Day 5 Amarillo to Clayton Lake State Park, Clayton, NM: After lunch, we headed north to Clayton Lake State Park in New Mexico for our first night of camping and, hopefully our first night under the dark skies with our telescope. Unfortunately mother nature didn't seem to be cooperating and it was cloudy with little hope of clearing. But it was still a beautiful drive in a way only the panhandle of Texas can provide with the wide open horizons and shades of golds and browns of the low grasses occasionally interrupted by small patches of the dark green and brown of the tortured and twisted squat cedar and mesquite trees.
On the way up to Clayton, we passed through the Rita Blanca National Grassland, which lies in the Northeast corner of the panhandle of Texas.
|
A close-up of one of the golden plants inhabiting this region. They are little balls of green leaves with gold tips and small flowers.
*-*-*
|
The majestic expanse of the Rita Blanca National Grassland
*-*-*
|
As we were leaving Clayton, we passed this intriguing building with its dragon decoration. It was for sale/rent. I am not sure why the dragon lives here.
*-*-*
|
Outside of Clayton, these two land masses come up out of the grassland and stand guard over the region. We later found out these are called the rabbit ears for a chief of the same name.
*-*-*
|
We saw lots of wildlife, deer, rabbits and pronghorn antelope. Here is a mule deer on the way to Clayton Lake State Park
*-*-*
When we arrived at Clayton Lake State Park, the office was closed so we drove around to find our campsite. We discovered that there are far more campsites at the park that are available on a first-come basis than were available for reservation. There is also an area where there is electrical hook-ups for trailers, etc. We found our campsite, C-5 and discovered that apparently there is an honor system and you just claim it. It was at the dead end of a line of campsites in a lovely secluded cul-de-sac. The only concern for our site, and many of the others is that there is really no place to put up your tent. There is a concrete pad and a fixed open shelter with picnic table and firepit.
Barry came up with the idea of moving the picnic table slightly and putting up the tent on the concrete pad under the shelter. It was the only level surface available. It wourked great.
After getting camp set up we decided to go see the dinosaur tracks and see if we could find the on-site observatory. The tracks are about a 1/2 mile walk from where you can park your car. You walk over the dam and to the area near the spillway where they are located. The park has built a nice walkway around the area with signs pointing out the different types of tracks you are looking at. There are also some signs with a discussion of the geology and history of the area. All very nicely done!
|
Our campsite at Clayton lake State Park
*-*-*
|
The walking path to the dinosaur tracks.
*-*-*
|
Here is a view of the park from the dam. The lake is not huge but there were some people fishing.
*-*-*
|
Here is a view of the park from the other end of the dam. The campsites can be seen in the distance.
*-*-*
|
This is a part of the walkway around the dinosaur tracks.
*-*-*
|
This is one of the best tracks seen. It is a herbivore print and the total length was around 14 inches.
*-*-*
|
Here are additional herbivore tracks but additionally there is what is called a "tail trail" where, according to the signage, the dinosaur used its tail for balance, possibly because it lost its balance in the sand/mud. The trail is in the center of the picture between the two large impressions.
*-*-*
|
Here is the print of a carnivore. The sand was wet enough that he sunk in far enough to get an imprint of his dew claw at the back of the foot (Left end).
*-*-*
|
Here is the print of a different type of carnivore, showing predominantly the front claws.
*-*-*
|
This picture has prints from both herbovores (more rounded sweepiing from bottom around to the left) and carnivores (two sharper shapes in the upper right).
*-*-*
|
Adjacent to the dinosaur track area is a wall of rock that was blasted during dam construction. You can see the interesting layers of geological time.
*-*-*
After the dinosaur tracks, we drove to the other end of the lake to see the observatory. It looked like a nice facility with a roll-off roof observatory and a small set of benches that formed an amphitheater. But, unfortunately, it was not open. We also saw some additional campgrounds in this area. We think they were all first come and if we had been able to set up the telescope, would have been more desirable. No trees or obstructions and in a much flatter area.
We had dinner at Chez' Barry and got the camp ready for bed. We awakened about 10:30 pm and went outside. The sky had cleared for the most part although there was still a bit of haze. The view of the night sky was spectacular and there were many, many more stars visible here than in Canton. We also took some sky brightness measurements and got 21.92 magnitudes/square arcsecond. Impressive!
