It’s been suggested by a patron that I do something nice for myself.

This is roughly what I’m planning in response:

El Morro and El Malpais are both National Monuments.

The volcano and ice caves are a private concession: Introduction to the Ice Caves Trading Post

Not listed on this sign is the State Park at Bluewater Lake, which I will also check out. But there’s bad news about the old deal with NM State Parks. As of the start of the year, the great deals once available on state park camping are no longer a thing–they’ve jacked the rates radically. The non-resident yearly pass of $225 is now $600. Electrical hookups went from $4 to $10 a night, dump stations from $5 to $10, and water from free to five more dollars.

It won’t be feasible again as any kind of long-term strategy unless and until I am at least a New Mexico resident. And even then, the motivations will consistently evolve toward boondocking, and carrying more water on board (at eight pounds to the gallon), and generating my own electric.

Which honestly is not so much of a bad thing.

Because it’s closer to simplicity and self-sufficiency, which is sort of the whole point.

***

In the meantime I am nursing a summers-only Plan B centered around the North Platte River and the Wind River Range up north.

But of course all of it is just high theory until there is a well-designed and dependable rig to drive/haul anywhere. So that rolling home, alongside the fixed abode(s), and reductions in monthly costs, will be the primary focus, starting now on the cusp of the improving weather. Below-freezing nighttime temps are once again in the rearview mirror, probably and perhaps for the next six months this time. With the blessing.