![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191219_1627246663.jpg)
Tuesday December 17 to Thursday December 19: Nights are chilly, in the low 20’s, and midday temperatures in the 40’s here at Elephant Butte New Mexico State Park where Clifford and I are camped.
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191217_071507825_HDR2-03.jpeg)
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191219_071456638_HDR2_edited.jpeg)
I dress warmly when I walk to the lake in the mornings, but by early afternoon we are able to be outside, sheltered from the wind on the sunny side of Cougar. I enjoy writing in the journal while Clifford plays the dulcimer for the brief time that it is warm enough to sit out.
On days that are not too windy, I also walk to the lake at sunset, as the late afternoon sunlight brings out the color of the mesas and the lake most beautifully.
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191219_1609035482.jpg)
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191219_1624346462.jpg)
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191219_1619557072-01.jpeg)
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191217_164539109_HDR2.jpg)
The usual activities of radio and dulcimer continue for Clifford; photography, blogs, editing, and playing viola or cello for me. Plus all the other things I don’t have time for that are sitting on a “back-burner.” Honestly, I do not understand how people can complain of being bored – there are so many fun and interesting things to learn and do.
![](https://quietwalkphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_20191218_174956731.jpg)