Author: harrylange

Southern New Mexico, Wednesday October 8, 2014

I may have to start a new feature: “The World from Harry’s Lazyboy”.

Here’s my view at Elephant Butte State Park, New Mexico.

 

This morning I got up at 3:30 a.m. to take pictures of the Blood Red Eclipse.  I had everything ready to take outside and start taking pictures.  I got seven pictures taken and at 3:52 clouds moved in and the moon was gone.  It decided to come back 4:30 and I got another 252 pictures.  Many of the pictures have clouds covering some part of the moon, it was not clear in New Mexico.  At 6:30 a big bank of clouds must have moved in because I didn’t see the moon again, I gave up at 6:45.

Here are some of the pictures:
Notice the star on the left side of the picture.

We drove north to visit a state historical museum about an historical road from Mexico City, Mexico to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This road was first used 400 years ago and it’s called El Camino Real.

 

Elephant Butte State Park – Tuesday October 7, 2014

We left the RV Park about 9:30 a.m. and headed to the state park just 8 miles south.  This is the largest park in New Mexico and has the most usage of all the state parks.

It is a winner, Great park, we have a great site with a great view of the lake, water and electricity with WIFI.   Yes, for $14.00 a night we have a strong WIFI signal with a repeater just outside the back of the motorhome.  It had good speed this afternoon to watch a video but it slowed down right after dinner when everyone started watching videos.  We are pleased with the place and will be here at least until Sunday.

We have a bunch if day trips planned over the next several days and I’m sure we’ll find more.

Phone GPS puts us HERE:  elevation of 4509
Great site, number 56 asphalt and level, you can see the WIFI repeater pole coming out of the top of the RV.  The pole and base alone has to be $300.00 installed.
Here is map of our travels to date:
We have come quite a ways and it’s been a great trip.

Elephant Butte – Monday October 6, 2014

Today we moved toward Truth or Consequences, New Mexico actually spending the night just north of Elephant Butte, NM which is just north of Truth or Consequences, if I have all of that correct. We had two goals when we left Datil; find a place to do laundry and a place with WIFI.  I found a RV park which listed a laundry and WIFI which is also part of a discount RV park system called Passport America.  By joining this group you can stay at a member park for 50% of their going rate.  This park listed as having 69 sites and the laundry/WIFI.  However, when we got there the WIFI no longer worked and the laundry was one washer and one dryer (at least they were clean).  The 69 sites had 10 people who lived there permanently and one RV from Washington State.  Later in the evening three other traveling RV’s pulled in, we all left Tuesday morning.

This campsite picture makes it look a lot better than it really was.  Oh well they all can not be Monument Valley.

Here is the InReach hike Hank and I took on Sunday.

Topo
Aerial

Here is Monday’s drive

 

Datil Well Campground – Sunday October 5, 2014

Hank and I got out for a hike this morning.  The campground has a trail which leads out to the south with some views to the surrounding valley.

Hank had a good time, as soon as he figured out there were no shape burrs for him to step on.  He was happy and took off down the trail.

Here are some pictures of the area and hike.
This is looking in the direction of the Very Large Array.
Here is the VLA.
Just one of many cool trees.

Our campsite from another side.

I got online with DISH TV this afternoon and I think I changed out physical location to Truth or Consequences, NM.  My hope is this will allow us to watch the football game tomorrow evening.  We’ll find out tomorrow.   Nice weather and a great day.

 

 

Very Large Array – Friday October 3, 2014

Still camped at Datil Well Campground at the old folks rate of $2.50 a day.

This morning we drove over the the Very Large Array and took the self guided walking tour.  Tomorrow we’re going on the first Saturday guided tour where you get to go into the buildings.  Hank got to go today but he cannot go tomorrow.

He just wanted everyone to know he was there and it is really cool.

Canyon DeChilley – Wednesday October 1 , 2014

We left Monument Valley with the next major stop of the Very Large Array in New Mexico.

On the way we stopped at Four Corners of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.  This is where my phone says The Four Corners is with an elevation of 4900 feet.   I was standing a little off the the side of the exact spot.

Campsite at Navajo campground right next to the Canyon DeChelley National Monument visitor’s center.
Hank would not leave the paved ground.  He could smell the green plants you can see on the ground which are covered with small sharp burrs.  Very time I went in the motorhome I had to pull several out of my sandals.

Lees Ferry National Monument – Saturday September 27, 2014

We have a new campsite.
Yes, I’m one of those people who will ask people who are leaving a GREAT site if I can have it when they leave.  This is one of the two end sites over looking the river.
We have had thunder storms off and on all day.  I did get out to take these two pictures.
Here is one of the river.
This guy and a girl used the site next to us to pack their boat yesterday.  They are going to be on the river for 21 days.  Between now and the end of October they are going to see a lot of weather changes.  We have been in rain storm for the last hour and I see no end in sight and it is still 83 degrees.