A Return to the Deserts of the Amazing U.S. South-West during winter, of course...well, mostly. (Part 1 of a single trip).

Angel Fire Ski Resort, New Mexico, resting place for the lazy.

Don't fence us is, 'please'. Barstow, California...a treasure.

Jen reminds me that we have related this event, at least once before, perhaps twice. I was so impressed, actually amused with it that I think it still has one more showing (say 2035). We found ourselves in Hawaii, which of course, is the 50th state of the country, with a rather unique environment.

We were hiking somewhere down in the Haleakala volcanic region, when she heard voices that sounded set in an argumentative tone. We looked to the side where we noticed young a woman arguing with what turned out be to her 12-year-old son. There was something really odd about the situation which struck a chord that made us smile soon afterwards.

While we definitely not experts in languages, we were able to recognize the voices of the German woman and American son. She was speaking German while he answered in English. (American). It resonated so strongly because the conversation developed into an argument in two distinct languages (Germanic). It had such an unusual air to it that we were rather bemused and admittedly, somewhat confused. When the argument concluded finally, we walked over to the woman and asked for forgiveness for our inquisitiveness. She responded to us in perfect English with a German accent as expected.

We had asked her, "What is actually going on between the two of you?"

She explained, "My son, is proficient in both English and German, he refuses to speak German to me. I, equally refuse to converse in English with him. Hence, our communications tend to sound somewhat odd.

I supposed they are spoiled with too much choice or...

The high point, Angel's Landing, well, it depends on one's perspective. (Zion National Park).