Southwest NEW MEXICO Rockdocking Rock Hunt- July/August 2015

[mstcswagb20]

Hi everyone. After some able assistance from Web Support, I am finally able to post so I thought I would just check in and say that we are looking forward to meeting you all in Quemado in July! I personally am really looking forward to seeing the truly fabulous night sky that you can get when there is no light pollution. If you find us gone one morning it probably means that we've hitched a ride on slightly more advanced "aluminum vehicle"

Glen & Estrella

[Tincampers]

We are not going to be able to make it. We just learned that our closing will be delayed by 10 days. We'll see you next time!

[Lily&Me]

Too bad, mrprez.

Will look forward to meeting you down the road.


SOUTHWEST ROCKDOCKING 2015

Ray Eklund
Thalweg
Prickly Pear/pienjim
unifreck
traveluminum
Lily&Me
ramblingirl
mstcswagb20


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Ray likely has scouted out a good rockdocking location for us, by now, and we are less than a month away.

I am planning to start meandering southwest on the 29th of this month, and to be in Soccorro, NM for final preparations on July 10th.

Looks like we are a group of 8 rigs, including the Eklunds.

A pretty good crowd for this, in my opinion.

I'm ready.....almost.

See you soon!


Maggie

[Thalweg]

We'll probably be headin' that way around the 5th or 6th, with layovers in the Gunnison NF and Mesa Verde. We're really looking forward to meeting you Maggie, and Ray, and the rest of the folks.

I put the trailer in the garage a couple of weeks ago to get it polished up for the trip, but have made little progress. It's so easy to find things to do other than polishing. I really hate the polishing.

[Ray Eklund]

Stopping at Quemado, NM on our way to Nevada we found the roads and side roads absolutely perfect. There will be no need for any hardware to leave the main all weather gravel road to the road to the campsite.

After looking the campsite over, there is room for 20 trailers, if not more! There are plenty of sites in the sun, shade and beneath any trees. An Interstate, 16 foot Bambi or a 34 foot Airstream will find this a no risk Off the Grid camp.

At first I had thought a group would be needed to coordinate the navigating trailers off the main Forest Service Road, but now will be unnecessary. I will most likely arrive the day before at Quemado (Sunday), spend the evening at one of many open spots around town (as discussed earlier) and water up Monday, July 13th at the Forest Service water "pump". I want to be traveling light and will top off our water in Quemado. The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and the water pump is locked with a key to unlock available when they are open during the week.

The two days we spent at the campsite were absolutely wonderful with temperatures running during the day in the 79-82F highs and lows 39-43F. Of course this was June, but expect cool evenings and comfortable hot dry days under the trees while hiking.

There were at least a hundred cow ELK and numerous CALVES not far from the campsite. About 10 miles north a group of six Javelina about the size of a 40 pound dog, lots of winter hair still attached and wanting to get as far away from us as they could. The weirdest furry things I have seen while traveling. Hummingbirds were checking us out at the campsite. Among the Spruce, Pinion and Pine were flies that would fly around you. When in the sun lit areas, they retreat back into the trees. By July they, no doubt, will have died of old age. No bear scat was encountered for those wanting to pet 350 pounds of fur.

So anyone who was able to help coordinate and assist need not arrive the afternoon of the 12th.

The restaurant Largo Cafe and Motel, (west side of town on the south side of main road) served a fairly decent breakfast. I would have to assume the lunch menu would be similar in quality. Not among the Five Star Las Vegas Strip restaurants, but for the price I had no complaints.

The gasoline station in Quemado is on the north side of the E-W highway, open 24 hours and takes credit cards. The price at Magdalena, NM was $3.09 and Quemado, NM was $2.84. Gasoline in Nevada was running $3.08 to $3.28.. figure that out. The Magdalena station was on the north side of the main road, and if you exited on the EAST side of the station, the drop off could damage your grey/black plumbing. We used leveling blocks to safely depart. The "newer" Conoco Station on the South side of town had all the pump handles covered with plastic bags... obviously out of business now.

We had expected to be spending the next four weeks camped in the Nevada high country (evenings in the 50's and around 90 during the day at 6,000 feet+). I bought about 400 pounds of geology books in Albuquerque, NM on the way to Quemado, expecting to buy just ONE carton... but was surprised how many books I could... use. The nine cartons were more weight than I wanted to haul around with a full water tank, etc... so worked our way back to Colorado and arrived home this morning.

[Lily&Me]

That is all good news, Ray!

See you soon.



Maggie

[traveluminum]

Thanks for the update! We're looking forward to this trip and meeting everyone. We'll be leaving for Colorado next weekend, traveling with my parents. Then, we'll mosey south to New Mexico!

[Lily&Me]

We may well wander in to Quemado on Sunday, the 12th, too....because, why not?

