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Sunday, December 12, 2010 - Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs NM

Ocatillo, Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs NM, January 22, 2009
Ocatillo, Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs NM, January 22, 2009

Ocatillo in a sea of creosote

Creosote has taken over vast areas of the desert out here in New Mexico. I understand it emits a chemical from its root system that is inhospitable to other plants. And to itself I guess - the creosote bushes seem to be spaced at regular intervals with generally bare soil between bushes. There is the occasional exception like this nice ocatillo.

That plant with the yellow flower sharing space with the ocatillo is a cholla. Ocatillo have a red flame shaped flower at the tips of the stems in the spring - they are quite striking.

Night camp

Site 9 - Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs NM

The Bottom Line

...if you’re young, dear God, don’t try to live the way your parents did. You don’t need three bedrooms, although a roof is nice. Get the hell outa Dodge and stir things up. Leave! Adapt! Believe in yourself! Have fun! The bottom line is, do I have shelter and enough to eat. Everything else is optional. EVERYTHING! There are no rules!!! Just keep it simple: get that first bit down, no matter how, and you can get creative with the rest.

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