8 July 2019
Now this is the kind of morning I am talking about. Alone at last, The masses fled by 8 pm and I can understand why. Concha Lake is 40 plus miles from the first subdivision. The Corps park was empty except the Tortuga, Lacy and the Camp host that appeared to be sleeping in after the 4th of July rush. After a leisurely breakfast a couple cups of coffee and a walk around the park.
Lession Learned, With every adventure you take a little back with you and for Lacy it was the knowledge of what a tarantula spider smell like. I know what dogs do when they great each other but a spider, well when the spider reared up 2 legs the decision was made to move one, while there was still no harm done to either party. Besides it was time wonder down the road, NM 106 north to Las Vegas some 75 miles away.
What the Tortuga is starting to realize is that there are roads less traveled. Many humans are tied to the interstate highways in effort to get somewhere fast, but there is much that has been lost on these old highways.
Not only is the first part the the route is surrounded by mesa’s there is a geologic formation called the Canadian Escarpment.
It is a Prominent land-formation of north-eastern New Mexico that extends for almost 100 miles between Las Vegas and Clayton. From this point, the grass-lands of the High Plains reach northwestward to the foot of the Southern Rocky Mountains which rise to elevations of more than 13,000 feet. Elevation here 6,300 feet. The Tortuga travel along the base of the formation and then had to climb to the top. No problems for the Great Tortuga, Must Do!
Once on top the mountains turn to grass lands that leads the Tortuga into Las Vegas, What was anticipated to be a mundane ride turned out to be exciting. First it was the sight of horses on the horizon. Six to ten horses racing and chasing each other like you kids playing tag in a school yard. Once the Tortuga approach them they chased along the fence line and raced the Tortuga a few hundred yards before pulling off into the pasture. Pure joy, the pleasure of a warm sunny day.
Soon after, a dust cloud appeared on the other side of the road as the Tortuga roared down the hwy at 58 mph the cloud continued to build. The closer the Tortuga got it became clear it was on crazy person on an ATV. It was a cowboy on a 4 wheeler, radically zigzagging across the field. It was then that the Tortuga realized what this cowboy was doing. This one 4 wheeler was herding 1000 sheep to new pasture. What appeared to be erratic was a well orchestrated dance the steered this large herd with percussion. A life of a cowboy has changed.
The mountains started to rise out the ground and Las Vegas would be found in the foot hills. As on cue a Red Tail hawk flew across the passenger side widow and across the path of the Tortuga 10 miles out from town..
What a great little ride, My application for all this country has to offer has be rekindled.
Red tail hawk crossed my path