Cloudcroft, High Rolls, and Oliver Lee State Park, New Mexico: from high to hot

I spent two peaceful nights and two placid days in Lincoln National Forest. Maybe too placid.

 I took this picture to demonstrate that I am in the street in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. I'm taking a picture and I'm in the street. Where cars might go, if they had a mind to.

No cars here.

I told you earlier that I left my sleeping bag in Las Cruces. 

Which is why when Drawers, Extreme Cold Weather, still wearing fancy store tags, came my way, I ponied up the cash.

One morning I just decided to leave. So I did. I'd heard of an easy hike down in High Rolls where the air is thicker.

He heard about the hike, too. It took him a long time to boot up.

Salado Canyon. There is a perennial stream here.

Cheeky bird of Salado Canyon

I spent a day in Alamogordo, and a night at the Alamogordo Walmart, which I found uneventful, but unsatisfactory. I've Walmarted in an RV and enjoyed it, but there's something about being in a car that makes it unsettling. I do have privacy curtains, but it was so hot I couldn't bear to put them up all around. So, I scoped out what angle I thought would give me the most privacy AND the most ventilation. I didn't have my anti-train curtains, though.

Also, there's a way I roll out of Spud (not like this) that screams SLEPT IN HERE ↩ There's really no other way to interpret it. So, I woke up before it was light, gathered a few things, then boldly waddled into the restroom.

At the Walmart, I sleep in my clothes. If I'm rousted, I really don't want to roll out of Spud in that distinctive way while wearing my jammies. I have my pride. Well, I have dignity, at least. Look, I just don't want to be rousted in my duck jammies.

I was trying to decide where to go next, and decided on Oliver Lee State Park. I wanted to relax somewhere, and this park is somewhere.

 I watched this wall of dust approach for a while. Then it shifted and sandblasted someone else.

 At the same time,  I watched this storm approach. It didn't miss us.

All is forgiven! Come back out and play!

 No, really! We're good! It's a rainbow! [WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?]

Oliver Lee S.P. is snuggled right up next to the Sacramento range, about 4500 feet lower than Cloudcroft. Air is plenty thick here.

I didn't have a thermometer, my my sweatometer estimated high 90's to 100°. Oliver Lee has very nice showers which I used with gleeful abandon. I used the flush toilets the same way. No, wait, that doesn't sound right...

I want to head up into the Gilas next. So, it only makes sense, that is to say, it's logical, I mean, it's the sensible thing to do to go through Las Cruces, where happy hour happens. Luxury's lap, you know.

~~~~~

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Cloudcroft, New Mexico: not on fire yet

I don't know what day it is, but I'm pretty sure I've spent two nights outside Cloudcroft, in Lincoln National Forest. I have so much to tell you! I've forgotten what it was!

Oh, here's something: it's hard to find wifi there. Saw a sign outside a real estate office: "HOTSPOT." I found it tepid. Then I moved on to the Chamber of Commerce, whose written policy is "The longer you lurk out there in your Prius, the worse your connection will get. Welcome to Cloudcroft!"

I stayed for a couple of nights at Upper Karr Recreation Area. I figured I didn't mind sharing my space with other campers. Nope. Nary a one. One SUV pulled in, spotted me, and didn't even slow down in his loop back to escape. Fine with me - no need to put my clothes back on, then.

For Judy.

Met a local couple who told me not to leave until I had seen Bluff Springs. They seemed kindly, so I took their advice.

The altitude is around 9300', and I was feeling any exertion. I told myself I wouldn't do anything heroic, but look at this place! It was tiny heroism, like housefly catch-and-release. I climbed the steps two at a time, by which I mean I climbed two steps, then rested. Keep doing that, you get to the top.

If there's a sweeter little stream than this, I'm ready to see it.

Both of the places I mention are open for free camping. The first is secluded. The second is remote, but with a waterfall!

My first night solo in the forest felt a little weird. There were a lot of logistics to work out, like where do my feet go? The next morning I completely rearranged Spud, and last night was much better.

I realized that I left my sleeping bag at Cheryl's, but luckily I had the down comforter Sue gave me. That was fine, although when I visited the thrift store yesterday, I didn't turn down the brand new pair of Extreme Cold Weather Drawers for $3.50. You're willing to pay any exorbitant price when you're chilly in the mountains.

I woke up early with a voice telling me to go back to Alamogordo. That may have been internet calling me, that siren.*


*This post brought to you by Lowe's.