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Rockin and Rollin at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park

I stayed during the “Bomb Cyclone”, don’t you just love all the new words for bad weather.

I bought an Annual Camping Pass $225 for out of state which allows me to stay for free if I don’t want hook ups or $4 for w/e and $8 for full h/u where available. So this 10 day stay was free.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is 12 miles south of Alamogordo NM and is a beautiful place on the edge of Dog Canyon. Plenty of hiking and history.

Dog Canyon

The story of Oliver Lee depends on who is telling it. He was a rancher and maybe a bit of an outlaw. He did have a really cool ranch house, which you can tour. The restored home is full of period pieces from the area and the self-guided tour of the grounds will show you ranch life in the desert.

All of the campsites are on the hillside and mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Every site has a great view.

Out of the 10 days, most were windy and overcast. The day of the bomb produced a full 24hrs of wind and a little hail.

It is almost always windy in the valley so keep that in mind when parking on a hillside, orient your rig facing north or south, out of 10 days I only had 1 day of winds from the west that really rocked me.

This was also my first time using my solar more than just a day or two, everything worked perfectly and considering the amount of time it was overcast I had no problems.

Yucca almost ready to bloom.

Safe Travels

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Quartzsite part 2

So I did all my complaining in part 1.

Quartzsite is as unique as I had heard, something for everyone and a place every RV’er should experience.

Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks.

Amethyst Column

And a very large fishing pole.



HI Jolly

Hi Jolly burial site.

The old Jail sits in the back yard of Solar Bill’s

Old Jail

The fun starts in October and goes through March.

Rock Shops and swap meets abound.

If you like crowds go in January for the big RV Show.

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Quartzsite part 1

I finally made it to Quartzsite and it was just as I had imagined it would be, it is a Rockhounds paradise.

I got there in the middle of January before the big RV show. So I headed straight to Discount Solar to get an appointment. It was busy but I didn’t expect the rude exasperation I was given because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. I wanted solar for my RV and I wanted an expert (because I was told they were experts) to guide my purchase and a company that would work with me and the cats. I made an appointment for a month out, cats in the unit ok.

I arrived back for my appointment and went in a day early to verify and remind them about the cats, no problem I was told by the man behind the counter. The next day the installer pitched a baby fit and refused to work on the unit.

So down the road I go to Solar Bill’s and as busy as they were they took the time to talk to me about my needs and my unit and I left there a satisfied customer with an awesome solar system.

Lesson learned, listen to your friends recommendation but shop around and if you are not treated right it is not worth the nickel you will save to give them your business.

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Edgar and Eleonora

Edgar?
Elenora?

The Crows of White Sands National Monument are a joy to interact with on the dunes.

Of course, it is impossible to look at them and not think of Edgar Allen Poe and quote the Raven “Nevermore” but these birds love to mess with the maintenance volunteers.

They sit on top of the picnic tables and wait for people to put there trash in the bins.

eagle eye

Soon as no one is around they double team the trash cans, one holds the swinging flap open and the other picks out the trash.

dumpster diver

And when they are done they just leave it, you can’t teach crows to pack it in and pack it out.

Seriously though these guys are part of the White Sands experience and should be treasured.

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Volunteering

and healing.

November-December 2018

Leading up to my first gig volunteering I was excited as a kid in a candy store. It turned out to be everything I expected and more.

The six weeks that I spent at White Sands National Monument was the 1 year anniversary of the hardest six weeks of my entire life. The time that my husband spent in CCU before passing away.

After orientation, my maintenance duties on the sands became my healing tool. All by myself cruising the park picking up trash I cried, re lived and cherished the twenty years I had with my husband. And came away in a much better frame of mind.

If you have never visited White Sands you must add it to your list and you have to experience it early in the morning when the Sands look like diamonds, as the day warms the sparkle is harder to see but it’s still there.

My view Mount Sierra Blanca.

The drive into the dunes.

A Cold Front and a total whiteout.

Mid day.
Dunes

Leroy Brown

I met the owners and restorers of this VW van named Leroy Brown on their maiden trip from Colorado. They did a great job restoring this beauty.

Thinking about Volunteering? Do it. It is rewarding to help and what a great way to get to know our National Treasures.

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Lake Valley Ghost Town

October 2018

The scenic drive from Caballo to Hatch on nm27 will take you through Hillsboro and then to Lake Valley the ghost town is operated by the state of NM. Lake Valley was a silver mining town whose heydey was from 1881-1893. The last resident departed in 1994.

a little mud rearranging.

Lake Valley School


then off to Hatch for a green chili milkshake.

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on the way to VLA

October 2018

Between TorC and the VLA there is a lot to see.

El Camino Real Monument off I25NB

I picked the wrong time to see wildlife but the drive through Bosque Del Apache NWR is worth the side trip off I25 regardless of the time of year.

Visitor Center

The VLA has been on my list forever and the Plains of San Agustin are breathtaking.

Entrance
Sun Dial

Up close
Art

The gift shop is loaded with books and information.

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Caballo Lake and Percha Dam State Park

October 2018

Located just south of Truth or Consequenses New Mexico these parks offer water and a view.

New Mexico state parks are a great value $14 with elec/water. Stay up to 14 days. They offer in and out of state annual camping passes which reduce the rate to $4. Caballo Lake also has full hook ups for $18.

Percha Dam is right on the Rio Grande River so it does not have a dump station you will have to use Caballo Lake. The hiking here is along the river.

from my campsite Caballo Lake
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Truth or Consequences

and a look into my heritage.

October 2018

The last time I came through TorC I did not have time to hang out and get the feel of this quirky little town that my grandmother called home for awhile.

Still toadless I found a campground half way between downtown and the cemetary where my grandmother and older baby brother are buried.

Mountain Creek is being updated by it’s owner and his plans are going to make this a great park. They also own the Laundramat and UPS store next door across the street is a convience store and propane next door.

Random art is everywhere.

Ralph Edwards Park

And my heritage.

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Elephant Butte State Park

October 2018

This place is HUGE.

I have to say I was a little overwhelmed at first so I just went straight to the main entrance.  There are 173 developed campsites. 144 with w/e. 8 w/s/e. Primitive,  boat in and beach camping.

My site was level and a picturesque.

I woke the first day to the sounds of Gambel Quail covey moving from one level to the next. They sound more like a prairie dog than a bird and I enjoyed their morning wake up calls daily since they don’t start till way after sun up.

I was also fortunate to be there during a full moon.

And a nice rain storm with extras.