5/9 - I packed up the van and headed out from Tess' house in Durango. As expected, both Zoe and I were sad to leave, but we headed out and did a bit of shopping before heading to Pagosa Springs. While I was waiting for my piece of pizza, I started thinking about heading to Petrified Forest NP since the weather in Santa Fe area also didn't look great for several days. Sometimes when I have my mind set on a certain plan it is hard for me to shift, but I did it! I drove to Sanders, AZ where there was a spot to park for the night. It was fine and right outside of a sheriff's office so I felt pretty safe. I wouldn't stay there again due to it being right next to a waste water facility for the nearby school and occasionally I got an unpleasant whiff. It was a rough night because Zoe woke me twice in the night to go out and poop and then she was really down the next day. She had a lot going on with her belly and a cracked pad on her left front foot, and leaving the comfort of a house (and Tess, whom Zoe really liked) to go back to vanlife. Poor girl. I really don't know what to do to help her enjoy this life better. I try to make sure she gets out for walks/hikes, but that is limited due to the warmer and sunnier weather.
On our walk we came across these beautiful and friendly horses. They were very curious about Zoe, but she went nose to nose with the one on the left below and then had no further interest.
I really enjoyed Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert and am really glad I decided to come here since I had wanted to and the weather was perfect!
While at the visitor center, I saw a guy who looked like Robert from Beaufort. He was wearing a bandanna on his head and everything, so I said "Robert?" as we passed and he turned. I said "Robert from Beaufort?" "No, Robert from [somewhere]". I can't believe he looked so much like the guy I know AND his name was Robert. How weird is that?
 |
| This little guy seemed like he was following me. So pretty! |
After visiting the park, I stayed at a free spot just outside the south entrance to the park (I came from the north). Nothing special about this spot, but it served the purpose as it was quiet and level and other campers there as well.
5/11 - I had anticipated heading back through the NP and then onto Madrid, NM (had seen somewhere that it's a cute artsy town) or around that area, but I decided to head to El Morro National Monument. Another last minute decision. This was a great place to be due to a pool of water at the base of these rocks that pretty much always has water in it. It fills from rains and snow melt, but no springs. The ancestral peubloans had build their home on the top of these rocks and left their petroglyphs on the rock walls below. I loved the geology, but it was also cool to see all the carvings/inscriptions in the stone - more than just the petroglyphs. The inscriptions were from the Spanish from before Columbus "discovered" America as well as travelers moving to find a new home or gold.
 |
| The 12' deep pool and the walls around it |
 |
| That rock has a big split in it, but it looks like it's been reinforced to keep it from falling. Yikes! |
 |
| Though I took Zoe on the first hike, I left her in the van while I hiked to the top of the rock. |
 |
| Old pueblo with over 100 rooms |
 |
| Another kiva |
After El Morro, we went to Albuquerque and parked near a park right near Old Town. I had originally thought I'd do a Harvest Host at a brewery, but so glad I chose this as it gave us the easy opportunity to walk around and explore Old Town. We had dinner at the Taproom and had an amazing pork quesadilla. I don't usually order them out since I can make them at home, but since I don't cook so much in the van... Also they brew their own beer and make their own spirits. I had a hot "margarita" made with habanero vodka. It was quite spicy, but very good!
 |
| Zoe posing at the beautiful Old Town entrance sign |
5/12 - today is mother's day and Old Town was closing off the roads for the festivities. I figured the town would be closed down, but quite the opposite! After strolling around for a while, I ran some errands at Trader Joe's (Yay!), got Zoe food as we were almost out, and some yarn at Joann's Fabric. I was excited to find the same yarn that Tess gave me so I can finish my hand towel I'm crocheting. It will go perfectly in the van. I figured this would be a project to get me more comfortable with crocheting and is super simple. I'm just doing single and double stitches. Maybe after this I'll get more adventurous.
