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!