Valley of Fires and a Feline Friend

Valley of Fires is a former New Mexico State campground that is now under BLM management. The Bureau of Land Management has done an excellent job! The 3/4 mile interpretive trail does a fine job of educating you on the formation of this malpais as well as its attendant flora and fauna.

While there we were visited by one of the more recent inhabitants of this not-so-ancient lava flow, a sweet little feral kitty who was very friendly and liked hanging out nearby. She also liked getting hand- outs and was very adept at keeping just the right distance. The camp hosts told us she had been there since she was a kitten. So far she has resisted all attempts at “rescue” and seems very capable and happy.