Category: 2018, August, September Colorado, New Mexico Retirement Trip

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Check out the above video

It’s time to bite the bullet and hire a guide. Should have done it my first day. For me, it isn’t really about the catching, it’s about the experience, but it’s become frustrating. I’m guessing a father and son, the son was in his thirties, were close enough to me so I could here them talking, were being guided by a cool woman maybe 55 years old. I can cast better than they, probably tie knots better. They were catching fish. I wasn’t. Hopefully, I can arrange a guide on short notice.

First of nine days fishing the San Juan just below Navajo Dam. A beautiful river in a beautiful canyon in the desert. There isn’t anything around here except RVs and fishermen. I fished “Cable Hole” for a few hours. It takes some effort to get to.My truck is up there.

Need to walk across thisthrough this

Where I walked into the river

downstream

I can catch small ones. When you move your feet, microscopic bugs are dislodged. Then the big fish come to eat, not much fear. The only things they seem to be afraid of are my flies. They don’t fear me at all.

Big fish

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About 200 yards from my trailer, the river, but not considered “quality water”, got a hit.

Took a big detour in order to visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. Found a Park and Ride north of Sante Fe and called Lyft.

O’Keeffe lived in this area maybe 30 to 40 miles north of Santa Fe. You have to scheduled a tour of her home. Group size is limited. Next opening is October 3rd.

My Campground for the next 10 days, Navajo Dam Cottonwood Campground on the San Juan River.

I stopped at Abe’s Fly Shop and bought these nine flies that are on top of a quarter. It’s what they eat.

Yesterday I took a little ride through Cimarron Canyon State Park. It’s not far east from where I’m camped, Eagle’s Nest State Park. There is a beautiful small river, more of a stream, that the highway follows, the Cimarron River.

Today I made it to Historic Taos before things got busy.One art gallery after another.

I’m rereading Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides, a book about Kit Carson and the Army of the West. The Army of the West captured New Mexico and California for the United States. I kinda always thought Kit Carson was an exaggerated figure. He isn’t. An amazing person, but he killed a lot of Native Americans.

Carson was a Mason. His home was bought and sold many times. Finally a Mason bought it and restored it.

Google Maps gets lost in Taos. Not sure if there are any parallel or perpendicular streets so it took me some time to find Kit Carson Park. It’s a small park that is used for various things. There’s a small baseball diamond and a small cemetery.Just now realized this is his son’s headstone. Oh well, I’m leaving tomorrow morning so maybe next time. What am I, some kinda moron?

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.