Wonderful Awakening, Downtown Truth or Consequences, Making Plans

Elephant Butte Lake State Park, NM

I woke at 5:30 and waited until 6:15 to rise on Saturday, Nov. 23^rd. Bill was still curled up and although he stirred when I left the bedroom, he didn’t get up yet. I slipped him a good morning kiss before heading out the door. There was no wind so the 37F/3C didn’t feel too cold at all. I had my crocheted neck scarf on under my vest and my gloves and that seemed to be all I needed. As long as my neck is covered and sometimes my chinny chin chin.

A clear sky and promise of sun from our site

Look at the mist rising from the lake

A tent? Brrr. I spoke later with Dad, Chad and daughter, Mikela
 and they weren't bothered at all by the 36F for sleeping

I’ve been trying to walk different routes each morning yet I understand there are only so many scenarios. Today, I went back on Sumac Rd. but turned off to head south on gravel (Dirt Road). This took me back up to Ridge Road which is the main road you come in on. From there, I walked down to Rattle Snake Beach and back across the sand along Lions Beach and up Sumac to our site. I would guess it was about 2 miles in 45 minutes. Did I lose you in there somewhere?

And another Jack Rabbit sighting
He actually sat and posed for me

Bill was up and having his coffee when I returned and he printed off our bank statements. Looks like we need to buy more paper. With that finished, we set to ‘work’ trying to decide what to do as far as sightseeing in this area. Unfortunately, we are probably in the most beautiful part of this area we can be so unless we are willing to travel 1 ½ to 2 hours away, there isn’t a lot to see here, close to home. We aren’t up for the hot springs although there are certainly a lot offered in T or C.

And at Rattlesnake Beach, another tent
notice the frost on the windshield of his car?

The boat was still there this morning

And when I walked later, the owner returns and takes it for a spin
Later, he opened his sail

The Gambel Quail meeting was at our site today

We made ourselves a second hot drink and walked up Snob Hill to visit Bob and Jo-Anne. That is what Bob calls the sand hill between us, since they are ‘above’ us. He makes us laugh, all good things. We discussed what Bill and I had talked about and as much as it would be nice to see the White Sands, none of us wanted to travel that distance to go see them. Surely, one year, we’ll be in a closer proximity and we’ll see them at that time.

Higgins, of course, had input too

Instead, we talked about sticking close to home and visiting the Veteran’s wall in Truth or Consequences and then there are some shops I’d like to poke my head into. One is called Dukatt ’71, a tye-dye vendor, that could be interesting just for kicks and giggles. We also discussed where we’ll go after we leave here on Dec. 2^nd and have all agreed on Huachuca City to our membership park for probably a week.

There are many things we all want to see in that area – some things again and a few things neither of us have done. Bob and Jo-Anne have been to that area, about 5 years ago, and wish to go back again. We agreed to follow up on the rules to get them into parks in Yuma and will go from there. 

After running down between the sites
a coyote had us running to the window to take a photo

Meanwhile, while we were sitting there chatting, Jo-Anne saw a coyote traipse across the hill behind Big Red and down through the site beside us and down the road. She was quick enough to get a great picture and kind enough to share it with me. One good reason to not let your dogs sit outside alone, even on a leash.

A leisurely walk this afternoon
It got up to about 55F

Selfie on the beach

It was 10:30 when we were back home and I decided to spoil my sweetie-pie again with cinnamon buns for brunch. Yah, the diet goes out the window when we do this indulging but we enjoy it so. After dishes, we had until after lunch before we were going to do anything with our friends so Bill relaxed with his book and I went for a nice long walk. I walked down to Lions Beach again, and was pleased to see someone had shown up to re-claim their boat.

A plowed section in the desert
Must be for water drainage?

A lovely proud staghorn cactus

A very big coyote gourd

I moved off to the north and sat on a rock for a selfie and just watched the water and the ‘sailor’. It was a paddle sailboat so probably it was the perfect day to go out with the sun shining and a light breeze. 

Walking back towards home

When I returned to our site, I sat in the back corner of our site again with my book. 

And unbeknownst to me, my hubby got sneaky

Around 1 Bill came out and suggested we go and see if Bob & Jo-Anne were ready to go to town. We disturbed their relaxing sunning but they happily (I think) joined us for the drive into T or C.

First to the post office, which is closed on the weekends, to drop our cards in the outside drive through mailbox. Woops! We went ‘in’ the ‘out’ entrance, no wonder the 2 locals behind us were looking at us with such curiosity. Bill backed out and I shrugged an apology (which was graciously accepted). They were probably muttering “darn foreigners!” in the confines of their own space. We all totally missed the One Way signs.

The walkway

Bob and Bill (& Higgy) check out the old ambulance

The kids went into the museum
while we watched Higgins

We left there and Bill drove to the Veteran’s Memorial and Museum. So, Jo-Anne and Bob could walk slowly and read the memorials of the various wars, I took Higgins’s leash. It didn’t much matter as he wouldn’t go too far without stopping to make sure his Mama was coming. He is definitely loyal as a pooch! Bill took over his leash when they went inside the museum and soon enough, we were on our way.

He would tye dye anything for you while you wait

I didn't quite get the point of the Alabama plates and
forgot to ask

  At my suggestion, we drove to the store I mentioned earlier. Dukatt ’71. Well, we found it and it sure looked interesting but the owner had the gift of gab. We wandered around looking at all the tye-dyed shirts, dresses, hats, underwear (yup) and pants before thanking him and walking out without spending a dime. 

The outside of his store was interesting as the inside
or more

Bill drove back ‘downtown’ (I say that loosely) so the 3 of us could wander and check out some of the town’s attractions. Ha ha, too funny. There was one thing interesting where we got some pictures together and drove home. There is really nothing here to see, with many shops closed for good or the weekend. We’re not sure.

Lots of prickly pear cacti up on the hill

Bob was assigned the job of taking our picture
We poked fun at what the shadows did to our faces

so he took one in the shade and it turned out perfectly

Let’s go home! It was a scenic route back to the park, intentionally, and we said goodbye to them at their site up on ‘Snob Hill’. We were both feeling that it was time for a nap so Bill went upstairs with a movie. I tease him ‘that’ll put you to sleep!’, and I stayed downstairs so I could make a cup of tea.  I read some and then I dozed in my chair as well.

A couple of old 'Airstreams'?
It was private property so we couldn't get too close

At 6, we put Christmas at Graceland on down in the living room and I warmed up our leftover spaghetti. With Caesar salad on the side, it was quite filling. I think we’ll skip the dessert tonight. I caught up on my blog and about the time the movie ended, I had downloaded pictures and got my blog posted. This was a good day, with more outdoor time on my walks. The fresh air and exercise is doing me good!

Leftovers!
Good night everyone from Elephant Butte

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you’ve enjoyed your day as well.