Espanola, New Mexico

We have arrived safe and sound in Espanola, New Mexico, just a short distance north of Santa Fe.  I had it all worked out in my mind how I was going to report what a superb stretch of road US 285 is between Ft Stockton, TX (100 miles or so north of Big Bend) and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

We were going great guns this morning on the relatively deserted, 4-lane, divided highway.  After we passed north of I-40, our fine 4-lane became a 2-lane, but still a very fine road. Then, out of the blue, came a sign of reduced speed limit to 45 mph.  Then there was another one for 35 mph.  Well, what’s up with that? We wondered.  By the time we saw the sign for 25 mph we could see the end of the pavement.  That’s right—the END of the pavement—gravel everywhere.  Lucky for us we had slowed down to the posted 25 mph because the “BUMP” sign was just about 2 inches from the drop off of pavement to gravel.  The gravel lasted about 3 miles, then a brief mile or so on pavement again.  The pavement ended again just as we had gotten up to a good cruising speed.  This time, however, I guess the road crew didn’t find it necessary to post a warning sign.  After all it was just for a few yards.  We saw the break in pavement before we hit it, but a string of cars had built up behind us in the “ever so slow” zone.  There was nothing to do but slow down as much as we could in the amount of time we had without causing a rear end collision.  So far, I haven’t found anything broken, but things fell of the walls that have been riding there for 3 years.

Except for this very short stretch, the ride was very nice and I especially enjoyed watching as the landscape changed from desert to the grass of cattle ranches to the high peaks of the San Juan Mountains.  Nearer Santa Fe we got our first glimpse of snow at the high elevations.

We are far enough north and have gained enough elevation that it is actually cold here.  We have the heat on for the first time during the day since January.  We can see snow on the high mountain peaks around Santa Fe.  The forecast is for below freezing temperature tonight.  But, guess what—there is no wind.

We are settled in this campground for 10 days.  That will give us plenty of time to explore the capital city of Santa Fe, maybe get in a hike or two, and drive up to Taos for a day.  We haven’t yet made a plan for tomorrow, but it will most likely be something in Santa Fe.  Whatever it is, it will be good.