Update on Katie - and - Leaving Heron Lake

I've been enjoying my time here at Storrie Lake, and thought I'd better post these photos I took as we were leaving Heron Lake and driving this way before they get too outdated.  I'm sure the Verizon tower will be repaired and operating soon, and this is what you can expect to see if you're driving north on US84.  Some of these I took heading up and some heading back down.  It was a beautiful drive with good roads and gorgeous scenery.

We drove past the Georgia O'Keefe Home and Studio on the way up.  It's on the right side of the road, right there on US84.  It was highly recommend by Renee, but I decided to keep going and visit it on the way back.  Unfortunately on the way back it was closed when we stopped and the tours were full for the next two days.  Oh, well.  Next time. 

On the way back, further along US84 is a natural rock formation called Echo Amphitheater:

Driving on the road to the amphitheater right off the highway:

When I got to the entrance to this little picnic area/amphitheater, there was a place to stop and pay $2 to enter.  I figured I only wanted to see it, and I had a good view right there from the driveway, so I snapped my photos and turned around.  I know, I know, $2 will never be a budget breaker, but why spend it when I don't have to, and there were two vehicles blocking the payment area.  They were there for a while, I guess looking for $2 or figuring out whether they wanted to pay or turn around.  Too much of a hassle.  But it was interesting to see.

This is what it says about Echo Amphitheater on Wikipedia:

"In the spring of 1861 a group of settlers from Iowa were farming in northern New Mexico when they were set upon by a band of Navajo who had ventured into the region. The settlers (one family was the Zendalters and another family was the Treblers) were taken to the top of the amphitheater and executed. Their blood spilled into the amphitheater, staining its walls. Three years later, when the Navajo were being forced on the "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo by the U.S. Army, ten Navajo men were killed at the top of the amphitheater in retribution for the earlier deaths. Once again, blood spilled down the walls of the amphitheater. The blood seeped into the pores of the rock and dried and supposedly is still visible today. It is said that in the echoes returned from the cliff's walls one can hear the anguished cries of the dead."

As we were leaving Heron Lake State Park, driving along the road to the highway, there was a large gaggle of Canada Geese on the hillside.  They look like the same geese here at Storrie Lake.  I had to stop for a photo op:

That's all the photos from my trip to Heron Lake.

UPDATE ON KATIE'S SWOLLEN ANKLE

There is an animal hospital here in Las Vegas, NM,  that I pass on my way to town - it's about halfway between the park and the Wal-Mart, so really convenient.

Katie was due for her annual appointment and I scheduled her at this facility.  They see large and small animals, have been in business for a long time, she could get her physical and the shot she needed, and if the ankle required anything done to it, they could handle her at this location.

We went yesterday - and it was a really positive experience.  The Vet and his staff were all super nice to me and to Katie, Dr. Nelson explained everything as he went, and then he checked out Katie's ankle mass.  It was still puffing up with fluid, then going down, but never going away - and it's been six months.  He asked me a lot of questions as he examined the area, and then diagnosed it as a Seroma.  I've never heard of that term before, so he explained it to me.

A surgical site or trauma are the most common causes of Seromas.  Katie's was caused by trauma (stepping into a red ant nest and getting bit) which caused the blood vessels in the area to send out capillaries which secrete blood serum.  It pooled in that area right above where the ants bit her, causing a serum-filled sac, which usually goes away.  For some reason Katie's Seroma didn't resolve on it's own, and continues to fill and empty depending on her activity level.  He said it's nothing to worry about as long as there's no change.  He prescribed Professional Neglect.  I liked that!  If it enlarges a lot and won't go down, or if it starts bothering her, then it can be drained and a steroid shot administered to the area.  He said that doesn't always work though, and he'd rather just leave it if it's not causing any problems.  Such a relief!

We'll probably be here again next year at this time and Katie will see Dr. Nelson again then for her annual physical appointment.  He can check it out again at that time if it's still there.  He's probably about my age, so I hope he doesn't retire any time soon!  :)

Ben Nelson, D.V.M

Las Vegas-San Miguel Veterinary Hospital

84 NM 518,  Las Vegas, NM 87701

505-425-3538

www.lvsmvetmed.com

If you are ever here at Storrie Lake State Park, or in the Las Vegas, NM area and you need a vet, I would highly recommend Dr. Nelson.

Does that camera make my nose look big?

Of course not, Katie, you have a tiny little nose.  

From me and Katie, have a great Sunday, everyone!  :)