We're in Datil right now, "planning" to leave tomorrow. Our friends Betty and John came over yesterday for tea, and somehow I got very teased for my unplanning skills. I wonder if I'm drawn to friends who are heavy planners, or if I drive them to it.
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| Someplace in New Mexico. I'd tell you more if I remembered. |
The riparian environment may be part of the appeal. I got pretty googly over the Mimbres Valley, too.
I drive Spud from place to place, usually following Wolfgang, who is driving the big rig. We planned to stay at Bighorn Campground; he passed it, and I spotted it only at the last minute and pulled in.
180 is a two-lane mountain road, and I knew he wouldn't be able to turn around right away, so I waited. And waited. Then I decided he hadn't noticed my absence and was going on through to Reserve. So, I pulled out and followed him. After a couple of minutes, he passed me heading back toward the campground. I knew he saw me, so I found the next turnaround and waited. And waited.
Then I realized he had gone on and found the campground, and was waiting for me there. I pulled out and headed south again, when he passed me heading away from the campground.
Suddenly this became too funny for me, so I pulled off to laugh for a long time. When I got better, I headed in the direction I had last seen him. Luckily, he is a man of good sense, and had just pulled off the road to wait for as long as it took me. Then I could be a good follower and lead him back to the campground he never saw.
Bighorn is just fine for a night or two. The road isn't busy, and depending on your needs and rig size, you can burrow back into the cozier sites. It's very close to town, and there are a few businesses there where you can (maybe) get a meal and (probably) get some gasoline. I met Joyce, who runs the little gift shop, and she was extremely helpful in pointing us toward interesting places. She told me about a campground that I'm saving to try when I'm on my own; it wasn't suitable for our luxury accommodations right now.
When I asked about Mogollon, Joyce was adamant that it only be attempted with a high-clearance vehicle. Maybe next time, when I'm clearing high.
Catwalk Road is a good place for a long walk. Walking to the Catwalk itself is five miles, and that's why we have internal combustion engines.
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| I don't know who this guy is, but later I showed him a YouTube flash-flood video. |
The Catwalk is still closed, but keep it in mind for its reopening. This lapse in my judgement made me nervous, especially because of the low-water crossing and the rain in the area the day before. I was a scofflaw, but there are good reasons for the closure and I don't recommend you scoff.
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| Closer to home. |
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| Continental Divide Trail throughhikers pie-ing it up at the bar |
Of all the many nearby attractions to Datil (stop it, I'm serious), I felt Pie-O-Neer was the one we shouldn't miss. It was a good call. Kathy came to the table and chatted, and Wolfgang was impressed with that. And with the pie.
