Along the Rio Chama

 

Along the Rio Chama

We decided to make a grocery store run via a back road along the Rio Chama (Chama River).  It’s generally such a nice drive, and it didn’t disappoint this time either!!

Here are a couple of great views along the Rio Chama – the one on the left was taken from a picnic area that is part of the Rio Chama Recreation Area.  The image on the right was take on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land and is actually the view one can have if one was to camp there.  There are a few of these camping spots available in this area.  They are free, but don’t have any hook-ups (water or electric), so it’s what’s called dry camping or boondocking.  The view is priceless, though!!

Again, this is from one of the dry camping sites, and what a lovely mirror view of the Rio Chama.  The river always looks muddy and brown in this area.  It’s clean (meaning, no chemicals), but because it’s just come out of the Abiquiu Dam, so it’s still rather churned up. Even though the water is flowing, it looks very serene in this image.

When I look at this plant, all I generally think is “Ouch!!”  The plan is called a cholla (pronounced choy – a) and I’ve always felt those thorns to be rather magnetic and are attracted to people!!  It feels as if they sort of leap out at you if you get too close to the plant!  I’m sure that’s not really true, but I swear they did that to me a time or two when I was well clear of the plant!!

Let me be the first to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!!  This is the New Mexico version of Christmas colors.  In fact, when you order chilies as part of your meal, often the wait person will ask if you want “red, green or Christmas” when they are talking about chilies!

Enjoy!