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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.

 

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Cochiti Lake COE

October 2018

Cochiti Lake COE is another great place to spend a few days absorbing the views. Two large camping areas with electric and water within 15-50ft. water is shared by two campsites. Sites are level and have picnic tables.

Less than a 1/2 mile to a well stocked Convenience store with gas and a laundromat.

Tent Rocks National Monument is about 15 miles.

Views from the campground.

 

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Madrid and Cerrillos

September 2018

It’s a short drive down Rt.14 aka the Turquoise Trail to Cerrillos and Madrid.

Madrid was busy, busy so I just managed a few pics.

And then onto Cerrillos which I would come back to stay if they had RV parking near. A sleepy little town with a great vibe. And a curmudgeon at the rock shop and museum.

All along Rt.14 there is art everywhere.

I’ll be back.

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Santa Fe

September 2018

It’s time to fill prescriptions and do some sightseeing.

My usual rental car choice Enterprise didn’t have any cars available, my fault for not reserving earlier, so I gave Budget a try.   At check in, the radar went off when the agent didn’t want to do an inspection with me, said they already had and it was standard procedure to allow the customer to make note of any damage, I did with pictures, which turned out to be a good thing.  Not long after I returned the car I get a call wanting to know how I plan to take care of the damage, I told them with the pictures I have on my phone, time and date stamped. That was the last I heard. Don’t mess with old ladies, we have more experience.

Anyway,  on to Taos.

The drive up Rt.68 is breathtaking. Even though I was in a car I would not hesitate to bring Matilda up rt.68. i skipped the Gorge, its just not my kind of bridge. This pic is the closest I got.

The square is picturesque and the Alley Cantina located in the oldest house in Taos makes really good Green Chili burgers and home made onion rings.

Which made me late to enter the Taos Pueblo so this is what is looks like from outside. I definatly have reason to go back.

I took another route back to Santa Fe through Carson National Forest and happend upon San Jose de Garcia mission church having some restoration work.

 

I stayed at the KOA which is about 20 miles from Santa Fe and I used UBER to get and return my rental. This was the first time I had the opportunity to be in Santa Fe for more than and overnight stay and it is a good spot to make a base camp and explore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lake Abiquiu COE

September 2018

My first stay in NM was at Lake Abiquiu COE.

The campgrounds sit high above the lake for a spectacular view.

Even at sunset.

Open Apr-Oct with 24 basic w/e and 15 tent sites. Clean restrooms and showers.

My intention was to go to Ghost Ranch as I have always been a fan of Georgia O’Keefe but they do not allow pets on the property so I will have to come back another time.

I need to mention Bode’s Store in Abiquiu. Gas, Deli, groceries and O’keefe souvenirs. Their homemade bread is delish.

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On the way to NM

 

September 2018

After leaving Alamosa I ran an errand to check on a friends house in Antonito, CO it was rainy and dull so no pics but this is a cute little town on the way. Groceries, gas, and restaurants.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Depot is also on the edge of town. On the list to do the next time I am here.

I stopped for the night outside of town at Canon Benito RV Park and Fishing Club on the Conejos River.

This is definitely on my list of top stays. Quiet only 16 f/u sites widely spaced in a beautiful setting.

And you can rent a teepee.

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Alamosa Colorado

September 2018

While resting up in Blanca for a month, I visited www.volunteer.gov and put in my application to volunteer. And it looks like I will be going to White Sands in November but first I need to be fingerprinted, and that happens once a week in Alamosa. I arrived early and parked right in front of the police department when I got done I asked about parking and was told to leave it where it was. And that is how it is, friendly and accommodating and a great little town to take a walk.

Below is the artwork on the side of the building that houses the Museum.

 

Which sadly was closed the day I was in town.

You can enjoy art on every corner.

Downtown has shops and eats and a great thrift store.

And heading west out of town is all the big box and grocery stores you could ever want.

There are plenty of camping options in the area.

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Great Sand Dunes

September 2018

I love the San Luis Valley of Colorado and the ride to The Great Sand Dunes National Park from Blanca is below Mt Blanca and as you approach the Park you begin to see the Dunes off in the distance.

I did not stay at the Pinon Flats campground but I did check it out and the views are stupendous.

The visitor center has a film and exhibits and a great deck.

You can walk among the dunes and at certain times of the year there is water from Medano Creek to wade in.

Definitely worth it if you are anywhere near.

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Four Cats

When people pass by my MH and see all four fur babies in the front window after the “awe how cute” I get asked about litter.

Three years ago for a different rv, I bought an Omega Paw


we used it in conjunction with a regular litter box, but this was a much larger MH than I have now and it is a little small for my huge orange tabby Sam so when I was getting ready for this adventure I bought an additional Omega Paw only larger

 


 

These boxes are so easy to use and clean. They reduce dust and odors, and the cats get a sense of privacy which is of utmost importance to the princess

I keep one on each end of the MH, and all felines are happy, and I get contained litter and easy cleanup.

Also, I will mention here that I am allergic to artificial scent so unscented litter is a must and this is what I use.



 
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Blanca Co part two

This charming town has a grocery/liquor store, homemade fudge, Ice cream parlor, Lou’s Restaurant with great food that serves beer, wine and liquor.

My first trip to the store

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of Pierogi and pickled vegetables.

This is my favorite way to have Pierogi.

Pierogi for one.

I have a 6″ enamel coated cast iron frying pan that is perfect of this kind of meal.

1/2 medium onion, sliced.

1 tbsp Butter

4 frozen Pierogi

1/4 water or broth

1/2 cup of frozen peas

Sour Cream and/or grated cheese to taste.

Saute the onion in the butter till it just begins to soften place the pierogi on the onion and add 1/4 water or broth. Cover and simmer on low for 5 mins. Add the peas and cover and simmer for another five to seven mins until the pierogi are tender.

I like a little grated cheddar and a dollop of sour cream. If you are using a pierogi with  a thick dough just adjust your first cooking time.

This method works well with frozen Chinese Dumplings. Just a little water and a low flame and a lid.

I have learned over the last 35 years of RVing how easy it is to prepare my favorite recipes with less water and less pans. At some point in the future I will publish a list of my essential cooking tools and pans.

Another highlight of Blanca is it’s Art Gallery.  Forest Tango Art Works owned by Joyce and Terry Henrie  go take a look at their amazing work.

http://www.foresttango.com

Joyce has many talents but her fiber art is where my heart is and she put me on to Sprang finger-weaving. Now I have another outlet for my mass amounts of yarn.

I have one more picture to share, this is what I found on one of my wanderings around town.

A fence of snow Skis.