Feb 28: 

Chiricahua National Monument to Graham's house in show low/concho AZ

We set an alarm and were hooked up and rolling by 6:45. You could see in the distance that the mountains were shrouded by dust from yesterday as it was not yet windy. Stop in Willcox for breakfast pick up. Show low for walmart pick up, amazon locker pick up, Cannabis store for sleep gummies, and gas.

We found a few stands of Suguaro Cactus along the way (after safford and before globe)...They mostly grow below 4,000 feet and sensitive to cold. If above 4,000 feet you will find them on south facing slopes which is where they were. A 10 year old Suguaro cactus can be 1.5 INCHES tall...slow growing and the one we saw were easily 10 feet tall.

Arrived at sons House and will spent two glorious weeks visiting....between show low and concho.

Thurs, Feb 27: 

Chiricahua National Monument

David is hiking today (elevations and distance would kill me currently...I need flat) without Mali dog...boo hiss national parks. Only one flat trail for Mali. He gets a shuttle from the campground up to Massai point and walks down and back to rv. I am relaxing and walking flat with Mali. NO CELL service unless I go out to the entrance.

This campground has 26 sites and 24 feet is supposed to be maximum length. There is a 26 footer in here. The sites are mostly small and if your vehicles don't fit you get to park out at entrance...ours fit. Amenities: trash and toilets...no dump.

In the afternoon it was windy and visibility was not great...dust stirred up everywhere.

Weds, Feb 26: 

City or Rocks State Park, NM to Churicahua Nat'l Mon.

Today was move day. We were rolling at 7:30 after filling up with water (not at site). Next stop was Valero south of City of Rocks to dump (free with $50 gas) and get gas. Walmart for a few things in Deming. Taking i-10 to Churicahua National Monument. We saw LOTS of dust storm warning areas on route i-10.

NOTE TO SELF: Do not take the road into Bonita Campground via Bowie. It turns into a gravel road/slow but not rutted. Go via Wilcox. We decided to just do the dirt road because it was miles down the paved. When I went to see how we missed this....its not on recreation.gov but it is on the national park website IF YOU delve into !!! areas and not in alerts.

We took a jeep ride to the visitor center for hike ideas (no dogs except one trail/boo hiss). The drive to the top is a must...lovely views.

Dinner: Gluten free penne' with zucchini/onion saute'

Tuesday, Feb 25: 

 of Rocks State Park, NM

A relaxing day. Tomorrow is move day.

For some reason, they lock the gates to this park between 9pm and 7am. HMMMM.

Another 80 degree day which COULD be hot but there is enough of a breeze to make it comfortable. Mali dog gets hot so she is not out long midday.

Dinner tonight is Lamburgers, salad, and Wild rice.

Our solar set up is working well and david has a couple more panels to add that will be on the ground (probably propped)...plenty of energy for our needs.

Monday, February 24: 

City of Rocks State Park, NM

A walk and discovered the Kangaroo Rat/mouse...didn't make it...found him near his hole which was about 3 feet away from where we left him....waaaaa. Bad dog Mali girl.

A hot 80 degrees today but breeze enough to be okay and temps tonight will plummet to 37 degrees.

NOT washing my hair in supersoft water...did it in sink.

Sunday, February 23: 

City of Rocks State Park, NM

Walking.

David reports the showers here have supersoft water but good enough hot water. Soft water is annoying.

Saturday, February 22: 

 of Rocks State Park, NM

There is no dump station here! Not a big deal because we are only staying 5 nights and they gave us particulars on where we can dump for free in Deming.

We took a walk on one of the trails that ran the perimater of the park. Nice but its really a wandering cow path...nothing straight about it. We were chatting on the phone to our son while walking and I looked down at Mali dog and she had a kangaroo mouse in her mouth. David managed to free it, thankfully.

We also drove up to the lookout point and will go back there for sunset...marvelous.

Dinner is Broccoli Cheddar Soup (ala Panera

Friday, Feb 21: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM to City of rocks SP, NM

We left around 7:30. First stop was a Walmart pick up. Laundry in Deming NM.

We drove past City of Rocks State Park (NM) and went on to Silver City to pick up an Amazon Order and prescriptions at Walgreens.

Arrived at City of Rocks around 3pm. Its a pretty neat park. We also realized that we didn't necessarily have to make a reservation as they had some walk in sites that were free. Many of the cites needs some leveling help in the way of blocks...ours certainly did...had just enough. We drove around to see what the rest of the sites were like. Its about 1.5 miles around the circle. The non electric sites are nestled in the rocks or next to them. The electric sites are really mostly just in a small loop across from the rocks. SOOOO glad we picked non electric. Sunsets from our sites are marvelous and that is around 630pm.

Thurs, Feb 20: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM

I am officially elephanted out. Walking. We completed our taxes...which means we made out checks.

Weds, Feb 19: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM

Walking. Making Cookies. Working up a walmart order. Researching for next year.

