Lake to Lake - Elephant Butte to Bluewater (New Mexico)

Long-timers agree: this is the lowest they can remember Elephant Butte Lake. Others have been telling corny jokes to raise its spirits.

This was my first time at Bluewater Lake State Park; it was worth the wait. Pinyon-scented air, spectacular lightning storms, a bald eagle sighting, and dump stations. Spud and I zipped on ahead, leaving my traveling companion to enjoy the latter.

Game piece, courtesy of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 291, Newport, California.

Spending the day in Grants, NM.

Take the long way home.

I spent three weeks, seven months, and two hours at the Datil cabin this fall. There's a weird time-wrinkle there, maybe because I spend days at a time reading odd things (besides this blog) and hearing elk bugle. 

The above pictures were happening simultaneously. A rainbow at the last possible moment of the day.

Not-elk

Also not-elk. I call her Janice.

We headed out to Pie Town, and this time we enjoyed Pie Town Cafe. Now that Pie-O-Neer is serving only pie, it's good to have a real-food option. Open Friday - Monday.

Not much merc at the Merc 'n' Tile.

I allow other people to pun when it's their turn.

Pot of gold - a fresh cup of coffee enjoyed in a mountain cabin. 

Then it was time to face reality, or a New Mexico facsimile, and return to Truth or Consequences to pet-sit. Not a bad sort of reality, if I have to face some. Route 25 at 75 m.p.h. was not the sort of reality I was in the mood for, so I took the "shortcut" down Route 1 from Socorro. As my dad used to say, "I don't mind a shortcut, if it doesn't take too much longer."

Bridge over Nogal Canyon, as seen from Nogal Canyon. 

This is not a Datil tarantula

The morning I left the cabin I saw the season's first tarantula, looking for love in whatever places it wants. Mountain tarantulas are a lot smaller than the Lowlanders. Tarantulas are several years old before they make the autumn Journey of Courtship. If you see him out and about, give him a break; he's waited a long time for the chance to get lucky.

A different perspective: Elephant Butte Lake from the east side.

Soon I'll be headed north to Taos for frolicking fun: four fuzzy feline friends (and their two devoted servants). A quick break, and then we're headed for a brand-new adventure that I'll try to enhance, embroider, and embellish for your reading "pleasure."

Engle, New Mexico and more Truth or Consequences: Some Like It Damp edition

Once I can leave the house for any reason, I have satisfied the energy of activation. As long as I'm still in my jammies on the couch, I can only meet the lethargy barrier. Something or other makes me get dressed - next thing I know, I'm on my way to Engle.

I usually don't research a destination much before I destine myself to go there. So, people ask Didn't you see the reciprocal revolution laminar flow museum? and no. I don't know what to expect, and I like that.

"Bible Preaching & Gospel Singing," every third Sunday of the month.

 
I looked for Ted Turner's buffalo, but only saw regular black and white ones.

Elephant Butte Dam

Elephant Butte Lake

...'nother brick in the wall

Take a gambel on quail.

This following eight seconds will be the most exciting of your next eight seconds. Offer good everywhere.

 

Purslane is edible and nutritious.

Don't eat this 'till you hear from me.

Unnamed tributary.