Trip #139 (70): Northern NM x 2s

 Trip #139 (70): Northern NM x 2s

Abiquiu 2 nights, Hopewell Lake 2 nites, Wild Rivers 2 nites, bike bike bike

 September 29

Trip #138 (69): McGaffey + Bluewater Lake SP

Trip #138 (69): Bandaid Biking at McGaffey + Bluewater Lake Bug Fest

September 11 – 15, 2024

Wed, Sept. 11 – Still a/c warm in Santa Fe (low 80s) as we head to slightly cooler Gallup area for our third visit to McGaffey for some biking. Stopped for a Laguna burger in Laguna, is was pretty good, but not the bestest ever. Near empty campground as usual, that’s good, but some will come along eventually. Arrived after 3. No power or anything, about a 1 or 2 signal bar with the booster good for getting headlines. Took a drive to the lake which was full. He won the Kibbie rounds.

Thursday, Sept. 12 – Starting slow with a ride on the known Strawberry Trail, which is down the road off the other campground. And we did ride the road to get there, great ride, not a lot of traffic but very windy today. Almost blew us both off the road! Rode up to the fire lookout and back, crossing the meadow and took Torreon rocky trail back. Bill caught a tire in the gully and took a dive with a blow to the chest on the handlebars. Took the logging road back to the highway for return. She won the Kibbie rounds.

Friday, Sept. 13 – Still warm but very nice in the shade. Did two rides today, trying Burma Trail to the north for the first time. UGH! Nothing but an uphill rock ride 98% of the time, gradual uphill but the rocks were very annoying. Clipping the pedal over and over. The map showed you can pick up a gravel road after the fenceline, so we did, what a relief. That took us back to Hilso, then connecting Quaking Aspen back to camp. Took an hour’s rest then went back out for a milder ride on Y2K out toward the tanks and a beautiful meadow with cows. Heading back the same way, I managed to perfectly ram by pedal stem into a stickup rock which stopped the bike sending me down after jamming my knee into the booster, breaking that off. All was fine otherwise, except that now my pedal is wonky. And it was such a beautiful day otherwise. I will say that I am the park kibbie champion cuz we can’t remember. I am losing my memory this trip, uh-oh.

Saturday, Sept. 14 – Time I learned how to hookup the trailer by myself judging by the way we ride bikes, so we did a training course for departure. I went through the motions all by myself with some coaching, for a PERFECT procedure! Makes me feel better about things just in case. Moved on over to Bluewater Lake SP site 15 about 11:30, with a stop at Prewett Family Dollar for Advil. The place is where the reservation shopping action is. Arrived here with high hopes for this place which we haven’t visited since first moving to Durango, and sadly things went downhill quickly. After dumping and filling up with water, we had problems finding our reserved site, lousy signage. Then when we did find it, it was closed off with yellow tape. Where to go? No host, no ranger no nothing here. Talked to some campers who told me where the last #15 campers went so that’s where we headed, and confirmed it with a park guy who happened along. Great, we get the host spot – with water and dump. Sunny day, even warmer, many campers but not much area to ride other than the CG so we hung out and charged the batteries. The BEST part is that we have a good signal and electric so we are running the a/c. Could probably live without it, but hey, it’s nice to have. Took a short walk, then a short ride then a ride outside the gates – what a lovely neighborhood. Scary. Demographics say 95% native American, but the yards say otherwise. This park must be the big draw for the area, lots of camping & fishing down by the lake, party town but not loud or anything.

Sunday, Sept. 15 – Rainy day and much cooler. Weather report says more of the same so we decide to depart a day early. Don’t feel like hiking or fishing in the rain. Got home around 4pm.

Trip #137 (68): Old Lincoln Days and Ruidoso Fire Aftermath + Cloudcroft

 

Trip #137 (68): Old Lincoln Days

 

August

Trip #136 (67): Return to Jemez Mountains

 Trip #136 (67): Return to Jemez Mountains

July 7 - 11 , 2024

Sunday, July 7 - Left about 10:30, beautiful day in Santa Fe, stopping for groceries at the gorgeous Smiths of Los Alamos. Then a stop for bagels from Ruby K's, cuz Santa Fe Foodies people swear by them (good but salty). Arrived at San Antonio CG #5 about 2pm, and it was quite warm, maybe 87 or so. But we have electric so ran the air after set up. Hung around then went on recon drive up the road for Hot Springs ride tomorrow; after trying about a mile of the road, we found  it is easily doable for bikes -- good, plan for tomorrow. Cooled off nicely at night, prob low 50s. Tho surrounded by big beautiful pines we can get a Dish signal, but not phones. Read some Appetite for America then hit the hay early. Hurricane Beryl should be slamming Texas coast when we awake.

