This morning Ben and Jieun Newland took me to see Organ Mountains, near Las Cruces, New Mexico, declared a national Park only in 2014. Also called La Sierra de los Órganos, the rugged mountain range was so named because someone thought that the jagged peaks looked like organ pipes???

To us organists we couldn’t see the resemblance but the scenery was spectacular just the same.

Here’s what I found on the Organ Mountains website:

The Organ Mountains tower nearly 5000 feet above the Mesilla Valley and Tularosa Basin. Overlooking Las Cruces to the west and White Sands National Monument to the east, the Organs are visible from 100+ miles in every direction during clear days. Their geology contributes to this spectacular scenery and to a wide array of recreational opportunities that help make “the Organs” one of New Mexico’s most recognized and important landmarks.

The Needles, standing at 8,990 feet, are the range’s most prominent feature. These granite peaks were created, according to geologist W.R. Seager, by pyroclastic flows and lava almost 34 million years ago. Now, the smooth granite and spectacular views draw climbers from all over the world. A non-technical route rated as New Mexico’s most difficult day hike also allows non-climbers to savor the same experiences. As Seager puts it, “Their stark, sawtooth profile, their challenging slopes and changing moods have made the Needles a favorite of artists, photographers, and mountain climbers, as well as a daily pleasure to the people who live within their view.”

While during a search of Organ Mountains photos, I discovered that people have named each one of the jagged peaks with such names as Lesser Spire, Orp, R. E. Massif, Big Windy Canyon, Low Home, The Spire, Razorback, Wildcat, Dingleberry, Third Peak, Lost Peak, The Wedge, Squaretop, Little Squaretop, Needle, and Fillmore Canyon.

These are some of the pictures we took on our short trip to Organ Mountains.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

While I am writing this, Jieun and I are listening to the Early Music Hawaii presentation of ACRONYM over her fantastic sound system. It’s not too late to buy tickets for this extraordinary early music orchestra program. In addition to the superb music making, the musicians explain a little about their unusual period instruments. Go to the Early Music Hawaii website to buy tickets. The video will be available through November 5, 2021 at 10:00 pm Hawaii time.

You don’t have to live in Hawaii to enjoy this presentation!