A March Through Nature -- Nov 20, 2015

Last post I promised a review of our first hike of the season.  Well....here it is!

At 9:00am, we started out at the hub of the campsite and headed across the main road....then...the climb started....

The sun was still fairly low, so it brightened up the landscape a bit, reflecting on the 

few plants that inhabit this rocky, desert landscape...

It was a crisp, breezy morning, but warmed up quickly...

Before reaching great heights, a pretty view of the Senator Wash Reservoir came into view...

As you can see, it's a vast, rocky terrain...almost volcanic looking....

so desolate and foreboding...and mysterious,,,

This gives you a bit of an idea of the largest part of this BLM camping area...

it's not too populated yet...

The water you see is the water treatment center.

Above it in the picture is "our" golf course!

 The reservoir is getting further away!

We stopped here for a breather and a look at the view...

...the view of Castle Dome far in the distance.

It's actually about 30 miles away.

Something was kicking up sand for the longest time in this spot...

never did figure out what it was...

Onward and upward!

These trails are rough and natural...nothing "commercialized" about them!

 One more nice view of Castle Dome.

Eventho' this is the desert, it is full of undulating hills and valleys...

This was about the peak of the hike....

a narrow pass through...

One last view of the mountains from our highly elevated vantage point...

So peaceful and beautiful!

So, that was the hike!  I didn't go on yesterday's hike.  I had to go into Yuma for a lot of errands and didn't want to hit the Friday or weekend rush...the weekend before Thanksgiving.  I got in and out as quickly as I could, but it still seemed like it took forever!

We've had more pretty sunsets...they never get old!

Still experimenting with the GoSun Solar Oven.  Often, "experiments" of any kind have an if-y success rate. 

Well...not in the GoSun!  Seems everything comes out perfectly!

Cranberry/Blueberry Upside Down Cake

Sweet and gooey!  Can't go wrong with that!

Country-Style Ribs

These were soooooo moist and juicy!

Now....guess what??  If you are interested in purchasing a GoSun Solar Oven, I can now offer you a discount code to save $25 by ordering from their website!

Go Sun Website

Just use Promotional Code 
AMBAP53 at checkout and receive $25 off any oven!
(I have the Go Sun Sport model)

Remember....this is not just for RVers or those who camp a lot....NOT AT ALL! Anyone can use this solar oven anywhere! Beach, back yard, picnic areas....while you are out fishing or hiking or tailgating or sledding.....anywhere you are going to want a hot meal in just a few minutes! It's so compact and lightweight (less than 4 lbs)! A Go Sun Solar Oven would make a fantastic gift, too....forget individual gifts....this can be a family gift. Kids will love to learn what the sun can do for us in our daily lives! They will gobble up a sweet upside down cake or buffalo wings! That makes learning even better!

Our temps are still in the 70s-low 80s. No complaints here! BUT....on Thanksgiving, we'll start to see some "winter" temps, in the 60s. Everyone here is looking forward to the huge Thanksgiving potluck! The turkeys, mashed potatoes, dressing and coffee are provided by the BLM. We all bring the sides and desserts and our own beverage. There will probably be about 60 or so in attendance! I'm bringing an old southern favorite that I doubt anyone will replicate. I will share the recipe with you next time...it's not just for Thanksgiving! You can make this anytime. 

That's about it from here on this very sunny, 82* day in the desert. Everyone enjoy your weekend! And, of course, thank you to everyone who has been ordering via my Amazon link! I will provide links for gift savings for the next month. Forget the crowds and hassle...just order from Amazon and have everything shipped to your door! Couldn't be easier!

Pre-Black Friday Sales at Amazon!

40,000,000! - Jun 19, 2015

Yep!  40,000,000 years old!  That's how far back Angel Peak dates!  Hard to fathom!  

As promised, I have more photos of Angel Peak here in New Mexico.  This is a pretty unique place to have lived for two weeks!  It’s getting very warm here, tho’.  90’s.  I don’t mind it so much, but trying to keep Nikko somewhat cool is a little difficult.  Luckily, the humidity is only 9%.  That helps tremendously!  I have had the awning out all this week (first time in months) to keep the sun off the more southern side of the RV.  Luckily I am parked well for that to make a difference.  But, it’s summer!  Too bad I can’t explain that to Nikko.

