... to Lake: Fenton Lake State Park, New Mexico

It's my deeply-held belief that A Warning is Bad Advice (AWIBA). So, let me just tell you things you may want to know ... or not.

Some people (and road signs) may advise you not to approach Fenton Lake State Park from the north on 126 (Cuba, NM). You may decide to heed this advice. Or not - really, everything is fine. You know there's a happy ending because I'm writing this. Seriously, this is a beautiful and thrilling trip, and I'm glad I did it. 

Once you're in Fenton Lake State Park, no matter how you got here, it's a beautiful destination. Abutting Santa Fe National Forest, there are opportunities for mostly-level hiking at around 8000'. We heedlessly headed there just before Labor Day weekend, and managed to get one of the more level spots.

Two bees (or not two bees?)

Some things you may not see because you have chosen another route into the park:

Cows never warn.

Somehow, carrying a hiking stick makes it easier for me to cover ground.  

Bears "may" be dangerous!

Valles Caldera

Today's post is bracketed by not-warnings. YOU MAY WISH to enter Los Alamos, NM, from the north if you are driving an RV. My friend (driving an RV) was told that NO RVs are permitted past the southern checkpoint, coming in from the Jemez Mountains. Even before you are refused entry, you may or may not wish to enter at a shallower grade. Take this all for what it's worth.

Keep having fun!

Navajo Lake State Park (Navajo Dam, New Mexico)

Another place in which we felt very comfortable. We chose Cottonwood campground, below the dam. I especially enjoyed the crazy-tall trees; something tells me they were cottonwoods, but I have no corroborating evidence. Sites are reasonably-spaced.

I kayaked on the river! I saw things. A snake swimming. A heron flying directly over me (nothing more to report on that incident). Fish. Water. Rocks. ROCKS! ROCKS!!!

There are campsites up above the lake. Pine is the only one set up for big(ger) rigs, and the sites look unlevel. Here's a map.

If you've been to Cottonwood in the past, you should know that it's 100% water/electric now, so sites are $14 (or $4). 

Just below the dam.

We strolled into the marina, where a young girl named Karma knew a lot of things about the area. She grabbed a handful of dog food to demonstrate feeding the carp (remarkable, actually). She cheerfully sprayed me with a water cannon, seeing as how it was hot out. She knew what she knew, but when she didn't know, she knew how to say so.

I don't think I did these things. I wouldn't mind being able to say I moored or snagged.

Duck flying south

It was time to leave Truth or Consequences, but not time to head back up the mountain. I wasn't sure where I'd land tonight, but it seems to be here ---> X

After a year-and-a-half of faithful, near-constant use, I retired the Original Butt-Tent™. I bought the 2014 model - keeping up with the Joneses, you know.

Neither gone nor forgotten

Thanks for helping me celebrate my millionth hit! That was fun.

Paparazzi are ruthless at Caballo Lake State Park

Well. Bless my soul - what's wrong with me? I'm itchin' like a man on a ...

Blue Hawaii? Blue suede shoes? Blue Christmas? Nope.

Blue Moon, and Ann-Margret

 Of course Ann-Margret isn't looking this good anymore; it's really Barbara, from Me and My Dog ... and My RV!

Those dark glasses don't fool us, Debra Paget and Laurel Goodwin! 

Maybe they did fool me - that's Suzanne from Take to the Highway, and Annie.

Katie, you ain't nothin' but a hound dog.

Katie ready for her close-up.

Now with paparazzi screen

Leading ladies lounge on the lanai.  

Girls! Girls! Girls! all congregated at Annie's campsite for peanut-butter-and-banana daiquiris, and watched the Birdies.

Just another dam campground: Caballo Lake State Park, Riverside edition

I heard reports of wind returning, so I stayed another night at Paseo Del Rio ("River Walk"? "Ride of the River?"). Its protected geography, and the solid structures, make it a good place to ride out the wind rather than ride in it.

My eyes are down here!

 

THE Elephant Butte. 

 I was feeling a little bored and restless, so I scoped out Caballo Lake State Park. The upper park filled me with meh: campsites are closer than toes in a shoe, and the boondocking area is a big dirt lot next to the boat launch.

The lower site? CaballOhh, yes. It just feels good here. There are more campsite choices than I have ever seen, anywhere; you can even get a full hook-up site (electric, water, and sewer) for $18/night ($8 with your annual pass. You have one, right?). There are also the water/electric sites for $14/$4, and three categories of "developed" sites.

You can camp at Percha Flats for $8/free. It offers some fire rings (fire restrictions apply right now) and a pit toilet.

You can camp inside the park next to the Rio Grande with covered picnic tables. These are close to two bathrooms/shower houses and water. Or, forego the shelter and get more secluded further down the road. You can help yourself to the pit toilet at the end of the road.



Millenicom customers got an April First email that wasn't fooling.

Due to increased data costs from the upstream carrier all Millenicombroadband accounts (Hotspot, Advanced and Standard Plans) will allow for20GB of data transfer for $89.99 monthly beginning May 1, 2014. 

In the event you require higher usage, Millenicom can add data in 20GBincrements for $89.99.  This means you no longer need to purchase anadditional device, activation and shipping, to acquire more than 20GB of data. 

Please note you can track usage online by checking the usage field at thebottom of your plan link from the products tab in the Members Center. 

Millenicom

Check out Technomadia's take on the changes. I'm going with their relief that Millenicom's service will continue, especially now that I've suffered through to the ahhh of good, fast, reliable Internet with the Pantech device.

Delmas Howe paintings on the Truth or Consequences civic center: