Mountains

 1/20- Elephant Butte State Park, South Monticello, Truth or Consequences NM

  Whew that was a mouthful! How would you like to be from a town called Truth or Consequences? I’m sure there must be some story about the name. Maybe we’ll find out tomorrow. 

   After driving through endless flat prairie today we drove up into the mountains. We were over 7000 feet for a while before coming down to 4500 ft. The drive brought us through big long canyons with the sloping sides covered with junipers and grass. We did drive this road last year and so we stopped and paid our respects to Smokey Bear. As we came down out of the hills we crossed the only lava flow in the continental US. It’s looks like this black river that is filled with cracks and crevices. 

   Up we went to cross another mountain range and when we came down it was in a large valley. We passed by the Stallion gate of the White Sands Missle Base. This is where the public can enter the range and tour the Trinity site of the first atomic bomb. They only let you in twice a year on specific dates. The army says while it is somewhat radioactive still it is perfectly safe —- for one hour! Thanks but I’ll pass on that one. 

   We headed south from here crossing numerous large canyons and washes until we got to Elephant Butte lake. We can’t see the butte from here as it is still 15 miles away. The campsite sits on top of a butte and looks out over the nearly empty lake. Shore is much further out now days. The campsite sits on a large level plain covered with mostly creosote bushes and prickly pears. It was fun to just take off and walk anywhere as the creosote bushes inhibit anything growing near them so there are lots of open spaces to walk. Of course you have to be aware of things like rattlesnakes but they are moving pretty slow in these temps. Being that there is a new moon out the stars were quite brilliant. We were hoping to catch a middle launch or perhaps a rocket launch from Space force which I think is nearby. 

   We have been trying to keep our days to around 3 hours or 200 miles. Today we went a little over and I think tomorrow we will do the same but there will be beer at the end of it.