I first moved to Las Cruces in 1979, when I graduated high school. The next six years were spent attending school at NMSU and creating a network of friends, many of whom I keep in touch with to this day. I’ve done a lot of traveling since that time. I’ve visited other parts of the country and even other countries altogether. I’ve lived in Texas, California and Arizona. I’ve spent extended periods in countless other cities and states.
Despite all that, the Organ Mountains have figured prominently in my dreams for 30 years now. Their raw, jagged physicality gives them the appearance of a dragon’s back, or a jawline taking a bite out of the sky. I’ve written short stories that take place in those mountains, or with the range as a backdrop. They were the one thing I couldn’t wait to see again and the reason I knew it was time to return.
There are a lot of reasons why I love living in Las Cruces. Those reasons are all around us. Some are obvious, some aren’t. I’ll post those reasons randomly, through pictures I've taken and in no particular order except that in which they present themselves. It’s only fitting, however, that those inspirational mountains kick it all off.
Off I-10, heading into town.
Dusk.
A cloudy morning.
Moonrise.
