10-23-16 - Heat Escape - Day73

It was another beautiful morning, with the temp in the 60's when we left The Ranch.  Fernykat watched out the window as we were leaving.  She likes to watch us leave, (she needs her own space,) but is happy to see us return, (ready for her treats).  Spoiled cat.

We took a ride to Sitting Bull Falls.  It is a very pretty water fall in the Lincoln National Forest.  It seems out of place in all the dry desert area.  The camp host told us about a hike to the top that had more water pools.  It was well worth the hike.  We talked to a foreigner at the top, who asked if we were on our bike, (wonder how she could tell??), she said she heard the vroom vroom. She was bikini ready and took a plunge into the cold, pretty, water.  Youth!!

After we ate our picnic lunch under the cabana overlooking the beautiful canyon, we continued through the cattle ranches on Dark Canyon Road back to Carlsbad.  We rode around both sides of the Pecos River.  A really nice park.  It had warmed up to upper 80's, so we decided to head back to The Ranch.

                                                                    our spot for lunch

                                                                   cow crossing

                                                               Dark Canyon Road

                                                                  Pecos River

                                                                 back at the Ranch

We have had another good day even though we are back in warmer weather.


Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/V84ADrwL7BMSdYWPA

10-22-16 - Heat Escape - Day 72

                                                    Roadrunners were out this morning

It was a beautiful sunny day with very little wind in the 80's.  Perfect day to take a ride on Amber.

We rode about an hour to Roswell, New Mexico through the flat desert cattle ranches, saw a few horses and a few oil wells.  We checked out the Harley shop, (just gotta go check it out) then went to a park and had our picnic lunch.  We went back to Main Street and toured the museum, which we had toured about 5 years ago, we thoroughly enjoyed another venture through.

                                                                   Entering Roswell area

                                                                     Harley dealer

                                                                   Lunch stop

                                                                     Museum

We did a stop at a couple of souvenir shops then checked out the black light space walk.  A really cool replica of the alien encounter.  I believe!!

                                                                 Blacklight Usie

It was the final night of the Round Up at The Ranch.  For a very small fee, we had a great dinner of blue cheese dressing pork chops, 3 bean salad, a roll and strawberry shortcake.  Again the food was great, but the hospitality was greater.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the Round Up at The Ranch.  Too bad it is done until next year.


Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/2K2hhR78iZTSZBgw5

10-21-16 - Heat Escape - Day71

                                                               Wally world run

It was a cool, windy, pretty day.  We made a Wally world run, only 40 miles round trip, then got some chores done. Lauren has learned to make sure he keeps the outside compartments closed or else one of those Beep Beeps may startle you when they fly out unexpected.

Today is the 3rd day of The Round Up at The Ranch.  They had blind golf cart races this afternoon and horse races tonight. Both we very amusing.

We sat outside this afternoon, watching the quails, doves, rabbits, and road runners play while grilling chicken and watching the sunset.

Goodnight

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/dwWWA84fpzxr7xN46

10-20-16 - Heat Escape - Day 70

It was a beautiful day today.  This morning was a little cooler than yesterday.  Today's high was in the 70's.  We drank our coffee watching rabbits and road runners playing outside.

It was Day 2 of the Round Up at The Ranch.  Some of the campers were having a garage sale at their campsite, most of the proceeds are being donated to C.A.R.E.  We strolled around the campground, talking with people, looking at the goods for sale, and looking at lots for lease.  Didn't buy anything.

                                                             sunset park

                                                         old tractors on display

 We went to Carlsbad Caverns this afternoon in hopes of seeing the bat flight.  We were too late to walk in the cavern so we took the elevator down the 75 stories.  When I stepped off the elevator, I was in WOW mode.  The cool, quiet, dark, damp cavern takes your breath away.  It is a peaceful place, there are a few dim lights scattered around, displaying the amazing structures of the cave.  It was quite cool at 60 degrees in shorts and short sleeve shirts.

                       

We ate a late afternoon lunch at the picnic area, fighting off flies.  There must have been 100's of them nuisance pests.  Oh well, we had a pretty view.

We got to the Bat Flight viewing area at 4:30 pm.  (I wanted to make sure I got a good seat and we had our pick). The ranger started talking at 5:30 pm. She told us the bats came out at 5:59 pm last night.  By 6:29 pm, tonight, no bats.  I was sure I was going to be bat-less in Carlsbad, then at 6:30 pm it was on!!