In the morning after a leisurely breakfast we broke camp.
Day 6 Clayton Lake State Park to Springer, via the Kiowa National Grasslands: We drove back to Clayton and then turned west to Springer. We wanted to drive into the Kiowa National Grasslands to see where the Mills Canyon Campground was located and see if it would be a good place to set up the telescope should it be clear although the forecasts were not promising. The drive was very scenic with rolling open grass prairies on both sides of the road. We saw the occasional deer and a few herds of cows.
After about 55 minutes we found County Road 39 into the grasslands and we turned in. We then drove about 12 miles south along 2 lane blacktop to the turn to Mills Campground road and started in that direction. It is a 9 mile stretch of unpaved dirt road. While the road was in relatively good condition, the top speed was about 10 mph. We checked the weather forecast once more and it was still predicting we'd be clouded out. So we decided not to subject our minivan to the long unpaved road and turned around to head on to Springer.
|
Just after leaving Clayton Lake State Park we saw 4 pronghorn antelope grazing.
*-*-*
|
A view of Kiowa National Grassland. This was recliamed by the government after it had been abandonded during the dust bowl and made onto a natural area to prevent further erosion/loss of topsoil.
*-*-*
|
The road to Mills Canyon Campground. The campground is 9 miles from here. We turned back here but the scenery was spectacular and someday we'd still like to camp there.
*-*-*
We drove on to Springer and started to look for lunch. Springer, NM is another small town which has many abandoned and closed businesses. The one restaurant we came to was closed - although not permanently. We later found out that it was closed on Monday. We found our motel, The Broken Arrow, a very quaint adobe structure that looked like a throwback to the days of Route 66 when there were no chain hotels. It had 7 rooms for rent. We were worried that there was no food, so Barry and I discussed cancelling our reservation and we went in to see the clerk who turned out to be the owner.
We explained our dilemma and he said there was a second restuarant in town the Dairy Delite and they had pretty good food. He said the other restaurant would open at 7 am Tuesday. He was very low key and didn't seem too concerned that we might drive on. So we agreed we'd go eat and decide on whether we wanted to stay the night or drive on to Raton.
Minnie's Dairy Delite was a self-serve sit-down restaurant which had a sparkling clean kitchen, energetic and friendly employees and good food. We had burgers for lunch and then went back for dinner. Conversation between the dozen tables was brisk and it was obvious everyone knew everyone else (and their families and their children). After we sat down the lady at the next table politely asked where we were from. After explaining that we were from Georgia, several of the other patrons chimed into the conversation. They really made strangers feel welcome and were fascinated that we had brought our telescope all the way to New Mexico. I can honestly say I have never felt that warm of a welcome, even in the deep south.
We decided to stay rather than drive on. When we got our room we were very pleasantly surprised. It was a step back in time to an era when there were no chain hotels and each Mom and Pop place had its own style. The room was sparkling clean, freshly remodeled with beautiful woodwork, new flooring and new bathroom fixtures. The remodelling was well done. The ceiling was an artfully textured design (not popcorn, not stipple) obviously hand done by an artist. Regrettably I did not get any pictures of it.
We had a relaxing afternoon. Barry read and napped while I worked on the blog. Then we went to dinner at the Dairy Delite. Saw some of the people we had met at lunch!
|
Our beautiful hotel in Springer, New Mexico
*-*-*
|
Our newly remodeled, sparkling clean room with our mascots making a cameo appearance on the bed. The bathroom is through the door.
*-*-*
|
The Broken Arrow sign with our faithful minivan parked in front.
*-*-*
|
After dinner we drove to Springer Lake, a few miles out of town. Here are some pretty purple flowers that grew there in abundance.
*-*-*
|
On the way back from the lake we saw antelope and rabbits. This pronghorn antelope looked right at us with his distinctive dark markings and horns. He stood his ground and did not run.
*-*-*
|
Here is another jack rabbit we saw on the way back from the lake. When we didn't stop approaching while he sat really still with his ears up, he tried tucking them down and then decided to bound into the tall grass.
