Ute Lake and Conchas Lake State Parks, New Mexico.

I don't have to tell you that the heat was hot and the ground was dry, but, the air was full of sound. The sound of an RV air conditioner. Luckily, we've been able to snag electric sites we've needed even last-minute.

Ute Lake is a vibrant, busy, big park. There are several non-contiguous areas; we stayed in the Yucca campground with big, BIG pull-through sites. If I were in Spud, I'd choose a spot up in the Eagle area overlooking the lake (there is strong 4G up there). In Yucca, we were able to get sporadic park wifi, but no Verizon signal.

Seriously, WTHeck?

Wolf said, "On Sunday we'll be unconscious."

"On Sunday we'll be unconscious??"

"No, on Sunday we'll be on Conchas."

And, so we were. Conchas has a way different feel. We stayed on Bell loop, where we were able to find one electric site big enough for a 36' rig to get level. Oddly, two-thirds of the electric sites are reservation-only, and so they stood empty while we were there. There are also no camphosts, so no chance to check real availability. 

The sites reserved for hosts are both empty - maybe because there is no Verizon signal for phone or internet, no park wifi, no TV reception, no sewer hookup, and it's about 25 miles from town. Plus it's the end of July, 100°F, and I'm cranky.

The lake is beautiful, but oddly quiet.

Two nights at Conchas Lake felt like enough; we moved on.

We didn't get one of Storrie Lake's coveted electric sites, but the temperature here is a relief, and so we don't really need it. It feels good to be back in the rain.

Clayton Lake State Park, Sugarite State Park, Capulin Mountain National Monument

We stayed a few days at Clayton Lake State Park, a small and cozy-feeling park on a small and cozy-feeling lake.

Spud, feeling a little put-out.

You-know-who

Some guy.

Evie told me about a volcano we could see, but she didn't mention I'd want to throw myself in. The Rim Trail is one mile of Hell interspersed with amazing views. Old people with crutches, rolling oxygen tanks, overtook and passed me. I begged them to just save themselves.

Capulin (say "cah poo LEEN") Mountain National Monument

There are several trails you can "enjoy." They called this one "moderate." Please "enjoy" in "moderation."

This is a trick. I fall for it every time. "Just another 1/4 mile!"

While we enjoyed the outdoors, our friend bounced up and napped next to us.

Kayaking here was the highlight of our stay. And a bunny.

Time and chance took us to Dalhart, Texas, which I won't even try to glamorize. It does have a very nice McDonald's, and a tire store. We were back at Ute Lake State Park before evening fell.

I left out Sugarite State Park somehow. These beautiful parks with no internet signal get lost in my memory. We wandered in on Friday night and got the last site in the campground we wanted; this has been a motif. We said to the host "We're lucky people!" and the host glanced at me and said to Wolfgang "You are the luckiest man in our campground today." Some people know how to give a compliment. I'll be going back.

Ute Lake is hopping with youts today. It was 99 degrees F yesterday, with a dew point of 55 degrees. That meant it also felt like 99 degrees. We're in the Yucca campground with nice, long pull-throughs.

Ute Lake State Park does have sporadic wifi, but no usable Verizon signal unless you go further up the road and find a picnic table overlooking the water. So, do that.