Then we headed north on 14 to Madrid, which was hopping! All the galleries were open, the was music and lots of partying going on. I managed to find a pullout just outside of town to park the van as it was packed when we got there. Walking around, I saw a woman who looked like Heidi from VT. And then she spoke, so I said "Heidi?" And yes it was! I met her husband Eben and his mom, Liz, who is friends with Deb. How crazy! We chatted and crossed paths several times and chatted some more. Eben is a metal sculpture artist and I looked him up online and his work is AMAZING! They offered for me to park in their driveway and shower and do laundry. I'd really like to visit them, but we'll see as his mom is here till Tuesday I think.
 |
| Another comfortable sleeping position! |
 |
| Old mining town relics? |
It was time to start thinking about where I'd stay for the night. Madrid had a couple of spots, but I decided to check out Los Cerillos which is in the direction of Santa Fe. Since I don't like to backtrack I considered trying to park on the street of this cute town, but I decided to see about an RV park that was recommended on one of the apps. It said the last price was $45, which wouldn't be too bad, but it was about $75 instead. I decided that was too steep since I really just needed a shower, though they did have a nice spot that was available. Anyway, I drove to a dispersed camping spot that's about 25 min from downtown Santa Fe. The road Google (and Apple) took me down was paved until it wasn't and crossed a bit of water. The road was REALLY rough for probably less than 1/4 mile. I had stopped at the water crossing wondering what I was getting myself into. A pickup truck went around me and gave me a thumbs up, so I think he was saying it was fine to go... Anyway, I went and it was so weird how the road became perfect again. And there were many cars on that road heading to where I came from. I hope to avoid that on the way outta here. I found a decent spot here (quite clean and has a pit toilet - which I like for emptying my pee jug) near a bus with VT plates though I haven't talked with them. I learned that VT makes it really easy to register a school bus, so they very well may not be from VT. I went for a walk and chatted with a young couple who have lived in their sprinter for 3 years. I reheated my chickpea curry in my hot logic and had a great dinner.
 |
| Flying dog? |
 |
| Flying dog with a long fluffy tail? |
5/13 - I've been just hanging around today and enjoying it. Zoe and I went for a walk, now she's in the sun. I'm sitting on my bench with the door open working on the laptop, which I can't do outside. Putting the bench across from the door is the best design decision I made. Actually I love most everything about this design except (as mentioned before) the side to side bed with the too low (tall) windows.
I have been debating showering in the van, but since I'm planning to go into town anyway, I think I'll stop at a pool and get a shower there... It just feels like such a hassle to remove the stuff in my shower, have to fight with the shower curtain while showering (having to bend over to access soap/shampoo/razor), dry the shower curtain and the base of the shower so I can put the stuff back in... And I theoretically could shower outside, but I need something to stand on otherwise I'll be standing in mud... Well, off to town!
On the way to town, I went to empty my pee tank in the pit toilets at the camping area and it was locked! So, I spent the whole drive into town trying to find a public toilet or porta-potty to empty it. Usually it isn't a big deal, but it's no fun when it is. Just before I reached the rec center, there was a porta-potty. Yay! I had a great shower in this amazing rec center with multiple pools, a hockey rink, and anything else you might think of. It's impressive.
We went to Santa Fe and walked around. I was a bit underwhelmed by Santa Fe for some reason. It's pretty much just art galleries and little stores. Some cool old churches and buildings. The hotel Fonda was cool. I was told about two more areas to investigate, but it was getting late and they were just more art galleries. Around 6 we headed back to the BLM camping spot and enjoyed the evening there.
