Day 5 March 29, 2006

Day 5
March 29, 2006
Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM to Ruidoso, NM





The wind had picked up overnight, and it was chilly. Breakfast consisted of pancakes – we managed to get a lower simmer from the camp stove by placing the grill over the flame, providing more space under the pan. We’ve started getting more creative with the meal options, and this “just add water and shake” pancake mix is certainly going to make it back into the mess kit more than a few times before the trip is over.



Deb and Erik made a quick recon ride down to the bath house, and met a father and son team on a Goldwing from Albuquerque. They’d frequented this park on at least a dozen occasions and love coming back. We can certainly see why.

A hot shower was long overdue, even if we had to “mash the button” for more water every thirty seconds. Annoying, but rejuvenating. An electric hand dryer provided the first opportunity for the girls to dry their hair since leaving Houston.

On the road again… I just can’t wait to get on the road again… Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway…

Highway 246 from Roswell to Capitan was a roller coaster of twists and turns amid the hills, and is an absolute must for any motorcyclist visiting this area. We could have done without the gusting wind that seemed to want to push us off the road, but save for a few locals and a gravel truck along the way, we were alone for almost 80 miles of riding heaven.

With the elevation approaching 5,000 ft., the temperature was dropping quickly and we pulled over to don our liners to stay comfortable.



Capitan is the home of Smokey Bear. “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!”



Although we’re hoping to eventually find a campsite in an area not under a burn ban, it is clear that the dry conditions and gusty winds make fighting fires almost impossible.

Only a few more miles into town, we found Tom’s BBQ, “Best in the West”.



Suzanne Freeman (a former Houstonian), owner and operator, was there to serve up some great homestyle grub and “Luv Ya Blue” was all she needed to say to spark up old-time football conversation.



She offered up advice on where to spend the night, since some of the local campgrounds were still closed for the winter.

Cobbler and brownies with ice cream toppers were the perfect sweet treat, and then we hit the road again in search of overnight accommodations. Banito Lake Recreation Area was nice and scenic, but the camping area was less than primitive. We sent Erik down the gravel road for recon this time, and he said it was as if they’d stuck a sign into the ground on the side of the road – no table, no grill, nothing.



We made a few phone calls and headed back for town to try some of the local RV parks. Unfortunately, none had available tent camping. The only suggestions we received were for the strip of hotels and motels down near the ski area. With sunlight quickly fading, we conceded to staying in a room for a night and giving the camping gear a rest. Motel 6 offered the best bang for the buck with an indoor pool and hot tub, continental breakfast, and laundry facilities.

Once the bags and gear were nestled in the room, the guys set to the task of plugging in the TV. Now here’s a pair that have their priorities out of whack.



Pizza delivered from Dominoes in 20 minutes, laundry stuffed into the less-than large washing machines, and a few minutes of news and weather got us ready to plan for the next few days. We’d like to make it to four corners within the next two days, but it might be a stretch. The weather looks to be especially cold and windy to the north of us, so we may have to adjust to stay south of the jet stream. Clean, dry clothes feel good against the skin while you fold them in a heated room with cable TV. Ah, the joys of camping….

Day 4 March 28, 2006

Day 4
March 28, 2006
Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM to Roswell, NM and Back

Waking up and knowing that you don’t have to break camp and pile all of your stuff onto the back of a motorcycle is quite refreshing. Staying another night in this tranquil setting was an easy decision to make, allowing us to spend the day taking in the sights in nearby Roswell.

We all agreed 2-up was the easiest option for the day’s excursion. Before heading into town, we accepted Debbie’s (the camp hostess) invitation from the previous evening to come take a look at the offerings of the New Mexico State Park Visitors Center nearby. She went through a number of displays with us and was very knowledgeable about the park and all of its offerings and history.



She took a special liking to Spank (hopefully Sockette won’t get jealous when she sees this).



She also allowed us the opportunity to charge up the laptop and camera in a wall socket while looking around and then journeying through a scenic eight mile loop through the park. A parking lot with access to an overlook provided ample opportunities for more photos.





Due to the treacherous terrain and Rebecca’s fear of heights, alternate approach methods had to be used to achieve proper photo alignment…



And this was the result:





Riding as a passenger affords more opportunities for photos along the way as well.



Erik and Gavin set to the task of figuring out why Deb’s blinker had gone out. It couldn’t be a fuse, because the front blinker was still operational. After removing the lens and inspecting the bulb, it was determined to be caused by corroded contacts. A few quick scrapes with a pocket knife, and it was good as gold.



With the infamous alien city of Roswell sitting only fifteen miles to the west of the park, we couldn’t resist becoming tourists for an afternoon.



Having received a tip, we headed for Martin’s Mexican Restaurant for lunch in town. Good food at great prices, and friendly service. Couldn’t get WiFi, but we managed a cellular connection to get more pictures uploaded.



The UFO museum offered first-hand accounts of the supposed extraterrestrial crash landing back in 1947. For $2, you get to walk around a collection of affidavits, newspaper clippings, drawings, and maps of debris fields. As if presented in scientific format, there are interactive displays offering a recorded radio broadcast, aerial photos, and eyewitness accounts of all things related to Area 51.