I have a couple of questions, Ray....

1. Will we be able to dump grey water onto the ground.....as in bath water, not dishwater with food particles? Having a 10 gallon grey tank, even realizing daily showers will not occur, this is something I am thinking about.

I have a large, collapsible, basin, that traps most water very nicely in the shower, and have dumped this couple of gallons away from a site in the past.


2. I am really looking forward to the wildlife, but wondering about Miss Lily. When she has seen deer, if she is loose she runs them off. She would definitely notice elk and javelina. Do they wander close to humans, at all?

Javelina could do her some damage. I don't want her tangling with any wild animals, seeming determined to protect me from all real, and perceived, dangers. She does respond well to "no".....if I catch her before she takes off.

I have a 30' horse lead I am considering just putting her on at all times....at least in the beginning, til I see how she responds.


3. Also, does the gas station in Quemado sell diesel fuel?


Any thoughts, sir?


Maggie

[Thalweg]

Javeina, hmmm, I'd never heard of such a thing. So I looked them up. They don't appear to be aggressive, but apparently will protect themselves if attacked. They don't look like they'd be particularly speedy either. Our dog will chase some critters. Especially squirrels. I frequently don't worry about it too much as there is little chance she'll actually catch anything. She's pretty good at knowing which critters not to mess with; elk, bears, snakes, etc. However, I suspect that if these javelina are around, she'll have to be tied up as well.

[Lily&Me]

I think of javelina and picture tusks....thinking, Old Yeller.

They are wild pigs, aren't they?

Lily chases squirrels and rabbits....just has not had the opportunity to chase really "wild" animals, but I think she might try. She thinks she is bigger and tougher than any thing on two or four legs, that she does.

Booger dog.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Teeth.

Lily will be on that horse lead.


Maggie

[Ray Eklund]

We let our two Blue Heelers loose without a problem for years. They seem to know their way around better than ourselves and our scent will keep most everything else at a distance.

I would be more concerned with our Heelers eating some other dog's food in our event. For some reason any other food is more interesting than their own.

There are Jack Rabbits and Squirrels in the area. Good exercise for your dog(s) and they will become tired of chasing anything after a couple attempts.

Seen one rattlesnake in 8 years. Bats at night just after sunset.

When rock hunting you tend to be looking down and see anything on the ground. Bird watchers are more likely to step on... things. Their eyes are in the trees and the horizon.

Hunters tend to find good "stuff" as they are following tracks and scat, while looking around for good places to sit and wait for something to show up.

If any are interested, there is an area about 15 miles east where we hunt deer and elk antlers. Some years the professionals do not come through and sometimes some 5 and 6 point elk antlers can be picked up. Takes... A... Lot.... of... hiking for those interested. You come back empty handed and do not have to carry anything. Find a couple of 6 point Elk antlers and you wish the truck was parked closer than it currently is sitting!

Emptied the trailer today for next month's packing. Start a trip clean and tidy. Return needing to figure out what is needed.

[Lily&Me]

Ray was unable to post these photos of our camping area, so I am doing it for him.

He also advises that grey water on the ground out there is not a problem.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

A higher viewpoint.

Maggie

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

We may well wander in to Quemado on Sunday, the 12th, too....because, why not?

I have a couple of questions, Ray....

1. Will we be able to dump grey water onto the ground.....as in bath water, not dishwater with food particles? Having a 10 gallon grey tank, even realizing daily showers will not occur, this is something I am thinking about.

I have a large, collapsible, basin, that traps most water very nicely in the shower, and have dumped this couple of gallons away from a site in the past.


2. I am really looking forward to the wildlife, but wondering about Miss Lily. When she has seen deer, if she is loose she runs them off. She would definitely notice elk and javelina. Do they wander close to humans, at all?

Javelina could do her some damage. I don't want her tangling with any wild animals, seeming determined to protect me from all real, and perceived, dangers. She does respond well to "no".....if I catch her before she takes off.

I have a 30' horse lead I am considering just putting her on at all times....at least in the beginning, til I see how she responds.


3. Also, does the gas station in Quemado sell diesel fuel?


Any thoughts, sir?


Maggie

Hi

Although not going wish we were, sounds like a great experience. Some trainer advice on dogs in the wild. A wild animal will protect itself, the Javelina will run from a dog, but if pursued and attacked with tusks could do serious damage. As well trained as my dogs are, when camping or in the wild they are not off leash, long leads yes. Snakes are always a big concern of mine.

The easiest and best command for this activity is "leave". It can be taught in a matter of few days to a compliant dog. Drop a piece of food on the ground, stand between the food and the dog and say leave. They catch on pretty quickly and it can then be transferred to anything you do not want them near. Even while on a lead our puppy Abby came on a Copperhead, leave and she stood and waited for the OK, which she never got.