Monday, July 8. Yes she did, but as a Cat 1, I think. Can't follow storm chasers without a signal 😡. Cool morning (awake @ 6:30) but threatening skies so spent am going over maps for proposed Nov trip to Fla. Time for bike ride to the san antonio hot springs, it was great. 5 miles up the mountain on a nicer road than expected (and i got a 2 bar signal at the view of LaCueva), then a half mile hike straight up. Nice springs, no nudes thankfully, just a few peeps and the nicest doggy named Ranger. Woulda stolen him if he had followed us down, like he did the other guy... Also rode some of the dispersed camping road across the street, where there was also a signal up one road. Back to camp about 2:30 as the skies were rumbling and darkening, then came the storm and rain, for over an hour. For the first time ever, Bill won Kibbie for 4 games in a row. What??? No grilling tonight. In fact, no dinner tonight, late lunch kilt it. Stopped raining about 5:30, took CG stroll then later drove 3 mikes to big overlook for 3 BAR SIGNAL! Missed nothing but good to check. Btw, the BEST smelling pines i EVER smelled were along this route. I smelled some earlier, but after the rain i couldn't believe how good & strong the air smelled of pine.

Tuesday, 9th - Nice morning, cool, headed to Redondo Meadow staging area on edge of caldera NP for bike ride, having no idea where we are going. Turned out real nice, we went thru the fence to enter the Preserve, road was good, when once we got close to the meadow the deer flies came out in force. Mostly they went for Bill, who knew, maybe his dark shirt, guess they didnt like my white shirt. Anyway, gave that up after a while as they were hitching rides. Next we tried another trail to ride 4B with dispersed camping and nice but rough road, turned around after a few miles, but did get a 2 bar signal at a high point. Finally we went to the Valles Caldera. What a beautiful place, had no idea since was our first drive in, previously we only drove past, usually snow on the ground (not to mention 3 bar parking lot signal). After learning all about the series of volcanoes that 1.25 million years ago that made the huge caldera (and was 300 times bigger than the Mt St. Helens blast), the ranger offered us a pass to make the drive around and see the Longmire cabin and more. Beautiful green place. Didnt do the whole preserve, but will be back with bikes. Ebikes are allowed on many roads, but not all. Came back and did a chicken dutch oven dinner, not bad, from the scout cookbook.

Wednesday, 10th. After watching the Baldwin trial opening statements, we headed out for a hike to McCauley Springs, having only a vague idea where they are, off the East Fork Trail which we picked up off Hwy 4 at battleship rock. Long, hot, often uphill hike while the thunderheads built, we nearly gave up but pushed on, and good thing, as they weren't far off. Nice 3 ponds, the first kinda algae filled, but number 2 was clean. Even with little fish eating dead skin cells 🤮. When leaving, a certain spot caught my eye and seemed to be a pueblo ruin. That's my story and i'm sticking to it. Need to go back and examine closer, but not in July! Maybe so, maybe not, but sure had telltale signs. Anyway, couldn't get down fast enough, 🥵 SO HOT. Car said 84, but i say hotter. Entway, glad to be done, but now i gotta go back dammit. Came back, recovered, then went for a ride to check out potential boondocking spots down the road. I think i prefer a developed cg. The skies are rumbling after a slight rain as i type, wonder if we are in for more. No dang signal to check radar. 

Thursday, July 11. Up super early (5:30!), hit the road at 9:10.

Left plenty undone to come back and do more, always a good thing. Should be getting home to a fixed mitsubishi a/c system, sure hoping!