*-*-*
Day 7 Springer, NM to Colorado Springs, CO: This was a one day run up to Colorado Springs to visit my sister who drove down from Longmont with her husband. We would overnight in Colorado springs and then head back down to Santa Fe. The trip was all interstate on I-25 which we picked up a little outside of Springer.
|
Barry is driving with the first view of the Colorado Rockies in the background. North of Trinidad, CO.
*-*-*
|
Barry saw this sign and thought it was interesting.
*-*-*
|
The Colorado Rockies in the distance
*-*-*
|
This burning field, along the interstate was part of a "controlled burn" by county officials. South of Pueblo. The other interesting thing was that while there were about half a dozen wind turbines, they appeared to be positioned next to a coal-burning power plant.
*-*-*
When we got to Colorado Springs we did some chores - laundry, washed the minivan, etc. and then checked into the hotel and took a short nap before dinner.
Day 8 Colorado Springs, CO to Santa Fe, NM: We spent the morning visiting Lori's sister and her husband and eating lunch at the Edelweiss Restaurant which has delectable German food. We were amazed - it was the middle of the week and the place was packed. In Georgia, German food is not nearly as popular! After that, and all too soon, goodbyes were said and we headed for Santa Fe.
|
Lunch at the Edelweiss Restaurant in Colorado Springs with Lori's sister and her husband. Mmmmmm - Delicious!
*-*-*
|
We saw this guy along I-25 south on the way to Santa Fe. He was quite friendly!
*-*-*
|
This rock was a landmark along the Santa Fe Trail - called Wagon Rock because the shape reminded people of the back of a Connestoga Wagon.
*-*-*
|
Deep Sky West Remote Observatory near Rowe, NM - One of the places we wanted to visit was this remote observatory near Rowe, NM. When we first heard about it we thought - wow, it isn't that far from the light dome of Santa Fe and some of the other smaller cities in that area. So we drow out to see where it was located. It is on a high plateau, up a rather windy forest road and just off national forest land. While we weren't there after dark, it was really remote and we could see how the skies would be dark!
*-*-*
We got into Santa Fe late, ate dinner at Olive Garden (trusted standard) and went to bed. We had reserved a room at a Residence Inn using Barry's Mariott points and they had upgraded us to an apartment - a master bedroom, living room, small kitchen area and a whole second bedroom/bath upstairs. Unfortunately we didn't really get to enjoy the luxury as we arrived late, were tired and left early the next day. It was kind of funny, we drove past it the first time because with the Santa Fe style and sign restrictions it didn't look at all like a hotel and we missed the sign.
Day 9 Santa Fe to Pie Town, NM: We went I-25 to Socorro, through the heart of Albuquerque. There was light traffic and no problems. We jumped off the interstate at Las Lunas, a community south of Albuquerque to have a look around. An aquaintance from the cruise we took, moved to a retirement community in Las Lunes and was telling us about it so we wanted to take a look at it.
Las Lunas is a nice, growing little community with a fair amount of shopping about 30 minutes south of Albquerque. It has both a Lowes and a Home Depot!
Back on the road again, we headed to Socorro and it was a really pretty drive. In Socorro we ate lunch and got groceries and then headed to Pie Town. Just west of Socorro we lost cell coverage and with the exception of Quemado, we wouldn't have it again until we arrived in Silver City almost a week later.
Barry and I discussed that it might be better to stay two extra nights in Pie Town (based on the weather forecast) than to stay in Pie Town two nights and then move telescope and equipment to the Cosmic Campground and camp for two nights. So while we were eating lunch I contacted our Airbnb host and we sealed the deal. It turned out to be a very wise decision as I will explain in the next segment.
|
Between Socorro and Pie Town, we saw the Very Large Array observatory. We had visited there and taken the tour about 10 years ago, so we didn't stop but it was fun to see the antennas stretching across the plain.
*-*-*
|
One of the Very Large Array antennas right next to the road.
*-*-*
We arrived in Pie Town, met with a friend of our host who took us out to the house we had rented. We were very excited as we were about to see how dark and remote her land really was. We will pick that up in the next segment - Pie Town.