Day 15 CDR-Sept. 9
This is the sixth camp where there has been no cell or broadband service. I haven’t been able to update the blog since Sept. 3. Thanks for your patience. We are hoping to have service when we arrive in Cuba, NM. And possibly get a motel for the night. We are thinking it may be to our advantage to spend the extra time getting prepared for the long, remote and isolated treks across New Mexico. Food, fuel and water are supplies that we will most likely not be able to replenish very often in the coming days. Once we leave Cuba, it will be at least Grants. NM before we are able to re-supply.
Today may be a short travel day as we are only about 50-60 miles away from Cuba, NM. Not certain of the travel time account the forest roads in the Santa FE Natl. Forest are not the best maintained we have seen. Most of them have to be traversed in low range 4x4 due to the rocky conditions.
When we found this campsite we needed to rebuild the fire ring and gather a lot of firewood. We try to have a nice fire every night to cook on and to sit around after supper. Of course, the dry conditions dictate how, when and where we have a fire. This hasn’t been a problem yet but we are always aware of the danger of a camp fire in the forest.
A big enjoyment during this expedition is in the evening when we all relax around the fire and talk about the day or anything else that comes up.
This may be the last day that Marcus, Rob and Ben will be with us. They must return to Lincoln for work. It has been great having them be a part of the expedition. They need a bigger tent however. :O)
The trip from this campsite toward Cuba could be called “The day in the mist”. Coming down out of the mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest was an experience few get to see.
We arrived in Cuba just a bit after lunch so we refueled, found a motel and ate at one of the best Mexican restaurants we have seen. The name is El Bruno’s Restaurante. www.elbrunos.com
If you are ever in Cuba, NM and you like Mexican food, this is the place to eat. Guacamole made right at your table, they cut the fresh avacodos and mix in the spices right in front of you, salsa that is tasty, sopapillas that are fluffy and soft and served with honey. Every meal we ordered was delicious. The staff were very attentative and excellent servers who catered to our every need. On a scale of 1 to 100 they are about a 125.
We will have time to do some sorely needed laundry and get a hot shower we all need badly.
Marcus, Rob and Ben left us today for home. It was great to have them from Rawlins, WY to Cuba, NM. We all hope they have a safe trip home.
Tom et al:
ReplyDeleteI am Alex's G'pa and have been following your adventure from the day you left Lincoln. Thank you for publishing all of the details and working out the process to share it. It's a thrill to watch you travel the back roads and climb to the 11,000 foot levels on the topomap.
As you begin to approach the Arizona/Mexico border, I am concerned that you have good, current information about the locations and levels of bandito activity. Your planned route into Antelope Wells, NM, then traveling west along the border will take you right thru the known bandito territory. Use great caution after you travel south of Interstate 10. The cartel operatives are posting lookouts and snipers in the less traveled back road routes. It's very possible the folks you meet on the trails near the border will be banditos.
If you would find it helpful, I can get phone numbers of the Arizona border county sheriffs offices. They may have some guidance that will be useful in your choice of routes.
I can be reached at jerrymiller@cox.net or 602.432.7991 cell or text.
Best regards,
Jerry