We found convenient parking right next to the John Simpson Chisum statue and across from the local courthouse. We found a city employee working in the plaza and asked if we could take the bikes up onto the walkway to get some photos. “Sure. I designed it, so I guess I can say yes.”





Jim Sexe (pronounced sexy) designed the plaza and base for the statue, and proudly pointed out his name on the plaque when we thought he was pulling our leg. What are the odds?



Jim gave us some ideas of where to go next. He said that about 70 miles west was a loop that would be both scenic and fun to ride. It winds through Lincoln and over to Ruidoso, which he highly recommends adding as a stop on our journey. It’s locals like him that provide this type of inside information that is crucial for our continuing adventure.

Just a half mile down the road, the Roswell McDonalds boasts one of the most outrageous facades for a fast food joint. We sat for a few minutes with a drink and some ice cream, and set a plan in place for dinner that evening.





Another three miles, and we were shopping at Wally World to restock the rations and pick up a few assorted items. We’d all but given up on thrashing tent stakes with rocks, so we splurged and spent $2.97 on a mallet. Spank got to ride in the front of the cart, but he was pretty well behaved and didn’t pull anything off the shelves.

He also made a few friends in the arcade.



As we poked our heads out the door, it was evident that dark clouds had rolled in and the ground was beginning to show signs of a drizzle. We quickly loaded our goodies and our now slightly-damp selves onto the bikes and high-tailed it out of town and back to the seclusion of our campsite.

Ramen noodles and crackers for dinner, some fruit punch to wash it all down, and we set to the arduous task of getting the last two days of memories documented for all to read. As the wind picked up and lightning flashed over the adjacent butte, the guys rigged up a military poncho/tarp to block the gusts. It worked rather well, but as the night progressed the evening bugs began to congregate around the luminous fluorescent (and now duct-taped) light perilously strung above us on a makeshift pulley. Not able to withstand the swarming any longer, they group split up and sealed themselves from the creatures of the night inside their respective tents. Tomorrow shall bring a new city, new sights, and new adventures for Four Bikers and a Monkey.

Day 3 March 27, 2006

Day 3
March 27, 2006
Carlsbad, NM to Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM



We woke up to the view of beautiful mountains and fresh air.



Now out of Texas, we were in no rush to leave because we had no destination. Oatmeal and some snacks for breakfast, and hot showers provided by the KOA. They were very nice and clean, and had heat lamps over the showers and everything.

Gavin and Erik were able to switch out the blown fuse without any issues, and all was right again in the land of blinkers and brake lights.



Packed back up, we were headed back towards Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Knowing that the walk-through tour was estimated at an hour and a half, we opted to stop for lunch beforehand. We happened upon this – the No Whiner Diner.



The restaurant was Rebecca’s pick. As a child, her parents had made comedic imitations of the classic Saturday Night Live skits “The Whiners”. Whenever the kids got squirmy on road trips, they’d pull out the whiny voice and funny one-liners, but the jokes were often lost on the youngsters. Now older and wiser, Rebecca likes to remember those great times – and what better way than this aptly-named eatery.

The food was great, and we were able to pick up wireless internet in the area. We quickly got the previous day’s entry up on the web for the eagerly awaiting spectators like you.







Spank went for a walk to the playground next door, and found his own iron horse.



Bellies full and a few packs of crackers stowed for later, we saddled up and headed out. Spank decided to hitch a ride with Deb for a change, and later informed her that her right rear blinker was out. What is it with this bunch and lights?



Someone let Erik have control of a camera for the ride over to the caverns, so we have lots of this…





On our way up the winding ribbon of highway, we stopped for some scenic photo ops.





Once atop the mountain, the Caverns awaited. We bought our tickets (only $6, not a bad deal) and headed down 750 feet in the elevator to the labyrinth of caverns below. Expecting high humidity, we were all pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn’t nearly as bad as a mid-summer day in Houston.



The pictures are too numerous to post in their entirety, so here is a sampling…









After the caverns, we raced the setting sun heading north to Bottomless Lakes State Park.



We won the race, but upon arrival we were faced with a decision – primitive camping ‘over yonder’ for $10 or a site with water and electric (surrounded by RVs) for $14. After a quick recon mission through three inches of pea-sized gravel, Rebecca made the decision that Deb would certainly NOT be traveling through that section. Debbie, the camp hostess, met us at the entrance and helped us decide. The choice was clear – primitive, scenic camping nestled in the hills next to a lake.

We made quick time of tent erection, and pulled the V-Strom closer to the picnic table so as to get some power for the laptop. Bad move on our part. May we present exhibit A:



Little did she know, but when Rebecca tried to unlock her still-mounted saddle bag, the sink hole lying in wait below the side stand decided to give way. Nothing broken, bent, or scratched thanks to the soft dirt, but a large hole in the ground that we would have to watch out for the remainder of our stay.

Bungee cords were used to string up everything from gear to bags to camelbaks. While attempting to get the largest of our lights hung over the picnic table, Rebecca had the misfortune of knocking it off the table, crashing down on the concrete below. Not to worry, electrical tape and duct tape to the rescue! Exhibit B:



Some dehydrated backpacking food was prepped and served, and before anyone could say “whistlebritches”, it was 10:30 local time (which, at some unknown point, changed from Central to Mountain) and time for us to call it quits on day 3.