RIP: Shelley Duval, Joe Biden's 2024 political aspirations

 

Next time: Reserve #6, not next to outhouse. Back to Sheila Pueblo Ruins, bike to Cuba, hike past san antonio hot springs, hike valley near valles, bike valles, redo history grove at valles

 

Trip #135 (66): Our Own Jemez Mountains + Bandelier + Jemez Springs

 Trip #135 (66): Our Own Jemez Mountains + Bandelier + Jemez Springs

April 14 - 19 2024  before new car arrival

 Left Sunday Apr 14, beautiful day, first 2 nights at Bandelier, site #9 on first come, first served. Mostly small spots so we lucked out finding one that we could fit into. Arrived before noon so did the 1.5 miles on waterfall hike, very nice. 3 miles RT. Low 70s today. BTW the park is very busy with tourists from all over the US.

 

Monday, Tax day Apr 15 - Cooler today, 58. On the Frey Trail at 11 am, hiking past Alcove House and kept going about 2 excellent miles. 6 miles total RT. Great hike along canyon and Frijoles creek. Getting windier and cloudier as the day goes, and now overcast at 4:30. and then the wind really kicked in, continuing well past 1 am. Can hear things banging! Couldn't get to sleep, was really cold for some reason. Because NO ELECTRICITY!

  

Tuesday & Wed - arrived about noon after about an hour + drive from Bandelier. Cooler but way sunny, about 58 for the high. Arrived to Fenton Lake State Park -- it is HUGE! Only the 5 electric sites are open and ours shares a site with someone already here. Talk about tight. No water here, not on yet. Took a walk to the end of the camping and into the Santa Fe Forest until the whining started so we headed back. Maybe went 3 miles. Probably more than a mile just to get out of the camping area. Went for a 10 mile drive to town (more like a corner) of Cueva for the little store. Said he needed mayo, but beer and BBQ chips are what we came home with. On the way back, headed south toward Jemez Springs, didn't go all the way but stopped at Battleship Rock along the river while looking for other springs. Quite the area, such wilderness, gorgeous, but some stupid assholes had to spray paint their tags on the signs. Takes away from my wilderness experience. Turned around at the Hummingbird Music Camp. Summer camp for kids. Had a winner winner chicken dinner, using up the vegs, real food for once.

  

Wed - didn't get moving until about 11 am and headed back down the same trail but went further, doing about 5 miles this time. Wide open nothingness. Later walked over to the lake and walked over the dam - I found 2 quarters! Woo Hoo, treasure. Another beautiful day, warmer than yesterday, about 65 today. Almost 3 o'clock, what will we do next...

  

Thurs. Out of water. Find water or go home. We only started with 75% (i should have checked as he filled) and used every last drop. Drove thru Jemez Springs Highway 4, got water at Jemez visitor center gas station, then back to vista linda cg, securing THE last spot. Back south again to drive the Gilman Tunnels, 2 rugged cut out tunnels along a steep roaring river, then to the visitor center, a thrift shop, the Jemez Mission ruins monument and finally to Los Ojos saloon for dinner. Then a short drive on the walkway. Hahahaaaaa had to be there. Back by 5pm, slightly overcast now, but was sunny and 81 earlier.

RIP: Dickie Betts (Allman Bros)

Still Waiting... for new VW arrival. Told us the 18th. Would end up being the 25th.

Trip #134 (65): Texas Hill Country + Austin

#134 (65): Texas Hill Country + Austin

Palo Duro, Buffalo Gap, Georgetown, Fredericksburg, Austin, Dripping Springs, Portales NM

March 6 - 23, 2004

Left Wednesday, March 6, first night at Buffalo Lake (not even realizing how close we were to last year's Hereford city park). This is major ranching land, and SMELLY feed lots or dairies. P.U. Nice no-frills park in a wildness park, pick of spots, only 1 other guy there plus one later, so did see some deer in the distance while Bill joined the road zoom meeting. Overcast and cool all day but sunny the next morning. (Only later did we realize how close we were to Hereford from last year, the free city park.)

  Thurs, Mar. 7 - Palo Duro, site #15  Did some bike riding on trails (nice one from campground to Trading Post) and the park roads, went to the bird blind at the trading post and later got ice cream for dessert. The trading post is almost as packed with miscellaney as EA's Viddlers; never saw that in a park before. Put out some birdseed and got some beautiful cardinal families. Then I noticed movement out the window and saw about a dozen turkeys RUNNING toward the picnic table where the food was. How did they know? That was that, they almost never left, but if they did they came back. Messy poopers.

