Above is this weeks free desktop. Back once again to this intriguing place in northeastern New Mexico, the Capulin Volcano National Monument. For those not familiar with Capulin (and I'm sure there are many of you out there), it's an extinct cinder cone volcano which rises more than 1300 ft above the surrounding plains and the symmetry was retained as lava never actually flowed from the main crater but rather from the boca (Spanish for mouth) at the western base of the cone. The volcano's cone is formed of cinders, ash, and other rock debris which were spewed out the main vent during its eruptions. The photo offered this week was taken while hiking the 1 mile rim trail last September. This is the view from the northern portion of the rim, looking north back across the main section of the fourth, and final lava flow from Capulin. It's kind of tough to see the ripples left in the lava as it cooled, but the majority of the flow is now covered by the dark green vegetation. There is also a short trail which takes you into the crater to view the vent, but for me, it's the truly staggering panoramic views of the Raton-Clayton volcanic field from the rim trail which make this a wonderful, very worthwhile stop to a park most of you have never even heard of.