Ol' Smokey

  CAPITAN, N.M. - In 1950 a forest fire raged in Capitan Gap, which you can see on the horizon. When the smoke was still clearing, a cute little bear cub was found clinging to a tree, badly burned. He survived and went on to become a spokesman against human carelessness.
  You know him as Smokey Bear, and he'd be really mad if you started one of those fires that torches a forest. Yeah, he's long dead, but his memory lingers on. So don't play with matches, and make sure those campfires are out.

A Rush

  ALBUQUERQUE - They're in their mid- to late-50s, but the Canadian trio Rush can still rock.
  This photo was taken during Rush's June 29 concert in Albuquerque, which opened their 2010 tour.

  Despite their seemingly advanced ages, these guys played for three-plus hours, long enough that my wife had reached her Rush saturation point, and I commend her for hanging in bravely to the end.
  It's Rush's "Time Machine" tour, during which they play their 1980 "Moving Pictures" album in its entirety. Nostalgic, yet simultaneously reaffirming to hear these guys crank out "Tom Sawyer" one more time.
  One thing I've noticed so far in my travels: Virtually every town of 5,000 or more has a classic rock station. Think it's true that rock & roll will never die?

Chaco and the wind

So if you're at the Pueblo Bonito overlook at Chaco Canyon on a really windy day, just remember to not get too close to the edge, OK?
I was kneeling, fooling with my camera, and a big gust knocked me backward, onto the rock. If I'd been a little closer ... And what was I doing taking pics anyway? There was so much dust in the air you could barely see Pueblo Bonito below.
This morning was a lot mellower. Had a nice hike and left Chaco going south, stopping briefly at a self-serve jewelry booth (seriously) just before the highway near Crownpoint.