Pandora's box

 Stumbled across this a few days ago on my morning hike. Instantly memories crossed my mind of when my former co-workers used to catch bats in the warehouse, and put them in a box labeled.  Do Not Open!!! It was only a matter of time before you heard a loud scream. Surely a box with large rocks holding the lid on cant contain anything good inside. Think ill be moving on.

 The rest of my hike my mind was filled with the possibilities of what could be inside. Rattlesnake, gold, food, stolen loot, perhaps Forrest Fenn's hidden treasure just there for taking. Of course curiosity got the best of me as I passed by on my return hike. A little nudge couldn't hurt?

Bee's hundred's of them immediately swarmed me. I took off running arms flailing all over the place. I am sure it was very good entertainment for any on lookers. Wondering what in the hell is wrong that guy? Ended up with several stings on my neck face, and ear. Would have been more but it was a chilly morning, and I was in jeans, and a jacket.

I notified the park of the box of bee's, so they brought in this guy. Believe this is about the part where he was warning me "Stay Away there's bee's here I heard some fella got bit up good this morning" Thanks for the warning. 

Turns out he knew there was a hive in the area. Came in the park dropped off "What I now know to be plastic beehive " so he could capture them for his honey business.

My current spot on the Rio Grande. Which is part of Caballo State Park, but located below the dam instead of where I was in a previous post.

My new neighbors. Barb, and Katie from Me and My Dog ...and My RV. Pleasure to finally meet you!

Perch flats at the entrance to the Rio Grande site supply a little more freedom if one desires. Although the Rio Grande has been real quiet  Easter weekend was unbelievable with hundreds of people, but I cant complain my neighbor's children brought me hard boiled eggs, and hot dogs. 

Percha Flats is a huge area for primitive camping.

Tumbleweed on the dam. Caballo dam is almost a mile long.

This guy/gal was sitting about 5 feet from "The Turtle" but of course by the time I got the camera he had moved on.

And with every whoooooo you were mooned

Campground in the Cottonwoods from the dam. Thanks for visiting, and Good Day!

Elephant Butte State Park (Photo Intensive)

Bikini's, beer, burgers, boats,and beaches. Elephant Butte has them all! I enjoyed it so much I even considered buying that tiki hut houseboat pictured above, but then the beers wore off, and I figured the Turtle would remain my home.

 Maybe one day though if I ever decide to quit the nomadic life I could be beach bum. I did make several phone calls to local marinas, and talked to a few rangers about the legalities of living on a houseboat on the lake. All they could say was you cant do that! Never really got a clear answer on what the exact rules were from any of them. However you can rent a slip, or a mooring. You wouldn't have to worry about being  hassled. Its all about the Benjamin's. Cheapest I found was $175 a month for a mooring not to bad for life on a lake, or those searching for a alternative lifestyle.

Elephant Butte is the largest lake, and state park in New Mexico. The lake is 36000 acres, 40 miles long, and July 4th can gather a whopping 100000 people. Here a a lot more pics :) Had a few internet issue last week so this is 2 posts in one. 

My home for 2 weeks quiet during the week definitely pic up on the weekends. Most dogs in the area run off there leashes on the beach.

Rattle Snake Island. Guess there's a road to it, but a local told me its up 45ft this year.

Free campsite if you have the state pass $10 without. Each has a shelter, firepit, and picnic table.

Squall moving across the lake

Deep sand in a lot of area's. Roads are actually plowed to keep primitive camping accessible. Get out and walk around to find a good campsite. Seen lots of trucks get stuck

Cheap transportation

The freedom I wasn't expecting from living in state parks people are allowed to camp anywhere,

or launch your boat from the beach.

The dirt dam beginning of the hike Elephant Butte dam. 3 miles round trip. 

Scenery to the dam

Dam Hike! Yep that pretty much all yah get to see, because of security measures after 9-11. The dam is 301ft tall and 1674 ft long.

Turtle from the shore.

 

Where the other hiking trail leads. Much better then that dam hike!

$3 Blue moons on tap

Green chile burger. New mexico is known for its green chile harvest. Had fresh roasted green chiles for the first time 2 years ago. Look forward to the season every year.

Ill definitely be going back. There's plenty to do, and see. Groceries are just a few miles, and the views are fantastic. Thanks for visiting! Good Day!

Rattlesnake!

I've already headed north to my next destination, but haven't got to do much exploring yet, so figured Id share a few more pics of Caballo State Park.

 Hiking Trails

 For you adventurous sorts with high clearance vehicles there is some excellent camping. Quiet, trees, and right on the beach at there very north end of the park. I actually didn't find it until my last couple of  days. 

 Blooming Cacti

 Bright blue bug?

 Been seeing this awkward trail much more on my daily hikes. Figured I would stumble across its creator sooner, or later.

Then there he, or she was. Not sure which? But wasn't gonna investigate any further, so I tipped my hat, and we parted ways. Good Day!