The San Juan River comes through Bloomfield cold and green out of the canyon country, and the cottonwoods along it hold the only real shade for miles. South of town the badlands run out toward Angel Peak in ridges of gray and rose, which makes a kept lawn look that much greener by contrast. Mowing season up here is short and busy — it starts late, runs hard through the long summer light, and ends with a big cleanup once the leaves let go. Trimming close along fences, walks and foundations, then clearing the yard, is what makes a mow look finished rather than merely done. Leaving a place tidy in that wide-open country is a pleasure that does not wear off.