New Mexico Adventure
September 1998

In September 1998 I traveled to  New Mexico, having only a tent at the time (pre-RV days). I loaded up the car with tent, sleeping bag, mats, chairs, stove, and of course my faithful companion Hector the Protector.  Was not an inch of extra space in the car!  Drove for two days before arriving in Tucumcari, NM, and on to Storrie Lake State Park, near the small town of Las Vegas. This is a beautiful area, mountains surrounding a large lake, and the park is extremely well kept.  Some sites are right on the water with individual shelters.  Next I traveled thru Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and spent two night at Cimarron Canyon State Park (high elevation).  Returned thru Sante Fe, saw a couple of ghost towns, camped at Elephant Butte Lake, at the Caballo Lake State Park, then on to Socorro, and across to White Sands, and Alamagardo.  There was a balloon festival at White Sands which is spectacular. Silver City was an interesting stop, strolled the main street shops, and then onto the mountainous roads leading back towards Interstate heading towards Albuquerque.  Lastly, I visited campsites located in National Forests in Jemez Canyon.  Most of this land is Indian Reservation, but interspaced there are neat towns along the highway, small creeks with fishing spots, and high canyon walls.  I highly recommend New Mexico especially in the fall!  However, it was disappointing to learn state parks and national forests shut down their restroom facilities in mid-Sept. in preparation for freezing nights - you are left with only the porta-toilets if you want to stay.  And this is before the leaf changes, which is the best time (usually late Sept., early Oct.)  Unfortunately I missed them on this trip, but next time I will plan for catching this.

	Hot Air Balloons in White Sands, New Mexico
	Sunrise in Tucumcari
	My first motorhome  and Hector the Protector