April 14, 2017
Riana Lake & Cerro Pedernal
We pull out of Rodeo, NM early on April 14, 2017 as we journey north, via I-25 towards Abiquiu, NM (NW of Santa Fe). This destination, Abiquiu, is almost 500 miles, so we will break up the journey into 2 days. Tonight’s destination is Socorro, NM – just south of Albuquerque.
Socorro, NM is just an overnight stop for us so we do not even unhook for the night – just stabilizing the rig. The place was clean, (not fancy) but did have a hair salon by the office. Patti would have gotten her hair cut – but there were no ‘last minute’ openings. It was quite windy most of the night but the dawn brought stillness, so we headed out by 6:30AM!!! It’s been a long time we have left that early, felt good… I’m an “early” sort of gal, and Patti… is not, but she does not complain when we do make the unusual early morning trek out.
Leaving this early in the morning is nice – you get to see the sun come up, watch the dark fade and the light resurrect the day, not much traffic and a stillness in the air. Our journey today is 195 miles – first north on I-25; then NW on NM HWY 84 at Santa Fe, through Espanola to Abiquiu and then our destination… Riana Campground. We hope to arrive before noon. As luck would have it, we arrive at 11:30AM.
We have a terrific campsite with a fabulous, expansive view of Abiquiu Lake and Georgia O’Keeffe’s beloved: Cerro Pedernal (which looks a LOT like Fisher’s Peak, back in Trinidad. CO). Who could ask for more… than to contemplate the soul of Nature, HERE?! Riana is one of our favorite campgrounds and this is our 4th visit. We plan to stay the maximum of 14 days: we don’t normally stay to “the max” at most campgrounds, but we love it so much here its hard not to want to stay more than what is allowed. But alas, rules are rules.
The view from our campsite is magnificent – the 5,200 surface acre reservoir/lake changes and shimmers from placid glass to tumultuous spires of waves.
The red cliffs that border the lake rise up in ringed columns containing and protecting the water of life, Abiquiu Lake. I keep waiting for the perfect picture of the sun highlighting the red cliffs within the darkness of a spring storm. (Well… maybe next time).
Ghost Ranch
The first couple of days at Riana we sat outside and waved to the other campers as they walked around the circle with their dogs. After that, the winds have been a constant companion, and sometimes, an unwanted companion. But it seems that is the way in this part of the world (NM and AZ at least). We have learned to do all our outside activities in the first couple of days. The next day we are ready for an outing… Ghost Ranch it is! We love going to the ranch associated with Georgia O’… you can still feel her ‘free’ energy in and amongst the winds. Ah yes, the wind! We love Ghost Ranch and seem to never tire of the beauty and magnificence of nature in this area. Patti sits in the meadow beneath an ancient cottonwood tree meditating, and resting her soul, taking in the energy of this sacred place.
We make our annual donation to the gift store at Ghost Ranch! I had bought a Ghost Ranch 60th anniversary coffee mug for my tea habit last year and somehow it sprang a leak. How a glazed and fired ceramic cup – springs a leak??? I don’t know, but it did. So I had to return to buy another one and hoped that they hadn’t changed the style or logo. I have found out that I can’t have my tea, esp. my early morning tea, in just any old cup, LOL – enough said.
After our donation to the ranch, Patti bought us lunch in their rustic dining hall… today was Salmon Caesar Salad lunch, I’m in, and thank you Patti. They offer 2 soups, dessert, and extensive salad bar. It is a bargain and there isn’t much else around for miles.
They offer classes during the Spring and Summer on all manner of things plus providing cabins and other accommodations, including RV camping, for participants. Georgia O’ must have been a rock person, because she loved this area!!! Wind-scaped mountains make me feel small and humble.
