It was a beautiful clear night in the desert… When we got in! Camp in the desert they said, it never rains in the desert they said! At about 2am a thunderstorm rolled in, lightening, thunder…. Then bucket loads of rain! One side of the tent started sagging and threatened to collapse in the strong winds; we literally had to prop it with our hands/bodies for a while there. Only a light smattering of rain made it in the bottom section of the windy side, not enough to get us properly wet thank goodness(just scare us). After the storm we went out for a look, got lucky enough to see a fox on the ridge.
Sunset over the dunes
It was beautiful in the morning, white sand dunes contrasting with a stark stormy sky backdrop… No sunrise though unfortunately. We took our time packing up, enjoying the remoteness, and slowly headed out, a quick breakfast at a picnic table then we left to the visitors centre.
Our backcountry campsite
Ended up hanging around there for a while, had an instant burrito early lunch and chatted with the park ranger from last night, as well as a couple who showed up on Beemers (650 and 800).
One last drive through the dunes for pictures when the sun was out, then we were back on the road southwest through Las Cruces towards Gila.
Along the sandy loop road
Pretty average drive on a busy truck road again, apart from the pass through Organ Mountains which was nice.
We arrived at City of Rocks State Park mid afternoon, which was literally a city-like group of massive rocks of all shapes sticking up out of the New Mexico desert.
Unfortunately we hadn’t stopped for food along the way, and the desert is very remote out here! We found a supermarket on Google(1bar of signal in certain spots!) half an hour up the road towards Gila. I set off to find food for the night while Tanguy worked on his bike (bit of an oil leak cropped up).
Fixing a threaded bolt and oil leak on the left valve cover
The place I found was an all organic local produce set up in a field on the side of the road…. We are in the cuds!
After no organic/fresh veggie type ‘good’ food in a while I may have gone a tad overboard on supplies… And enjoyed chatting to the guy working there. Man, I miss Whole Foods sometimes, this was the next best thing!
Headed back to camp to cook our yummy meal with fresh veggies. 🙂 Small things in life.
City of rocks campground
Nice night sleeping between giant rocks in a really well maintained camp site, listening to the howls hoot in the trees and chase the kangaroo mice we saw scampering around our site.
-Zoe
Nice organic food adepts?
Have a look at urbancrops.be whenever you get a signal.
I work with this Belgian company to promote organic farming in the middle of mega-cities.
Baci to both
Luckily you found the spear part pieces you needed tot repair your leak….and they came in time too !
Always tie up your tent like as if it will be stormy and windy..weather can change so fast especially when you don’t expect it.
I like the color of your hair Zoe !