Photo of the Day: No Pony Tail Required Today

Camera: Canon 5D | Lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM | Setting: f/4, 1/40th sec, ISO 100

I fell in love with her when she was wearing a pony tail. And running shorts.  And running shoes. But this isn't a bad view, either.

Having our truck set up with a comfy roof top tent (more accurately called a roof top bed, but I digress) and 14 gallons of fresh water served through a 12-volt pump and kitchen sprayer makes the adventure-travel life easy in many regards. However, an outdoor shower in the cold?  Um, I can think of more pleasant experiences than that. So we often go without for a couple of days.

On those shower-free days Brooke wears a pony tail, and I stuff my knot of hair under a hat or bandana.

We learned a new trick. See, we set up a four-day trip through New Mexico in March, and on the second night we stayed at a guest ranch near the village of Magdalena.  Our room, above, opened up to a small courtyard and the hosts set a small table with a kettle of fresh coffee for us in the morning. Idyllic dried red chiles adorned the posts outside.

Now this -- this right here -- is camping, people.  Someone else makes the coffee while you get to take a warm shower.

The pony tail holders and bandana took the morning off.  Now, let's go find our little child who's wandered out to the chicken coop to feed the goats.