Echo Natural Amphitheater
On our way home we stopped at Echo Natural Amphitheatre. A small donation is asked for the upkeep of this area, which includes a camping area (only has water, no electricity, and no dump), and is a short walk to the theatre. The Amphitheatre was hollowed out eons ago by the constant wind sweeping through, chiseling out the sandstone and limestone, as well as, the monsoon rains rushing down through this canyon, in search of the sea. The only visible man-made additions are benches along the way, boardwalk paths and a viewing platform. It would be fun to have a small, impromptu gathering with friends/family, their instruments AND a blazing campfire, singing 60’s songs!
Echo is different from other natural amphitheaters in that there are trees inside the cave-like interior. The concave backdrop is a light tan yet at the very apex of the cave it looks as though someone spilled rich colored mahogany paint that dripped down into the recesses. Nature paints the most beautiful scenes.
After visiting Ghost Ranch and Echo, the weather turned not so pleasant. The wind was always a factor – letting up after dark, but now, the temperature dropped so we both added another layer to our beds at night. Since the weather became uncooperative for day trips, we decided to take care of household chores, i.e. laundry and grocery shopping (in Espanola), and numerous trips to the Post Office (they surely won’t go broke this week!).
Purple Adobe Lavender Farm
Another day we made our “required” pilgrimage to Purple Adobe Lavender Farm. After checking out the store, we made our way to the tea house where I enjoyed Black Ceylon tea infused with Lavender and Patti relished a Cappuccino infused with Lavender, as well as, excellent Carrot Cake also infused with Lavender. I bought Lavender ‘Finishing Salt’ with Chipotle that I can hardly wait to try! This is our third year visiting the Farm but we have yet to see the Lavender in bloom. Late June or early July is the bloom time and we are either here in April (pre) or September (post) season for blooms. In Mid July they put on a “Lavender Festival” (the 2nd weekend in July), FUN. Maybe next year… This July we will be sailing the high seas to Alaska via Princess Cruise Line. We can’t wait!
Chama
Another one of our outings was a day trip to Chama, NM. We love the area and it seems that Chama should really be in Colorado: with its lush acres of green pine trees abounding everywhere and mountain ranges surrounding the town. Patti had letters to mail (always) and nothing would do, but they be postmarked from Chama. After finding the PO we went to the Box Car Café for lunch. The Box Car is always busy – this is our 3rd time eating there. Prices are reasonable and the food is scrumptious, and you get homemade sopapillas with local clover honey… YUM!
After a leisurely lunch, Patti wanted to head up to the Cumbres Pass (summit 10,022 feet), so we did. Shortly after leaving the town of Chama, we enter Colorado. As we climb in altitude… the snow goes from “scant” to “feet”. Patti and I think it is at least 3 feet of snow pack still there in the high country. After being in the desert since last October (7 months) it was marvelous to see the snow and high mountains again, even if just for a short while. We head back to camp as the sun sinks further into the west.
All of our 2nd Riana week the wind had been blowing, so we were unable to sit outside and watch the lake, Pedernal or the birds. I check the weather each morning and afternoon, (when we have service) and the forecast showed wind and rain turning to snow for Friday night, continuing through Saturday. So we asked the Park Attendant if we could stay one more night (as our 14 day maximum stay would be up on Saturday AM) and leave Sunday instead. He told us we had to ask the Army Corps manager of the park. We went to the Corps office and talked to the manager: “no go!” We said: even though the spot would probably go empty overnight because of the weather? Still a “no go”. He did say, we could leave early and attempt to beat the storm, and he would give us a refund for the one day. Nice… he was so helpful! After little deliberation… we decided to head out on Friday AM, instead of Saturday, knowing that in six months or so we will get a check from the Army Corps for $8.00.
Waking up early Friday morning we discovered snow on the bushes with rain and snow mix still coming down. Patti and I hooked up Rosalita to Gypsy and headed out of Abiquiu and left Georgia O’, heading south to Elephant Butte. We decided it was much too early in Spring to be this far north – Never Again!
gypsyroadgallery 
Great pictures and travelogue – keep ‘me coming 😎
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Oops! I meant to say, keep ’em coming – better hit the hay!
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