Hopewell Lake Campground

We spent last night in Hopewell Lake Campground at 9000+ ft evaluation. 

The park was located above the lake and offered a few trails to the lake and meadow area. The camp sites varied in size with picnic tables and a fire ring. We loved the cooler morning temperatures in the 40's!  

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Last Hike at Cimarron State Park, New Mexico

Craig, Nanci, Norma and Mia went on our final hike on a trail called Black Jack Peak at Cimarron State Park.  The trail is located by the Maverick Canyon Trail and followed the creek. We covered 600 ft evaluation and 5 miles. A great hike overall and turned back when we were in the meadows section because the trail marking could not be found. Hopefully when you visit your can make it to the peak!

Interesting Day Trip for Norma

If you are wondering about daily chores while vacationing in a RV, yes we do have to do laundry, daily cleaning, restocking food, etc.. Norma ventured out to Angel Fire for the day.

First, Norma found a laundry mat and wow! after $15 dollars, it was finally finished. The place was clean and offered great machines but the dryers did not dry very well, so she brought home some damp clothes. Last week it was less then $10 dollars and the clothes were dry.

Second, Norma found a great lunch at Angel Fire Ski Area. They are set up for the summer with numerous activities. She watched downhill mountain biking which looks awesome. but you need to be in really good shape.

Third, Norma found a grocery store with fresh produce! A great find and decided to stock up on a few other necessities since we will be out in the high country soon.

Then she decided to stop by the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Park. It was awesome and a time for Norma to reflected on the many who severed and died for our country. The areas  has special walk paths , a guided tour, and fabulous pieces of art throughout the park. A special thanks goes to my dad, Michael Moulton who severed during Vietnam.

Did you notice the skies! A storm was brewing and boy she was glad she was in the jeep. Check out the video below and no it is not snow!

Taos Day Trip

We decided to join Erik and Nanci on a day trip to Taos for Nanci's birthday. Taos is an artist town and full of the adobe houses. The downtown area has small streets and full of galleries and museums showcasing regional artwork.

The camp host suggested a Mexican restaurant so we checked it out. The Guadalajara Grill did not have the drive up appearance but the food was awesome. We were able to order and sit outside in the warm sun. I learned quickly that on this side of the mountain the temperature goes up from where we are camping. So off we went to the Taos Ski Resort area. The temperature dropped to 70 very quickly during the drive to the 9200 ft elevation. We were surprised the ski area is small but offers a lot of ski runs on Wheeler's Peak. Wheeler's Peak is 13000 ft in elevation! Wow, I would need oxygen at that elevation. Enjoy a few pictures and we will be going back to hike, camp and ski in the future!

What you want to climb that mountain?

Craig and I had a choice today: Take a nap or go hiking? Well we decided on tackling the Maverick Canyon Trail which is located by our campground. We saddled up Mia and off we went down the road, but Craig was not going to have us on the road, so he found a path, with a little help from Mia of course.

I looked at his path and said you want to climb that mountain??...It was straight up! Oh boy! Norma was thinking maybe we should have chosen the nap instead.

The path took us up very quickly and back into the mountains away from the running creeks. It was the dry side of the mountain. We covered about two miles but gained 400 ft elevation. For us flat-lander's, we were getting our workout today! We did not stay on the trail as it was not clear at points where the trail was. We managed to get up high enough to have a great view of the rocks and surrounding mountains. It was were stunning!

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A man with his dog! True loyalty!

We finished the day with some more fly fishing with no luck catching any fish. but I loved trying with Craig as my partner. Oh and they restocked the pond and everyone was loving knowing the fish are in there! 

11,000 Ft Elevation Here We Come!

Today was a day to explore the Red River, New Mexico area in the jeep. We took the Enchanted Circle Loop to Red River which is a beautiful drive with views of the Carson Forest and valleys. Craig's brother and sister in law decided to join us. We were excited to explore a new area.

We stopped and walked Main Street by the Red River Ski area. We quickly made it to the visitor center and found a map of the recreational area of Red River, Taos Ski Valley and Vicinity. The town is very busy in the summer area and offers numerous activities for families.

We decide to eat a Achovies Pizzeria.  The owner was very nice and the place was clean. The pizza was homemade and took a while to make but worth it. We decide to enjoyed at Brandenburg Park across the street because in Red River in the summer is the perfect time to eat outside.

We  decided to venture to the Greenie Peak and Midnight Meadows in Carson Forest. These trails are moderate/difficult but would take us to 11,249 ft evaluation.  Enjoy the pictures!

Our drive to Red River

Greenie Peak Trail 

 View at the  top of Greenie Peak and a perfect view of Red River Ski Hill

Interesting setup on the top of the peak. Mia and I might need shelter if we choose to stay overnight. LOL ...never!!!

I love this picture of the jeeps and the clouds behind them. At this elevation we could view the summer storms developing on the other mountain tops. 

Midnight Meadows Trail 

We decided to go back on Forest Road 134 toward Quasta and discovered a trail to Cabresto Lake (134A), a trail Craig took on his motorcycle a few years back. It was another beautiful lake with a nice dam area. A few campers in the area. I bet it chilly  at night at 9331 ft elevation. A fire would be a must! 

The Dam

We did not see much wild life but came across these cows on our way to the lake

Is Norma Fly Fishing?

In Cinnamon State Park they offer a section of the creek called Special Trout Fishing so we found a large pond area where the beavers were busy working. In this area, fisherman can only fish with a single barb less hook. Norma decided to try her luck with fly fishing with a elk hair fly.

She was a natural and catch her first fish fly fishing! First we started in the creek! I spy Craig.

  The sun was setting and just right for photographs.

Norma catching her first fish! 

Can you find the beaver hard at work?

The big question is will Norma become a fisher-woman? 

A few pictures on our way back to the campground.

Angel Fire Festivals

First stop Tamales Festival! We enjoyed five different types of tamales and we loved the ones with green chilies!

We missed the Balloon Festival for the weekend but it was an exciting event for everyone in Angel Fire.

Overall a fun day but hot with temperature in the mid 90's so we decided to stop by and get Norma a fishing licenses and more flies for Craig's fly fishing.