40,000,000 years old is the only “history” I can tell you about Angel Peak….it’s simply a neat geologic formation.  I would imagine that to certain Native American groups, it would be something quite significant.  I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t, but I couldn’t find anything to support that theory…so perhaps it’s just an interesting, ancient rock formation.  But, I’ll take that!  It’s been a wonderful view every day!

Here we go….first, just some colorful photos from the same vantage point(s) as those in the previous post…all just steps from my site.

 Mountains in the far, far, far distance....

Rainy-ish late day colors...

Mix of a pretty sunset and rain in the distance....

On Tuesday morning Nikko and I took a hike going the other direction (east) around the rim toward the mesa.  No manicured walkways back there!  Hardly even what I would call a “path”…but we foraged through the tall grasses and brush.  It’s okay to walk there….there’s a turn style to enter the area, but not many people probably even realize you can walk around that way. 

I had no idea how far we would be able to go….ultimately, we went so far that we eventually had to turn around and come back…it was getting hot and we didn’t have any water with us.  We could have gone much further under different circumstances.  However, it was plenty far enough to see Angel Peak from another direction plus a whole other canyon between Angel Peak and the mesa in the far distance.  The ground here is 100% sand…it’s like you’re walking on the beach, only no water in sight! 

As you can see here, the rim curves around to the right toward the mesa.  That's the route....

Here are some different views of Angel Peak and heading toward the mesa…really pretty!

Nikko just loves the overlooks!

The other two interesting peaks here....amazing how they have formed....

Nikko was exhausted when we got back, but it was good exercise.  He likes his pillow time!

I met a few fellow campers here.  One younger couple works for the oil pipeline, so they are on the move all the time.  Another fellow, Randy, from Florida, travels around like I do.  He arrived at the El Malpais campground right after I had left.  He prefers the forests over the more desert-y areas, but it sounded like he was enjoying his journey so far.  He was headed into Utah  and was kind enough to send me some info on a few roads that I probably shouldn't try to navigate when I head that direction. He also tweaked my solar panel and I'm getting even more power from it now. Thanks, Randy!  We had a windy day and he wrestled a bit with his umbrella, but finally got it under control for a restful repose overlooking the canyon.

Another couple, Eric (a great photographer) and Sandy, who took Randy's spot when he left have a very cool, 80's VW Westfalia camper.  They are full time RVers because they lost virtually everything a few years ago due to an unfortunate malpractice situation which started 10 yrs ago and a law suit that was botched by a bad attorney.  She will suffer the ramifications for the rest of her life (she's only in her early 50's), But, they feel now that they have more than they ever did -- beautiful views and sunsets, new adventures with every spot, meeting new and interesting people along the way and they have each other!  Really nice people with a great outlook on life!

Another fellow who was passing through just to take some photos, who also works for the pipeline, gave me his card and said I could stay on his Billings, Montana ranch land anytime!  He's never there. There are a lot of nice people out there!

We will be leaving here after the weekend…heading a little further north into Colorado.  I have if-y information on our next stop, so it will be another “cross my fingers” jaunt.  But, it’s an adventure!  If it were all perfectly laid out and wrapped up with a fancy ribbon, it wouldn’t have the same appeal!  And, of course, I don’t know about internet connectivity there.  We have to stop first in Farmington for water, propane, Petco and Walmart AND a new iPhone screen!  We’ll get going early…just in case the site in mind isn’t going to work out, we’ll have time to find somewhere else. 

Oh – I also promised a “surprise”!  This was a surprise on an if-y weather day, for sure!  I was outside talking on the phone with a friend and was just about to say, “The conditions right now are perfect for a rainbow…” (a few rain drops, but sun in the opposite direction) but I didn’t want to interrupt the conversation.  In another second, I happened to turn around and saw a total arc rainbow!  I said, “Hold on….just hold on…”  I dropped the phone on the ground (still not sure why except I didn't have any pockets) and ran into the RV and grabbed the first camera I saw (I keep three handy). I took several photos, but this was my favorite! 

Needless to say, I was thrilled to get these photos….especially with my RV in the perfect position.  This is what RVing is all about for me….never knowing what to expect!  After this fun and unexpected “photo shoot” I almost couldn’t find where I dropped my phone to continue the conversation!  LOL!  Anything for a great photo! 

