It has been years since I have been in Santa Fe. It has grown considerably, but the old historic section of town is still there and as charming as ever. The forest fires are around Bandolier State Park, Taos and Las Vegas, NM. You can see the plumes of smoke in the not too far distance. The wind is blowing over 15 knots where we are and no plans to stop for the next couple of days. It is a bit un-nerving. We had planned to go to Taos, and Bandolier State park, it looks like we will be heading away from there, and over to Chaco Canyon.

We have stayed in some out of the way places with no Wi-Fi, hence no blog. Harvest Host brought us to a place in Amarillo called Mariposa. The pictures showed a beautiful glamping tent, a purple and yellow house as a community center and four RV sites. The philosophy was that of Biosphere I and II, an environmental experiment and artist in residence. Tailor made for me.

Except we drove down a gravel road dotted with rather unfinished houses, to the purple and yellow community center we were instructed to look for and arrived to a place that looked abandon. Our campsite was fashioned on a platform of dirt, stones, and scrub. It was 101 degrees, no shade whatsoever but a small breeze made it bearable. Clearly nothing grows here, and my dream of a place filled with green plants, and artists painting was far from reality. Not to be judgmental we stayed. We opened every window, the back of the van door, the side door,  put up the sun shades, put the chairs on the shady side of the van and began our night.

Shortly after that, the new EKKO Winebago pulls in with a couple from Oklahoma. Same reaction as us, but they also decided to stay. I got to tour their camper which is the same size as ours with better layout and fabulous storage underneath. However, I love my Winnebago Solis “TA DA” and have no plans to trade it in. They were very friendly and it was nice to have them there in this desolate place.

Hours later, the stars came out, the desert became quiet, the breeze blew gently through the van and I slept one of the best sleeps I have ever had. So, we should remember, sometimes it’s not about the first impressions, sometimes it is worth staying with the situation. Would most people have turned around? Yes. Will it look better in the summer, maybe? Would I recommend it, probably not, but I was glad to be there.

Olive’s Blog:

Hi Folks, Guess what? I won! I am now in the front seat of the car, with my cozy dog bed sitting on my mom’s lap, stopped my panting and sleep soundly listening to Audiobooks. I am not so sure she is comfortable, but I heard her tell my dad it’s better than all my panting. HA, I knew that would drive them crazy. I have peed in places so fancy like the Philbrook Museum, downtown Santa Fe, and the International Folk-Art museum. I really do not understand why those places will not let me in. I’d like to be educated too. Oh and I forgot to tell you, I ate in this cool restaurant on the second floor so I could look over the balcony and check out the handsome dogs on the green below. No short-term romance for me however. I still would rather be home but I am getting used to this vagabond life. NOT!

Images from the International Fold Art Museum. I did not work on these and some are a bit hard to see due to the lighting. The sculptor of the Indian women is one of my favorite, Alan Houser. I am a big FAN.