Day 163 – The wind was so loud last night that we both wore ear plugs so we could sleep. Windy all night, at times shaking the RV, but probably not as bad as yesterday. Once we got up, the wind began increasing again and the forecast is for the same sustained wind levels & gusts today until the evening. No one is leaving their RVs nor the campground, including us. It was 41 degrees around 7:30 a.m. A cold front is moving in tonight & the temperatures are supposed to drop into the 20’s. The big difference this morning is that most of the heavy clouds have blown over and the sun is shining brightly. But right now as I write this (in the morning), the RV is shaking and rocking from the wind gusts.
From the afternoon: This is a beautiful Park and there is a 3/4-mile trail over the lava fields. We’d really like to see this area. Also, not too far from here is the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site which really looks interesting. We originally paid for two nights here, but it’s looking like we’ll be extending our stay. Then, weather permitting, we hope to head for Roswell. UFO’s anyone?
We are actually getting a lot done since we’re stuck inside (or be blown over). Rob did our taxes; they were more complicated since these were our first post-retirement taxes. I had a large list of routine & annual doctor, dentist, and eye dr. appointments to make for us, and the annual physical appointment for the cats. We’ll be home in May, hopefully just part of May, before leaving again. The amount of time we’re at home will depend on how long it takes for the RV dealership to replace the awning (last year we got tired of waiting for them to receive all the parts and we left before the work was done). The kitties were enjoying all of us hanging out in the RV and Gracie was “helping” Rob on the computer.
Java and Gracie
Rob and Gracie
Fast forward to the evening. Before it got dark, Rob went out and took a couple of pictures of the mountains. The high winds continued until 5 p.m., then decreased from the 30 MPH range into the teens. We brought the slides back out later & no longer had to squeeze by each other in the narrow hallway (although that had its advantages, ho ho). We made a great dinner of salmon baked in pumpkin chipotle sauce, then placed in a thick wrap with Caribbean rice & black beans. YUMMY. Off to bed a little after 9 p.m., peaceful & quiet without the roaring wind.
View of surrounding mountains, Valley of Fires Recreation Area, Carrisoso, NM
View of surrounding mountains, Valley of Fires Recreation Area, Carrisoso, NM