October 22 - 29, 2019
Tuesday - Valley of Fires in Carrizozo one night, driving by way of Hwy 41 (passed Jeffrey Epstein's place in Stanley. He did not kill himself). Stayed up on the hill, had a great view of the most beautiful day ever, perfect temp and visibility.
Wednesday - Toward Billy the Kid country and stayed at a private campground called Eagle Creek in Alto, situated on the 35 acres of an old ski lodge. Just one night as the temps dipped overnight with snow sprinkles in the am. Cruised town, dinner at Cattle Baron (eh), and sat at a huge Texan bonfire with the few remaining campers in the park. These folks have been staying here all summer. Guess they wanted to use up their wood. Fire was 'uge. They all had smores, nice night.
Thursday & Friday - Moved on to Alamogordo, staying once again at Oliver Lee State Park. Here we bought the $100 state park pass making elec/water sites just $4 a night, and dry camping ZERO. Yeah, this was a full power trip, what a difference. Such comfort and luxury! It was VERY windy the first day so we toured town and saved the hike for day 2. Great hike into Dog Canyon behind the visitor center, we didn't go all the way to the cabin, but went about 2 miles in. Had the thing to ourselved just about. Steep at first but leveled out before getting steep again, which is where we turned around.
Saturday - Decided on Leasburg Dam, after checking out Aguirre Springs up on the mountain. No elec there and it will be cold so kept moving. Nice park ranger, joker of a guy, asked where we kept the staff when he saw the Airstream. Do we light our cuban cigars with 50s or 100s. hahaaa Walked a little along the river bed, then went to the Ft. Seldon Winery down the road for a tasting. Were pleasantly surprised and went away with 4 bottles. Drove north to Hatch for dinner at Sparky's for a green chile cheeseburger.
Sunday - Two nights at Elephant Butte reservoir. Pretty busy place but found a spot (88) in Loop C. Also VERY windy so stayed inside mostly on Day 1. Day 2 got out for a lakeside walk and basically hung out for a chance, that was nice. Got killed 3x in Kill or Be Killed, ugh.
Tuesday - Home by 3pm, after lunch at the Buckhorn in San Antonio. I think we can give the green chile burgers a rest for a day or two. Came home to snow on the mountain tops and even a little in the yard.
{This is a first: I have another version of events, so I'm posting them both. This one from memory]
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Perfect day, all the way to Carizozo.
Dead tired. Just hung out. [need cg info]
Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Ruidoso – Alto Ski Lodge RV Park, they
let us stay tho the were closing for the season. Cool spot, on grounds of old
ski lodge. Eagle Creek drove around, went to Casa Décor seeking a wall unit.
Drove thru town, Walmart, had so-so dinner at Cattle Baron restaurant, and
joined the neighbors at their big evening bonfire. Houston Texans. Good time.
Earlier we hiked up to the old ski lift and looked around. Snow on the ground
in the am! Time to move on.
Thursday, Oct. 24 – Alamogordo, windy as usual. Went to
Oliver Lee. Bought the state park pass, $100, making cg’s free or $4. Drove
around town.
Friday, Oct. 25 – Nicer day. Hiked 4 miles into Dog Canyon.
Drove to White Sands national monument (next year this will be a park).
Saturday, Oct. 26 – Checked out Aguirre Springs near Las
Cruces, but stayed at Radium Springs at Leasburg Dam. Went down the road to
Fort Selden Winery, not bad! Then drove up to Hatch (someday we need to
actually stop and shop) and then to Sparky’s for a green chile cheeseburger.
Sunday, Oct. 27 – Headed north to Elephant Butte, got site
#88 for 2 nights. Next time reserve lower ridge 1, 2 or 3. Very windy.
