New Mexico

Hello all! I need to really update you on where we are and where we've been since Bill doesn't seem to want to share all his pictures with you.

When we left Texas, we headed back to New Mexico, only this time we took the Southern route. Our first stop was Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Caverns. It was really cool to walk through the cave. It's something like 750 feet down, and about 2 miles total walking. I really enjoyed it. Tiring, but awesome.

We stayed at the KOA in Carlsbad, which happens to be about 15 miles north of town. Carlsbad is a very small place, although it is really self contained. It has its own Walmart, a grocery store, gas stations, hotels, 2 McDonalds, 2 Sonics, and a hospital. Many of these small towns have this stuff. Since they are spread out, they need to be. Otherwise you'd be driving hours just to get a gallon of milk.

We got caught in a windstorm while we were there and were delayed an extra day. Spent the day watching TV and hoping the RV didn't fall over. It seems to be normal there. Some of the wind gusts were hurricane strength. Being from Alaska, we're used to high winds, but it's a lot different when you're in an RV. Even Meika didn't care for all the wind.

When we left Carlsbad, we headed to White Sands National Monument. We drove around there and had lunch among the dunes. It was a weekend and there were people there spending the day, "sledding" down the sand dunes. It was so unexpected from all the brown, flat topography we had in Carlsbad. From here, we went to Las Cruces.

We only spent a few days in Las Cruces. We went shopping in Old Town Medilla, and went to one of the wineries there. We also went to a brewery. Of course. Las Cruces is one of those places that you could spend a lot of time in. I wouldn't mind going back. It's more of a city than a small town, with a mall, and Sam's Club, and all that stuff. But it also has really great views of the mountains. And is just down the interstate from Albuquerque.

From Las Cruces we went to the exciting metropolis of Demming (can you read the sarcasm in that statement?). Demming is a stop on I-10. It's also the way we went to get to Mexico. That's about all you can say for it. Except it does have 2, count them, 2 wineries. Good wines too. Rather surprising for where it is. From here we headed to Hatch, the chili pepper capital of the world, on our way North. We went through it to get to the interstate. Other than anything made with chilies, there's nothing else to say about it. Yep. Some parts of New Mexico are just sooooo exciting. Even the cattle look bored.

Then on to Albuquerque. Civilization. Brown and dirt civilization, but civilization just the same. It was a little colder there. We woke up one morning to snow on the mountains and some snow on the kayak. It was gone by the end of the day, though. We spent 2 days walking through Old Town, although I think we got better deals elsewhere. Too touristy. But we picked up a few things. We're going to have an interestingly decorated house when we get one. And of course, had to hit a couple of breweries and a couple of wineries. I've got quite the wine cellar growing. I'm going to need to have one of those whole room, temperature controlled wine rooms put in. :o).

Left Albuquerque trying to outrun another wind storm. Spent one night in Elk City, OK and then headed to Oklahoma City to get to yet another micro brewery. Except this one was in Bricktown and was attached to their baseball field. It was in left field. You could even sit outside and eat and drink while watching the game. Not bad. You'll have to talk to Bill about their "beer water." Even Meika wasn't impressed.

And so now we're in Arkansas. First in Altus, the wine capital of Arkansas, where we got to 4 of the 6 wineries in the state. Like I said, wine cellar. Big wine cellar. And as I write this, we're in Little Rock. We went to 2 breweries here, one with good root beer and one with good pizza. We had a thunderstorm earlier in the day and it's been raining on and off since. Not much else to report on Little Rock. Although it does seem to be a very livable city. And Arkansas is most definitely an outdoorsy place. Lots of state parks with hiking, biking, camping, birding. We'll probably come back to do more stuff outside.

Now we're off to Memphis and the home of Elvis. As a matter of fact, we're going to be staying at the Graceland RV Park across the street from Graceland and next to the Heartbreak Hotel. Really. I'll take pictures. Looking forward to the brisket. :o)

Oh, while going through the panhandle of Texas, I added 2 more birds to my Texas list, bringing the total to 128 species. My life list is now at 388, having added a Verdin, Cactus Wren, and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher while sitting in the RV in Las Cruces. And a Black-throated Sparrow, Yellow-Headed Blackbird, and Aplomado Falcon while in Demming. Bill has pictures. I'll wrestle him for them.

May your next bird be a lifer!