2 Campgrounds and an Alpaca Farm!!

 Across New Mexico we go!

8/26/2021 – 8/30/2021

Leaving the Great Saguaro National Park and Arizona behind us, we made our way into New Mexico.

Once again we got to appreciate the ever-changing desert areas we drove through. How notably different yet all considered desert. And again, what a difference just a bit of rain can make to this area.

Before I talk about the campgrounds we stayed at, I want to bring up something I mentioned in my last post. We have been, so far, to eleven National Parks and several National Forests/Refuges, all have been wonderful experiences. Each has captioned my heart in different ways, none shall I ever forget. There are three that stand out to me more than the others, and when I think about each one of these I can't help but marvel at how vastly different the three are. Which have stolen my heart? In ways indescribable are; The Badlands National Park, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, and the most recent: Saguaro National Park. Can these places get any different? And yet, the energies I experienced at each takes my breath away. It makes me excited to get to so many more, and see which I add to my list of favorites.

Back to this segment of travel.

The first two places in New Mexico we stopped at were more or less a way to get from here to there. Neither were overly impressive but as always, there was beauty even to them.

8/26/2021

After just having been to the overwhelmingly large KOA in Tucson, our first night in New Mexico was at another KOA but yet so very different. Las Cruces KOA is much smaller, having just over one hundred sites including the twelve tent sites. While some have such descriptive names such as Patio Sites, Super Sites, Premium Sites; none were overly impressive. It a nice campground with well maintained amenities, friendly staff, and beautiful views of the distance mountains. Great one night stopping place.

8/27/2021

  Next up was Hidden Valley RV Park in Tijeras, NM. The description reads: Quiet, Secluded Camping in the Sandia Mountains; and yes it was. While there was over a hundred sites, it didn't feel that big as it was divided into to three sections or tiers. It is an older campground that could use a bit of TLC. We got to meet the original owner, a 93 year old gentleman who was interesting and entertaining to talk to. He also developed the service station/store at the entrance to the road up. The campground served our purpose and gave us a couple days to just be. One of the notable experiences there was hearing the coyotes running along the ridge just above us. The one night, they let us know they were there by their yipping and yapping 3 or 4 times. We both do so love to listen to them.

Love the striping of these rocks

8/30/2021

 

 After a couple of days of relaxation, it was on the road again. On across the state to Clovis, NM, which is but 15 miles from the Texas border. This was a great stop: WindrushAlpaca Farm. Yep, we spent the night at the farm, our second Harvest Hosts stop. The farm is owned by Rosemary and Ric Mercalf, both well educated on the raising of Alpacas and love to share in their knowledge. With over 40 Alpacas, 2 llamas, 13 chickens, 8 guinea fowl, a horse, a cow, and several farm cats and dogs, not to mention a physical and online store and mutlitude other community activities; they keep busy. Yet, they make the time to chat and explain all the workings of the farm. We got a tour and opportunity to feed all the animals. It was so much fun watching the alpacas as each has its own personality just like people. Watching them run around wrestling with each other kept us quite entertained. Even grabbed a couple pair of alpaca wool socks! The night was quiet and serene, the windows open enjoying the breezes, ah a good night sleep. Another wonderful experience we will not forget.

Filling the rest of this post with Alpaca Photos!! 

TA