Go West: Where It Started

Traveling, Camping and Hiking My Way Westward

Trail/Park: Blue Water Lake State Park, Prewitt, NM, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM

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The day started cold and sunny. I would take a look to see what I’d missed on my late arrival to the park before moving on. A decision waited ahead of me which would be based on the weather. Would I return to the place where my adventurous life had taken deep root and changed the course of my personal and professional life or would I save it for a future trip?

Humble Sunrise

Good grief it was cold this morning! Waking up just before sunrise, I worked hard to convince myself to get up. So damn cold. I was berating myself for not hooking up the propane for the heater. Finally convincing myself to get up at 6:30am, I’d be waiting for about a half hour for the gate to open. I wanted to see what I’d missed and use the dump station.

A layer of frost covered both the inside and outside of the big picture window of the camper. I’d chosen not to vent the inside which led to the moisture inside condensing on the windows. Not the best choice but having the vents open would have made the camper even colder inside. I’d need to vent it on my stops today to prevent mold and warping of the wood.

I also realized I’d not unplugged the electric connection to camper from the car. Would the car even start? Thankfully it did. I sat in the car with the heater running to warm up while I waited for the gate to open. A little after 7:00am a woman arrived to open the gate with her dog happily following along. I drove in to the self-service kiosk to pay for the night of camping I’d just spent outside the gate. I wasn’t sure I needed to, but it seemed the right thing to do. Now I would feel much better about using the dump station and taking a look around to see what I’d missed.

Boy had I missed out. The part of the campground still open this late in the season offered blufftop views overlooking Blue Water Lake, aptly named. Pinon-juniper and native grasses surrounded the campsites perched with views expanding to the Zuni Mountains. The crisp air and views had me wishing my vacation would allow me an extra night to stay. As I stood looking at the view, a man camping at the park came walking by and we chatted for a bit. He and his wife had come to stay while she spent a stint working in Gallup, NM. Before long they would head home to Colorado. I pined for the nomadic life I’d hoped would start on this trip. It wasn’t meant to be just yet.

My next stop would be in Albuquerque for a late breakfast and coffee. I debated stopping at the same place I’d visited on my previous year trip or to explore something new. In 2022 I’d made the same trip, stopping at Sawmill Market where I’d gotten a coffee from Plata Coffee and a creme brulee donut from Blue Door Patisserie I still think about with longing. Sadly Blue Door has closed since my visit. A few hours later I stopped for gas at the Pecos River Station, which felt like I’d entered another time. The only gas station between Santa Fe and Las Vegas, NM it was nearly empty. The staff were friendly though which made it feel less lonely on this long stretch of road.

A Cup of Humble

Approaching Albuquerque I decided to try something new, making the decision on the fly at a rest stop. I found a promising spot called Humble Coffee which seemed to be just the right place (and name) for the day’s adventure. I found a spot to park the rig, grabbed my laptop and headed inside. I would spend about an hour checking my email to try to keep ahead of the never-ending flow of communication I was trying hard to ignore.

The shop was cozy, the coffee delicious and the Wi-Fi allowed me to catch up on my email as well as make a final decision about the route home. I accepted a few job interviews for my return home while I savored my coffee. Today was the day I needed to decide if I’d keep heading east or if I’d take my route to the northeastern corner of New Mexico where my life path had veered toward spending more time hiking, camping and working in the outdoor industry. I weighed the distance going north would add to my trip, the landscape which might require more mountain driving and the weather.

Raton Calling

Raton, New Mexico’s call was too strong to ignore. I’ve vowed I would return, now just as good a time as any since I really had no definite end date to my travels. This luxury might not come again anytime soon. The sky was gray as I turned the rig northeast toward Raton. Rain was expected, but nothing severe. I’d brave the idea of more mountain driving and take it at a pace which worked for me if and when it came.

Despite my concerns the drive was gorgeous. Vast expanses of rangeland, horses and cattle, all with views of the Santa Fe National Forest off to my left. Later the Carson National Forest came into view. My heart swelled with emotion. Having the mountains just a short distance away brought the feeling of home I had felt all those years ago when I first visited this part of New Mexico as part of a Scout crew. As I passed Cimmaron, NM in the late afternoon I said a silent hello to Philmont Scout Ranch. The place where this phase of my life had taken hold deep in my heart. The place where I found myself. The sunset was coming and I still had a bit of distance to cover before I arrived at Sugarite Canyon State Park. I wasn’t sure if the park, nestled in a canyon, would test my fear of heights so I pressed on, stopping briefly for gas in Springer, NM.

Exiting Highway 25 for Highway 72 to the park, I reminded myself whatever the last seven miles of driving would bring I’d be fine. While the drive is on a narrow road, it’s at the base of the canyon. Stopping at the Visitor Center I caught a volunteer closing up for the evening. Shirley helped me find a campsite, gave me a weather and park update. Driving to the Lake Alice Campground I got settled at the last electric site, hooked up the propane and made dinner. It would be another cold night so having heat and power would allow me to vent the camper and stay warm. As I settled in, I was remarkably grateful for having made the choice to come this way. My worries of the drive were unfounded. I’d already seen mule deer and hoped to take a short hike suggested by Shirley before I left in the morning. I felt back at home in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

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This travel, hike and camping took place on the traditional territory of the Diné Bikéyah, Pueblos, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Shiwinna (Zuni), Tigua (Tiwa), Piro, Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache), Jicarilla Apache, and Nʉmʉnʉʉ Sookobitʉ (Comanche) who have stewarded this land for time immemorial. I respect the histories, languages and cultures of these peoples, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant and changing communities. Join me in learning more about the tribes and these lands, by following the links provided.

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Next Post Preview: A hike in Sugarite Canyon State Park was a welcome start to another day of travel. Before long I’d be leaving the mountains behind for the plains states where the days are hot and, the winds are strong and the nights can be bitter cold in November.

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HOME AWAY FROM HOME: My adventure camper is a lovely little teardrop made-to-order by the incredibly talented people at Vistabule in St. Paul, MN.

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GEAR: Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack,Marmot Kompressor Pack,Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof,Oboz Katabic Low,Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Light Jacket, Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Pant,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket,REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants, Gnara Go There™ Pants, Chickfly Merino Eucalyptus Leggings,Icebreaker Women’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings, SPOT GEN3 Satellite GPS Messenger, Dueter Dirtbag, Kula Cloth, Leki Women’s Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA trekking poles, Nemo Dragonfly™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent, Nemo Sonic™ 0 Down Sleeping Bag,Paria Thermodown 30 down quilt, Exped Ultra 7R Mat,REI Flash 3-Season Sleeping Pad, Thermarest Z Seat™,MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, TOAKS Titanium 450ML Cup with Lid, MSR® IsoPro™ Fuel.

Want to know more about my gear selections? Head on over to Gear & Gadgets or check out my posts titled “Gear in Review”.

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Copyright Ruth Wikoff-Jones, ruthsbluemarble.com | No Use Permitted Without Prior Permission