I left Storrie Lake State Park because ducks gotta roll ... no, really, they made me leave after 14 days. I headed up to Coyote Creek State Parks because ducks gotta go their own way ... no, really, Jeannie and Annie were going there.
But, first, a word or two about Las Vegas, New Mexico and Storrie Lake:
- easy place to be
- convenient
- good facilities
There are a few oddities about the park itself, like the bathrooms are closed from sundown to 6 AM. The park is located right on 518, and so it's not an especially quiet park. Sodium lamps, so you can sleep bathed in a golden light. Feels safe, and if RV John is your camphost, you will get a bright smile and a cheerful greeting every day, and scrupulously clean shelters. Any state park is lucky to get him as a volunteer.
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| Carnegie library. Win friends and influence people by referencing the wrong Carnegie. |
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| Gals need bar names, I learned. Pictured above: Sh'Quita, Glori, and Shugah (not named in order - in order to preserve their dignity). |
Coyote Creek was a mixed bag for me, so I warn you this isn't an objective review.
It's beautiful. Pines and oaks, with blissfully cool temps in July/August. Remember, this is monsoon season, and so camping without a shelter, if you're tenting or in a car, is almost out of the question. It rained about six hours a day while I was there.
There is good wifi coming from the visitor's center, and reaching a few of the sites nearby.
I got my own Verizon connection at my campsite, so that was terrific. It said it was 1X, but things moved along and I was grateful for the diversion.
The camphosts were great, and they helped me to find and secure a beautiful site with a shelter, after I had to relinquish my ADA site. [I was allowed to occupy it, but when someone with a legitimate sticker arrived, it had to go to them.]
There are more sites down the road, but access is denied. We thought the bridge was washed out, but no.
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| This crystallized the feel at Coyote Creek. |
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| What the heck is this? |
The first night I shared a site with both Jeannie and Annie (thanks!). Next door were some fishermen who prided themselves on professional quality belching and loudly arguing about airport security. They were from a neighboring state. I won't say which one, but one of us named them Cut and Shoot, and Dime Box.
Now I'm in Datil, NM. Betty and I decided a trip to the Pie-O-Neer was necessary. We are women of duty.
I can't sunny up these pictures because: none. It is a rainy mess all over New Mexico, as best I can tell.
Betty tells me I have longer in this orange cast, and I say FALSE. So, if you've got a spare "lose the cast!" vibe, send it. If you have extra "Betty is so wrong" vibes, I'll take those, too.
