We leave Socorro early making for the old Highway 66. I note that the wildflowers, that are just starting their most magnificent display, are being mowed down from fence-line to fence-line. There are none behind the wire on the grazing land, of course. We do manage to out-run the giant mower and see them in glorious carpets, just South of Albuquerque. There'll be no time for them to set seed before they fall. The other sad revelation is that the Wildlife Refuge I've been watching for seems to be on the bare, dry side of the 8 lane Interstate. The riparian strip between the Interstate and the Rio Grande, where there is good cover, lots of wildlife food, and all the water, is signposted - "Game Reserve"! We turn off on Route 66. Traffic is light and the scenery is lovely. Hildebrand has been this way before traveling Route 66 became a nostalgic thing to do. We'll be alongside the Santa Fe Railroad again soon. I'll miss the railroad when we have to go home