I’ve look forward all year to picking raspberries at the ranch, as last year’s visit was simply perfect. This time Jack enjoyed it too. I think Scott just endured the heat, but he did it well.
After running around, exploring bugs, dirt and berries, Jack was ready for shade and a cool treat. The ranch quite cleverly provides cold ice cream topped with raspberry goodness. I first gave Jack a simple vanilla cup, but when he saw mine, he raised his hand, like in school and said, “Me! me! me!” I chuckle to remember it and wondered, like so many things, where did he learn that! So, yes he got to try some raspberry goodness, too.
We walked away with a car full of berries, cantelopes, peaches, plums and a watermelon. And two very satisfied moms with two sleepy kids. I already can’t wait for next year.
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Like this day, there are just some days that the need to get out with my camera are so strong; to keep trying and exploring and create pretty pictures. My addiction is that strong. Nothing was going to stop me from loading up the boys, with a DVD for Jack, and bump-ity bumps to put Scott asleep. It was me and the road exploring due east. A perfect hour spent.
So the fruits of my little travel- we visited the orchards. They are expansive here and I don’t think I’ll tire of driving by. Someday I really want to jump the fence and run through the thick of them all. Some of the orchards are so grand and dense that you feel like you could get lost, in-spite of being planted in straight rows. I love them for their symmetry in lines and grandness and height. These pecan trees are T-A-L-L. At times, they grow on both sides of the road as if they belong there and you are the intruder.
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And I couldn’t resist stopping at a sign that says, “Happy Jacks”. Maybe someday we’ll “WHOA!” our car and see if the shop makes Jack happy.
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About an hour outside of Roswell, New Mexico
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Prints can be purchase in my Etsy shop!
The other day I felt we should go feed the ducks at the Spring River Zoo. We haven’t been there in a while and a stale loaf of bread could be put to good use. What fun it was to see way more geese there than I ever have. They kept taking flight from the water and would circle around in the sky. Groups and groups of them. Jack was just keen on throwing the bread to the birds that crowded around which was a highlight to his day. He was quite mad at me when I tried to get him in his car seat to go home. It’s my goal to teach him to love and respect nature, I suppose this is helping. 
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We went exploring last week around the Bitter Lake National Bird Refuge. Established in 1937 to provide wintering homes for migratory birds.
We spied our favorite bird below.
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(I must give credit where it is due- Perry took the above photo. Maybe we'll go into business together some day.)
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