Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge

8 intrepid hikers faced a sunny, breezy Tuesday morning with courage and optimism. We headed for Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge--some pretty flat land where spring hasn't quite sprung. The visitor center is closed--apparently long-term. We walked the Rio Grande which seemed less than grande. We paralleled the ditch from the Enclosed Basin, carrying supplemental water southward.

We counted birds because it was easy--most of them were huddled elsewhere. The sun disappeared behind clouds that spit iceballs. The breeze became more than breezy. There seemed to be some relief as we approached the protected porch.

Wee huddled in the lee of the building, taking some time for lunch. Then Mt. Blanca and neighbors emerged from the ice clouds, giving us a spectacular, mystical farewell.

•Bill,Marilyn,Linda,Judy,Wayne,Judy,Bob

•the real goose-step /AlaNWR

•Cottonwoods on Rio Grande ANWR

Grotesque trees Alamosa NWR

•Blanca Massif--the sacred mountain to many tribes.