38° Fri am. Very light snow flurries at 3:40 PM

  Friday Mar 8 - Crappy day, overcast, windy and cold - 38 degrees before wind factored in so drove to Canyon, the nearest town. Not much there but some big overpriced antique junk stores (that never had a vintage wahoo game), so after the sports store guy said Amarillo was only 15 minutes north we went there. Had lunch at pretty nice Public House ("pretty nice" considering we normally would have been at In 'n Out Burger had there been one...). Later I heard Amarillo had a nice train station, wish we had known that before. Probably was night near it as we drove around, surprised at how big the city was. Stopped at a JoAnns to check the Wool Ease dye lot and what a nice store! Santa Fe's is small and messy and filthy.

Side note: Driving  north on I-27 south of Amarillo following Fred Sanford's truck driven by the white boy, the smell of weed was SO  strong it filled our truck at 60 mph (he was going 45) so much so that I was afraid if we got pulled over we would be arrested. Went to Sad Money store by the park on the way back. Waste of a nice space.

Saturday, Mar. 9 - Abilene, site 86. Actually we ended up southwest of Abilene at Buffalo Gap, about 8 out of the big city. We had navigated to a grocery on the way out of town, where the goofy bagboy walks your groceries out for you so no one steals the carts... Didn't see any bums around there but he told me the east side of full of them. I will avoid the east side. Driving now thru a small town on tree-lined road we learned it was the small town of Buffalo Gap when what do I see, but a sign with the name Perini... took a moment but it finally dawned on me that our neighbor orders smoked meats from them. Later we went to their little shop at the corner, bought nothing but enjoyed looking, and drove past the big steakhouse ranch. Not prepared to dine there but got a look. 

  Sunday, Mar 10 - Sunny day at first for the long drive to Fredericksburg. Nice drive, and shocked to see Main Street FILLED with spring breakers! Stayed in the first night and will get out early to shop without crowds. But we did want to ride so tried to get to a trail, missed it by 8 miles, oops, only to find it coming back and learn it is privately owned, you have to pay, wear a helmet, and they close in 30 mins. Oh well.

We are at Oakwood Private RV camp in Fredericksburg #9. Jammed in there.

  Monday, Mar 11. Doing all the shopping/looking today, but starting at the pie store behind the museum. Got a half Chocolate Pecan Pie and wow was it good. Made that last at least a few days, maybe... Walked end to end on Main Street to get from the German Kitchen store to the Amish store at the other end. They even had wooden kibbie boards! But ours is still better. Came back (to eat pie) then back out again, again buying nothing, something about these Texas shop offerings, either too expensive or nothing I need or care to have, except some silicone straws and goats Milk lotion. Always on the lookout for dice and stone marbles. Close but not the right ones. Almost got some perfectly sized clay water filtering balls from an interesting antique store, but at $6 each I thought not. One drop to the floor and I bet it would break. Tried to go to Opa's smoked meats but he is closed for renovations. Couple more stops then back to basecamp for happy hour Kibbie outside. Then the very bad decision to walk across the street to dinner at Hilda's Tortillas Mexican. Place was packed, only 2 servers, my food was edible but Bill was sure he was eating dogmeat. Didn't sit well with him. But I sure did enjoy the short walk over. The CG is about 2 miles from Main Street not too far out but it seemed like a fun choice, just not a tasty one.

  (Bonus) Sunday & Monday - Mar 10 & 11 - Fredericksburg. Monday was so perfect couldn't bear to be in a museum so am saving Nimitz for next time. Tried to ride on Sunday but drove 11 miles out of the way on Llano road looking for trail... when we came back and found it, it was only about 3 miles from town. But, it was a private trail, helmets required, with weird hours, so skipped that. So instead went to Wildseed (packed) out on 290, getting 5 more packs, wow, yard is going to look great, I hope! Ate in tonight cuz the Oscars are on and we have cable - staying at the Oakwood RV, about 2 miles from Main. Spot #9

  Tues & Wed, Mar 12 & 13 - Georgetown #96, first night without having to run the heat. humid tho. 66 outside this morning, not even a blanket on the bed. Drove in from Fred on Tues, on hwy 290, winery after winery, holy cow. Also LBJ's boyhood home and white house ranch; only stopped at that. Nice drive on mostly 2 lane roads through ranch land. Got busy at Marble City and Burnet. Set up in spot 96 in Jim Hogg Park, getting a compliment on how well we work together from the newby neighbor watching nextdoor. If he only knew. Took a short bike ride, big park but mostly just CG, not much to ride. It's spring break so full of kids and families having a good time and a fire.

