Another Adventure on Day Three

 Clovis, New Mexico (way too many pics again)

Last evening was awful for noise. I'm not sure if it's because I'm thinking of quieter stays ahead or what, but, it really ticked me off. On Saturday, Apr. 4th we were all up by 6:45.

Good morning!

At least the showoffs were done by 10:45, just before store closing so it wasn't too long after that we dropped off to sleep. Bill did a lot of driving so was asleep quickly, as was Mr. Leroy Jethro Gibbs.🥰

Cameras never do the views justice.
Bottom picture is the Organ Mountains
in - where else? Organ.

I packed a cooler, Bill had his cereal, made our drinks and we were on the road by 7:45. A stop for fuel at a nearby Maverick using our Mudflap app for us typed up at $5.35/gal. Pathetic, yes, but better than it has been (over 6$).

Nope, not snow, but white sands.
White Sands Missile Range

We got on I-10E easily and although a strong crosswind this morning again, we are grateful it isn't a headwind. The Suite handled it well. The day was warm already, 66F/16C, so no complaints! Gibbs took Miss Piggy with him in the truck today and has settled down within 15 minutes. 

He just can't go to sleep. 💕

Not sure that is the reason or if it is the 'sleepy' pill we gave him but something is working.  Duh! Shouldn't have spoke because he was still up and down much of the ride. 🤣

This is US70E, a drive through
a forest that we love to take.

We traveled through Las Cruces and at Exit 144 we caught I-25N and then Exit 6 back on to US70E. The Organ Mountains were quite jagged, different than most we've seen. We love this drive, great highway, through Alamogordo through Tularosa to 6000' elevation. 

Then, at Roswell, we turn 
onto US70N and we get a very boring
drive for 90 minutes.

Feels like northern Ontario, kind of like our Provincial parks, just lovely. However, it all comes to an end and we are soon on a different section of US70N. After we turned at Roswell, it is a long, straight, smooth highway, with flatlands and pastures on both sides. Puts you to sleep.

We finally came to 
Elida, a small town, with a sense of
humour.
Bathroom humour.

On this highway for 90 minutes and no Rest Areas so once we reached Elida (population: 166) we stopped at a Valero fuel station just for a pit stop and to stretch our legs AND to wake up! By this time, we were only 45 minutes from our destination so I messaged the host of Windrush Alpacas, near Clovis.

Portales, NM

With great instructions, we drove in
and parked before Ric even got out there.

With his wife, Rosemary, away, Ric waited until we got parked as directed and walked over for introductions. What a nice man and a great host. 

Feeding the animals was fun.
They are so gentle taking it from our palms.

He told us about the family animals, gave us some alpacas treats and some people treats and left us to set up. Gibbs wasn't sure about those big animals so chose to return back to safety.

Pens for the boys and pens for the girls.
Separate. No hanky panky anymore.

We had a nice spot on a quiet rode.
I checked out their store and knew I'd
buy something rather than donate.

I walked around myself and fed the brave ones a few snacks, took pictures and perused their small but lovely farm store. Oh, I'll definitely be buying some product before we leave! Bill had a much-needed snooze before Ric messaged that he was doing chores and we were invited to join.

It was comical watching these two
share the food dish.

Bill gets acquainted with Sabre
and Ric feeds him.

Of course! Ric fed the alpacas alfalfa, Sabre, the 32 yr. old horse, his special tummy food, the cat his food and all the hens and roosters too. I don't think we were too helpful, well, Bill helped with the wheelbarrow and food barrels, I just fed the sweet alpacas and took pictures. Too many! It was fun except for when Bill got spit at by a 'testy teenager'. I tried not to laugh, honest!😂

I learned a fair bit about alpacas,
Ric was interesting to listen to
and he's very proud of his farm.
This one on the left is Raign, he's 75% blind
in this eye and completely in the other. 
They are so soft, due for shearing in a week
or so. Really thick fibre/wool.

Ric and Rosemary have been doing this for 28 years and have had over 100 animals. They stopped breeding 10 years ago, realizing that if they lived 20 years, well.......you do the math. They are in their 70's. Then we went into the store and as is appropriate when staying at a H H, you spend or donate. I spent. 😊

The sounds around here are plentiful, but natural, and the winds were non-existent so I opened windows. It was a beautiful afternoon, some light clouds and 66F/16C. The nights are cool, probably 39F/4 or 5C (yikes!) but we have propane so will sleep well.

I love how they followed Ric for their
special treat of alfalfa.
They only get it in the evening.
These are the boys.
Oh and some hens and roosters.

For supper, we planned simple. Weiners and beans and Bill had one of the host's cookies. Tomorrow we will be connected to power so a more elaborate (😂) meal will be in order. Today was not as long a day and it was nice to arrive before darkness descended. 

The girls follow him too.
Bottom picture is the sassy teen that
spit at Bill.
Hey! He was warned!

Such a beautiful sunset as we said goodnight and walked back to the Suite where Gibbs was waiting. I'll get out an extra blanket for our bed, good grief! 2 days ago we couldn't get cool, tonight, I'll need my new alpalca bed socks!! It was a great day.

And a lovely sunset here
in Clovis, New Mexico.
Good night!

Thank you for your visit.