Credit - Elisabeth Mathisen 2016

The Valley of Fires Recreation Area is located adjacent to the Carrizozo Malpais, one of the youngest lava flows in the continental U.S. Approximately 5,000 years ago, volcanic vents at Little Black Peak erupted, and the resulting molten rock flowed southward for 44 miles, filling the valley floor with a vast field of basalt lava.

City of Rocks is a unique New Mexico state park known for its stunning, otherworldly volcanic rock formations, which resemble a city skyline, complete with "streets" and "buildings". It is located in the Chihuahuan Desert, roughly halfway between Silver City & Deming.

Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow, so no Day-After-Thanksgiving walk with the family this year. But J and I did get in a little hike in the swamps and salt marshes around Big Fresh Pond.

After ten years and countless adventures, we’ve officially seen them all. Park #63 of 63 - National Park of American Samoa. Magical.

Beautiful hawthorn flowers and English countryside.