  Wed was town day/Brother day. Have a 1pm lunch date with Peter & Leonora but went early to wander the square, totally forgetting to tour the courthouse and driving to a shopping center with Kohls. Oh well. Met for lunch at Wildfire and afterward went back to their house on Highlands Bluff Drive, literally off our park road, forgot how close it was. Played with 2 of the 3 dogs, one was too nervous. Had a nice visit and finally left at almost 6 and hit Randalls grocery for a few items. Weather was overcast, humid, windy, warmish, always looking like it was going to rain. The official flower for the city of Georgetown is the red poppy, and the visitor center gave me a pack of seeds when I made a purchase.

   Thursday, Mar. 14 - Short overcast drive to Emma Long State Park #13 outside Austin (very hilly), finally going to give the city another try. Bad timing as SXSW is going on so we will see how that goes. Seem to be in a ritzy part of town, huge mansions on the hillsides on our way to the park, which had a winding 6 mile drive to the dead end entrance. It's on the "Lake" which really looks like a wide dammed river. A couple of boaters and jet ski's braving the cool overcast weather, always looking like rain but never coming. First day just did a short walk, was going to ride but we left the batteries in the trailer (geez). They had a special trail for motorcycles and bikes, never saw that before. So drove around a bit instead. Fed the birds but took a day for one cardinal to discover it. Nice old city park with huge old growth trees, in fact, the "lake" had a seawall of cypress knees which lined the banks. Cool, and no photos... Huge homes across the water, weird that they look at the park but ok. Later earned podcaster Joe Rogan has a house over there about a quarter mile east.

  Friday, Mar. 15 - All day and night the weather people are warning and warning we are in for big storms and 2 inch hail. Nothing. If anything there was a break in the clouds for sun! Fought our way thru traffic for west side Austin, finding a parking spot at 8th & Guadalupe, thinking we were near a history museum. But it was closed for construction. Had an hour on the meter so did some fast walking and saw some great historic victorian homes, some wild looking bars were it nighttime, then *lightbulb* isn't VOODOO donuts around here? It was so we found it. They had the filthiest front door I have ever seen. Gross. But the best donuts. Before that and next door was the Driskill Hotel so did a quick lobby tour, that was a bonus. But it gets better... drove near the Capitol, the onward along Guadalupe for the smallest In 'n Out burger ever! In a college area, but the BEST ever. I wrote to headquarters to share the news. Next stop was the Botanical Gardens, nice but would be better when things are blooming, and it's right along the noisy highway. Came home and had a Portland creme donut for dinner. Oink oink. Still waiting on the big storms that never came.

  Saturday, Mar 16 - Pedernales State Park #46 next. Drizzly, misty, foggy gross wet morning leaving Emma Park, still waiting for threat of hail, thank God we didn't get it but anyway, made a short drive even way longer letting the truck GPS guide us on some super back roads to Pedernales. We had stopped at an  intersection for Total Wine, Whole Foods and Einstein's bagels (see a pattern here?), and should have turned to the left, but since we turned right she found the next road to that destination so off we went thru some remote ranch land, even to a STREAM CROSSING with WATER RUNNING OVER IT. OK, not dangerously but wtf?? Over we went down the steep the one-lane-wide cement path before I could convince him to turn around, even if we could which we couldn't have. Anyway, that was close to the park so we were within 2 miles. Nice old park! Big spaces with lots of trees. I had taken an allergy pill earlier, bad idea, so could't keep awake, but later since it was supposed to rain (and didn't), we drove back 12 miles to Dripping Springs, another distillery boozy destination with a very small downtown of more useless $$ crap. Went to Deep Eddy distillery which is more like a big bar. Got a souvenir jar and headed out. I am barely conscious, so tired. Hit the H-E-B for some St Patrick's corned beef for tomorrow and headed back. Made dinner and couldn't wait to go to bed, I was first in at 10 and slept till 9am next day. Guess I did miss the rain and lightning at 2am. DARN! Bill said it was so loud he couldn't believe I slept thru it. Tired, and deaf I guess. 

