Week 7: New Mexico to Arizona to California
After some long days of driving endless stretches of straight Texas highway, we were in need of a bit of downtime. So we found an RV park in Las Cruces, elevation 3,900’, near the old town that had a hot tub. It was cold (as I mentioned in the post from week New Mexico is high and thus, cold in winter). While we only used the hot tub at Hacienda RV Park on one night, it was a steamy, relaxing treat (we need to make “hot tubs” a required amenity more often).
Mesilla
We had two nights, but just one full day in Las Cruces and I had to work. But we did have that evening to see some of Mesilla, the old town. Decorated for Christmas with luminarias, it was both lovely and, with few crowds on a mid-week night, peaceful. Is that not the loveliest combination of a usually hectic season?
Whetstone Mountains
After our respite, we made tracks across New Mexico into Arizona. Supporting my theory that state and county parks are some of the best (no ding against the National Parks, but good golly they are busy!), Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, AZ turned out to be a surprisingly awesome stop for another couple nights. The campsites were well spaced out. Though the sparce desert vegetation didn’t create the much of a screen between sites, it meant the views to the Whetstone Mountains and east across the San Pedro River Valley to the Dragoon Mountains were expansive.
Family!
The park had a number of trails to access right from camp, and gave us the opportunity to let the girls run free for a bit. They loved it (except for the pokies that Dobby got stuck in her little paws). The temps were perfect (apparently “winter” in Arizona is about as pleasantly moderate as we could hope for on our quest to avoid snow). And! One very cool experience—the park has caverns to tour. We took the rotunda/throne room tour and it was incredible. The formations and crystals—cave bacon, popcorn, not to mention the Kubla Khan pillar—were beyond my imagining. Even Neal, who has done a bit more caving than me, was impressed.
We were a bit sorry to leave the park after our days unwinding there, but we had a holiday deadline to hit in SoCal, so onward we go! And, one of the best highlights of the trip, we got to visit with my cousins David and Rosina in Glendale. Its been a few (too many!) years since we last had the chance to hang out, but it was like no time had passed. I’m grateful we had the chance to connect, catch up, share big hugs, and plenty of laughs over hijinks we pulled as kids. Can’t wait to see you two again before too long! Thanks again for the hospitality! <3
On our way to California (we’re camped on BLM outside of Joshua Tree), we made a quick stop in Wickenburg, AZ to visit the High Desert Caballeros Museum on the recommendation of our good friends, John and Linda. The museum was showcasing an exhibit of Doug Hyde’s sculptures. The lines of the pieces and feeling he captured in the faces of his sculptures had such movement and emotion. We were lucky to catch it. The permanent collection is pretty fascinating too. Definitely worth a side tour and stop if your in the general area.
Cactusland
We made it to California!
Week’s stats:
GOOD THING | Cousin time!
BAD THING | Pokies in dog feet.
CRAZY THING | We made it to California.
GRAND TOTAL | 5,074 miles (659 this week + 4,415 previously)