New Mexico to South Dakota

We left Rusty's and headed to some new territory for us. In all of our pre-retirement(and retirement) travels, we had never visited the southeastern part of the state of New Mexico, so a stop in Las Cruces was a real treat.  And what we discovered about Las Cruces will have us coming back. It is really neat. And growing.  Check out their website .......

We stayed at Sunny Acres RV Park in Las Cruces.....

A nice little RV Park

We spent 2 nights in Las Cruces, and then it was off to The Ranch, an Escapee member owned RV Park in Lakewood, NM. The trip from Las Cruces to Alamogordo took us through White Sands Test Range, White Sands Missile Range, past the Space X facility(I'm sure that is where that big rig was headed that we saw on the way to Rusty's). In Alamogordo, we got on RT 82 to travel over the mountains to Artesia, which is only 12 miles north of Lakewood. This was not to be. As  we got nearer to the "top" at over 8000' , we came upon a whole bunch of black smoke and did I forget to mention all the police cars passing us with sirens going and lights flashing? At the top was a tunnel. All traffic was stopped and told to turn around and go back. It seems a tractor trailer/tanker had lost it in the tunnel, the driver thrown from the vehicle and killed, with the tanker going off the side of the mountain. It was waaaaay down a ravine and burning- thus the black smoke. With a body still in the tunnel, they had the road closed. So we turned around(no small easy feat with our trailer) and went back to Alamogordo. Luckily we found an RV park convenient with an opening. So, we got to spend a night in Alamogordo. And spent all night saying how lucky we were that had we been an hour or two earlier, we might have been involved in that tunnel disaster.

Our home for the night in Alamogordo

Pistachio Tree Ranch

Right across the street from our RV Park was Pistachio Tree Ranch. The person at the desk when we checked in said it was a must visit and encouraged us to go by giving us a 10% off coupon. We went and found it really interesting. Not only did they advertise the worlds largest Pistachio(as seen above), have a large selection of locally grown and produced pistachios, they also had a winery. Truly a bonus. So, we used our coupon. One of the things we got there were Green Chile Pistachios. They are truly addictive. Definitely an interesting stop. And the next day we were off to Lakewood, although this time we took the long way around via Roswell.

Lakewood is just north of Carlsbad, NM and just south of Artesia, NM. Mary and I have been looking for a "place", not so much a brick and mortar home, but more a base from which we would travel out of. A place where we could store a lot of the "stuff" we have been hauling around with us. Everything we own, we have been carrying with us. Even the stuff we didn't use an awful lot, so finding a base was important to us, especially if something happened to one of us- having a place to bring the rig and for us to stay for an extended period of time became important. Our initial plan was Benson, AZ and the SKP Saguaro RV Park where we got on a waiting list for one of their available lots. Benson was where we started our full time rv'ing experience and it looked like it would be the place to call "home", however, friends Steve & Anna whom we met and worked with on staff at an Escapade in Tucson, AZ had told us about The Ranch in Lakewood and that we should consider stopping by and checking the place out. They have a lot there. That was our plan when we left Las Cruces. Both The Ranch and Saguaro are member owned Co-0ps and you get on a list to Buy a lifetime lease. We had been on the list at Saguaro for just over 3 years and had moved up enough to where we were In the running to get a place. But before we made a commitment there, we wanted to see The Ranch. And were we glad we did.

When we arrived at The Ranch, Anna was there at the office to greet us and ring the welcome bell. We got settled in to a spot, which The Ranch was nice enough to "give" us for $50 a week. Such a deal and then it was back to the office to see what lots they had available. Armed with a list, I did a walking tour of the park and did an exterior visual inspection. We had 4 to choose from. I was satisfied, went back to get Mary and Anna with keys so that we could inspect the interiors of the Casitas. And here is the one we settled on:

75 Quail Trail

Full cement pad to park our rig on

Once we decided on the place, Anna and the Co-Op officers, knowing that we were in a hurry to get the deal done, fast tracked everything and we had our "closing" 2 days later.

We really liked the place. The interior is basically 3 rooms and a screened in porch. The main room is perfect for Mary and her sewing. The room off to the left side from the front is like a work shop. I have my boat and fishing supplies stored there now.

The door opens up to a storage room(fabric) with shelving on both sides.

We are pretty pleased with it and are already looking forward to getting back here. It made some of the choices about our trip back east this summer easier. I off loaded a bunch of my fishing stuff, Mary sewing stuff, fabric, and personal stuff we've been lugging around with us for 3 years now. We also took the opportunity to leave the bikes and bike rack here too. Could not believe the weight we left here. Already have plans to paint the place. Mary decided on Cream with Turquoise trim. I think that will look just fine.

The people in the park were just great while we were there. Every day there was a Happy Hour in the Clubhouse, new arrivals were greeted, anyone leaving the park got a chorus of Happy Trails, announcements were made. Our neighbor to the left of us is an artist so he and Mary have painting in common, while the neighbor across the street(the one with the boat), is in to fishing, so he and I have something in common. I think we made a good choice.

The birds in this park are something else. We saw a number of interesting birds, especially one wandering around our yard gathering nesting material.....

Roadrunner

A Roadrunner.

