Small Home – Big Yard

Rancheros de Santa Fe

The wind finally calmed down after sunset, we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner, watched some TV and called it a day.  This morning the construction crew was back at work by 8:00.  After checking email, making a few phone calls and having breakfast we decide to break camp and head south.  Today’s travel promises warmer temps and more winds as we approach southern New Mexico. 

Rancheros Pool

We didn’t take advantage of many of the facilities of Rancheros de Santa Fe, the pool area looks nice but was still closed.  The main office and store is very nice, and they offer family friendly movies in a small theatre during the summers. The campground brochure also noted a few hiking trails around the property, but with the cold temps and wind we didn’t wander far.  We did take advantage of the hot showers – while older, the 3 shower stalls are very clean, roomy and private.  The site we had provided full hookups including water, 30A electric, sewer and cable TV.  There was also a picnic table at the site which went unused.  Overall I’d rate this campground better than Santa Fe Skies where we stayed last year.  I think Rancheros provides a better location, the facilities are on par and having trees throughout helps limit the cramped feeling.  The staff were very friendly and helpful and the cost was about the same as other similar campgrounds, about $30/night including a Good Sam discount.  We’d stay here again.

With about 220 miles ahead of us, we’re hoping the weather will warm somewhat.  We have several grilled items on the menu, but so far haven’t gotten out the grill or even the camp chairs.  Our destination for tonight  is Elephant Butte State Park, just outside of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.  The forecast is for highs around 75 and lows around 44 – certainly better than 22 at Trinidad!

Very Large Array, Socorro, NM

One of the most interesting sites along this route is the Very Large Array outside of Socorro, NM (about half way between Albuquerque and Elephant Butte). This National Radio Astronomy Observatory consists of 27 huge white radio antennas configured along a “Y” shaped pattern.  These 230 ton giants with 82 feet wide “ears” can electronically be combined to function as one giant antenna.  The VLA is used to study black holes, planetary nebulae and other research purposes.  The Very Long Baseline Array also calls Socorro home.  The VLBA consists of system of 10 radio telescopes stretching from Hawaii to the Virgin islands.  When combined, this array is the world’s largest, dedicated, full-time astronomical instrument.  Our travels will later take us near Ft. Davis, home of one of these VLBA sites at the McDonald Observatory.

Very Large Array, Socorro, NM

VLBA, Ft. Davis, TX

Rancheros de Santa Fe

Just as the forecast said, it was very windy over Raton Pass and all the way to Santa Fe.  And, of course it can never be a tail-wind, it always seems to be a headwind on this part of I-25.  We watched as our “acceptable” gas mileage in double digits eroded down into single digits.  But, fortunately today’s drive was fairly short, just under 200 miles.

By 3pm we’ve arrived at Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground just north of the main exits into downtown Santa Fe.  It’s an older campground but many of the sites have unique character and appeal.  We’re in site #7, a few hundred feet from the main office and shower house.  As seems typical at this time of year, construction is underway replacing some type of pipeline down the main road.  I’ve been assured by the owner that they will be gone shortly – not only is the job very noisy, but it’s creating a nice dust cloud in the constantly blowing wind. 

There’s a lot to explore here – so more tomorrow morning from along the Santa Fe trail and Historic Route 66.

Carpos Ridge Site #6

We arrived in Trinidad about 8pm, and at site #6 in Carpos Ridge campground about 8:20.  This full-hookup site is very similar to site #3 where we stayed last year, but a bit further from the entrance road and lights of the park offices.  I think it’s a better site.  After lowering the jacks for stability and making our power/water connections we enjoy a Margarita and hot bowl of hearty split-pea soup.  There is great over-the-air digital TV service for a few channels which provides about an hour’s worth of Jay Leno entertainment before bed.

The forecast was for a low of around 22 last night – the outside thermostat didn’t register below 30, but it’s somewhat protected between the truck bed and the front wall of the camper.  I suspect it was closer to 22 since our water hose was frozen this morning.  Fortunately I’d moved the water filter and pressure regulator  inside for the night so after about 30 minutes of direct sunshine, our water is flowing again.  I had also drained the hot water heater after noticing a slight leak around the anode rod/plug.  Reapplying some Teflon tape and some good hard twists have hopefully corrected the leak. 

Carpos Ridge Campground

Both of our T-mobile cell phones have full service bars, but the Verizon Broadband card only shows 1 or 2 bars.  Internet connectivity isn’t great, but allows us to check email and even attend a short webinar.  Exploring the campground a bit, we notice there are a lot of neighbors.  All of the full-hookup sites are taken and about 6 of the electric-only sites are also occupied.  There’s even one site with a tent!   The camper service building which was closed last year due to frozen pipes is partially open providing two bathrooms complete with a large heated changing area, toilet, sink and pay-showers.  (3 minutes for a quarter). 

We’re headed to Santa Fe tonight, and the weather forecast shows strong winds over Raton pass and into the Santa Fe area.  By 11;00 when we are all packed up and ready to leave Trinidad, the winds have really cranked up.  It’s going to be a windy passage into New Mexico!

Trinidad Lake