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

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