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

10-17-16 - Heat Escape - Day 67

We drank our coffee this morning, watching the peacocks out the window, then headed to the hot springs.  I think the hot springs were better today than yesterday.

We traveled southerly 80 miles to Coachlight RV Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is an ok campground behind a motel, We have a few air TV stations, good WIFI, and full hookups.  We have all that we need for a couple of days.

We went to the Barnett's Harley Davidson, bought some shirts, then went and got our Walmart fix.

It was time for Pizza and we had phone service and Pizza Hut delivery.  A great way to spend the night in the big city.  Thank goodness, we escaped from all the dang cats at Faywood Hot Springs!!

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/wxUzM77cALna5qSV9

10-16-16 - Heat Escape - Day 66

                                                             Breakfast

We got up this gorgeous morning, built a campfire, and cooked breakfast on our tripod grill.  Dang it was good!!  We debated on staying at Cosmic Campground or continuing on our journey.  Being we couldn’t get any data, cell phone, not even a radio station, and were kinda in Google withdrawal, we decided to go. 

Again we had a maybe destination, just wasn’t quite sure.  We traveled about a 100 miles in a southerly direction. We found our new home for the night at Faywood Hot Springs Resort.  The word Resort is a little bit of extravagant for this place, but the hot springs are fantastic.

We picked out a campsite that we knew would be Fernykat approved.  No need for Fernykat approval, there are so many feral cats here that I feel like we are the Pied Piper of the cat world.  Fernykat is not coming outside.  The feral cats are quite a nuisance.

We took a stroll around the campground. We saw peacocks and chickens on out hike.  We also found the clothes optional campsite area.  Needless to say, we are on the other side of the campground from there.

 The hot springs are 110 degrees of wonderful.  Kinda ironic on our heat escape we head to a hot spring.  We soaked in the Hot Spring for a little while, (not the clothes optional one, although it appeared to be the most popular).  This is well worth the stop along the way even with the cat encounter.

We fried some good ole bream while fighting off the cats.  We watched the sunset, (while being  followed by 5 cats),and went inside to watch TV.  We have TV, off and on data; we are almost back to civilization.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/RozQ5hHaidhsmq7WA

10-15-16 - Heat Escape - Day 65

Our day began a little later than usual.  We didn’t get up until 9 am.  We took a couple mile hike then decided we wanted to go to town to get a couple of steaks and a tripod grill to cook over the campfire. We unloaded Amber and away we went.

You never realized how much you depend on Google, until you’re Googleless.  We stopped at a gas station 50 miles after leaving and found out the nearest place to obtain our goods was another 35 miles away.  Oh well, it was a gorgeous day, beautiful scenery, with the temperature in the 80’s, no reason not to ride on.

We found the Walmart in Silver City, purchased our goods, checked our text and e mail messages, and headed back to the campground. 

It was another gorgeous night.  The moon was brighter and fuller than the night before.  We cooked our steaks and baked potatoes over the campfire and they were delicious.  The 170 mile road trip to Walmart was definitely worth it.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/6Jd9bgoAuf9cgXq4A

10-14-16 - Heat Escape - Day 64

                                                                           Morning

We left Red Rock Campground this morning headed in a southerly direction with a maybe destination to boondock for free in Gila National Forest.

Our first stop was Apache Creek Campground;   there were hunters, campers, four wheelers, horses, etc., piling in for tomorrow’s beginning of the elk hunt in Gila National Forest.  We decided to travel on to our next maybe destination,

We continued on a narrow, switchback road until finally arriving at Cosmic Campground. There are 6 very primitive sites here.  There is absolutely no phone or internet service. There was one other camper here when we arrived.   After traveling 195 miles, we found our destination.

The campground is in a valley surrounded by hills.  It has a few small trees and shrubbery.  Cosmic Campground is one of the few International Dark Sky Association areas.  The skies here are far away from big light sources and are a great place to star gaze. 

We watched the beautiful sunset, grilled some burgers, and enjoyed the quiet night sitting by the campfire. The sky was dark with a big, bright, full moon lighting it up which outshined the stars.  Even though the moon was more pronounced, the stars were still very beautiful.  The quiet sound of the night was broken when the coyotes started yelping.

                                                             Jack Rabbit

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/M1iahUk8xfbvmLMr9