We continue with the next-to-the-last day.
Day 7: 19oct sun
We were at the park shortly after it opened at 9. Hey, we are starting to get this “get up and get moving thing” down pat!
A long day ahead as we “plan” to camp at Guadalupe Mountains Natl Park in Texas tonight. But first, we enjoy a scenic ride down to Ruidoso and then discover the delight that Hwy 244 is as it winds thru the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. (Huh, does that sound familiar? Hey, we did plan on riding this highway, see day 2 notes--and now, days later, we are! How about that?)
Hwy 244 just begs to be ridden properly (i.e. not at 45 blessed mph.) So I scooted ahead and partook of its pleasures.
PS: Earlier in the trip, Scott had seen an elk that had been shot and it took up the whole bed of a small pickup. Now I glimpsed one who had met the same fate in Ruidoso. The size of the animal was astounding. The antlers reached across the width of the truck. How do you get such a large, heavy animal into the truck? Even if the thing was standing next to your truck when you shot it…?? I can see if you field dressed it and packed out the meat, but i'm pretty sure this was the "whole hog" (so to speak.)
The plan to camp at Guad Mtns NP is scrapped when the logistics of it smack us in the face. It is kind of remote, with no water, or convenience stores nearby. The plug was yanked for sure when I read that fires were not allowed. (Cook stoves are ok.)
New destination: Balmorhea State Park. This park proved ideal. Although we had to push it to get there in time to set up camp before dark. It worked out wonderfully. I definitely want to return there and spend a few days exploring the area and the Davis Mtns.
Scott here..... Gina resting in Artesia, NM. Gina here...resting, and stuffing my face!
A concrete water flume built in the early 1900's in Carlsbad (photo credit: Gina!)
Crossing back into Texas
And securing a bit of grub for the night at Balmorea (note firewood strapped onto the Beamer)
The sky that night was captivating so I pulled my bed out of the tent, snuggled into the bag and just enjoyed the stars, listening to the coyotes and the burbling aqueduct that was nearby. Meanwhile, Scott shot some night pics.
Alas, the real world was tapping it’s foot and pointing at it’s watch. Come morning, we would have to slab it back to reality.
Hard data: Day 7, Capitan to Balmorhea SP: 337 mi. accomos: Balmorhea SP
To be continued....