"Big Tree" Alligator Juniper

"Big Tree" Alligator Juniper

At sunrise, we have taken off from Aero Country Airport north of Dallas toward Deming, NM, 600 nm away to the west. The AOPA radar has shown intense thunderstorms north of the center portion of the route near Abilene, TX, and we have changed the refueling stop from the originally selected Andrews, TX, which is covered by thunderstorms, to Odessa, TX, south of Andrews. We expect to be in that portion of the route in another 3½ hours.

But 10 minutes after liftoff, an unexpected thunderstorm pops up northwest of us, with heavy rain and dark clouds illuminated by lightning flashes. The thunderstorm does not move toward us due to the high pressure system to the south of us. So we just maneuver around the thunderstorm and continue westward.

Approaching Abilene, the cluster of thunderstorms seen four hours earlier on AOPA radar is still active. We contact Flight Watch to get an assessment of the coverage of the storms. The specialist confirms that the cluster is still north of Abilene and that we can circumnavigate it by detouring to the south. She also adds “VFR not recommended,” which is the mantra to prevent lawsuits. But safe VFR is possible. We only need to observe the prudent rule that thunderstorms should be avoided by at least 30 miles.

Why do we choose to travel in such weather? The reason goes back to fall 2011. Lynn Welsch, who lives with husband Philip in Mimbres, NM, near Deming, accepted a commission to create a quilt for us. Selection of the theme of the quilt was left to her, using the vague specification, “Why don’t you create something that you think is typical of New Mexico and, more importantly, has particular meaning for you.” 

Lynn does not readily accept commissions, preferring to create quilts with themes and ideas that strike her as important at the moment. She then can work without the pressure that a particular customer should like the result. Now and then she makes an exception, as she does for us, considering that we have been friends for a number of years.

In May 2012, the quilt is done. In this age of overnight deliveries, it seems a trivial problem to bring the quilt to Dallas. But Lynn once lost a quilt shipped that way, and the reimbursement in no way made up for the fact that the quilt was gone forever. So we decide to fly to Deming and bring the quilt to Dallas. Scheduling constraints have reduced the opportunities for the trip to the current weekend.

Philip picks us up at the Deming airport. We drive to Mimbres 55 miles north. We have not seen a photo or even a sketch of the quilt, so Lynn asks upon arrival if we want to see the quilt right away. The answer is “No, we first want to settle down, rest a bit, and be fresh for a first viewing.” 

Well, that does not take long. We go to Lynn’s studio. On a wall-mounted display board, a white sheet covers something. It’s not difficult to guess that it hides the quilt. She asks that I close my eyes, which I do without peeking. Then Lynn says, “You may look now.” And there is the most glorious quilt I have ever seen. 

Welsch, Lynn B. Hiking Sandia Mountain. Quilt. 12"h x 30"w. 2012. All rights reserved.

Lynn has taken the idea from a hike that she, Philip, my daughter Ingrid, and I did in fall 2011 in the Sandia Mountains. During the hike, the bright yellow leaves of the aspens seemed on fire in the afternoon sunlight. Lynn has not just depicted that view, but has infused the quilt with the feeling of the scene. What a wonderful quilt!

Lynn’s calling is quilting. She frequently enters exhibitions and competitions. A number of her quilts have won prizes, and her work has appeared in books about quilts. To see more of her work, go to her Mountain Spirits Studio blog. 

On the last day of the visit, we all, as they say in Texas, hike in Gila National Forest. The trail is part of the historic Ft. Bayard Military Reservation. In less than an hour, we reach the main goal of the hike. It is the “Big Tree,” a huge alligator juniper said to be the second largest alligator juniper in the US. The photo above shows the enormous tree. Philip at the base gives a sense of the scale.

The term “alligator” comes from the bark, which is reminiscent of alligator hide.

Bark of Alligator Juniper

The “Big Tree” has a height of 63 ft, a crown spread of 62 ft, and a trunk circumference of 18 ft 4 in. It is estimated to be 800-1000 years old.

Crown of "Big Tree"

The largest alligator juniper of the US is said to be in Prescott National Forest, AZ. It is 46 ft tall and has a circumference of 27 ft 4 in. Apparently, trunk circumference trumps height advantage, since otherwise the “Big Tree” would be considered larger.

During the hike to the “Big Tree,” we move up a gentle slope covered with century plants in various stages of their life cycle. An amazing sight.

Century plant in bloom, ...

... just past bloom, and ... 

... in between.

On the way back, we encounter a huge cottonwood tree that must have found water deep down.

Cottonwood tree

 Prickly poppies dot the arid landscape.

Prickly poppies

Now and then a cholla cactus ekes out a living.

Cholla cactus

A few days later, we return to Dallas. A dry line splits New Mexico/West Texas from the rest of Texas. The strong westerly winds induced by the dry line blow smoke from two large fires in New Mexico far into Texas. 

Even as we cruise at 9,500 MSL, there is a whiff of smoke, and the Guadalupe mountains are bathed in haze.

Guadalupe Mountains in smoke-induced haze

The strong tailwinds push us in less than six hours to Dallas, with the valuable quilt on board. Two days later, the quilt is framed and hangs in our living room. It is a priceless addition.

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