Thursday, November 11, 2010

DALHART TEXAS TO TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NEW MEXICO…..YAAAAY, WE ARE FINALLY IN CACTUS LAND:))

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SOOOO NICE TO BE BACK IN THE SOUTHWEST:))

Aha, I was up by 3 a.m. & managed to get a few blogs read & commented on before the Big Cheese swept out of the bedroom & wrestled the Verizon modem away from me again.  Yep, we definitely have to do something about this ‘sharing’ the internet thing alright…………… and soon!!

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GREAT TO SEE MOUNTAINS EAST OF ALBUQUERQUE ON I-40

One of the reasons we don’t dilly-dally around when we head for the southwest at this time of the year is weather.  We’re not cold weather people so the sooner we can get our assparagus’s into the warmer southern air the better because winter storms can suddenly sweep in at any time.  We have really been lucky so far in our few days of traveling in that the daytime temps have been hovering around the 70’s mark with night time lows in the 50’s.  Saves on propane at night trying to keep warm too.  Also, our prime focus is the American Southwest which we now consider our second home, so the sooner we can get there & get ourselves into the mountains, canyons & deserts, the better we feel:))

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REST AREA NEAR SOCORRO, NM

We were on the road by 6:30 this morning heading in a southwesterly direction on highway 54.  And, that meant another big orange fiery sunrise.  An hour later we crossed the New Mexico State line & for me, that is the beginning of the great Southwest.  Ten minutes later I caught my first glimpse of mountains ahead on the distant haze shrouded horizon.  One small mountain stood out, which later turned out to be Tucumcari Mountain & this is where we  climbed aboard I-40 at, where else, Tucumcari.  Ya have to wonder how names of places are decided sometimes.  When did TWO people COME & what did they CARRY?

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BACK IN THE SAME SPOT WE WERE NEARLY 3 YEARS AGO IN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM

I had thought we would have been into some mountains west of Tucumcari but most of the way to Albuquerque was large rolling hills.  I think this stretch of Interstate has about the worst billboard pollution I have seen anywhere.  How tacky, & that’s all I will say about that!!  My map had shown me a little place called Santa Rosa about half way between Tucumcari & Albuquerque with some roads & highways running south & then west over to near Socorro.  I figured it would be a nice alternative to dealing with the Albuquerque traffic madness.  Well, it looked good in theory until we checked our ‘Mountain Directory’ book.   We would ‘NOT’ be taking those roads through the mountains!!   No choice but to don helmets & flak jackets, load the canons, set phazers on stun, energize the protective force shield & head into the city to do battle with the Albuquerquian traffic storm trooper drivers.  Kelly prepped Garmin Gertie for action & GG led the charge taking us right through the thick of the driving, directing us fearlessly & faultlessly through the heavy late morning traffic depositing us safely on I-25 headed south for Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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GREAT TO BE BACK IN CACTUS LAND

A stop in Socorro for fuel & we headed for some old familiar territory another hours drive south on 1-25.  We spent a few days in Truth Or Consequences 3 years ago at a really nice little gem of a place called the Dam Site Recreation Area.  Most people know about Elephant Butte State Park but not many know about this place just south of the park.  No electricity or water at the sites but there are hot showers, washrooms & each site has a Casita & BBQ.  This quiet restful place is just on the edge of town & only steps from the scenic Rio Grand River.  And, we are in the exact same spot we were 3 years ago.  And, best part of all…..yep, you guessed it….we are the only ones here:))  And, I should mention that we haven’t had to pay a penny for any of our over night stays on this trip so far.  Generally, nobody comes around to collect the small nominal County Park fees & as a rule there is nowhere to leave the 6 or 7 dollars it might cost.  We did pay $7 a night here in T&C three years ago though.  Ten dollars now but we haven’t seen any Park staff so far.

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It was from this same spot 3 years ago that we did our day trips to the historic little ghost towns of, CHLORIDEMONTICELLO & HILLSBORO.  This was Apache territory in the late 1800’s & these towns bore the brunt of Indian attacks.  Be sure to check out our blog & photos from our days in & around T&C.  Go to T & C WEB ALBUMS & scroll down to Albums 80 to 85 or Feb 25, 26, 28, 29 plus March 1 & 2, 2008.  The traveling Vietnam Vets Memorial Wall is here in T&C too & I have pics of that plus the Elephant Butte lake area.