Tuesday, Feb 18: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM

We took a ride to see the dam today (not far) and around the eastern side of Elephant Butte Reservoir. We found $10 camping but it looks more like homeless encampment (doubt they paid as it was off beaten path) and we won't use that.

FOUND the elephant butte BUT I would never say it remotely looks like an elephant but I had to find it.

Walked 2 miles....need more stamina.

Dinner was: gf pasta with peas and sweet sausage/parm cheese.

Mon, Feb 17: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM

Walking. Trip to walmart. More walking. I've ready for new sights but we leave on friday....

Sunday, Feb 16: 

Elephant Butte State Park

Took a ride to walmart in the morning...hoping to find spring bars for the refrigerator/freezer. Didn't happen...none.

Mali dogs freezer (BOUGE rv) has officially stopped being a freezer...up to 31 degrees today. We were steadily losing round. Fortunately I JUST fit her food in our freezer....so we will gimp through until we get back in NY in late March. I am looking at a replacement with several brands in mind. This one lasted MABYE two years. This is our replacement Bouge rv freezer/refrig. Not getting their brand again. After their first one quit it took months for them to agree to send replacement with David troubleshooting. Truckfridge also didn't last and was more expensive. Ours is about 53 or 55 quart.

We decided to check out the showers here. We drove to it instead of being cold the whole way back...maybe ½ mile. They were push button and they were nice and warm...perfect. I kept having to smack the button but still good...best yet in NM. David said his shower room smelled of sewer but shower was good.

Sat, Feb 15: 

Elephant Butte State Park, NM

We explored a bit and found that you can camp for $10 or $20 not sure at nice, no service spots that overlook the water. These are better than ours but we also saw that in the future we could use one of those and propane is a short drive away...maybe 10 minutes. So these will be useful. We could also go out on the beach but yeah, not risking a tow. I think, if we are in the area, we could use these in the future.

Took a walk down to the beach in morning....nice. Rv's are parked on the many sand roads...some hard packed and some a bit soft.

In the afternoon we took a jeep exploration to the furthest campground to the north...South Monticello campground. Well, much better than our current or any of the other nearby ones. If we were going to stay here again (maybe if in the area), South Monticello campground will be it. Its away from everything and so as far as we can tell propane is not right nearby like here in Desert Cove Campground.

Without a pass next time for non resident it would be $35 ($20 base plus electric and water) and if no services $20 but we still have access to showers, trash, water, dump.

Another word about New Mexico state parks. They are quite scenic and so far have mostly been on lakes. They do need work in maintenance for their facitilies...dump stations and Bath houses. If you are going to charge, you need to make sure facilities are in working order...including hot showers.

Fri, Feb 14: 

Valley of Fires Recreation Area to Elephant butte State Park, NM

We hooked up jeep last night and left our site by 7am. Winds were going to kick up to 30mph and that is more than we like driving in. A quick stop at Walmart in Soccorro for a pick up. LOVE walmart pick ups...saves me lots of time.

We arrived in Desert Cove Campground by 10am...missing most of the wind that was to come. Perfect. Elephant butte SP is a large multi campground park.

A word about New Mexico State Parks (currently using the $250 cheap annual park pass for non residents). Coming from Florida State Parks (and other state parks), We are not impressed with their ability to maintain and fix their facilities. This is the third out of five campgrounds with non functioning showers. One had a non functioning dumpstation and sent you to free ones (good) but they were at least 40 minutes away! This year of 2025 they raised the non resident annual camping pass to a whopping $600. EVERYONE we talked to will not be buying that pass and mostly not coming back to New Mexico. AND these campgrounds are maybe half full or less soooooo...... We will probably go thru NM quickly and use boondocking and maybe one campground after we verify all facilities are working because base prices is now $20 for no electric or water. Disappointing.

Our campsite at this campground is spacious enough but we will have to drive to another bathhouse for showers...while we can see the nonfunctioning one in our loop...

Dinner is diy Broccoli cheddar soup ala Panera....delicious.

Thursday, Feb 13:

 Valley of Fires Recreation Area, NM

Walking of course. Tonight we decided to treat ourselves to Pizza in Carrizozo, NM. The salads were very fresh (and I grow greens!) and delicious. The pizza was good. My cauliflower crust Margherita was good but I really would have liked more mozzarella on it. Next time I will try something else for pay for more cheese. Hubby's meatlovers with regular crust was 4 out of 5. We will visit again. Enjoyed our time in tiny town Carrizozo and Valley of Fires.

Weds, Feb 12: 

Vally of Fires Recreation Area, NM

A cloudy day mostly and wind should kick up later but at 7:30 its quiet. Walking. We did our first showers in our rv because the valley of fires showers were not hot enough for my liking and the water was too soft for shampoo removal.

Carrizozo, NM has an Amazon Locker!!! Which we used succesfully. Surrounding areas and bigger towns NOPE (no to socorro, caballo, truth or consequences, deming)...shockingly.