We picked the highest seat, closest to the cave entrance. We could see, hear, and smell them as they flew simultaneously out of the cave. The estimate count is 400,000 to 500,000 bats come out of this cave each night.  We watched until it was too dark to see, although we could still hear and smell them. Five years ago I came during bat drought season at Carlsbad Caverns, we only saw a few hundred bats.  Tonight, we saw them come out like a flume.  It was well coordinated show put on by the bats, amazing creatures.

We got home after dark, and got a talking to from Fernykat about us being gone too long.  A little comfort food got her in a better mood.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/ub6Vw9pMZJWdQJGd9

10-19-16 - Heat Escape - Day 69

                                                                  On the road

We left Las Cruces and headed south 229 miles toward Carlsbad Caverns.  We went to Carlsbad Caverns  a few years ago and were very disappointed that  there weren't many bats.  Lauren had been there as a kid and the bats were awesome.  We decided to try this again, even though it is getting toward the end of bat season,

After driving the Texas Mountain Trail, stopping for a nice picnic lunch with a great view, we made it to The Original Ranch in Lakewood, New Mexico.  This is our first SKP campground that we have stayed in since we joined Escapees last fall.  We stopped at the office to check in and all the sudden a bell was a ringing, and the locals were coming to the office greeting us with hugs and hand shakes. The friendliest welcome to a campground we have ever experienced.  I never had a clue that this was going to happen.  (Lauren could have let me know).  An overwhelming welcome, but it was very nice!!

                                                                    The bell

Today is the first day of  Round Up Time. Tonight was Margaritas and chips at the Ranch House, a fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors.  We got set up, and headed to the Ranch House, expecting to catch the end of happy hour, walked in and we were the center of attention. We were summoned to the front and had to talk on the microphone.  I have a little, (actually a lot), of stage fright!!  We both pointed at the other, trying to not talk on the microphone, somehow I was ON,

I talked so fast, that I am pretty sure they didn't have a clue what I said.  After being there for a little while, I realized,  I don't have very many microphone moments, and what I said mattered, if not to anyone else, at least to me.  The margaritas and the chips and salsa were great, (I could have used a margarita before the microphone to settle my nerves).  The hospitality was awesome.  At the end of happy hour, we all sang, "Happy Trails."  We have found a really unique, fun, place.

The campground is in the middle of a cattle ranch.  There is an electric fence to keep the cows out of the campground.  We have a huge lot, lot #4 of 120.  Fernykat is happy here.  Thank goodness, cause we are here for a week.  And the Round Up is going on for the next few days!!

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/rBzqdHGmwi7FzpaH6

10-18-16 - Heat Escape - Day 68

We didn't have to wait long for the temperatures to rise to ride this morning.  We left at 10 with our jackets on heading to White Sand National Monument and Cloudcroft, New Mexico.

We traveled on Highway 70 through the 30 mile White Sand Missile Range.  Luckily, no missile testing today, (planned for Thursday). We went through a Border Control checkpoint.  I was in panic mode, because I forgot my driver's license. All the officer asked was if we were US citizens, we responded that we were, (in our redneck slag), and away we went.

First stop, jackets off, at White Sand National Monument.  They don't lie about the white sand.  It is blindingly beautiful.  We had 4 miles of pavement then 4 miles of sand.  Not a bad ride.  After stopping  for our picnic lunch, and a walk on the boardwalk, we made the loop back.  It was well worth the ride.

We filled up with  gas in Alamogordo, then continued to Cloudcroft.   It was  a 4315 foot, beautiful, steep, elevation climb to Cloudcroft.  Once we were at the top, we had to make a decision, go back the way we came, or take the long way back.  We took the longer route, it was a  nice peaceful ride on back, country, curvy roads.

The temperature range today was 50's to 90's.  A nice cool start to the day, but not an overwhelming heat when it was in the 90's. We were ready for some comfort food when we got back to camp.  We had ground beef and green onions, macaroni and cheese, and candied jalapeno hush puppies,  We have a few more weeks of vacation, and we plan to live it up!!


Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/8wafTaRgrXS38UPS9