2-Days Through New Mexico

Once we bid adieu to Arizona, our plans were to take two days to drive through New Mexico arriving in Colorado to meet up with friends.  We knew the higher elevations were going to bring cooler temperatures, but did anyone say that we had to like it?!!!

We decided that instead of staying at Rest Areas (which seem to be dwindling in New Mexico) we would try a couple of the State Parks for our overnights.  Traveling a fair amount of miles before stopping in the early afternoon to re-energize ourselves worked out just fine. 

This sign caught our attention for two separate city names.
It definitely made us smile.




This landscape really had some unusual rock formations; 238 miles later we're at our first State Park.

 Our first night was, Elephant Butte Lake State Park. 
 

We haven't seen a lot of water over the winter, so this was a unique Park.



It was nice to get settled in to relax for the evening.



Still a lot of desert to deal with.



As we were leaving, the morning sun highlighted the lake atop the road that we were exiting.

This Park is one of largest and most popular lakes in New Mexico, located outside of Truth or Consequences (maybe some of you remember that game show on TV...many years ago).  They say that over 100 million years ago, this area was part of a vast shallow ocean.  Once the sea receded, the area was the favorite hunting ground of the tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur. Evidence of the Rex, the largest land-dwelling predator of all time, and other species of dinosaur has been discovered in area rock formations in this area which we think is pretty amazing stuff.

Just call me, "Rex".

The area of the Park that we were in was quite nice, but just a tad small for maneuverability of our 43 ft. home, but we made it work for our overnight stay.  The $14/night fee was very reasonable.  There are five developed campground areas in this park (water, electric & dump) which make it pretty desirable for drive-ins and/or reservations. 




These mountains were just outside of Truth or Consequences along the interstate.

 

After another day of travel (272 miles later - past Albuquerque and Santa Fe) our next scheduled stop was Storrie Lake State Park,  located 6 miles from Las Vegas, New Mexico.  Sitting at an elevation of 6,607 ft. in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains it is situated not too far from the scenic drive called the Santa Fe Trail.



The road from Albuquerque to Santa Fe




Light rail car running down the center of the interstate from
Santa Fe to Albuquerque



The landscape was definitely getting us to more remote areas.

 

The lake is small and serene with sites that are primitive but developed with electric and water.  This is unless, you arrive when the weather is in the 30’s (as we did) then the water & dump stations are not going to be available.   We were okay in both of those areas so it wasn't a big deal for us.   Individual casita shelters with picnic tables were available at each site.  Still not bad for $14/night (and no State stickers required!).

 

Cute little casitas and the welcoming crew!

This group of friends would rather be at the roadside pool.




We think that Abby wanted to go to the pool party too!

For such a small lake it was indeed a charming spot to spent an overnight.



Plenty of room for us to spread out.

 


Just one piece of the Santa Fe Trail winding through a lot of
different scenery.

 


The prairie lands reminded us of the Midwest.

 


Pronghorn Antelope - magnificent!

 

As we made our way toward Raton Pass on the Colorado border (at an elevation of approximately 7,834 ft.) we knew we were getting closer to our destination.

 

 

That's a lot of "cold" on top of Pike's Peak!

 

We are headed to see our friends for a couple of weeks ~ Nancy & Matt Fetty who own Haggard’s RV Campground in Pueblo West, and to spend some time with Gary & Penny Barton from Denver who will be driving down.

Our Colorado adventures begin!
 

Hugs ~