Tuesday, Feb 11: 

Valley of Fires Recreation Area, NM

Today we moved to an electric site because temps are going down and using our two electric heaters instead of chasing propane is in order. Dump while we are rolling and go to “town” to get gas so we don't have to back track the 3+ miles when we leave on friday. Spent the most i've ever spent on a faux half gallon of Breyers chocolate ice cream....for a good cause and because they actually have had it.

Walking.

A windy day today...very...rv is rocking and rolling and visibility of the mountains does not exist.

Mon, Feb 10: 

Valley of Fires Recreation Area, NM

Just a cloudy day.

Sun, Feb 9: 

Valley of Fires Recreation Area, NM

Our non electric site and our solar are working well...its sunny enough to get the job done.

Walking...dog parents dont you know.

Carrizozo, NM is a very small town. It boasts a gas station, two eateries and a pizza parlor that we will try while here (gluten free cauliflower crust!). Post Office, Family Dollar. THAT is about it. Lots of closed businesses...too bad on that.

Sat, Feb 8:

 Valley of Fires Recreation area...

Another sunny day. We are operating under solar with generator for nuker if needed for three more days. Then we get electric in same campground. This is really a nice campground out in the middle of nowhere...scenic and all services...one of our favorites. We decided to go to Mabel Bz for dinner/take out. It was okay and better than me cooking. They missed the part for me about no burrito shell but I ate it anyway and removed the wrap...translation? Milk shake was good.

Fri, Feb 7: 

 Lake State Park, NM to Valley of Fires Recreation area

Move day and rolling by 7am. The dump station at Brantley Lake was not functioning (not good NM) but they did give two places to dump...one north and one south. We were heading north so used Eagle Park in Artesia. There was no drinking water there but we did fill up before we left Brantley Lake SP.

Next stop was Walmart for a pick up and go in. We arrived at Valley of Fires SP and managed to secure our preferred site...just in time. No electric for 4 nights...solar and batteries. Took a walk around. Stopped at Cannibis store and post office. Sleep gummies for the win. $6 per nite...a sweet deal for trash, great site, showers/hopefully hot and dump.

Windy afternoon and evening...like kind of uncomfortable to be outside.

Thurs, Feb 6: 

Brantley Lake State Park, NM

We cancelled our second week here. One week was long enough. Prep for move day tomorrow. Walking.

Weds, Feb 5: 

Brantley Lake SP

Woke to dense fog this morning....odd. In a couple of hours it was gone but replaced with wildfire smell. Eventually we got a walk in but cut it short because it was hot out and noon. It seems most afternoons the wind kicks up here...rv is rocking.

Tuesday, Feb 4:

 Brantley Lake SP

Today was sunny and warm. We did some maintenance on the dog freezer (bouze) to clean the condenser. The highlight of the day was driving ONE HOUR for ice cream in the evening. Carlsbad was bustling...outside of carlsbad there is nothing...oil/gas, cow lands, blm lands. If Carlsbad doesn't have it, you are not getting it except for amazon!

Mon, Feb 3:

 Brantley Lake SP, NM

Walking. Its a hot 84 degrees so hanging in shade or doing projects in shade. David went to Lowes to try and get pex parts and was unsuccessful. He will have it sent to sons in AZ...was not enough time to arrive on Thursday at Amazon Locker.

A gourmet meal of grilled steak, zucchini, colorful peppers and roasted potato medley.

Sun, Feb 2: 

Brantley Lake SP, NM

Cleaning day today...floors, flat surfaces. David went to hike a mountain in Texas about 1.5 hours from this state park. I cannot do the elevation gain right now. A nice sunny, windless day (unlike yesterdays windy day).

Shower comments for Brantley Lake SP: both hubby and I found that the water doesn't stay hot enough or long enough for our liking. It is propane fueled and not solar. Output is good. They have sliding doors that you are supposed to close but no indoor handle to open them...odd. I didn't close all the way due to this so the shower room got a bit cool and wasn't warm to begin with. I'm closing it next time.

Today was bee day. One got in when I attempted to let bee #1 out. In the end, they had to go...sucked up with vacuum and at least a few more of their friends even after I closed the door/screen. Every time I turned around one was flying around. I checked outside and the only thing I can think of is the stove vent as it was not locked in place....ugh. Do not like bees. Honey bees they looked like.

David arrived back around 6pm...achey as heck because of his walk...normal!

Sat, Feb 1: 

Brantley Lake SP, NM

We found a place to dump for free that is north of here. We have decided to cancel the second week we had here and go to Valley of Fires instead. We will dump on way out (after a week) in Artesia. No need to go to carlsbad. Shopping will now again be in Roswell.

This morning we took a walk and then jeep ride to check out other areas of the park and potential boondocking on blm lands near here. Minimum is now $15 at New Mexico state parks (for no electric, yes trash and showers dont count on hot ). We will probably use them sporadically but no annual pass at $600.