After two years of fighting cancer and heart problems, and with the inability to do the things that gave his life joy and meaning, Lou Brochetti availed himself of New Mexico’s End-of-Life Options law and departed this existence today on his own terms, in his own home, among loving friends. There was crying and laughing and lots of hugging. This good man has left a big hole in many lives.
This was the temperature just before sunrise this morning. Luckily, I’m plugged into shore power and have an electric heater warming the Rolling Steel Tent. I don’t do winter very well, but I’m adjusting.
The tiny town of Santa Clara, New Mexico, just over the mountain from here, held its annual tamale festival yesterday. Music, dancers, custom cars and, of course, food. We loaded up on tamales and empanadas.
The weather has shifted into Get Ready for Winter mode. Highs in the low 50s with nighttime temperatures in the 20s and, oh my, teens. According to my inside-outside thermometer it got down to 17°F last night. Oh brrrrrrrrrr. And it was 35°F inside the Rolling Steel Tent, thanks to not running any heat once I go to bed. Speaking of the bed, it was sufficiently warm even though the windows were completely frosted over.
I left Guadalupe Mountains National Park dashed to — and through — El Paso. My goal was the Dripping Springs dispersed camping area on the east side of Las Cruces. The Organ Mountains were cloud shrouded, so I expected it to be a wet night. I didn’t expect it to be as windy as it was. The van got shaken and knocked around all night.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (featuring the highest point in Texas) is just down the highway from Carlsbad Caverns. I didn’t really expect much, especially compared to the caverns, but it was an enjoyable time.
I was feeling a little... blah that morning. It was a little chilly and overcast. It had rained during the night and probably would again during the day. Not the kind of weather I’d choose for hiking. Maybe I would just hit the visitor center for a sticker to add to my collection then take off for home. Nah, it would be cheating to say I’d been to Guadalupe Mountains if I didn’t at least stroll a little down a trail.
So I did. I set off without any gear other than my phone. No water, no jacket, no hat, no trail map... because I was just going a hundred yards or so. However, the trail and scenery were nice, so I kept on walking. And walking. I passed people with backpacks and hiking poles. I was the foolish old man heading into the wilderness totally unprepared.
After about a mile and a half the clouds closed up, the breeze increased, and the temperature dropped. Most likely rain was on its way. So I turned around. Just in time. I got to the Rolling Steel Tent and started on a fruit & cereal bar when the sky opened. I must be getting more savvy about this outdoors awareness stuff.