Dogs know when they are on and off lead and will in most cases comply more readily when on lead. I always take the safest action I can to protect my dogs from themselves. It only takes one time.

I apologize for jumping in but when it comes to dogs I just can not help myself.

My Best

Bud

[Lily&Me]

Don't apologize, Bud, and thanks for the advice.

Lily learned "leave it" in dog school a couple of years ago, and responds well to it.

We'll see how she does when she sees a wild animal from a distance.

I have seen her run deer off, but horses and cattle, behind fences, she just barks at.

It will be a new experience for us both.


Maggie

[pienjim]

Good advice about dogs...or at least ours. Mine like to chase fast-moving things and they have plenty of opportunity here with jackrabbits and deer. They will be on a leash until I figure how well they will behave.

We are looking forward to meeting the group.

Paula (AKA GrannyPie)


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Ray Eklund]

It appears to me that we will have to socialize ourselves and our dogs soon after everyone arrives at the campsite. Get their pecking order, the dogs that is, straightened out and we will all be less worried about any interactions of pets and people.

I do recommend that you have your dog wear a scarf for reasons already explained on this Thread.

Our Blue Heelers like to work... on their own schedule. Dingo to some, Blue Heeler to others and Cattle Dog when around livestock.

Camped on the Mogollon Rim just north of Payson, AZ in 2006, as young pups, they managed to herd several Bull Elk... towards US! My wife and I dodged behind separate trees as the elk passed and we rounded up the energetic working dogs rested from a long trip. We never saw the Bull Elk at the campsite again, so something was positive to come out of this situation. Payson, AZ was having a water shortage, so we had a difficult time filling our trailer's tank. I had to buy a propane "minimum", which was not needed to top off our tanks, but we did get water and never plan to visit Payson, AZ again.

The closest vet is just west of Socorro, NM on the north side of the highway going towards Magdalena, NM and eventually Quemado. The Arc of Socorro (575-835-9002)

A mobile unit makes its rounds to Reserve, NM, but I do not recall what regular date/times appearances are made. I can barely recall my telephone number at times. (Jack Duncan- Big Country Veterinary Services 575-418-7674) The grocery store in town has the date posted on their window for all to see. Like I told you, we leave few stones unturned when exploring. When the Vet is in town... those in the area bring everything needing attention. This is just FYI.

Pot Luck Maggie:

Maggie asked earlier about a Pot Luck. Pot is not legal in NM. Luck... there are plenty of NM Casinos to practice your luck.

If someone wants to toss something like this together I am sure no one will have a reason not to attend nor participate with providing whatever is transported, found or stepped upon providing Pinon nuts, edible fruit, vegetable or animal protein. Probably best to use what you purchased before arriving will suit the majority.

Pot Luck Dingo Style:

I pulled some "interesting", as far as I am concerned, Arizona and New Mexico geology books for... prizes. You will have time to practice and I will have time to make up more rules and appoint official observers of this Pot Luck Dingo Style penny toss.

A five gallon bucket will be placed a comfortable distance from the participant. (Far enough so I do not win all of this back and have to haul it home.)

Each "registered" participant will provide 10 dull or shiny cents. Someone honest, Maggie comes to mind, will count the cents that are tossed into the bucket. Close calls are not worth a cent, so do not argue like it is a game of horseshoes or tossing toilet lids around a sapling.

When the "participants", which is you and anyone else eagerly awaiting their turn to play, have finished tossing their 10 individual cents, the honest, Maggie comes to mind, will make an official count and write it next to your real, alias or fictitious name. The highest score of "cents in the bucket" gets first pick of these special literary treasures. Then the next and so on.

The "honest" official, Maggie comes to mind, can also participate, but a second most honest official will do the official count. OK.

Check with Maggie and sign up. She and her lovely dog Lily, will officiate this arduous game of skill. Do not argue with the honest official as you could be appointed as a replacement, shortly after.

If there are TIES... an honest official, probably Maggie, will blindfold those cheats and rascals and they will have a ten individual cent toss with anyone they want to stand near the bucket, directing the contestant with directions to hit the target. They need not be honest, the assistant that is, so Maggie is off the hook for this... but an honest official must make the count of cents in the bucket.

Any "lost cents", common or not, become the property of anyone who wants to look for them. We, the honest officials, as Maggie comes to mind again, are not responsible for your losing your cents, nickels and dimes are permitted though.

This game meets all of the "legal" requirements of the State of New Mexico and if successful, will be faithfully executed as future nonsense in future outings.

[Lily&Me]

Thank you for volunteering me, kind sir, but I am sure we will be replete with honest Airstreamers with whom these gaming tasks may be shared.


Maggie