Goal: Enjoy the Valley of Fires
Last night as we drifted off to sleep we heard distant coyotes.
It was cold last night. The night time temperatures dipped down below 25 degrees. Our propane furnace was able to keep us warm, but we did wake up to the water hose being frozen. Luckily the hose warmed quickly once the sun reached the hose.
This morning we rose to the cooing of cooing doves.
The view of valley was spectacular with the sun on the lava.
Deryl cooked up a brunch staring the bacon we cooked last night. Pan fried potatoes, eggs over medium, coffee, and Mimosas rounded out our repast.
Fortified by our brunch we proceeded to walk through the canyon. The park has a paved trail down, around, and through the lava flow formations. It is well marked with signs that help explain what is special at the sign’s location along the path. Much of the trail is wheelchair accessible.
We took time as we strolled the mile and half trail. The variety of plants, where and how they were growing, and the size that some had achieved was fascinating. For example, the Mesquite tree in the photo above, was about 12 feet tall. In all we spent about 2 hours on the trail. Both of us actually found the information on each sign informative enough that we wanted to read every sign! (Our norm at museums is to skim a few of the signs, and move on.)
After our walk we decided to drive down to Alamogordo, NM. This would allow us to do some shopping (not that we needed anything but rather to see what there was to see.) It also enabled us to fill Clyde up with fuel for tomorrow when we head to Truth or Consequences. Generally, we fill up early and often. Distances are long out here.
Alamogordo is famous for is pistachios. One of the large growers even has constructed “The world’s largest pistachio” as the advertisement for their farm stand.
As you can see by the road sign, they also grow and sell pecans. The area around Alamogordo is filled with pecan and pistachio orchards. This made the drive south from Valley of Fires, to Alamogordo interesting and pretty.
On our way into town we watched the price of diesel. We found a station which was lower than the rest, and that is where we filled Clyde, before we headed back to camp.
Back at camp we were still taken by the beauty of the lava flow filled valley.
We sat under the sun shade for a while as we sipped our quarantinies, and watched the sun go golden and fuchsia as it set.
For dinner Rob grilled some shrimp over charcoal. Deryl cooked up a potato and broccoli to complete our meal.
After doing dishes, we packed everything away in preparation for traveling tomorrow to Truth or Consequences. We did not build a fire, or sit out under the stars, as it was getting cold by the time we finished dinner, and we wanted to get an early start tomorrow.