Twilight at Elephant Butte

[pamela]

This is from the Monticello South campground at Elephant Butte. I love it here so much. We've been back in N.M. since late October and have been going back and forth between Caballo Lake and Elephant Butte. We live in our motorhome and that picture is the view outside our door. It's so beautiful and peaceful here. We plan to stay here (southwestern N.M.) a few more weeks and then we'll start heading north. I have fallen so in love with New Mexico.

Any tips for what we should see in this area? We drove out to Chloride last week and I don't think either of us said a word for the longest time. It was just such a beautiful drive. We've been to Hatch a few times to get chiles. I thought I bought enough the first time to last a year but they didn't last a month. We also took a day trip down to Las Cruces one day and it was nice but it overwhelmed us both a bit. It's so remote where we've been staying that the traffic and stores and everything kind of freaked us both out. We go into Truth or Consequences about twice a month for groceries. I love that town. We're not really into too many touristy attractions but tips for pretty drives or quirky/interesting destinations would be greatly appreciated.

[oldandhappy]

1. Beautiful, and thank you.

I have camped there several times. Went into T or C everyday to go into the hot tubs, smile. Loved watching the birds. I recommend Bosque del Apache, a reserve for winter birds north of T or C, maybe an hour, can't remember. A lot of birds are gone by now. If you are there next winter, go to the reserve between mid Nov and mid Feb. Hundreds of thousands of birds come in. Great visitors center with lots of displays to explain and some videos as I recall that show how the river water is diverted thru the reserve to grow corn for the birds.

Used to camp in northern CA in the summer and thot seeing three sand hill cranes was a triumph. At Bosque you will see dozens in one corn field.

Glad you are loving this part of N.M. Happy memories for me.

[pamela]

2. Thank you!

We'll probably be back here next winter so we'll check out Bosque del Apache. We were by there in November on our way here but there was snow in the forecast so we were in more of a hurry than we are usually in when traveling. We should have made a trip back up there this winter but we've both become pretty complacent. It's easy to just hang out when your surroundings are as beautiful as they've been here.

We want to check out Pie Town and the Very Large Array, too. I wish there was a State Park near there. We try to stay away from the private parks. I don't like having neighbors right on top of me. New Mexico State Parks are the BEST! By far.

[Wilms]

3. City of Rocks is @100 miles from Elephant Butte.

State Park City of Rocks State Park was established in May 1952. The park encompasses a one- square- mile area in the scenic Chihuahuan desert region of southeastern New Mexico at the elevation of 5,200 feet. The “city” is a truly geologic monument formed by large sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen here today.

http://www.gilawilderness.com/travel/cityofrocks.htm

Nice front yard ya got there, BTW!

[pamela]

5. Thanks!

We might head down to City of Rocks and Rockhound to camp before we leave the area. All the border patrol checkpoints in that area make me a little nervous so we've avoided it so far. We went through one coming back from Las Cruces and that wasn't bad but we weren't in the motorhome that time.

[panader0]

4. Go west from Socorro to see the Very Large Array of telescopes--a beautiful area

or go through Hillsboro for a scenic mountain drive to Silver City. The cliff dwellings are near. Ruidoso is not far either.
My mom's ashes are near the tiny town of White Oaks, outside Carrizozo.
PS: if you go to Las Cruces again, visit the old Mesilla area, good bars and food, music in the plaza on weekends.

[pamela]

6. Thanks!

My husband really wants to see the Very Large Array. Me, too. I definitely want to get over to Silver City. We're going back to Caballo Lake next week to camp so I think we'll drive over to Silver City from there one day.

Thanks for the tips!