Red Rock Balloon Rally, early December 2017

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The weather forecast the entire week leading up to the balloon rally has Gallup with lows in the teens to low 20’s for the weekend.  I am not cancelling this trip; I promised Lori I would help crew her balloon.  My initial plans were to go without electric for my camper, I have batteries and solar so I should be good, right?  Probably, but I am not taking any chances, Nicida is coming along and she was very cold the first time we went camping and it only got down to the upper 30’s.  The fact that I forgot to close one of the overhead vents may have had something to do with that.  I will hook up to the electric so I can have a small, quiet heater running all night if need be.  It actually only got to the upper 20’s each morning, still cold enough that I am glad I brought it along.

Three Rivers Campground, early November 2017

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Camping in November; when I was younger, a long time ago, a buddy of mine and I talked about winter camping but for one reason or another; mainly cold weather, we never made it.  (We lived in WI at the time)  It seems the hard part of camping in NM this time of year is finding an open campground.  I have to admit I almost always go north when exploring NM.  I am not familiar with pretty much anything south of I-40, so here is my opportunity.

Pecos Wilderness, Iron Gate Campground, Early October, 2017

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We are looking for peak fall color!  Rain and winds have been passing through the state this past week; my hopes are not high as I intently study the weather on the three local TV stations.  I didn’t see any fall color when I passed through northern NM on my trip back from WI in mid September so maybe there’s a chance.

Road trip part 2, Sept 2017

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Instead of making the usual quick dash back to NM I am making a circle route by way of MN, SD, WY, and CO.  This is a reconnaissance trip.  I don’t have as much time as I would like to spend at each of my destinations.  Instead I am beginning my list of places to visit when I am out of a job - by choice.

San Antonio Creek, August 11 - 13, 2017

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“Bad weather makes for good photography”.  One of the many statements uttered from my landscape photo instructors.  Bad weather is promised; rain most of the day Friday and Saturday with partial clearing on Sunday.  How much rain, who knows, somewhere over a half in is promised in Jemez Springs.  I’m going higher so I’m expecting more.

Chaco Canyon, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Badlands, Santa Fe National Forest, June 30 - July 1, 2017

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This is my first camping trip with my camper.  I am excited and a bit nervous; do I have everything?, will I remember to turn things on and off at the appropriate time?, will I remember to lock the refrigerator before driving? – no, but the results were not too bad.  Do we have enough food? – more than enough – one issue settled.

Expanding horizons, June 16, 2017

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Up to this point the range of my hikes has been dictated by leaving, hiking and returning home the same day.  I have been looking to expand my hiking area by adding day(s) to my explorations.  I’ve never really been a hotel person when getting out for hiking/photographing or fishing, not that I don’t like hotels, generally they just aren’t located at the trailhead or trout stream of choice.  So for the past period of time I have been looking for a large pickup and an in-bed truck camper.