   Sunday, sorta drizzled/rained all day so tried to get out anyway. The bird blind, the ped falls which were huge slickrock potholes, also Trammel crossing and the mis-named, Twin Falls. Amazing landscape here, big 100-old juniper trees that the park hates cuz it took over the Jurassic dinosaur grasslands (whatever) and live oaks and all the wet stuff that grows underneath. Lately everything is wet here with 87% humidity.

   Monday, Mar 18 - is that the sun I see???? Got out for a bike ride, trying to decide which trail. Ended up on the perimeter trail (75 degrees after a cold, wet yesterday. Humidity down to 40s, after 87%) meant for horses so the usual rocky limestone--like big, 6 inch rocks that can reroute a bike's direction. Tired of that and headed for the Wolf Mountain trail but by then were were tired of the rough ride. Headed back, showered and drove the 10 miles to Johnson City, which we had passed thru last week and just stopped only at the visitor center. This time we parked at the courthouse and did the "town" which included a very nice antique shop and Airstream-in-the-front yard Farm House vineyards for a glass o' wine. Cute place in town, left with a bottle of Chardonnay. Weather a tad nicer, actually wearing short sleeves, about mid 70s, ok maybe one, then high 60s. Pedernales is the rare campground that was situated on top of the hill, not down in a hole by the river that gets dark at 4pm...

   Tues, Mar. 19 - Drive to Guadalupe River State Park (#64) near Boerne IN THE SUN! Just about an hour drive to north of San Antonio, and upon arrival we learn most of the park's trails were closed due to lots of rain and mud. But we managed to get in a 5 mile ride and see some river down there. Clouds moved in later in the day and 63 degrees.

   Wed, Mar 20 - 74% humidity, cool and overcast, went to the Screaming Goat for lunch, walked a short trail from the CG to the river and saw some beautiful huge bald cypress trees. and no camera. So went back and then walked it again alone. With my phone/camera.

   Thurs, Mar 21 - Drove through San Angelo and got him to at least TRY to drive through the old downtown to find The Swig, missed it again--dragging the trailer on side roads is always fun. Trying to decide where to spend the night as nothing around here has very good ratings. Decided on the Water Valley Harper Park like we did several years ago. The power is locked but the water worked, no one is there so we just parked and stayed the night. No one cares... Weather finally getting better, as in partly cloudy and a little sprinkle, but otherwise nice. So basically we were squatters for a night.

   Fri, Mar 22. Heading home! Did about a 4 - 5 hour drive today north toward Lubbock (suddenly noticed a big vineyard which is owned by the Farm House Airstream winery we visited in Johnson City. Totally found it by accident after having missed a turn out of Lamesa. Cool, but we didn't stop or go to their tasting room cuz we are on schedule! Not.) but headed rather to Muleshoe to eat at Leal's, an old mexican restaurant I learned about from a chip bag. Glad we did but about the same quality as a grocery store frozen burrito... Good chips tho! Sharp too, sliced the crap out of the roof of my mouth which bled for an hour. (Wondered why everthing tasted like metal.) Stayed at Oasis State Park #12 outside of Portales, then headed back in to town for some peanuts! We also went to the university and visited the Blackwater Draw fossil museum. (Btw, they also have the private label cherry butter line, for $9. Wow this stuff has gotten expensive. I need to stick with the Hatch grocery, still 7 or 8. It was about 12 or 13 in Fred and beyond. And who the hello makes all this stuff and where? They are even in national parks -- have seen everywhere! Where does it come from???)

   Saturday, Mar 23 - Heading home today, after a stop in Clovis to pick up a drill battery. But didn't, of course it's not there. Hey. Its overcast again, ugh. 4 hour drive. Might snow tomorrow at home.

