Ok, not too early a start today – short drive, and can’t show up too early. We are leaving Albuquerque … thank GOD! This is NOT my favorite town. Crappy drivers, and not much besides wind and dust and sand. Trails were great, I’ll give them that, but not worth what you have to put up with. Last time I was here was about forty years ago. I think I’ll wait at least that long to return.

Anyway – took off, need to get fuel, and we had seen a place on the North side of town that had it cheap – found it, and there was one car in each lane, completely hogging each lane. Well, not a problem, as most lanes were gas-only, and we use Diesel, which was in only one lane, and there was a pickup in the lane. Of course, he did not pull up to the front pump, so someone else could have access to the rear one. Sigh. And of course, they were getting GASOLINE. I just love it when people clog up the only Diesel lane to buy gas. I forgot to mention, one lane WAS open, but of course, gas only. And the funny part is they (there was a man driving and a woman assistant – they were in a work truck) looked thoroughly confused as to why I was waiting for them to get done. Double sigh.

Anyway, soon enough we got done, and headed off up the highway. Beautiful scenery!

Finally arrived at Angel Fire mid-afternoon and realized “This is going to hurt!”. Angel Fire is at 8,600 feet, and I didn’t do well at Crested Butte last year, which is only about 300 feet higher. I do ok up to about 7,500. That last 1,000 feet really gets to me! I especially had trouble sleeping. We’ll see how I do tonight. But it is cool up here!

This is the town from our campsite:

And this is our campsite:

Yeah, grass and trees! Life is good!