Author Archives: theblondecoyote

About theblondecoyote

Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance science and travel writer with degrees in biology and geology and a master’s in science writing. A regular contributor to EARTH magazine, where her favorite beat is the Travels in Geology column, she has also written for the anthologies Best Women's Travel Writing 2010 and Best Travel Writing 2011. Mary is currently based in western Colorado. When she’s not at the computer she can usually be found outside -- hiking, skiing, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Visit her website at www.marycapertonmorton.com.

Santa Fe Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by theblondecoyote

It’s Christmas Eve and I’m off to Zurich! There’s a cheap travel tip for you: flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day will often knock a few hundred dollars off your plane ticket. I don’t really mind spending the holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in New Mexico, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

All Seasons: Cerrillos, New Mexico

Posted on December 23, 2011 by theblondecoyote

I go for a hike almost every day and cover a lot of the same ground, over and over, in all weather and in all seasons. Exploring new terrain is always exciting, but there is something deeply satisfying about getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Lessons Learned from a 99-cent Poncho

Posted on December 21, 2011 by theblondecoyote

On the first hike I ever took west of the Mississippi, a 99-cent poncho saved my life. A few weeks earlier, I had graduated from college, given away everything that wouldn’t fit in my car, and hit the road, heading … Continue reading →

Posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, Photography, Road tripping!, Vagabonding 101 | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Tilting At Windmills

Posted on December 19, 2011 by theblondecoyote

Windmills are a very basic machine: they convert wind energy into rotational energy, which can be used to mill grain, haul water or generate electricity. Here are some of my favorite windmill shots from Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, California and few places in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography, Road tripping!, Sustainable Living | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Mortons in Europe, Part 1

Posted on December 18, 2011 by theblondecoyote

Back in 2006, my sister Sarah won a scholarship to spend the summer in Europe, studying art. She spent a month in Rome and a month in Norway before my brother and I met up with her in August to … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Uncategorized, Vagabonding 101 | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Healing Horses

Posted on December 16, 2011 by theblondecoyote

I grew up with horses. Somewhere there’s a picture of me as a toddler on my Uncle Jay’s big black horse Ace. I’m gripping the saddle horn, my legs barely halfway down the jockey flaps, grinning. As I grew, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cowboys & Horses, New Mexico, Photography | 17 Comments

Utah in Winter

Posted on December 15, 2011 by theblondecoyote

Winter is the best time to visit Utah. Snow on red rocks is amazing and you’re all but guaranteed to have even the most notorious madhouses (Ahem, Arches) to yourself. Last January, I drove through southern Utah on my way … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking!, Photography, Road tripping!, Vagabonding 101 | 8 Comments

Best Hikes on Earth: Tent Rocks

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theblondecoyote

Back in July I wrote a post on my All-time Top 5 Favorite Hikes. This past weekend I got to revisit one of the best: Tent Rocks National Monument near Cochiti Pueblo. This hike, less than an hour south of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Sun Temple

Posted on December 10, 2011 by theblondecoyote

High on a mesa a few miles by foot from my house is a temple. I don’t know anything about this place, except that it was clearly built by a dreamer. In the corner of the straw bale and stucco … Continue reading →

Posted in Bowie & D.O.G., Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Ode to Gaiters

Posted on December 9, 2011 by theblondecoyote

Now that New Mexico has a few inches of snow on the ground, I’ve broken out my all time favorite pieces of nerdy hiker gear: gaiters! Gaiters are waterproof coverings for your lower legs that loop under your boots and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking!, New Mexico, Photography, Uncategorized, Vagabonding 101 | Tagged , | 6 Comments