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Didn’t do anything exciting today. When I was doing laundry, I picked up the 2018 Best of Taos Magazine. The best traditional Mexican restaurant was right across the street from the laundromat. Ordered two entrees, enchiladas and spicy calamaris, leftovers for dinner. It’s a Mexican/Seafood restaurant. Calamaris were great. Best overall restaurant in Taos is Lambert’s.

Calamaris didn’t taste burned, or is it burnt?

The battery that came with my trailer would not charge. 41 degrees last night. My propane furnace needs electricity for its fan. Woke up pretty cold. Tried to find the battery on the internet but found no information. Got a good deal on two 75 ah, 12V batteries I connected in parallel. Still 12V but should last a while before charging. So far, so good.

Walked over to look at this. I hope the person had insurance, sure he or she did, even broke the slab.

Drove east from Chama, New Mexico to Eagle’s Nest State Park Campground about 35 miles east of Taos, New Mexico. You’re driving over high mesa for quite a few miles, flat, and then about 10 miles west of Taos is this.In the middle, on each side, is a small balcony so you are a few feet out from the bridge.

One on each side.

Taos must have been a very cool place back when the artists that made it famous were alive. I know there are galleries, fine restaurants, spas, etc..

It’s a parking lot…View from my campground in the middle of a beautiful mountain valley. It’s also kinda in the middle of the small town Eagle’s Nest.

Someone had a bad day backing their rv in.

Today I took a 90 mile drive west to fish the San Juan River. The 4.25 miles of river below the dam is considered hallowed ground, one of the top 10 trout fishing waters in the US. Water constantly flows from the bottom of the dam. It’s slow, clear, and cold.I fished way to the right, just below the little bend.

I was fishing Cable Hole. With my annual camping pass I have access to every area on the map.

A bit of a hike.

I stopped at Abe’s Motel, Fly Shop, Gas Station, and Restaurant, a well known establishment. Every fly they recommended was a size 22, The size of the fly on the quarter, and that’s for huge fish.

The bug on my hand is a big part of their diet.

I caught 4 smaller rainbows and missed quite a few.

Downstream a half mile or so.

For whatever reason, WordPress is a day ahead Big easy pull-through site

The view behind my trailer this morning

Huevos Rancheros at this diner

This fella was in the campground bathroom stall with me. We sat and stared at each other for a few minutes. I left. He stayed.

About 5 miles east of Los Alamos.

This restaurant in Espanola had 488 reviews and was almost 5 stars. Beautiful inside with fantastic food. Wasn’t cheap.

Both ends of the rainbow.

Left Mesa Verde and took about a 3 hour drive into north central New Mexico. First time in New Mexico. Pretty sure I’ll spend the remainder of my “easing into retirement trip” exploring New Mexico (NM). A nonresident can buy a NM State Park campground pass good for the next 12 months for $225, and I did. Until September 30th, 2019 I can camp at any NM State Park. Every 14 days you have to move. If you want electricity and water it’s $4 extra per night. I’m camping at Heron Lake State Park for the next 3 nights. Looking forward to sampling New Mexican Cuisine in small towns close by. Until recently I didn’t know New Mexican Cuisine was a thing. Wikipedia “New Mexican Cuisine” and you will find all you need to know.

A few photos.

Private shower at Mesa Verde campground. Blows my mind that this sign is necessary.

The Airstream Caravan is leaving. They were lined up at the dump station. Like the queen, even Airstreams dump.

Took a ranger guided tour of Balcony House.

The way in.

The way out.

Colorado, and I guess the entire west has been very hot and dry. Signs everywhere here saying No Campfires. Today they got some of what they need.

Photos from the highest point on the Mesa.

Back at Mesa Verde for 4 nights.

I’ve heard about Airstream clubs and caravans. There is a caravan taking up an entire campground loop. A lot of money in that loop.

Many, many big and small mule deer.

Went downstream of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park into Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area where you can hike to the river via several different routes. It’s considered a great trout river. I didn’t fish very long cause it was noon, about 90 degrees, and I was getting burned. Got a couple of hits using grasshopper flies that I tied, but I wasn’t paying attention and missed them.

Tonight and tomorrow night I’ll be camped at The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It’s a 2250 feet deep narrow canyon. It’s so deep and so narrow because the rock is igneous and metamorphic, very hard. The river cut straight down, not out.

There is a steep, long, winding road called Crystal Road that goes down to the bottom of the canyon. The area at the bottom is called East Portal. You can fish, camp (tent only) picnic, and swim if you can take the cold water.

If you zoom in you can see two fishermen just where the river goes around the bend. I have fished that spot.