We’ve now reached an elevation of almost 4,500’ and temperatures are cooler in the morning. Diesel was $2.19 a gallon where we stopped at a very small place called Lemitar and met a lively woman aged 44 from North Dakota standing by a shiny Harley Davidson. I commented to her about her magnificent bike and we chatted for some time. We had an immediate rapport, having lived in ND at Minot AFB, our first assignment in the States and where are first daughter, Elisia was born.
This lady and her fiance, aged 53, had got a great bargain when they bought the Harley. Her two young children were quite astonished that she would suddenly buy a motorbike and decide to do a two week road trip across country ending up in Pheonix, but then parents often do surprise their offspring! On their recommendation, we stayed there for breakfast at the cafe; eggs, sausage patty, hash browns and toast - a good decision.
When travelling to a new place, pulling the 5th wheel we try to keep our daily mileage fairly low and getting to Santa Fe was no exception, just 163 miles. We stop for breaks, but try not to drive 300 miles or more as some RVers do in one day.
Unfortunately, the exit off I-25 to our next campground was closed due to road construction, so we pulled over as soon as possible to look at the map. It would have been so easy to follow our trusty GPS, but Missy, as we call the lovely, soft voice, who would normally guide us in the right direction, doesn’t understand that it’s impossible to “make a legal U turn” if we’ve missed the turning when we’re driving something the size of a truck (lorry). My sister, Penny, could probably do a U-turn in a parking space with her Smart car but we’re 55’ long.
So, following the map and the little red triangle that denotes our truck on the GPS, when we got to the road we wanted, a left turn was forbidden! A few choice swear words from the navigator and returning to the map, we eventually found our way south again but, needing to turn left once more, we were thwarted by the sign of “No vehicles over 5 tons”. We weigh about 12 tons. Aagh!
By this time I was thinking maybe we should look for another campground - glad we didn’t. About 45 minutes later we pulled into the delightful “Sante Fe Skies”. This one had been recommended by our ex neighbor in Tucson, Berry, who lived in Santa Fe until she and husband, Gus, left 8 years ago to “full-time” in their fifth wheel. Pleased that we heeded her advice we have a wonderful view stretching for miles to the far mountains, near the southern end of the Rockies across empty, open countryside spotted with juniper bushes and scraggly looking cacti.
This photo was taken from the door of our rig in the late afternoon when thunderclouds were forming over the desert. Streaks of rain which you can see in the photo, hang below the clouds then evaporate due to the dryness of the air before reaching the ground. This is called virga and is a very common occurance over desert-like regions.
The owners of this campground have lived in the area for 37 years and produce a weekly newsletter of currents events and good places to eat, etc.; so helpful. With that and an excellent 2009 visitor’s guide, we can choose what to see and do during our time here. We booked a week but will probably stay for two. We are both happy that this city has a population of around 70,000, much smaller than Albuquerque, where we had thought of staying.
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