Had to pass a lot of things even though we took it slow. Here's the list of what to visit next time: Slaton Harvey House, Boerne, LaMesa downtown, the Bush family home in Midland, Blackwater draw dig site near Oasis (closed this time)

Upon our return home, I get a message that Vic is taking Dad to urgent care after having a bike mishap. Would end up with 2 broken ribs and a collapsed lung and 5 days in the hospital. 

RIP: Garrison Brown, Steve Lawrence, Eric Carmen, David Breashears/everest, M Emmet Walsh (character actor)

Trip #133 (64): Arizona Border Tour: Tucson + Mesilla, Tombstone, Patagonia, Bisbee

Trip #133 (64): Arizona Border Tour: Tucson + Mesilla, Tombstone, Patagonia, Bisbee
Jan. 31 - Feb. 2024

Wednesday, Jan 31

Long day drive from Santa Fe to Las Cruces/Mesilla. Beautiful day, stopped for a quick tour of Fort Seldon north of town. Staying at Hacienda RV 2 nights. Went to the Mesilla Plaza for dinner at Double Eagle, coolest building, good dinner on Peppers Patio. Walked around the Billy the Kid former courthouse and jail on the same block. Dead tired, asleep before 10.

Thursday, Feb. 1

Busy day, great weather, cool in am but it warms up. But since it was cool we hit the shopping bucket list, OK, my bucket list, including the little Railroad Museum (where I educated the woman manning the desk about Fred Harvey: she never heard of him), COAS bookstore, Fresh Chile salsa store, the Chile Pepper Institute, and Walmart. I think that's it. The town seems big but this little jaunt didn't take long. Then for a 12.5 mile bike ride along the Bosque river thing/rio grande after bill fixed his bike AGAIN, but this time he had the part. Came back then back to Mesilla for more mostly window shopping in a very quiet plaza area, very nice tho. Then dinner at the Thai place (after checking out the Hacienda place which was kinda sucky so we left) for some red and green curry, served at nuclear temperatures.

Friday, Feb. 2

Heading for Tucson today. Raining all over, that California atmospheric river thing has headed our way. The park is putting out the note that if the road floods we are stuck; we will take the chance. 

Saturday, Feb. 3

Went over to the Steam Park for the (expensive as usual) farmer's market. Then went south for a drive, came back with Brueggers bagels, always a good thing. Cool and extra cold feeling because of 70% humidity, ew! Mid 50s but sunny. Rode bikes on the paved trail for 22 miles, going as far south as Ina Road. Hungry but resisted In n Out and opted for a steak dinner at home, with Fresh Chile salsa from Las Cruces first.

Sunday, Feb. 4

Rode bikes around the park up a steep trail then over toward the river. Nice gritty trail but lots of weekend folks. 3.25 miles. Today, yes, cheeseburger day at last. They seemed to have paper thin patties, wth In n Out? Drove up to see the Biosphere 2 experimental site north of Tucson. Didn't do the tour, sounds like it's going to be a presentation about global warming... need to do more research before we step into that. 

Monday, Feb. 5 the most exciting day of the year

Looks like no rain today so instead of heading to town on my scavenger hunt we are back on bikes. This time went the other way on the trail, behind Walmart and the trail kept heading north. And after riding around a new housing development, we stumbled on another trail called The Big Wash. Well, good thing we did -- it was fabulous! Riding around the cactus like further north, yet mostly flat with some arroyo crossings, it was great! Met another group riding an E bike called a Pivot, nice lookin' and just $10,000. His son in law builds them in Phoenix, lucky him. Anyway, we kept going not knowing what we would find, only to find the odometer said 10 miles so we decided we should head back for a total of 18.25 miles, not sure how that happened but that's what it said. Will definitely go back to that trail next time. And the ride back was a snap, coasting downhill at 24 mph and we were back to walmart in no time. As a reward we had birthday milkshakes at In n' Out, you know, wouldn't want to ruin dinner. Cleaned up and before the 6:30 dinner reservations at Wildflower, we went to the Tucson Mall 'cuz I wanted to get a signature fragrance. After 30 minutes (45?) of trying everything from Chanels to Versace to Dior, I decided on Chanel Chance. Dinner was very good, busy place for a Monday. Our second time there, tho loud it was very nice, sat outside. So for the rest of the night all I could smell was that sweet stuff on both wrists. By midnight I had decided I had to return it to Macy's. I cannot do this.  : (

