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1 Oct 2010I had planned our trip through northern New Mexico based on some computer maps. Well, when we got to Navajo Dam I realized that New Mexico uses unimproved roads more often than even I care to use them. Some are dirt roads following old trade routes and indian trails. I didn't want to bust up the truck and trailer seeing that we still have a ways to go before heading home. Looking at the map we didn't have too many options to get to Texas. I surely didn't want to head back north through the San Juan mountains and whip the truck like a mule again. The only other route was to go directly to Santa Fe. It was a nice drive but it seemed very long to me. We both seem to think we're getting to the point where we need more break days and more often than before. The skies always seem so beautiful in Santa Fe, especially at night. We had seen towering clouds accumulating from over 100 miles away as we approached Santa Fe. The mountains behind the city were dark purple, you could see the heavy bottom layer of the clouds releasing rain in some areas across the horizon, while also seeing the gleaming billowy tops and lightning strikes in the mountains. Very cool place. We went to one of our favorite restaurants and had dinner since we both agreed that we both have been very good.

1 Oct 2010We stayed in Santa Fe another day and found two new places for New Mexican food. One was right across the street from where we were staying, a small very local fast food joint where there were nothing but native locals, called El Comal. We both had 3 tacos to go, a buck each, and a pineapple soda, (Pina). The other was a place we wanted to try the last time we were here. It was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Harry’s Roadhouse. We didn’t know what to expect since the last Triple D we tried we didn’t think was all that much of a big deal. This place was different. A real small restaurant, made from an actual old roadhouse; A small outside patio, small bar and not enough parking. It’s about 5 miles outside of town on Old Pecos Trail. The food was excellent and we’d both go back again and again if given the opportunity. We watched a great sunset as we waited for our table. Again, there was rain off in the distance but we were spared. We went back fed Gypsy and went for a ride to fill up the truck so I wouldn’t have to do it with the trailer attached. I wish I would have taken my camera. I wanted to get some pictures of some old hotels / motels in adobe architecture lit with their little old argon and neon lights shining at night. We both love it here. There is something about the laid back lifestyle, tolerant and mixed culture, Spanish influence, western openness and the weather make a very definite impression on you.

Love the weather here in Santa Fe. It's not too hot or too cold. We talked to some local people who say the winters are mild. The cold lasts a day or two and they do have some snow, but it melts quickly. I don't know if I could move here since I would always eat too much and I'd probably put on 40 pounds in no time! We definitely will be keeping eye on the weather and the prices in the next few months to see if it would be some place we would like to move to. Best part, no humidity!

3 October 2010 We drove to Santa Rosa Lake in New Mexico. Again, a park well of the beaten path, but luckily no dirt roads. We parked in loop B, and had the entire loop to ourselves. We put on the hiking boots and headed to a trail. We took along Gypsy and she was a real trooper. She hung in there until the end, barely. We did stop a few times to enjoy the cool breeze blowing off the lake. The temperature was 73 degrees, perfect for hiking.

4-6 Oct 2010

After a long drive we arrived back in Palo Duro Canyon. We just rested up and went into town for some of our favorite Mexican food at El Patio. We returned to the campsite picked up Gypsy and cruised the park looking for animals. We started a bit late it was quite dark by the time we returned. The next day we headed into Canyon to go shopping, pick up our forwarded mail (thank you Jean), had lunch and finally washed the truck. I think it will take a good hand washing before it is really clean, but it is much better now. We had to make a special trip to Ace Hardware to pick up a fly-swatter. Many of you know that Gypsy absolutely hates flies. She’ll cower over by the door or lay between the beds if she hears one buzzing around. There are more than the normal amounts of flies around now since it is cattle gathering time. Each time we come or go, or enter the trailer, one of us must go on fly patrol. I don’t know why they bother her so much, it’s not like she’s read Lord of the Flies. Maybe they remind her of her mortal enemies’ bees and wasps. We are parked in the same campground and only two sites down from where we were the last time we were here. The turkeys are very active, it seems the Tom spends most of his time trying to keep the hens in some kind of order, but they hardly pay attention to him. We can hear him calling often by rarely see him. We’ve only seen him once whereas we’ve seen the flock 4-5 times a day.

The deer come through the camp a bit more often than last time. One startled Gypsy as I was cooking outside last night. If they are real close, they snort at her and trot off. We went hiking on Sunflower trail, the mosquitoes ambushed us about a half mile in near the small river. Kim went down first, I tried to rally but they countered and took me down. Gypsy led us back to the truck. Late that night the coyotes were out, it seemed they had something to eat in the Hackberry Campground I hope it wasn’t someones pet. I got a haircut in town, and asked where I could get some mesquite firewood. I was told that they sold it at the local United Food grocery store. I picked up a supply that should last me a long while. My original supply was confiscated at the California border. I had found a small stash since then that had lasted me until now by splitting it very thin and putting it directly on top of the hot coals just before putting on the steaks or chops.

Love, love Canyon Texas. Weather here is perfect too. No humidity and not too dry. We met lots of nice people here. While we were sleeping last night we heard the coyotes. We heard them only one time in Canada but far off in the distance. They were so close I heard them with my earplugs in. They weren't howling, it sounded terrible whatever they were doing. Must have got a late night snack. It was creepy and I hope it wasn't a dog in the campground. I can go without hearing that again. On the lighter side I got to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant twice!

7 Oct 2010We left Palo Duro Canyon and the small town of Canyon. This is still one of our favorite small towns in the US. We met some very friendly people that invited us to come live there. We headed just about due east to another Texas state park, named Lake Arrowhead. It’s getting hot again, but not quite as bad as the last time we were here.