Week 13: The one with all the bows!
Rainbows and fogbows, that is!
Hello, hello, and welcome back for another weekly update! Thanks so much to all of the new subscribers — it' really means so much to have y’all following along on our adventures.
For those that are new, this is week 13 since we sold our house in Austin to travel full time in a converted camper van, and it’s also the last full week of my artist residency at Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico.
We’re staying in the cutest cabin and I feel so lucky to get to call this place home for now:
You can see our camper van peeking out from behind the cabin over on the left.
Now on to the weekly update — the one with all the BOWS!
Monday: Spectacular Skies (and Aspens)
It rained off and on today, which was really nice for painting — and I didn’t have to feel guilty about not going for a hike! Do you feel like that?
My main goal was to finish a painting of the aspen grove behind the cabin — and I did it, woo hoo! A random fact that I learned while I was here: like creosote and saguaros in the desert, aspen are nurse plants that help conifers get established. Aspens are one of the first plants to come up after a burn and help shelter other plants to get them growing on their way.
This evening we were treated to some truly spectacular skies — all photos were taken from the front porch of the cabin.
Bow #1
First there was a rainbow (!) over Rabbit Mountain:
Then a truly spectacular sunset:
Tuesday: A Magical Morning Followed by a Magical Evening
We were woken up by the sound of elk bugling around 6:30 — they sounded like they were right outside of the van! So we scrambled out of the covers and found them headed up the mountainside right behind the cabin:
Jason captured this video of the elk heading up the mountain behind the cabin.
There was also FOG! It totally filled the Valle and at one point we couldn’t see History Grove or any of the caldera. You can use the sign in the lower right side of the photo as a reference point when you look at the photos below.
We’ve had foggy mornings a few times during our time here but nothing like this. We couldn’t stop taking photos!
It was so cool to watch the fog change colors as the sun rose higher in the sky.
Here’s Cerro La Jara after the fog had almost dissipated for comparison:
Then this evening we were treated to MORE elk!
We were guessing there were around 600 elk — and that’s a conservative estimate! I posted a video so that you can see them that I shot from the porch of the cabin — be sure to put the sound on so you can hear them!
They were coming around both sides of the cabin they all met up in Valle Grande — we called it Elk-a-palooza!
What an amazing day.
Wednesday: Rainy Day/Painting Day!
Today was another rainy day — which means another painting day! I painted a bunch of wildflowers — now I just need to get photos of them all — when it’s not raining. :)
Thursday: Hiking Rito de los Indios
Today we hiked the Rito de los Indios Trail. It’s an approximately 8 mile trail that follows a beautiful creek up in to a hidden valley to the northern boundary of the park. It started out cool and cloudy and it looked like it might rain, but I’m glad we hiked it anyhow — it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.
We saw so much elk sign — and we smelled them too — but didn’t see any, darn. We did see super cute chipmunks, ground squirrels and 2 horned lizards, tho!
Since we were already in the backcountry we decided to go for a drive.
We saw so many cute prairie dogs and then some dramatic skies moved in!
Bow #2
After we got back to the cabin I looked out over Valle Grande and saw another rainbow over Cerro la Jara!
What an amazing day!
Friday: Geology Field Trip!
Today we met up with Dr. Bill Sayer for a geology field trip — these field trips are such a treat and I learn so much each time. Dr. Bill is so generous sharing his time and knowledge.
First we went to a fen, where I spotted an orchid! A Hooded Ladies’ Tresses orchid, to be exact! I also saw some Fringed Gentians. It’s always cool to see how geology impacts botany.
Then we started the trail to Obsidian Valley where Dr. Bill told us all about obsidian. I can’t wait to go back and hike the trail!
Saturday: Open House and Art Demo
Saturday morning we woke up to FOG! Ranger Lauren had told us that foggy days almost always lead to a fogbow — so we hopped in the car and went looking — and we found one!
Behold Bow #3:
We ate breakfast and I got ready for the Open House. I was a little (okay more than a little!) nervous since it was my first one ever!
We held the event on the porch of the Ranger Station since it was threatening to rain — and of course as soon as I got setup it started pouring.
I had my sketchbook that I take out in the field with thumbnail sketches, plus a portfolio filled with finished larger works.
Several people asked if I sell my work, and I don’t at this time — traveling full time makes it kind of a logistical problem! — but my wheels are turning! Stay tuned for more. It was so gratifying to be asked, tho. This former software engineer still has a hard time calling herself an artist.
I still need to take pictures of all of my work — when I do I’ll share it here! Stay tuned.
Sunday: Hiking La Garita Summit Trail!
A friend told me that La Garita is the best hike in the park — thanks, Beate! So of course we had to hike it!
The park website has this to say about the hike:
This strenuous, 7.6-mile (12.2 km) out-and-back route climbs steeply up the north rim of the caldera to reach the northern boundary fence line and then terminates in a lovely high meadow with spectacular views of the entire preserve. This route gains almost 1,800 feet in just 3.8 miles.
Elevation: 8,556 - 10,335 feet
We came prepared with our hiking poles, art supplies, and plenty of water — and the hike did not disappoint! Just look at these amazing views from the summit:
This Week’s Videos
In case ya missed ‘em, I posted a few videos over on Instagram this week, including this one of the first fall leaf painting of the season — click/tap on the image to watch:
That’s it for this week!
Tuesday will be my last day here at Valles Caldera, and I’m really going to miss this special place. What an amazing time it’s been. I plan to post a special recap later this week.
After that we’ll be back in the van — not sure exactly where yet. Let the advantures continue!
Thanks again for joining us on our journey!
Amazing pictures and narration Lisa!!!
Lisa, I've so enjoyed traveling with you vicariously. Your photos would do National Geographic proud, and your finished paintings are so lively and fresh. You, my dear, are an artist. Thanks so much for taking me along on this adventure of a lifetime. Happy trails!!!