So, this has been my Angel Peak experience.  I hope you enjoyed this site as much as I did!  Put this spot on your radar if you are ever in NE New Mexico or southern Colorado.  You don’t have to camp…just drive out here for these great views!  I’m not going to want to leave!  IF I have an internet connection at the next stop, stay tuned for a "special edition" post!  

So long from Angel Peak!  Everyone have a great weekend!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  

Thank you for shopping via my Amazon link!

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A Geologic Surprise -- Jun 14, 2015

Tuesday morning Nikko and I headed north out of Grants, NM.   The road north (Rt. 371) to Bloomfield, from Grants, was a "try to keep from falling asleep" kinda road.  It started off scenic....

...but it soon turned into pretty much nothing!  For about 2.5 hours....YAWN!

Occasionally, there was a small mesa....but not much else...

I went into Bloomfield....across town, then south again....down Rt. 550 for about 15 miles.  It was the same views as 371....bland.  I was wondering what was going to make my destination attractive. Surely it will be something more than what I've seen so far!

I turned onto the dirt/gravel County Road 7175 into the area known as Angel Peak.  The road was a little bumpy, but not bad at all... this is pretty....

I passed by three good looking picnic areas on the 6 mile drive back to the campground,  I stopped at one to get a far off shot of Angle Peak.   This is more like it!  Far more interesting than the sleepy drive up here!

We could have hung around the picnic area for awhile...no one was there...but I was wanting to get to the 10-site campground area a couple miles on up the road.  I'm always anxious at this point wondering if there will be an open spot. Arriving at the beginning of the week has worked well for me so far...most weekenders have left and new campers haven't arrived yet.  But I still cross my fingers!

The campground was the familiar "loop" layout.  I circled around once noting that, like the last two stops, most were designed for tenters with inclined parking spaces.  A good RV site was taken by a 5th wheel, but the next one worked out.  I don't think there would have been any others that would have been workable.  Plus, it's on the side of the loop for the "scenic views" of the peak, plus a pretty view in the other direction. Actually better, I think, than the 5th wheel's site.  Lucky me!

We got situated without difficulty and the parking area is almost perfectly level.  This is going work out great!  We're at 7,000' --- even with the top of Angel Peak.  There's a picnic table and large, metal fire pit grill like a lot of other campgrounds.  No pedestal grill, but that doesn't matter...I have a propane camp grill and a small charcoal grill if I want to BBQ.  There's also a restroom nearby but no potable water. Normally, I would be perfectly happy with just this super vista....but....

.......there's the "main attraction" view, too!  There's not a whole lot more to say about it....the pictures will speak thousands of words.  Here we go....this is the view from my RV window!  I'm actually closer to the peak than this shows. It's only about 15 steps from the RV to the rim and this part of the canyon below isn't very wide.  Nothing like a bird's eye view at 7,000 feet!

I have a silhouette view every evening....

A day or two was a bit overcast with some rain off and on, but that can still make for some interestingly stark photos....

Did you get from the picnic area photo that there's a huge canyon associated with Angel Peak?  The peak is at one end (my end!) and most of the rest of the canyon, that I can see from where I am, stretches out to the west.

Down the loop lane a short distance is a sign-in podium where an easy-walk, rim path has been laid out....

Two benches have been installed for your viewing pleasure of the peak and canyon :-)
Nikko and I walk these paths every day and every day the lighting is different.

Nikko really likes the overlooks.  

He will stand there, perfectly still, for 20 minutes taking in the view...

I wonder what he's thinking...

 Luckily, he didn't see this rabbit or I would have probably been pulled right over the edge!

The sweeping views are spectacular!

Love the colored layers..... reminds me of the Badlands National Park in South Dakota!  

I could almost like this better than the Badlands National Park because it's all at my fingertips. And there are no tourists!  

I'll wrap up here....more to come in the next post.  This is a fabulous area!  May be one of my most favorite stops in this adventure so far.  That's saying a lot because they have all been memorable in their own ways.  Catch up with you all in a few days or so with some more great photos of Angel Peak....some sunsets, hopefully some scenic views from different vantage points, and a surprise! Building "drama" here!  LOL!  I'll be here until about the 22nd-23rd -- it's a 14 day free site!  

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