Capt Steve
US Veteran
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We just completed the second half of our 26 day, 3,040 mile camping adventure with two weeks in New Mexico and Eastern Arizona. Leaving Tucson we went to Deming and 25 miles north is the most unusual campground I've ever seen, City of Rocks State Park is a bizarre rock formation found only six other places on the planet. The volcanic explosion that formed it some 60 million years ago was 1,000 time more powerful and Mt St. Helen's. We backed right up into the rocks and stayed two beautiful days having the park all to ourselves.
Heading north and east on 152 (east of Silver City) we crawled over a 9,000' ridge at about 25 MPH, 10 on the curves and headed north on I-25. The Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel is a must stop if you find yourself near Bernardo. The front door has a large green circle around the picture of a revolver and states in big letters "Say yes to guns! It further instructs the guests and employees to wear their sidearms in celebration of the second amendment and because we can. A large sign in the office sates "We don't call 911" with a pistol hanging beneath. Lots of critters and characters so naturally I got into the spirit of the place by strapping on my Dan Wesson 44 Mag along with the MP9c for pics out front. From the enclosed gardens, complete with Koy pond to the expansive stables and friendly staff this place was a hoot!
North through Albuquerque to Cochiti Lake, just 20 miles southwest of Santa Fe. The earthen dam, one of the largest in the nation, which holds back the Rio Grande is 5.5 miles long. In Colorado, 100 degree temps in April of 1995 caused the lake to rise 26' in 4 days. We picked fresh Champagne apples off the tree at the visitors center and there is a huge commercial apple orchard just up the road.
After a couple of days we headed west out I-40 to Blue Water Lake at 7,400 feet about 60 miles east of Gallup. Two days here found us bound back to Arizona and we took 191 south to the White mountains spending three days in Greer at 8,500'. Finally we went west into Show Low for our last two days at Fool hollow Lake, 6,600'. Perhaps the prettiest campsite yet. The drive home was just over 3 hours.
Over the 3,040 miles I averaged 10.79 MPG towing the 4,000 lb trailer up and down just about every mountain Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah had to offer. I spoke with several folks who had similar and in one case identical rigs and this mileage seemed to be on the high end for which I give credit the K&N intake along with a light foot keeping to 55-60 MPH (1500-2000 RPM's), whenever possible. Campsite fees averaged $16.50 a night for the entire trip. We only stayed in RV parks twice, Monument Valley and Kiva. We had electrical hookups 8 days and never missed it when we didn't. You gotta love propane refrigeration, we never bought a single ice cube. Between the Blue ice packs and our freezer we never needed any. Had a campfire every night but three and never bought a stick of firewood as it is easy enough to pull over and load up. OK, here are few pics, enjoy...we sure did! (o;
Our campsite up in the rocks at City of Rocks north of Demming:
Another shot of City of Rocks (Google this place, you will be amazed and only $10 a night):
The Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel, I-25 near Bernardo NM:
Blue Water Creek, note the guy trout fishing:
Fool Hollow Lake, show Low AZ (6,600")
The view from our campsite at Fool hollow Lake:
Heading north and east on 152 (east of Silver City) we crawled over a 9,000' ridge at about 25 MPH, 10 on the curves and headed north on I-25. The Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel is a must stop if you find yourself near Bernardo. The front door has a large green circle around the picture of a revolver and states in big letters "Say yes to guns! It further instructs the guests and employees to wear their sidearms in celebration of the second amendment and because we can. A large sign in the office sates "We don't call 911" with a pistol hanging beneath. Lots of critters and characters so naturally I got into the spirit of the place by strapping on my Dan Wesson 44 Mag along with the MP9c for pics out front. From the enclosed gardens, complete with Koy pond to the expansive stables and friendly staff this place was a hoot!
North through Albuquerque to Cochiti Lake, just 20 miles southwest of Santa Fe. The earthen dam, one of the largest in the nation, which holds back the Rio Grande is 5.5 miles long. In Colorado, 100 degree temps in April of 1995 caused the lake to rise 26' in 4 days. We picked fresh Champagne apples off the tree at the visitors center and there is a huge commercial apple orchard just up the road.
After a couple of days we headed west out I-40 to Blue Water Lake at 7,400 feet about 60 miles east of Gallup. Two days here found us bound back to Arizona and we took 191 south to the White mountains spending three days in Greer at 8,500'. Finally we went west into Show Low for our last two days at Fool hollow Lake, 6,600'. Perhaps the prettiest campsite yet. The drive home was just over 3 hours.
Over the 3,040 miles I averaged 10.79 MPG towing the 4,000 lb trailer up and down just about every mountain Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah had to offer. I spoke with several folks who had similar and in one case identical rigs and this mileage seemed to be on the high end for which I give credit the K&N intake along with a light foot keeping to 55-60 MPH (1500-2000 RPM's), whenever possible. Campsite fees averaged $16.50 a night for the entire trip. We only stayed in RV parks twice, Monument Valley and Kiva. We had electrical hookups 8 days and never missed it when we didn't. You gotta love propane refrigeration, we never bought a single ice cube. Between the Blue ice packs and our freezer we never needed any. Had a campfire every night but three and never bought a stick of firewood as it is easy enough to pull over and load up. OK, here are few pics, enjoy...we sure did! (o;
Our campsite up in the rocks at City of Rocks north of Demming:
Another shot of City of Rocks (Google this place, you will be amazed and only $10 a night):
The Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel, I-25 near Bernardo NM:
Blue Water Creek, note the guy trout fishing:
Fool Hollow Lake, show Low AZ (6,600")
The view from our campsite at Fool hollow Lake:
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