Heading South

 Tuesday we started our trip by driving south on I-25 towards New Mexico. We stopped for fuel at Costco in Colorado Springs. It was a windy day, and the highway department had posted wind advisories. We decided to get off the highway, and wandered around Pueblo, visiting Pueblo Lake State park; the campground was on a point, so very windy. We stopped at the Steelworks museum, but found that it was closed for a new exhibit. We then looked at the weather forecast, and saw that the wind was going down, so we got back on the highway. We headed over Raton Pass into New Mexico, and stopped at the very funky Santa Fe Trail campground in Springer, right as it was getting dark. I was beat, and headed for bed about 7 PM! It is work to drive an RV with high winds.

I felt better on Wednesday morning, and we continued to head south. We stopped in Albuquerque for gas at Costco, and then picked up a good lunch at Vic's Daily Cafe, which the gas attendant had recommended. We stopped in Truth or Consequences, looked at the veteran's memorial, and took a hike down to the river. Like many towns in New Mexico, it had seen better days, when its hot springs were more popular. 

 We continued south to Caballo Lake State Park, where the campground host was nice enough to show us where we should go, and explain the reservation system. In New Mexico, the camping fee includes park admission, which is different from Colorado. Like Colorado, you have to make a reservation even if you are already in the campsite, and no one else is there. As Sandi was on the phone to the reservation desk, we heard and saw Sandhill Cranes flying overhead, probably headed to one of the wildlife refuges on the Rio Grande. Sandi was really happy and grateful to see the Sandhills. Our campground was pleasant and quiet; we took a brief stroll to a point overlooking the lake, which was glassy, reflecting the mountains.

Thursday morning, we heard the Sandhills again, and got on the road about 8. We bought gas in Demming, a truck stop at Road Forks, and then at the Love's gas station in Benson. Sandi had a business call, and we knew that cell coverage south of I-10 would not be great, so we stayed at Love's; I bought propane, ate lunch, and when her call was over we headed for Patagonia Lake State Park. We arrived at the lake about 3 PM, and were pleased with the campground and our campsite. It was shirtsleeve weather, very nice, at least until the sun went down. We met Bill Cotton, a retired CSU professor from Fort Collins, when Richard asked him about his wooden kayaks. Several other campers had brought kayaks. Richard kind of wished he had brought a boat. The WIFI at the visitor center is not working, but we have a couple of bars on our cell phones. We ate grilled salmon at the picnic table at our campsite.