Going Dark, or maybe just dim.

 

I just noticed that I did eleven blog posts during the month of July, and three in August. I honestly thought the number was less. 

I started Eggrollings in April of 2011.  We had already pulled the egg to many fascinating places in the US and Canada before I got the courage to make the first post.  I figured the immediate family, as well as a few friends might find it entertaining. Thought there’s no way I would ever have a “following”  as so many of the blogs I read.

Imagine my surprise when I received a comment from someone I didn’t know.  And then I  found myself on HitchItch.  Readership went upward, accordingly.  

It was fun taking pictures, and writing about where we went, and what we did.  We visited places we read about on other blogs, and hoped someone might visit a location based on our recommendations.

Things have changed since 2011.  Now, most everyone has a smart phone.  Things like Facebook, Face time, Life360, etc.; make it possible to take a picture, make a comment, and post it to the world almost immediately.  Family members can know immediately where we are located with the touch of a screen.  If we do find ourselves in a remote area, I can push a button on a device, and four different people receive our GPS coordinates by way of a satellite transmission. 

I’ve reached the point where doing a blog isn’t as much fun as it used to be.  The need isn’t there like it once was.  Many places we now visit are repeats.  I’ve blogged about them once, so why bore you with repeat information? 

Eggrollings will stay around.  I’m not going to delete it. Too many great memories.  And, there will still be an occasional post when something strikes my fancy.  I may even become inspired again, and get back to posting regularly.

Thanks to all of you that have been faithful readers.  I cherished your comments and feel like I know you, even if we may not have met, personally.  To those of you we have met, I’m thankful to blog land for your friendship, and hope our paths cross, again…..jc

Cloudcroft, NM

 

While spinning our wheels in northern New Mexico for a few days, we saw a Facebook post from some Texas friends.  They were headed for Cloudcroft, NM.  Cloudcroft, and the Ruidoso area, are like Mecca for Texans in the Summer.  It’s one of those places you have to make a destination, as it isn’t on the way to anywhere.  Surrounded on all sides by a hot, and mostly boring, landscape.

               

If coming from the East, you must drive through the heart of the Texas and New Mexico oil fields.  There are literally thousands of wells between Artesia, and Hobbs, New Mexico.

If coming from the North or South, then Alamogordo is the gateway.  The home of Holloman AFB and White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo lies at an elevation of around 4300 feet.  Hot, dry, and dusty.  Temperatures around 100* in August. 

Just a short drive up the mountain from Alamogordo puts you in an entirely different landscape.  Cloudcroft sits at around 9000 feet.  The area looks much like the Sierras, with huge fir and ponderosa pine growing on the mountains. 

Looking down on White Sands national monument from near the town of Cloudcroft.

As we had never visited the area, we called and asked if we could crash their party for a couple of days.  The answer was an affirmative, so we headed South.  We spent three night with them, and had a fantastic time.  Catching up with news about everyone’s travels took hours.

We enjoyed hummingbirds by the dozens, and even had a little music.

 

But, most of all, we enjoyed the friendships.  It was with heavy hearts that we departed after three nights.  They had plans to move down the mountain a ways for another gathering, and we had our sights on home.  The temperature was 54* as we pulled out of the campground.  When we stopped at  Hords Creek COE campground near Coleman, Texas, for the evening, it was 103*.  But, it was a dry heat……  jc

Heron Lake

 

We spent a few days at Heron Lake State Park, near Chama, New Mexico.  Heron Lake was created by the Bureau of Reclamation in the 1960’s as a water storage facility for the San Juan-Chama Project.  Another government project which was never completed as planned.  Bottom line is it moves water from one side of the Continental Divide to the other for the benefit of cities such as Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Things looked really good for a few years.

But then the snow pack began to shrink, and the demand exceeded the supply.  The park host said the lake was actually up more this year than in the last few.

There may come a time when Heron Lake is once again full,  but with the demand for water throughout the West growing each year, I really doubt it.  The Sailing Club may have to find a new home.

…..jc

A Quick Week

 

It’s been a week since our last post.  One of those weeks where you stay busy doing lots of nothing.  We departed Montrose and made our way toward a group campground between Durango and Silverton.  A beautiful drive over a road that takes your breath away each time you drive it.

We met up with about twenty other cult members.   You know, “those little trailers”.

Did lots of sitting and visiting with friends, old and new.  Did a little geocaching with John, which took us to the top of the highest mountain around Durango.

                              

The treasure, and logging the find(s).

Did a hike with friends toward the summit of Engineer Peak.

Wildflowers galore. Over head high at the beginning of the trail.

 

Three miles up and three back.  Not bad for a bunch of old folks……jc