Today was Jennifer's 65th birthday, and though I remembered that it was her birthday, I wasn't thinking about it being a big one. I had called, but didn't send a card. Maybe because I'm always thinking about where to go/what to do I don't have space in my brain for those things? I feel really bad about not thinking about it because it was important to her. Since I turn 60 this year, I should have remembered that she turns 65. I've never been very good at things like this and now I'm worse. I've always blamed my engineering mind for not being creative and thoughtful, but maybe that's just a cop out. 😕
5/14 - I don't know what to do with myself. Do I go back into Santa Fe? Stay here for the day? I ended up staying until 1ish when I decided to head to Abiquiu Lake campground, which is on the way to Pagosa Springs, my next destination. I was very excited when I made this decision. Eben had offered for me to visit them and stay in their driveway, but I knew their company was just leaving and they were heading out of town soon, so I passed on that. I would have loved to learn more about them and Eben's sculpture. Maybe another time. I arrived and picked a site and settled in. They have pit toilets, but also a bath house with regular toilets and showers. I won't explain my issue with pit toilets for #2 😰, but my preference is either my toilet or a flush toilet!
 |
| Dust storm across the lake from some strong gusts with some rain. |
 |
| Abiquiu Lake is a reservoir and you can see how low it is... |
 |
| I so love these layers |
 |
| Once again hanging out in my van instead of outside. I feel like I should be outside, but why if I'm comfortable inside and have my door open? |
 |
| Another comfortable sleeping position |
5/15 - Calm morning on the lake
 |
|
Decided to go to Ghost Ranch, which has a lot of history. I thought it was Georgia O'Keeffe's ranch, but no, it was a dude ranch where she ended up staying and then buying some property there.
Zoe and I hiked the Chimney Rock trail. It wasn't terribly difficult, but it was up the entire way and 100% sun. It only in the 60s, but after about 50 steps on the trail, Zoe was already panting, so I put on her cooling vest. We didn't end up making it to the top because I had her lie down to rest and it was clear that she didn't want to go any further. If I tried to keep walking up, she didn't move, but when I started walking down, she got up. I felt so bad for pushing her too far. We were almost at the top, but I just couldn't ask her to do it. Just as we turned around, the clouds started to move in. I do think had it been cloudy, she would have been able to do it.
 |
| I'm not sure what this cabin is near the entrance to Ghost Ranch |
 |
| 😒 My poor girl |
After this hike, I started to do another hike on my own, but just as I started, there was thunder and the clouds were quite ominous, so I decided against it. I checked out the museums and since it didn't seem that the weather was going to cooperate, I went back to the campground, took a shower, and chilled in the van in the rain. It was kinda cozy.
5/16 - Yesterday, even though the website said there was no availability to tour Georgia O'Keeffe's home, I decided to call and see if they allowed for a few drop ins. I don't know if they do, but they had a cancellation, so I got to go today. It was really interesting and quite impressive. It made me want to go to the museum in Santa Fe that I considered going to, but didn't. Another time I guess. She stayed at Ghost Ranch for years until she purchased this home. She had really wanted to garden and grow her own food, but there wasn't water to do so at Ghost Ranch. She found this dilapidated house/property that had water rights, where even today, on Mondays, the gardens are flooded with water and still grow food and fruit. It took her 10 years to convince the Catholic church to sell it to her and it was is complete disrepair. Almost all the roofs had collapsed and many walls had collapsed, but she wanted this spot on the hill and renovated it into this amazing home.
 |
| Original door |
 |
| Beware of dog sign (and our excellent guide, Michelle). Georgia loved her Chows who were very protective of her. |
 |
| She painted this door many times. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to capture it well with the sky and clouds. |
 |
| I love the architecture and the inside and outside spaces. |
 |
| To the right of the well is the butterfly chair and she would take the canvas off because she loved the artistic quality of the frame. She furnished her home very artistically. |
 |
| The inside of the first door. So beautiful! |
 |
| Original (?) ceiling |
 |
| I love the open shelf concept in the pantry |
 |
| You can see why she really wanted this property! |
 |
| Outdoor room |
 |
| Her bedroom |
 |
| Such a cute little fireplace |
 |
| Her bedroom from the outside |
After leaving there, we headed for Pagosa Springs. Last photos in NM.
 |
| This amphitheater was closed, but still very cool from a distance. |
No comments:
Post a Comment