabin complex, which includes a storage shed, a covered dog pen, two portable carports (only one can be seen here) and a large "ramada" carport in front of the cabin, which we plan to use as part of the patio.

Looking to the left, we can barely see the roof of the casita (center laft in the photo), with that stunning view in the distance.

The views from the top of the property (about 150 ft above the dwellings) are awesome!  Facing east here:

More northeastward:

And on top looking due north over the Gila Forest!

Gila Burro Mountains Cabin - Part 2 Cabin Exterior

Climbing back down, we get a closer view of the rear of the cabin and the "outbuildings"....

Around the front again, you notice the "permanent" carport on the left, our thoughts are to use this a a ramada (shaded area) for summer outdoor sitting and entertaining.

As I walk back up to the left of the cabin, I capture a nice shot looking just over the top of the ramada carport, and the outdoor swing. One also gets a litle different perspective walking down around the back side of the cabin and back to the front entry.

Around the right side, is the movable carport, shed and dog pen.





Kim had taken this picture of the patio in front the other day before the snow,  I enjoyed just sitting a bit and taking in that wonderful view!

And that brings us back to the front, where we can now explore what's inside!

Gila Burro Mountains Cabin - Part 3 - Cabin Interior

Before entering, I take a look at the porch on the right, which is set up for both summer and winter use, with screens and removable glass windows.

The stonework envelops the entire lower half of the first story, and forms a decorative table here on what is the rear of the fireplace and chimney. Pueblo Indian artifacts found on the property decorate the center, and are found along with interesting rocks and minerals along the outer walls.

Inside the log core, I look back at the front door and can't help but enjoy the view through the stained glass center.

Turning around (as you walk in through the door) the den and kitchen area immediately convey the rustic character of old Gila mountain construction. That's right, all of the logs and stones are from the area!

As you walk into the center of the room, your eyes are immediately drawn to the unique stairs that lead to the MBR (master bedroom) and upstairs to the two additional bedrooms.

The rough stone fireplace has outside air feeds, internal plenums with circulating fans and is capable of heating the entire house.

The kitchen is small but plenty adequate for rustling up anything from Cajun goodies or cowboy meals!

The downstairs bath boasts a jacuzzi, seperate shower and a single lavatory...

Before walking into the MBR, I stand on the steps and get this nice panoramic view of the entire cozy living area---then continue to pan around the room to give you a real feel for the place!

The master was an addition, nice complete separate area, with it's own outside entry----

and it's own bath-----

The exposed logs continue into the upstairs ceilings with a walkaround balcony opening back down into the living area.

The rear bedroom is quite large with its own closet and bookshelves.

The walkway between rooms has a nice northeast view and leads past more bookshelves into the front bedroom which will double as an office.

It also has a great view, over the front entrance looking almost due east.  All-in-all plenty more room than Kim and I need, but nice for guests and the kids!