Exploring New Mexico

Exploring New Mexico

We really have to admit that New Mexico offers much more then we imagined!

We installed the Solar panel at a place recommended by locals. They were a little surprised that we brought everything with us and only needed the panel to be screwed to the roof because we did not have the necessary tools. When we left Amarillo I should mention that we saw the famous place where Cadillacs are buried in the ground http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2220. Very impressive!

Solar panel installation and Cadillac Ranch:

 

 

Afterwards we drove west and decided to spend the night in Lake Ute http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/utelakestaetpark.html. This is one of the top 15 biggest artificial water reservoirs in the US. We only had one neighbor in the entire campground. Seems this is a popular lake especially in summertime especially for fishing. Initially we planned to go to Lake Meredith another big water reservoir close to Amarillo, but we were told that due to the draught the lake was nearly empty and recommended us to go the Lake Ute. We enjoyed a lovely evening and a great sunset.

Impressions of Lake Ute and old route 66 impressions:

 

Next stop was Santa Fe (and yes we saw the train). On the way there we had lunch in a small Mexican restaurant on the Historic Route 66 which was really good homemade food. How cool is that. The afternoon we strolled around Santa Fe. Steffi had been there about 8 years ago – that’s why we came back and we both loved it. It is a small town, with a nice historic district and famous for their art galleries. We saw a lot of things going on… they had built the rail runner, a train which connects Santa Fe with Albuquerque so Santa Fe gained popularity for families (not as before mainly retired people) and the city is biker friendly and you can walk everywhere… sit in a café have a drink, etc. …. We felt like in Germany (nearly)

Enjoying Santa Fe and Hyde park:

We wanted to spend the night in the Hyde state Park http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/hydememorialstatepark.html which is a ski resort area close to Santa Fe. We really were surprised that the camping area was completely full. We learnt that the ski lift was still operating and that the next day (Saturday) they had a snow board competition going on. Ok we were at 8,000 feet (aprx.  2500m) and the lift was at 10,000 feet (aprx 3200m) and the top was at more than 12,000 feet….. We could not believe this after spending a sunny afternoon with nearly 80F (27C) in Santa Fe. We ended up at the gate of a national forest campground which still was closed until April for winter break in the company of 4 other cars which had the same situation (full campground) who set up the tent in the close by forest. We were very happy that the truck worked like a charm and got us uphill without any problems. The next morning we could not get out of bed and when I was just enjoying a cup of coffee the ranger came to tell us that the place was closed but we found out that rules are only suggestions in New Mexico and they were very friendly and left us alone.

Next stop after refilling Diesel (we only got 10 miles/gallon J for the last 200 mile) we drove to Bandelier National Monument Bandelier National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) and stayed for 2 days. We could hike into the canyon and see all the cool things the Indians build many years ago. We really felt good. We love this high altitude desert climate!

Discovering Bandelier Monument:

The next day we wanted to take a bike tour into Valles Caldera http://www.vallescaldera.gov/. This is a big plateau created from one of the biggest Volcano in the US which dropped into earth about 3 million years ago…. Sounded good to us for a nice biking tour. Once we arrived the gate was closed and security all around. We asked what happened and they said that they are shouting an Adam Sandler movie called “Ridiculous 6”. That is how it is Adam Sandler ruined our day J So we had to change our plans and went to one of the hot springs (Spence Hot Springs) in the area. We went to .. It was really crowded for a Monday morning but as it is still Spring break in some States… guess that’s the reason. We had interesting talk with a couple from Ohio which just had spent 3 weeks in the desert…. After soaking in the hot water we went to Vista Linda Jemez http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/santafe/recarea/?recid=75836 to enjoy a nice afternoon looking at the red rocks remembering Sedona AZ from our previous trips and we are looking forward to be there soon again.

Relaxing day in hot spring & Red Rocks:

The next day we decided to change plans and not go back north to Taos. Steffi wanted to see the work of the earthship community. They built self sustained house which a green house which can hold temperature all year long with tires and plastic bottles. http://earthship.com/ But as the weather was still cold further north we decided to leave this experience for later and go west to Arizona..

We went for a hike to the Tent Rock formation http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/rio_puerco/kasha_katuwe_tent_rocks.html. I was thinking about Gabi as this formation is really rare and it only exists in New Mexico and Turkey…. And Gabi was there in Cappadocia Turkey last year J

Impressions from Tent Rocks:

The staid the night in an RV park in Albuquerque to get a nice shower and relax before we head west. Today it is so stormy so we are already trembling what our fuel consumption will do with head winds…