Rolling into Ute Lake

Quite a few people were up and about early preparing to pull out of Los Suenos RV Park this morning. We got packed up, showered, walked the dogs and got a fill up on our propane. We were out the gate by 10:30 or so and rolling down long empty highways.

 

It was two lanes for a while then it cut down to one. Beautiful countryside Occasionally a car would have to pass us but traffic was really light and the driving was pleasant. We gassed up at the junction with I-40 and aired up the tires.

A while later, we paused at a rest stop and made sandwiches and walked the dogs a bit. Drove on with a steady rhythm listening to some reggae music and made the turn off to hwy 54 at around 3:30. This stretch of road was a touch rougher than any we had traveled earlier. Had a few miscues with the gps and went a little further than necessary and backtracked to the state park.

We finally found the camping area at Ute Lake State Park and drove around finding a site we liked. There are maybe 8 other campers spread around the large camping area. We picked a spot with maximum spacing from other campers. It has a little shelter over a picnic table and a long pull through pad for the RV. Only $14.00 with water and electricity. We can get a primitive site for $8, but weather is in the high 80s tomorrow and we might want to run the A/C.

After we got set up, we fed the dogs then took a walk around to see what Ute Lake is all about. Pretty strong winds blowing this afternoon creating mini waves along the shoreline. In spite of the rough water, a group of happy looking boaters were pulling their boat out of the lake. Koda waded in to test the water.

 

There is a little sandy beach area for swimming. We’ll definitely give it a go tomorrow. Out on the dock, large carp were gaping up at us from the clear water. A beautiful setting with very few people. Much to our liking after our urban experience in Santa Fe.Walked the dogs across the day use area to go up to the self pay kiosk and drop in our rent. We noticed Koda limping and checked their paws. Both dogs had multiple thorny stickers in their little pads. Guess we are going to have to cognizant of where we let them run loose.

We had a good long walk and on the way back we came across a young deer grazing in the brush along the road. Luckily, we saw it before the dogs did and we hooked them up to their leashes.

Just in time as when they noticed the deer, they were pulling like crazy to give him a chase. I got a couple of good pictures before Bambi turned and hopped away like a rabbit, all four feet off of the ground with every bound.

Back at camp, PJ was having a tough afternoon. Too much travel is making her grouchy and she questions why she allowed herself to get into this situation. Things never stay clean, we can’t always find what we’re looking for and there’s flies! It’s not always peaches and flowers on the road. Sometimes tiredness and lack of personal space can have an effect. There are always things that comes up that open an opportunity for better communication and learning.

I made us a plate of Soyrizo and eggs that we ate with tortillas for dinner. PJ didn’t want to go outside with the flies,so we ate our meal in the RV. As the sun was setting, I went outside to have a look. The older gentleman with the little schnauzer mix was walking by and we struck up a conversation. Bob is 86 and has been living the full time RV life for 16 years. He gets the annual pass and moves around to the different State Parks pulling his 1976 trailer behind his old pick up truck.

He brought his little dog Babe over to where Koda was on her leash and the two dogs hopped around and played like puppies. Sunset was a beauty. Got a few photos then relaxed inside Lexi and typed this up even though there is no internet, but at least it will be ready to post whenever there is.