“Hey, guys! Let’s go to the beach!”
I pack a P & J sandwich, two cookies, bottled water, a paper dish for the crew’s water, a towel, and the camera in a tote. Bridget and Spike are excitedly wiggling and whining at the door. They’re in their black suits so they know we’re going somewhere. After slathering 50 power UV protection all over my face, neck and limbs, the crew and I set out on the long trek to the lake.
It IS a long trek!
Elephant Butte Lake has shrunk. Much of the sandy areas shown in the slideshow below was once under water. That’s why the edge of the lake is so far from the campground. As soon as the lake is within Spike’s view, he picks up the pace. No more dawdling to sniff plants or to pee on rocks.
He’s on a mission!
Straight into the water he goes and immediately plops down. Bridget and I are right behind him. The water is very cool. Bridget shows off, doing her high-stepping at my side. I try to take pictures. My hands are wet and Bridget is pulling at the leash, but I manage to get a few photos (of poor quality!) of them both in the water.
The crew runs free on the beach while I eat lunch.
After some more water fun, I let them lead the way home. By the time we get back to our campsite, we’re all exhausted. I fix myself a glass of iced tea and drop into my camp chair. Whew! [slideshow]
Outings are fun, but it’s always good to come home!
rvsue
Having grown up in the southwest, I know what you mean about deserts fooling the eye. And mountains also look closer and shorter than they really are, too. It looks like you’re having a great time in these early months of your journey. I’m still jealous! It seems like you’re meeting so many kind and helpful people. I hope that happens to me when I start my journey in a four years.
Hi, Denise!
You are sure to meet many kind and helpful people. Think about this: I’m reclusive by nature. I rarely initiate contact with strangers, even rarely with friends. And look how much help and information I’ve received from people who came to me, either in person or on this blog. You’ll be amazed. If you have minimum social skills, you’ll meet more nice people along the way than I do! LOL
Loved your slide show. Our dog Rusty always plops down in the water first thing and our girl, Poppy, just wants to wade.
Hi, Donna!
People who’ve never had a dog as a pet can’t understand how enjoyable it is to see your dog have fun. I love to watch Spike loll around in the water, and seeing Bridget scamper in the sand is a delight. I’m sure you know what I mean.
This looks great. I think my crew would love it too and with no one around, it would be easier to let them go loose. I see that you leave the leashes on for quick grabbing or jumping on as the case may be. I guess the days must still be pretty warm there too like they are in Texas, at least central and south Texas.
Hello, longdog . . .
It’s warm but it takes until afternoon for the day to get hot. We had a thunderstorm the other night and it rained most of the night. Today it’s raining, on and off. The temps are pleasant.
The crew and I didn’t go to the lake until we had a cloudy day because the sand still does get very hot, and I don’t know if I could handle that long walk when it’s hot.
Oh my, the water is REALLY low. I don’t think I’ve seen it that low before. So glad you have The Crew with you as they have a way of making each day interesting and special. Not only have you done so much for yourself, but theirs as well – put a bit of a spring back into their walk.
Hi, Emily!
The lakes in NM are terribly low. It’s pathetic. There’s grass growing around the elephant at Elephant Butte! The lady at the campground gate showed me a map of the lake and pointed out where the real shoreline is . . . what a difference!
Remember I went to Storrie Lake and then I returned there about two weeks later? I was shocked to see how the lake had shrunk. On a selfish note . . . it puts a long distance between the lakes and their campgrounds.
So I’m glad it’s been raining here lately.
Yeah, this “new life” is good for the crew and me.
Howdy Sue,
Elephant Butte looks more like a wild hog wallow than the ‘big’ lake of Mew Nexico!! The canine kids sure do enjoy the life… Of course they do; they’re terriers!!! Why can’t you camp closer to the water; it looks a mile away?? We are in Coleman county Texas(you probably blew thru here @ 60mph) on your way west.. There is a C.O.E. ?lake? & campground across the hiway from the ranch that’s really nice, if you’re in the area..(Hords Creek Lake on Texas 153, SE of Abilene)
The pics were fine; we recognized the dust!!! Most of West Texas is dust, now…
We ran onto your blog from Bayfield, ON,CA Al’s Bunch and enjoy you very much.. We plan on making some trips to Mew Nexico, as it isn’t soooo far from us; like Alaska… Also, too we have friends around there and don’t have to climb mountains to get there… Wishing you…
Smooth roads, clear skies & balmy breezes!!!!!!
butterbean & the gang @
RunningStar Ranch
Coleman county
Texas
pms: 60 mph is a very good, conservative speed to drive BEST GAS MILEAGE SPEED..
Idiots drive like the guy you saw… Probably not an RVr; just borrowed the trailer!!!!
Hello, Butterbean Carpenter!
Welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
I don’t camp closer to the water for several reasons…. 1) The afternoons are hot and I want air-conditioning, so I’m in the campground with electric hook-ups. (wus) … 2) The sand is tricky. Some places are very hard-packed and other places are very soft. I don’t want to get stuck (I don’t have 4-wheel drive). 3) There are no trees or shelters near the water. It gets very hot down there. I walk the crew at least 3 times a day and I like to sit outside (can’t do that in constant sun). (See post on skin cancer!) 4) Camping alongside the lakeshore sounds great until the weekend comes and hordes of people show up and you’re surrounded!
I did blow through Coleman County…. The crew and I camped at Hord’s Creek in late August! I wrote about our stay there. We really liked it! The lake was very low and the heat was incredible, but it was still a nice camp.
Thanks for the good wishes! I send you and the gang the same!
Hi Sue,
It seems you are settled nicely. I think that fulltiming is a great lifestyle. Many say they would like it, but few try it. We are ready for our next venture on 16 October after a two year stall. We will leave Oklahoma, travel through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and end up in Nevada by the end of the month. A six month stay there and we are off to California. Yes, everyone is leaving California, but we never go with the crowd. It appear you do not either. The best on your travels. If we come close to where you are as we pass through NM, we will buy you a cup of coffee! In the meantime, happy trails to you!
Herb and Cindy,
Not many more days for you to count down! Sounds like a great plan . .. what a wonderful trip you have ahead of you. I wish you a safe trip and the making of great memories.
May our paths cross someday!
Thanks for the safe journey. By the way, check out Jimbo’s Journeys website again http://jimmelvin.wordpress.com He went to the Ballon Fiesta. Neat!
Jim is writing a great blog! Anyone planning on camping in northern NM can get a pretty good idea of what it is like by reading his entries and seeing his photos.
Now THAT’S a day well-spent!
I love watching my dog in the water she likes to chase the shore birds and gets all excited when she sees them. When she comes out of the water and shakes herself she looks like she is grinning from ear to ear 🙂 I know I am.
Yes, there are many lovely people to meet on the road as you travel around, who are quite willing to talk and help if they can, being in this life style seems to bring out the best in people, most people anyway.
So glad to see that your enjoying yourself, I’ll be in NM in less than three weeks at the Lo-Hi Ranch in Demming NM for the Octoberfest gathering there will be a whole bunch of singles there for this event, I am looking forward to it ! It is good to get together with like minded people and have some fun !
Hi, Julia!
When I read Octoberfest I was hit with, “Gee, time is passing so quickly!” Friends worried that I might be sitting around bored (I never thought I’d be bored), and, wow, how fast the time has gone.
I’ve been reading your blog . . . You deserve to have some fun! So make sure you do!