Villaneuva State Park, Storrie Lake State Park, Angel Fire RV Resort, Sugarite Canyon State Park,New Mexico; Trinidad Lake State Park, Colorado

From Cochiti Lake , we head back to Route 25 north. 
The picture above is coming into Santa Fe, New Mexico.
We made a short stop at Santa Fe RV Repair. Bruce had zapped our air conditioner control with a strong jolt of static electricity. It seemed like a blown fuse, but he couldn't find it. A quick consult at Santa Fe and fuse found(was not labeled well).

Still on Route 25, past Santa Fe, we exit Route 484 and 3 to Villanueva State Park. This is the land of red clay.

There are many examples of old homes built with red clay bricks. For hundreds of years and more, native inhabitants were making the bricks from clay, soil, hay and sun drying. The bricks become as solid as rock.

The road follows the Pecos River to the park.
This is one of New Mexico's nicest , if small , parks.

A great dry camping spot right on the river.
The Pecos can be seen running just beyond the last rock. The color is brown from soft dirt river bed and banks.

A short video from inside Lady Blue.
You can click to enlarge.

A list of the Conquistadores , including Coronado and others. The trade route that was established, was about 1600 miles long from Mexico past Santa Fe and lasted from the 1590's to 1880's . They passed though Villanueva while following the Pecos River.

The trails are well maintained, starting with a great bridge.

On our hike we see these mud nests clinging to the rock walls.
The ranger indicated they were Cliff Swallow nests. While the birds are not there yet(migratory), they should return soon. The following link describes birding at Villanueva towards the summer months.  
Audubon writeup of birding in Villanueva

A view of Lady Blue from our hike along the cliffs.

Another view from our hike of the Pecos, the bridge, and the camp road.

Another view follows the river out to farmland beyond the park.

Back to Route 25, exit into Las Vegas(New Mexico), and then to Storrie Lake State Park.  We were here about 6 years ago, and the water level then was much, much lower. This year, the rains and snow melt seem to have the lake almost full.

Even in late April, there are views of snow covered mountains.

A nice town, Las Vegas, still maintains a number of older buildings and memories of a history as a destination town. The railroad opened the area as a vacation destination away from the hotter temperatures just a little south. Even Teddy Roosevelt used the hotel in town as a reunion spot for his Rough Riders.
New Mexico did not become a U.S. possession until 1846. And that opened trade along the Santa Fe Trail.  The following link hits some of the history. Note the later 1800's when Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Jesse James, and more were enlivening the town.
Legends of America--Las Vegas, New Mexico

This camper was down for the weekend from Colorado. He had just opened a business of camping furniture. 

All of these pieces come apart and lie flat for travel. No nails or screws, the parts fit with grooves and anchor solidly. The wood is maple and finished for outdoor use.

We thought some of you home craftsmen would like to see the idea, while local campers might look up the Powell Family and Takeaway Tables. This sign he made is stained and routed. I believe he indicated using a CAD(computer assisted drawing for those not familiar, like us)

There were a number of dry camping spots along the water that were well used by fishermen and families.

This Ford Fairlane is part of a display at Russell's Truck and Travel Center in Springer, New Mexico , at the corner of Route 25 and 58. I believe the roof is removable.
Pictures of a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria

Many years since we have seen a 1951 Ford convertible.

Even a 1929 Ford Pickup

The customers are not allowed close to the vehicles. Good thing. It would have been very tempting to sit inside this 1940 Ford convertible.  This model starred in many movies and was a highly desired used vehicle for modifying in the 1950's and beyond.
Pictures for 1940 Ford Convertible--some are modified

The truck stop is at the junction of Route 58, so we head northwest towards Cimarron Canyon.  Easy to see a heavy rain storm in the distance.

The river is on the left. The rain is forecast to turn to snow later.
Cimarron, New Mexico is the location of the Boy Scouts of America Philmont Scout Ranch High Adventure Base.
This area suffered a huge fire in 2018.  27.000 acres were damaged in the Ute Park Fire. 57 miles of backcountry trails, 21 trail camps, and 5 staffed camp areas were impacted.  There is a donation spot on the lead page of this link.
Philmont Ranch Webpage

The rain holds off a bit as we link onto Route 64 and into Angel Fire, New Mexico. This is Angel Fire RV Resort, an upscale RV park with wonderful mountain views including Angel Fire Ski Area in the distance.

As a matter of fact, this is the view of the ski area from our site.

The campground has everything you might need. This very large park building has space for dinners and meetings.  During the busy season, RV groups will use those facilities well.

A large open area at the entrance. Not as crowded as the picture may look. The fireplace is a very comfortable, open spot.

Unusual table and sofa .

A nice open , wood ceiling area with lights above the ping pong table.

Some more of the same style wood for the large mirror.

This is one of the nicest gas fire pits we have seen at a park.
Behind the wooden fence is a very large hot tub that is heated all season.

A short video from our site of the surrounding mountains.
You can click to enlarge.

A view from our site towards( we think) Mt. Baldy.

Another look at Mt. Baldy.

Coming into Eagles Nest, this should be Wheeler Peak.
Wheeler is 13.161 feet.

Looking over Eagle Nest Lake.

Following Route 64 and the Santa Fe Trail towards Raton.
Many, green, large acreage fields with beef cattle mostly.
And also a few bison, like above.

Every now and then some Pronghorn, above, Sometimes near the beef cattle , sometimes all alone.

In Raton we exit on Route 72 and then 526 to Sugarite Canyon State Park.

Again, we are dry camping , this time in the Alice Lake campground.  From the campground, there is a good hike along the Chicorica Creek towards Lake Maloya.  Along the way are many signs of Beaver and a Beaver Lodge.

The local Mule Deer are not very shy.

Looking back from the dam at Lake Maloya. We hiked over the ridge in the distance. Some of the darker color is from a fairly recent forest fire. The fire damage covers a good many miles up along Route 25 towards Colorado.

Looking across Lake Maloya, you can see more of the fire damage on the hills.

Back through Raton and north on Route 25.
Before too long, we are in Colorado.

Our destination is Trinidad Lake State Park. The mountains in the distance are along the Highway of legends, Route 12, that we will follow this week.

Looking forward to closer views.
This view from the Trinidad Lake Dam is already very impressive.

From our campground, we are lucky to have a clear enough view of the distant mountains. With our stay at Trinidad Lake, we have now camped overnight in ALL!!of the lower 48 states.
Yea!