Sunday, May 1 (continued)
In the last episode, a storm of rain, sleet, snow, and hail has RVSue and the crew stalled in Fence Lake, New Mexico. The Perfect Tow Vehicle and Best Little Trailer sit next to a deserted community center waiting for instructions — to stay or to go.
During a lull in the storm, I make a decision.
“I don’t want to sit here all afternoon and wake up tomorrow in this dreary parking lot. The road isn’t icy. We can make it to El Morro. Let’s go!”
Fence Lake Community Center and Reggie’s noggin
Route 32 takes us north about 35 miles through mostly uninhabited desert.
About the time we enter the Zuni Indian Reservation, a wet snow is falling and the wipers are slapping the windshield at high speed.
Stormy sky — Route 32 north from Fence Lake, New Mexico
We reach the intersection with Route 53 and turn eastward.
It’s still snowing twenty miles or so later when the sign for El Morro National Monument appears.
We turn toward the campground and another sign warns “RV limit — 27 feet.”
I don’t care if the limit is two feet. We’re goin’ in. I’ve had enough for one day!
El Morro’s campground consists of one small loop on a slope.
We cruise the loop looking for a site, passing a guy with a tent and then a campsite occupied by a big fifth wheel longer than 27 feet. The sites are not very level. I find two sites that would work for us. Plenty long enough.
I choose the most level of the two and back in the BLT.
“Whew! We’re here!” I announce to the crew as I lift them out of the PTV.
“It’s cold and it’s snowing. But we’re here!”
Hurriedly I chock the wheels and throw down the blue mat. The crew briefly investigates the campsite.
The falling snow doesn’t show in the photos.
After a few minutes the three of us are eager to go inside the BLT. I fire up the Wave 3 heater.
Bridget handles cold better than Reggie and I do.
Soon it’s warm and cozy inside!
I heat up chicken noodle soup. As is our custom, Bridget and Reggie get the warm chunks of chicken and I get the vegetables, noodles and broth. This arrangement is indicative of the hierarchical structure of our family unit . . .
Of which I’m at the bottom.
Large, wet snowflakes splat against the window as we eat.
Even though the crew hasn’t had much exercise today, after lunch they curl around their warm bellies and nap.
While they sleep I urge the air card to find a signal for internet.
Nothing! Errrrgghhh! I want internet and I want it NOW!
Later Reggie and I sprint around the campground loop while Bridget, in her wisdom, lolls and luxuriates underneath the warm bed covers.
Reg and I pause at an empty campsite in order for me to take this next photo. Not great, but, hey, it’s freezing out!
El Morro Campground is free. It has one vault toilet and shared water spigots.
Monday, May 2
Don’t be fooled by the bright, blue sky. The miracle of editing gives the impression of a warm day when it definitely ain’t.
It’s cold!
Well, well, well. Here we are at El Morro Campground and it’s miserable outside.
If you’d like to see the wonders of El Morro National Monument, follow that link because I’m sure as h*ll not going to traipse around freezing my camera and butt off taking pictures and looking for inscriptions in rock.
After breakfast I throw the mat and chocks in the PTV and we leave!
“Arrivederci, amigos! We’re off to the Wal-Mart in Grants!”
Rocks, trees, grass . . . Paper, rock, scissors
Route 53 winds eastward from the national monument around the southeastern end of the Zuni Mountains. It takes us past the Bandera Ice Cave (brrr… No thank you!).
Here are a few shots of Route 53 to Grants, New Mexico.
“Over the mountain and through the woods of Cibola National Forest we gooooo . . . . ”
“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too . . . ”
“Come on, it’s lovely weather, for a sleigh ride together with you.”
Okay. Enough with the pictures of snow.
In Grants I give the crew a quick walk-about, gas up the PTV, and stock up on groceries at Wal-Mart.
Good heavens . . . The crew was almost out of skinless, boneless chicken breasts for me to cook! Oh, my!
We board Interstate-40 and roll northwest.
Right to where some of this blog’s readers thought we’d go!
“Internet connection at last, internet connection at last. Thank God Almighty, WE HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION AT LAST!”
rvsue
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Bluewater Lake as seen from the campground when we arrive
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