Amarillo through Hereford, then Clovis and Cloudcroft. New Mexico is my favorite home away from home. Pops of wildflower color in every direction; clouds, clouds and more clouds scattered like popcorn on a blue picnic blanket; boulders, dust, pine trees, bees, trickling little creeks….
This last camping trip to Cloudcroft and Ruidoso was a tranquil hop into nature. The full force of Spring presented us (as it does every year) with the camping itch. The first free weekend we had, we said “goodbye city life!” and headed for the mountains (not Green Acres). It was beautiful and green, despite the terrible drought they’d been experiencing as of late.
We found some campsites online, and we kept driving until the perfect spot said quietly, “I’m the one.”
After I made dinner we enjoyed a fire…
We had the place all to ourselves. New Mexico is great in the respect that they have campgrounds, but they also have lots of roads that you can just drive along and camp anywhere. A “Make your own fire ring and take your trash when you leave” kind of place. THIS site was technically a mix of the two. We were the only ones that stopped in this specific area. The night was peaceful and still.
We awoke to a beautiful, green, glistening morning!
We drove from Cloudcroft on to Ruidoso the next day, where we stopped at the visitor’s center and walked away with an off-roading map.
And across the way from the Wild Herb Market, there was an herb shop! I was in HEAVEN!!! I stocked up on herbs for my tea mixes that I can’t get in Amarillo: Hops, Eyebright, Gotu Kola, Gingko Biloba, Hibiscus, St. John’s Wort, Honeybush and Mullein. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Awesome store and awesome customer service! http://www.rosemarysherbshop.com/
( I told my husband,” Don’t give me crap about spending 60$ on herbs. Do you know how much money I save us by cutting and dying my own hair and painting my own nails? You really have no clue. Be thankful I am a DIY extremist!” When I told him that back in the day I used to spend 60$ a pop on haircuts every six weeks, he shut up. 🙂
Stay tuned for Part 2: Bears, moon and flat tires!
kineticheart 
thanx for posting your photos. bluff spring is a nice waterfall. here a link to books about some very nice new mexico waterfalls… enjoy… and get up to the mountains as often as possible. http://www.dougscottart.com/Books.htm
Fantastic blog! Love it.
Looking to get away here in the next few weeks and this spot looks perfect! Please share with me the location? I found your blog by searching for Purgatroise photos. This is my first choice but it is about 4 hours farther out. Got any insights to which is best?
Eric, the camp spot I featured above is called “Bluff Springs” in New Mexico. Here is the link to a map and detailed directions. I thought it was lovely, and it was secluded too. There were other great spots down along the road that we discovered the following day. I have yet to see a part of New Mexico I didn’t like. Either way, I think you will be pleased! http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lincoln/recarea/?recid=40310