Angel Peak

Having rested up and stocked our trailers with groceries, water and propane we set off for new territory. After a beautiful ride up rte. 550 from Bernalillo we turned into Angel Peak Rec. Area and made our way up the dirt road.  A free BLM campground with amazing views greeted us at the road’s end. It is an overlook of NM badlands. I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The wind, the views, the sunrises and sunsets.  All of it, even the dust in the trailer  <g>.

For the most part we had the place to ourselves. Occasional hikers or photographers would make a brief appearance. One man stopped by my trailer to ask where the trail to the ridge was. He was astonished that I had not yet hiked it. As for me, I was happy just to sit and stare and take it all in that first morning. I wondered if the visitors who stopped for a quick photo would understand that.

Lest you think I spend all my days in a zen posture or reclining in my lounge chair; I should inform you that Anne and I did venture out onto the ridge. (pictured below)

We also hiked along the rims one day and Scruffy and I investigated different trails every morning. 

We also made our way into Bloomfield one day to do laundry and sample some barbeque. My pulled pork sandwich had a cherry chipotle dressing. High marks to “Serious Texas Bar-B-Q” and the Quick stop laundry.

Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon

Having read the Shunpiker report on driving the road to Chaco Cultural Center Anne and I decided not to tow our trailers there and just dat trip from Angel Peak. IMHO it was a good decision – we spared ourselves the experience of seeing how many cabinets would open and how much stuff would come tumbling out when you drive over many miles of dirt roads. Anne did a commendable drive of navigating her car through sections of “didps”, unevn drop offs, sections of washboard and even something we called riding the rails. It seems like railroad track of hard pack mud. I don’t think she enjoyed it as much as I did. I fond of opening my mouth and slacking my jaw and letting it reverb while I sound ahhhh when the car goes over washboard roads. Though I find it amusing , with hindsight I think it is  something I should save for doing in private.

Don’t let the drive put you off – It is definitely worth the trip. My pictures don’t do it justice. There are many sets of “great house” ruins and kivas dating from about 700 – 1100 CE.  The artifacts found there (bird bones from Mexico, shells from the pacific, turquoise and other gems).  lead scholars to believe it was once a great trading center. Whether it was a ritual center, a living center or what is still a source of speculation. As is what happened to the people who once lived here. The people who built these structures experimented with a variety of techniques and their later forms were used by those in other well known sites such as Mesa Verde.

At the end of the day, with trails unhiked and ruins unseen we agreed that we would happily have spent a few days here but we were glad we did not tow the trailers in.

Santa Fe, NM

We headed to Santa Fe for two reasons: Anne because she was to meet up for a visit with her sister who was flying in from Texas and me for my annual physical and checkups. Every nomad needs to have a domicile for govt. purposes. It is a place you say you intend to return to when your travels are finished. Mine is New Mexico. I prove that by registering my vehicles, paying my taxes, and getting my doctoring done in Santa Fe, where I have a mail box service.

We had fun hanging around Santa Fe. I have lots of great memories associated with Santa Fe where Upaya Zen Center is located and where I was a resident for 15 mos. before I took to wandering. I took Scruffy to meet some folks at the Zen Center and we walked one of the trails along the river.

He was especially fond of living in my friend Jane’s house for 4 days and playing with her cats and their toys. Apparently batting little balls and crinkly things around appeals to him. I’ll have to add that to Santa’s list.

I also enjoyed hiking with Anne and her sister Sue on one of the Dale Ball trails. After Sue left, Anne and I camped at Cochiti Lake for a few nights and hiked Tent Rocks.

On our final day we went to town for groceries and a green chili cheeseburger. If you ever get to Santa Fe do yourself a favor and get a burger at “Santa Fe Bite”.

Tonto National Forest

We stopped to explore Tonto National Forest on our trek toward Santa Fe New Mexico. It has a number of campgrounds located on bluffs overlooking Lake Theodore Roosevelt.

Scruffy and I enjoyed walking the trails around the points and along the lakes although I am sure he doesn’t get the draw of scenic viewpoints. And I have to admit a lack of interest in sniffing the local flora. But together we manage to find joy for both of us.

One day we visited Tonto National Monument. One can visit the lower ruins on their own by following a paved, switched back trail up the hillside. It was a hot walk and scruffy eagerly ran up but since it was sunny and he was hot (black dogs suffer in the sun) I carried him down. We got a little teasing but I told folks that since he had towed me up, it seemed only fair that I carry him down.

This was also the site of our first Rattlesnake meet-up. We were at our campsite, me dozing in the lounger and scruffy on a 10 ft lead attached to the chair. For some reason, the snake’s rattle woke me up and I saw Scruffy and the snake eyeing each other. I quickly reeled Scruffy in and picked him up, which seemed to calm things but when I stood up the snake rattled again and began to move towards me. I moved behind the chair, and carried the dog in a wide arc away from the snake and back to the trailer. Standing on the steps I thought he was now coming toward the trailer. I was inside and safe and quite fascinated and frightened. Later it slithered off into the brush between my campsite and Anne’s. I took the road over to her and told her what we had seen. She came for a peek and we both agreed it was a very “pretty” snake. It was a light sand tone that blended into the landscape with black stripes on the tail near the rattle.  Very beautiful and if I never meet another rattlesnake I will be very content.

(Sorry no picture)

Lost Dutchman State Park

We stopped here for an overnight but liked it so much we stayed a second night. As you can see the view from my sight was terrific.

Lost Dutchman is located quite near Apache Junction, AZ in the Superstition Mountains. It is a quiet, nicely laid out and well maintained state park. 

One day walking the nature trail we had a Cholla adventure. Scruffy had apparently gotten to close to a jumping Cholla and ended up with a “pod” attached to his nose and another on his back. He began to scream; which got my attention. As I attempted to restrain and quiet him, the pod on his face transferred to the back of my hand. Anne was wise enough to use his leash to wrap around the cactus on his back and pull it off and then also to remove the one on my hand. We used tweezers to remove the needles from both Scruffy and me and later, Anne.  I have included a picture that I took at a later date so you can see what a jumping cholla looks like.