Being Where We Are at Cimarron Canyon State Park

 For several months I've been exploring the map of New Mexico to see where we might like to go after the Balloon Fiesta.  I had focused on the Eagle Nest/Cimarron area of North Central New Mexico on Highway 64 in the Cimarron Mountain Range of the Southern Rockies.

 

The reason this area got my attention was the $225 per year camping permit that the New Mexico State Parks offers to non-residents.  Two of those state parks are in this area.  I thought we would bounce from one park to another and get our money's worth at the same time taking in whatever fall colors remained on the cottonwoods.

 

I was also hoping to have a snow fix. 

 

Although we didn't buy the yearly camping pass, we got here in time to enjoy some fall colors.  And then after a few days, I got my snow fix.

 

Life is good. And we are enjoying Being Where We Are





Highway 64 on the way to Cimarron Canyon



Settled into Campsite No. 16
We soon learned this is the Camphost Site

 



The Cimarron River Runs Through the Campground

 

 

A Few Empty Campsites at Cimarron Canyon SP

 



Another Look at the Lonely Campground



And Then the Snow Came



It Appears No One Else Wants to Camp in the Snow



The Sometimes Wild Cimarron River After the Snowfall

 

The Snow was Nice While it Lasted


 



Still Alone in the Campground...Alone and Cold

 


Sunny and 43° Made Shoveling Snow a Breeze

 

After the Fiesta: Buffet Lunch at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque



Where We Are at Sandia Resort and Casino  10/14/13 - 10/24/13

Bob and I had fabulous experiences every day at the ABQ International Balloon Fiesta.  Everyday left me thinking about writing a post, but the post remained undone.  Alas, I am still going through the gazillion photos I snapped, but am getting closer to deciding which ones I want to share.

We have moved 3 miles North on I-25 to Sandia Resort and Casino where we are dry camping with other RVs with compliments from the management.  We are lucky to have been so near this first class casino that has a first class buffet.

I've always nodded approvingly when being told about a terrific buffet at a casino, but thought, "yeah, yeah."  "Just what I need: a terrific buffet."  Well, today Bob and I enjoyed a terrific buffet lunch so I know what those folks are talking about.  We ate and ate and ate some more.  From salad to pizza to meatloaf to yams to asian to mexican to fruit and finally bread pudding topped with rum sauce and soft serve ice cream.  The ice cream tasted like homemade.  You know the kind made in the metal container with ice and salt packed all around. 

On our investigative walk through the Casino on Monday, we discovered they offered the $10.95 buffet lunch for $5 on Wednesdays to Seniors with the Sandia Peak Rewards Card.  So....today we took advantage of the offer.  We stood in line to sign up for our Rewards Cards, then stood in line with at least 100 other seniors at the buffet to pay, then were seated at a table for two about 2 feet away from the next table for two.

These tables extended side by side in a long row that if put together would seat 40.

It was very easy to become part of our neighbors' conversations.  And join in their conversations, we did.  We felt like we had lots of company at lunch and were very close to becoming fast friends with 3 different couples.  We shared with one of the couples that we were traveling in our motorhome and were visiting the ABQ area after attending the Balloon Fiesta.  We also shared with them how much we liked the Sandia Resort and Casino.  They, in turn, were very kind to suggest we try Buffalo Casino near Santa Fe before we leave the area.

I wonder if Buffalo Casino offers a $5 Senior buffet?  Count us in.