The morning ran up with a clear blue sky and after shaking off the chill of this high elevation, we got into the van and pushed onwards - down to Las Cruces, NM.
The latest plan was to climb over the St.Augustin Pass for so to descend down into the valley towards White Sands Nat'l Monument. While the climb the opposite way a few years ago proved almost disastrous for our van, the climb from Las Cruces is much shorter and didn't amount to any problems. At this time I also need to stress that I got the original 3:43 rear differential of the Chevy van replaced with the 4:11 which has proven to be much better for towing. The van is now even sporting a slightly better fuel mileage. |
| Starting on the climb to St.Augustin Pass |
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| From the top of St.Augustin Pass |
Despite a busy parking lot at the White Sands we pulled in for a little break. That proved to be a mistake, as some private cars blocked the outlet for the parked RVs. And besides, the parking lot is not adequate to accommodate a huge number of visitors. But eventually we got out of there again and continued to the Walmart in Alamogordo, where we ate lunch in the parking lot. |
| Sierra Blanca with White Sands |
The plan now was to get onto Hwy 54 which eventually reaches Santa Rosa at the I-40.
From Ruidoso the 54 passes through a number of very small towns and villages. Most of these places are obviously suffering a slow death.
Businesses along their Main Streets are abandoned and boarded up. One gas station was completely out of gasoline, the only other charged prime amounts for gas.
Some parts of the road is actually part of famous Rte. 66 and buildings with their characteristic signs from the 50s would be worth more time to explore.
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Route 66
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In between the towns and villages the 54 leads through a vast landscape of nothingness.
For quite some time we could enjoy the view of the snow-covered Sierra Blanca. What a great sight!
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| Your Choice |
After well 8 hrs on the road, we arrived at Santa Rosa around 4pm. 6 miles north of town lies the Santa Rosa Lake State Park. We found out that their primitive camp sites, at $10 would be the right for us. With its Juniper covered area the park is beautiful and offers lots of hiking and of course, boating on the lake. To my great pleasure is ATVing prohibited. So no disturbing noise from those guys. |
| Santa Rosa Lake |
The latest plan was to climb over the St.Augustin Pass for so to descend down into the valley towards White Sands Nat'l Monument. While the climb the opposite way a few years ago proved almost disastrous for our van, the climb from Las Cruces is much shorter and didn't amount to any problems. At this time I also need to stress that I got the original 3:43 rear differential of the Chevy van replaced with the 4:11 which has proven to be much better for towing. The van is now even sporting a slightly better fuel mileage.
Despite a busy parking lot at the White Sands we pulled in for a little break. That proved to be a mistake, as some private cars blocked the outlet for the parked RVs. And besides, the parking lot is not adequate to accommodate a huge number of visitors. But eventually we got out of there again and continued to the Walmart in Alamogordo, where we ate lunch in the parking lot.
Businesses along their Main Streets are abandoned and boarded up. One gas station was completely out of gasoline, the only other charged prime amounts for gas.
For quite some time we could enjoy the view of the snow-covered Sierra Blanca. What a great sight!
Thank you, Peter, for sharing! :-)
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