Rio Grande Explorations

RV Trip to the High Mountains

Day 3 - Monday, September 24, 2018

Chama, New Mexico

I got up first and got breakfast going. For the first time since leaving Spring, the RV was staying put. So, there would be no stopping for breakfast on the road. The coffee, eggs, and sausage sure smelled good... and reminded me of many happy mornings at the Beach House as a kid.

As soon as breakfast was over, Noah and I walked back to the yard to catch the departure of Train 216. He was fascinated, though a bit intimidated by the sound. After the train left we explored the yard and ended up in the Depot where there's a wooden Thomas play table. We were there for quite a bit before heading back for lunch and a nap.

Well, Noah got a nap. I went to work for the Friends. Had to replace some network gear that was damaged in a lightning strike a few months earlier. George (father-in-law) offered to help, and while we were walking to the yard, John Engs (Friends Board Member) drove by and stopped to pick up all the gear I was carrying. THANKS JOHN. Then we joined him for lunch at Fosters before getting started. Lunch was good (as always) and the project went fine. I got all of the production systems replaced that I needed to and new back-up gear stored so we'll be ready for the next lightning strike.

After I finished and got everything cleaned up, we hiked back to the RV. Noah was up from his nap and spent the better part of the afternoon trying to fill the Rio Chama with rocks. He threw his body weight in rocks (if not more) into that river. He never seemed to tire of it and continued doing this every chance he got for the entire trip (except for the Royal Gorge - we wouldn't let him).

Since departing Spring, we'd had occasional warning lights on the fridge. To counteract any problems (there never appeared to be a real issue) we put blocks of dry ice in it to ensure it stayed cold. We ran out this night, so I called Lowes (the all-in-one grocery store, drug store, liquor store, hunting/supply store) in Chama and they stocked it. So, I unpacked the bike, loaded up Noah, and rode off into the sunset. Getting there was easy. Getting back (up hill) with 20 lbs of ice and 35 lbs of boy at 7,800 feet while wearing boots and jeans was not easy. To compound my struggle, 315 was wying a train just after we left Lowes and Noah wanted to see (so did I), so I started pumpin' the pedals for all I was worth. We made it, but just barely. I was seeing stars when we got there... and not because it was dark!

In hindsight, it would've been significantly easier to just drive the RV down there. But, then I wouldn't have the goofy story.

After dinner I set up the camera and got some neat shots of the full moon rising over the Rio Chama truss bridge. Did I mention that our spot was absolutely perfect? It was so nice. I just don't have the words to adequately describe it...