Hit the road tomorrow morning. First leg will be to get past Phoenix and onto some scenic byway. From there just lolygag my way north to the rendezvous. Maybe find Ron on the way or anyone else cruising the frontiers of NM.
As always, god speed to all the brethren testing the depths of the pigs we love.
Don't know where you'll end up in the Phoenix area. Couple of options from there I'd recommend are north from Scottsdale to Payson and on up to Holbrook and I40. Or east to Globe, then north via the Salt River Canyon to Show Low and over to St. Johns, then up to I40 and over to Gallup. If you end up anywhere near Bernallio (just north of Albuquerque) stop at the Range Cafe downtown. If you get to Taos, the Chile Rellenos at Doc Martin's in the Old Taos Inn is a must. If earlier in the day, breakfast down the street at Michael's Kitchen is a locals favorite.
IIRC, the drive on FR 144 from NM 126 west of La Cueva to US 84/285 north of Espanola is a little over 30 miles (it's also known as the 31-mile road). It's all dirt, some of it a bit rocky/rough, but 2WD. I'd allow at least 3 or 4 hours for that part of the drive, more if you stop to enjoy the views.
Or you could continue east on NM 4 from La Cueva past the Valle Grande and on to Bandelier National Monument. NM 4 will join NM 502 north of White Rock, where you can continue east several miles to NM 30. Going north on NM 30 to Espanola will get you to US 84/285.
And here is my favorite photo along NM 4 in the high country of Bandelier National Monument, just east of the Valle Grande. BTW, that photo gets me every time .
Couple of gallons of pork green chile made and in the freezer. Ready for the potluck Friday night. Might not have time to attempt (again) Ige's @nuclearlemon chocolate chip and bacon cookies. Oil change etc. and some minor fluffing and folding on tap today and tomorrow. Heading out Wednesday am and should be at Rio de los Pinos late afternoon. Feeling the need for some whiskey and good friends around the campfire time. Jealous of Ron and Gordobe's early wanderings en route. Bringing t-shirts.
Hmmā¦so to use the bottle opener you will need to leave the shade of the awning and walk around the back then open the bottle in the sun. Guess that will work. LOL
Hmmā¦so to use the bottle opener you will need to leave the shade of the awning and walk around the back then open the bottle in the sun. Guess that will work. LOL
I don't see any fire restrictions on the Carson National Forest website, but it does show low fire danger. It's been raining almost every day in northern New Mexico for the last 10 days or more, we've probably had 5 inches or more here in town. Before that, we hadn't had rain or snow for almost 10 weeks.
I'm back and in Antonito, CO. I'm going to try and find the campground area to day, going by the directions from Jim's video. The video says no cell service out there, so we'll see. Anybody have some rock solid directions from Antonito?
Here's the campground on Google Maps. If you can access the link, you'll find the pathway.
If there's no cell service in that area, you may want to sketch out the directions.
I'm back and in Antonito, CO. I'm going to try and find the campground area to day, going by the directions from Jim's video. The video says no cell service out there, so we'll see. Anybody have some rock solid directions from Antonito?
Just saw your msg. MapQuest doesn't recognize the Rio de Los Pinos camp;ground.
Best I can determine from other online maps is go south from Antonito on US 285. Just past CO Hwy 17 turn right on to County Road 12.5. Follow it quite a way and it'll turn into County Road (or Forest Road) 443 at the NM border. That becomes the Los Pinos River access road, which should lead you to the entrance to the Rio de Los Pinos Recreation Area and campground. Supposed to be about 15 miles.
If you find a better way, drive back to Antonito and let us know!
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. Drink 
cans dont need opener
