March 26, 2014

Up early in the morning, I had a forest road to drive, seeking a crossing. Taking the Interstate north a short distance, I took the exit to NM 52, to Cuchillo, NM. Scenic back roads are of interest to me, and this was good. With nothing open there, I went on to Winston, NM, and found another general store for drink and a break. Connecting up with NM 59, this heads into the National Forest, and another Divide crossing. Not as high as I expected, it climbs on up, and I set my video to even capture some elk on the road ahead. There was a sign marking this crossing, and I stopped, then turned around to go to a trailhead with restroom. The Continental Divide Trail goes through here, with a trail sign.

So that was done. I returned east, with a stop at Chloride, a ghost town. There is a museum, and I donated a dollar, using a nice facility. I had a chat with the caretakers, then left.

Back to Interstate 25, I zoomed north, to Socorro, NM, where I took U.S. 60 west. There was easy driving for the rest of this day. I set video for the crossing just east of Pie Town, NM, which was all closed up. I had sought to have some pie, here, but I was defeated. Backtracking east to Datil, NM, I took NM 12 westward for another crossing. There was the Plains of San Agustin, and then my video didn’t run as I had thought. So, I missed capturing a close encounter with some pronghorns by the highway, and only took a brief clip as I crossed over by the sign.

Joining NM 32, I headed north, and enjoyed the scenery. Many enviro club people hate this, but I was having my fun. Scenic, remote country. Coming then to Quemado, NM, I got a drink and rest, then took NM 36 north for a double crossing. Setting my video to capture driving over both of them, there wasn’t any sign or marker. Low ridges, not much to see. So, that was done. I had some miles to go northward to get to Gallup, NM. There is a crossing on NM 53 which I had already done, seeing El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments in 2005 or so.

A terrible wind and dust storm was in progress as I came to Gallup, and I had to get directions for my motel. Again, I just had a salad from a fast food eatery for dinner, doing my diet well. I enjoyed having time to be online, getting the news and connecting, with some good speed at some of the motels.

2014 New Mexico Road Trip Home, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 1, 2, Movies

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