I know what you mean about the valley being dry. We stay at a cabin east of the edge up in the mountains and it is way greener than just a few miles into the valley. We took a ride to Cuchera on Monday and it looked almost as green as around here in Vermont. We visited Zapata Falls over by the dunes and the sign at the parking area said parts of the valley get less than 8" of rain each year. My first trip to south central Colorado was a surprise when I saw the semi desert conditions. Even though it is dry the elk and deer hunting is pretty good.