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Overcast, but no rain. This is shopping day. First, to Macy's to return Ms. Chanel. Other exciting stops included a popcorn store, a bread store (see a pattern here?), skipped a museum, a stained glass store (got some good pattern books), and finally the star: Medicine Man Gallery. That was great! Paintings, jewelry, weavings, pottery, beadwork, Maynard Dixon (that was surprisingly not impressive, I prefer his landscapes to nudies). Spend a lot of time there, could have stayed longer. Headed back with a quick and fruitful stop at Kohl's for my most horrendous wardrobe... seriously, I am the worst dressed woman of the SW.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Heading for Patagonia today. So of course, pouring rain. Made a stop in Tubac for the art show which was cut short for more rain, so we ducked into Tubac Jack's for lunch, after about an hour at Lone Mountain Turquoise. Another long time learning about turquoise identification. Got to camp late about 4:30 but since it's still raining on and off, that's fine. And it's cold -- 44 degrees. Not sure what to do here but will find out tomorrow.

Thursday, Feb. 8

Took a bird walk, saw no birds except at the park's bird feeder area. Drove to town, a few complete shit stores, then over to the Paton hummingbird center. Saw a few there.

Friday, Feb. 9

Tombstone! Sunny but cool. Place looking good, haven't been in about 4 years. Saw the gang, still hanging out on main street. Drove over to the Trump store! Had dinner at Big Nose Kate's. Got seated up in a small corner which turned out to be the tiny stage for the country band which tried to set up as we were finishing our meal. That was odd, but they were nice about it. Also saw the little quilt show in town, guess I didn't win the raffle, cheating bastards. Decided I want an Australian cattle dog like the neighbors nextdoor. Clouded up and pretty cold, supposed to snow in the am, hoping to get out before it starts at 10 am.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Well, it was snowing by 9 am. Had trouble hooking up on the slanted spot so wasted more time so it was snowing pretty good by the time we got on the road, like snowing like a MOFO. Huge flakes. About 33 degrees and no way would he not drive in this mess so off we went, it was only 25 miles thank goodness and we made it safely to Bisbee but did see a few cars had slid off the road. They were slick, hence my white knuckles. No problems for us tho, I am pretty sure I saw white knuckles hanging onto the steering wheel. Snowed most of the day, very cold 33 degrees and gray but did go to town and walked in the snowy slush --  got 3.5" (can't imagine how bad it was in the old dirt street days) -- after finding some game marble stones at the Queen Mine gift shop. Score!

 

Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 11

Sunny and 33! Warmed up to about 38 so back to town, shopped around at more junk antique shops, had lunch at a taco bar and back for the game. Good game, went to overtime, Kansas did win, and Taylor did show up.

Monday, Feb. 12

Finally the weather's getting nicer but time to go. Bisbee kinda boring... shops suck... but the walk-up patisserie was very good. Long drive today to get to Caballo Lake NM, last stop on the way home. Stopped in Deming at Peppers grocery in Deming (not as cool as I was hoping), and also at the Village Market in Hatch (way cool) as still needed lettuce. And Apple Butter and Salsa from their wall of salsa, best I have ever seen. Surprisingly nice grocery in the green chile capital of NM. Warmest day, about 60 very beautiful, but alas, nothing to do here either so only staying one night. Lots of deer in the campground, can't remember the last time we saw deer like that. And quail, weird, never see them in NM much, mostly AZ. This trip I finished the 50 ish-th sunflower granny square to use of the ooooold yarn stash and make new sweater that probably will never leave the house, total clown...  Anyway, so nice out we took a short walk then did a drive to make sure there is nothing around here, except crumbling RV parks. Coldest night yet, 28 when I turned in at 11:30.

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Woke to the brightest morning this entire trip, I dare say, with those fabulous blue skies. And I see it did get as cold as 24 degrees. Wow. Long drive again today to 40s Santa Fe, always so great to go home to SF. And after the Paton center in Patagonia, I need to make my yard Audoban approved for MORE birds! More feeders! Slash piles! More hummer feeders! More work for me!

Next time: find Noble Bakery in Phoenix. More time in Tubac. Amerind museum

RIP: Carl Weathers, Toby Keith, Biden's memory...