I've spent most of the summer planning a trip that would take me through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, but, life conspired against me (thanks in part to medical bills, two kids in college, and a screwy home air conditioner). Out of desperation I pared my plans down to a really quick trip to southern New Mexico. I decided on Mayhill, New Mexico. I initially thought about staying in Cloudcroft, but nighttime temperatures in Cloudcroft were in the 40's. Just down the road, nighttime temps in Mayhill were in the mid 50's-much more comfortable.
I managed to sell some junk on Craigslist and ended up with around $400. I figured that by camping and limiting myself to one fast food meal a day (I was carrying food and a camp stove), a three to four day trip should keep me well under my $400 budget.
I loaded up and left Fort Worth early Sunday morning (09-10-17). I rode in very light traffic on Interstate 20 to Weatherford. From there it was US-180 to Hobbs, NM, and US-82 to Mayhill.
I had picked up a bear canister a little while back, not so much for bears, but mainly to keep determined mice from chewing through my gear to get to my food. I wasn't real sure how I was going to carry it on this trip. I ended up taking the Wald basket off of one the kid's bicycles and zip tied it to the rear rack. The basket and cargo net combo worked great!
Mineral Wells: I've only been riding since May, and it's been hot and humid the whole time. It was in the 60's in Mineral Wells and I was freezing. Luckily I had packed my down jacket and windbreaker. This kept me comfortable till Anson when it warmed up enough to put my mesh jacket back on.
Near Snyder
I ended up staying at the Camp @ Cloudcroft in Mayhill. It's a really nice RV park with clean shower facilities. They charge $18 per night for a tent site. I could have camped for free in the Lincoln National Forest, but I like my showers.
Drying my stuff due to dew.
Convenience store in Mayhill, NM.
I spent the day exploring the gravel roads off of NM-130 before heading over to Cloudcroft for a late lunch.
Heading home Tuesday morning.
The basket was the perfect place to store a wet tent fly and ground cloth.
Well, there you have it; approximately 1200 miles traveled in three days, $160 spent for fuel, food, lodging, and a souvenir t shirt. Not too bad.
I managed to sell some junk on Craigslist and ended up with around $400. I figured that by camping and limiting myself to one fast food meal a day (I was carrying food and a camp stove), a three to four day trip should keep me well under my $400 budget.
I loaded up and left Fort Worth early Sunday morning (09-10-17). I rode in very light traffic on Interstate 20 to Weatherford. From there it was US-180 to Hobbs, NM, and US-82 to Mayhill.
I had picked up a bear canister a little while back, not so much for bears, but mainly to keep determined mice from chewing through my gear to get to my food. I wasn't real sure how I was going to carry it on this trip. I ended up taking the Wald basket off of one the kid's bicycles and zip tied it to the rear rack. The basket and cargo net combo worked great!
Mineral Wells: I've only been riding since May, and it's been hot and humid the whole time. It was in the 60's in Mineral Wells and I was freezing. Luckily I had packed my down jacket and windbreaker. This kept me comfortable till Anson when it warmed up enough to put my mesh jacket back on.
Near Snyder
I ended up staying at the Camp @ Cloudcroft in Mayhill. It's a really nice RV park with clean shower facilities. They charge $18 per night for a tent site. I could have camped for free in the Lincoln National Forest, but I like my showers.
Drying my stuff due to dew.
Convenience store in Mayhill, NM.
I spent the day exploring the gravel roads off of NM-130 before heading over to Cloudcroft for a late lunch.
Heading home Tuesday morning.
The basket was the perfect place to store a wet tent fly and ground cloth.
Well, there you have it; approximately 1200 miles traveled in three days, $160 spent for fuel, food, lodging, and a souvenir t shirt. Not too bad.