And then we were on the road again. From Lakewood we headed north to Santa Fe, where we spent a week at Santa Fe Skies RV Park. Santa Fe has always been one of our favorites, and while there we visited some of our old places, like Randall Davey Audobon Center for some bird watching, La Chosa Restaurant, Back Road Pizza,  and a new one: The Pantry. The last few days there we were constantly tuned in to the weather as high winds were threatening. We actually extended our stay by a day to miss some high winds in Las Vegas and Raton Pass, where they were projected to be steady 20-30 with gusts to 50. The day we left for Pueblo, CO the winds were acceptable and the nearly 300 mile trip  without incident. One night in the Pueblo South KOA and then we were on the road for a trip through Denver to Cheyenne, WY for a nights stay. After a super meal at the Senator Steakhouse at Terry Bison RV Park and a good nights sleep, we were off for South Dakota. I elected to try a new route, this time staying on I25 for about 125 miles before heading east in to SD. Mistake. One I'll never make again. About 60 miles north of Cheyenne, we hit winds. And I mean winds. There were warnings about light, high profile vehicles getting off the road. We slowed down and at one point had to stop so Mary could get in the trailer. I have never experienced wind like that. I had to hold on to her to keep her from being blown away. Winds were a steady 30-40 mph with gusts over 60. And we were traveling with the winds hitting us broadside. We made it another 10 miles and then got off the interstate and started traveling east - with the winds at our back. We made it to Hart Ranch in Rapid City, SD. That was an accomplishment. This would be our home for the next 24 days. More to follow.

Rusty's RV Ranch

On April 28, 2019 we packed up and headed south and east down Highway 80 through Tombstone, Bisbee and Douglas. Destination: Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo NM. The previous 2 years we have made this very same trip, because Rusty's is a very special place. Along the way we had an interesting experience. We had left Douglas, AZ and had travelled about 20-25 miles when a local sheriff had us pull off the road. Seems an extremely WIDE load was approaching and we needed to be out of the way.

We were told it was enroute to Space X facility which is somewhere in New Mexico

Well, we got by this monster and continued on to Rusty's and was it ever good to be back there.

All the sites are 200' long pull throughs. WIFI was ok, cell service sucked. At least for us it did. But, hey, you can't have everything. No trains, no planes, no traffic, night skies that are beyond description.  And there were birds.

I never get tired of this view.

These are the Chirachua Mountains and this is the view we get up to each day.

This makes 3 years in a row for us coming here and we never get tired of it. We were here for a week and each day we would leave early and go to one of our "places". This year it incuded:

Bob Rodriguez house in Portal. He has parking and a special observation area all set up with table and chairs for us vagrant birders. His feeders are always full and you can always plan on seeing a large variety of birds there. This year, in addition to the Orioles, Grosbeaks, Finches, Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Quails, Hummingbirds, Cardinals, Siskens, Wrens, Towhees, Flycatchers, Mrs Gambel Quail came by with her recently hatched brood......about 12 of them!

We got to take some great pics, some of which I'll share here....

Male Bullock's Oriole

Female Bullocks Oriole

Likely a female Black Chinned Hummingbird

Cave Creek Canyon and more specifically the South Fork, is world famous for its bird population. Many come here in the spring/early summer to perhaps catch site of the Elegant Trogan. Most times, you will hear this bird before you see it, his call is so distinctive. And you can tell when a birder has spotted one because a crowd will gather.....as we saw when traveling up the South Fork. Sometimes they get together and visit. And you will see something like this.....

Everyone is so busy talking about the Trogan that they don't notice the visitor......

And speaking of Trogan.......

Mary and I spent 3 days in the South Fork area of Cave Creek Canyon. On day 1 we saw 1. On day 2 we saw 3(2 were together and we would guess a mating pair. Mary found them! What a great job!!!The third flew in front of our truck as we were leaving.) 4 sightings in 3 days is something to brag about.

Our other trips included The George Walker House in the Village of Paradise, about 5 miles above Portal, where host Jackie is always friendly and available to help identify birds. Cave Creek Ranch, at the mouth of Cave Creek Canyon, The Southwestern Research Station
(noted for their dedicated Hummingbird Feeder area.), are other places we visited. We also took a drive up to the Herb Martyr Camping area just to check things out. Portal is at 4000', Paradise is at 5000', and Herb Martyr area is at 6000'. Elevation changes right on up to 9000' are available here in the Sky Islands. And a reason why researchers from all over the world come here to study & work.

Not to be left out is the Village of Portal. Just a walk past the Post Office, the Library and the few houses that populate the small road is an experience. Most have feeders out and most welcome birders. We have really enjoyed our time spent there and at the Portal Store, which also has a number of feeders out. Breakfast wasn't bad either. This year we got a treat. Supposedly the Great Horned Owl that we had seen a couple of years ago when it nested in a tree adjacent to the Portal Store, moved / relocated / found a new nesting area. Some birder friends that we met, told us about where to look. And that we did. Here is where we found her......

In the vicinity of the Post Office and Library

Right in front of her is a section of tree that had broken off, in the opening she had a nest and 2 chicks.

I mentioned that each morning we went out to one of the spots that I reviewed above, but in the afternoon, Lexie and I would sit outside and just watch. The bird activity was incredible. Always something going on. I now have a new favorite bird - The Western Kingbird. Whenever I was outside, he was there. He had a favorite tree.

My new favorite bird

Here are a sampling of some of the other birds I saw and identified while sitting in my chair outside the trailer:

Female House Finch

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Cactus Wren. Mrs Wren had a nest in the tree that was part of Mr Kingbirds'. 

Dusky-Capped Flycatcher

Lexie wasn't done watching the birds when we went inside the trailer.....

So, as you can see, we all had a great time here. And now looking forward to getting back here next year. On May 5 we hooked up, said goodby to Rusty and headed to our next stop: Las Cruces, NM.