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AND THIS WAS OUR FRONT YARD LATER THIS AFTERNOON

No idea where we will end up tomorrow night but you can be assured it won’t be anywhere north east of here!!  And, just exactly where we will be next week at this time is an unknown as well because as previously mentioned….the winds of change have been blowing in the McNeal Arizona area & we could be into a slightly new adventure in a few days.  When we know for sure…..we will let you know for sure………10-4:))

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THE BIG CHEESE ENJOYS ANOTHER DAY:))

GROANER’S CORNER:))  Why are blonde jokes so short?  So men can remember them.

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The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now….AL.

17 comments:

  1. Congrats! You have found the promised land faster than Moses!

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  2. You've got me itching to get back to NM, my favorite southwestern state. Don't know when I'll make it though.

    I don't like driving through Albiquerque during rush hour, but there is lots of traffic at all times. Fortunately the scenery makes up for it in my view. Most beautiful freeways in the country!

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  3. say cheese!!!..nice socks, great view and not a soul in sight!!!..perfection!!

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  4. "And, I should mention that we haven’t had to pay a penny for any of our over night stays on this trip so far. Generally, nobody comes around to collect the small nominal County Park fees & as a rule there is nowhere to leave the 6 or 7 dollars it might cost. We did pay $7 a night here in T&C three years ago though. Ten dollars now but we haven’t seen any Park staff so far."

    typical cheap-ass canadian... why should you have to pay for anything? And of course it's the fault of the county for not sending someone around to collect.

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  5. Fast passage and very nice scenery, but this crack of dawn departure stuff, I would hate to see that become a RV travel standard- we would be in a lot of trouble.

    safe travels.

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  6. Your site at the Dam Site recreation area looks mighty fine! (Already noted in my travel notebook) Very happy that your "assparagus's" are already feeling the heat!
    Safe journeys....

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  7. As you went through Tijeras Canyon on I-40 east of Albuquerque is where I lived for many years.

    Our house was at the 7,000 ft level with a view that would not be the same twice.

    You are now inside the gate of the beautiful southwest. Enjoy every moment of time you will be there.

    Mac & Dianna

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  8. Hey Al, you got to NM so fast, I am still spinning, what happened to slow and easy living. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

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  9. Gotta love good old cactus land! It will be a few weeks until we probably get to see a cactus, so keep putting up pics of them... it keeps me going!

    John
    RVlifeonwheels

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  10. You guys are just a wealth of information. Keep traveling safe--when did Kelly get rid of all her hair??

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  11. You certainly aren't letting the grass grow under your tires with your speedy trip west. Safe travels getting to your intended location in the great S.W.

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  12. I'm so glad you are getting back to the SW, sunshine and mountains-because now I am, too, virtually through your pictures!!

    Donna

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  13. Al, we know how you guys love our southwest cactus, so we are ready to make an extreme sacrifice. There are some cactus growing right on our property line here in Benson. The are growing rapidly, have extremely long sharp spines, and are kind of ugly. You can have them for free and take them along with you on your travels. All you have to do is dig 'em up and lug 'em over to your motorhome!. Just kidding, of course, but it you really want them you're welcome to them, and I'll even loan you some leather gloves. Heck, after handling that cactus, the gloves will be totally shot, so I'll let you keep them!

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  14. Al, I had to laugh at the Groaner's corner. I heard that joke a little differently.
    Why are blond jokes one liners? So men can understand them.
    Welcome back to the SW, we have been here about a month, our first trip this direction and it is wonderful.

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  15. Al, I had to laugh at the Groaner's corner. I heard that joke a little differently.
    Why are blond jokes one liners? So men can understand them.
    Welcome back to the SW, we have been here about a month, our first trip this direction and it is wonderful.

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  16. OK, OK, Bayfielders...I am tired..Can we sleep in soon?? McGuyver's head is spinning, but we can't blame you for "going into the warm!"

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  17. Al,
    Ignore that awful comment from "Anonymous" (above). That was a cheap shot and totally unfair.

    Emjay

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