SUMMERTIME BLUES

As we travel through Northern New Mexico and see new sites, one still can’t help but feel the Summer Time Blues.  That has happen to me….

As much as I’m enjoying seeing new sites, there are days that I feel that I can’t help but feel blah.  I think it’s been because of not knowing what’s up ahead.  There for a spell we didn’t know if state & national parks were going to shut down due to extreme drought and fears of forest fires. 

Each time we moved to a new spot we always had to make sure that we could be packed up at a moments notice if a fire should break out.  I think that hasn’t helped the situation of how I have been feeling.

So now Monsoonal rains came early and the mountainous areas has received lots of moisture-the burn ban has been lifted.  Good news is the rain-the bad news-too much rain keeping us limited on what we can do.  Can’t hike for fear of getting caught in a thunderstorm and you’re stuck indoors.

After we left Storrie Lake we headed back into the mountains and towards Hyde Memorial Park.  We found a secluded spot that would accommodate our rig.  The problem was once again we were sitting on top of a Day-Use picnic shelter that seemed to be rented constantly. 

Right behind us is a huge Picnic Day-Use Shelter.

Nice site but once again right behind us is another huge Picnic Day-Use Shelter.

It seems that New Mexico State Parks allows P.A. systems to be used in their picnic areas and the Latinos that seem to rent these shelters take advantage and use them.  It wouldn’t be so bad if they could play something half way decent-but it seems to be more annoying than anything else. 

Now a days I guess it’s okay to allow your children to scream and carry on or just let that baby cry and cry and not to comfort it in the least.  So with all the ruckus that one is not use to can get annoying after a spell.

Since  becoming full time RV’ers we have always worked summer months and been fortunate to have a little space between us and the campers-therefore spoiling us a bit with our own little peace of quietness.  Now that we ARE the campers among other campers; well let’s just say that’s hard to get use to.  But it is an adjustment that I must get use to.

We do enjoy watching the little ones scamper around playing, and meeting folks from all over the United States that are traveling through, such as we are.  But as I sort of stated earlier; There are well behaved kids and then there are those that needs a good ole fashion spanking on the behind (yeah, I know in today’s world that is considered child abuse).  Then you have those that come in at 10-11pm and want to party all night long-not giving a hoot about their sleeping neighbor.

Brian and I seem to have different views of what sites we seem to like.  It seems what I think would work for us and for Leah, he don’t like and visa versa.  But we finally have set down some ground rules that we will stick by when ever we are now looking for that “perfect” camping spot.

1-There is no such thing as a “perfect” spot.  Not unless you are out boondocking in the middle of nowhere.

2-No more parking anywhere near a day-use picnic shelter.  We scout out where they are located and steer as far away from them as we can!

3-We both like it dark at night-so watch where there are lights.  Not too many parks use street lights anymore, but those bathroom lights can shine in just as bright.

4-No parking close to bathrooms! Specially ones with lights.

5-No parking in the inner circles-you seem to always have campers all the way around you.

6-Sun has to be #1 priority in order to have the solar units to work, then a big enough area for Leah to romp around.  And maybe a little bit of privacy for ourselves.

7-Last but surely not least; will the site accommodate the motorhome without having to do a balancing act on boards and allow us to use our awning as well.

We must now have to take all the above in consideration whenever looking for a site.  One thing about New Mexico State Parks that we absolutely despise is the fact that they allow as many rigs, tents and people on a site-so long as each one pays their camping fees!  We don’t agree with this and never been anywhere where they allow this.  Then they wonder why they have so many problems….

One thing that both Brian and I do agree on is that we  prefer  disperse camping.  You can be out more with nature, you don’t have to worry about your neighbors and the only noise you will get is from nature itself.  But sometimes it’s hard to find a disperse area that will get the motorhome into safely without getting stuck or doing damage.  The roads are usually rough with deep ruts.

So the rest of our trip around Northern New Mexico is being spent now in the National Forest, and yes we actually found a disperse camping area that the motorhome can travel down and will allow us to maybe enjoy some peace and quiet and to watch Nature at work.  We will go into two more state parks-maybe….