I have moved. I'm still in Elephant Butte, but I've been wanting to do more RV Park living with full hook-ups this year and this is the first time I've made a conscious decision to stay a month in an RV Park. I've spent three different months in parks in the last four years, but those times I had to for various reasons.
This time I plunked down the credit card for a month's stay because I wanted to. Because I have a plan.
A blogging buddy, John Hedges, left me a comment that he's here in Elephant Butte and to come by for a visit if I'm in his area. So I did. I wanted to meet John, and also check out where he was staying. We had a wonderful visit; John has been on the road full-timing for eight years now, and he has a lot of information to share. (Lately when I visit with other full-timers, I feel like I should bring a notebook with me, you know? After four years I'm doing very well, but there's so much more stuff I don't know - there is always something old I haven't heard yet, or some new tip that's really helpful.)
John gave me a tour of the park - and it's large, clean, and fits the budget. It has a kitchen, laundry, super clean restrooms with showers, library, very good free wi-fi, beautiful back patio with a bar-b-que, etc., all the usual RV Park amenities. And a very nice, helpful staff. No pool. No spa. No pickleball. That keeps the prices down, and I wouldn't use those facilities so I don't miss them.
After our visit I went back to my free (with annual pass) dry-camping site at Elephant Butte State Park, packed up and drove over to EB South Monticello Campground where Annie and The Furballs and her sister, Connie, were staying. I stayed there two days and caught up with Annie, met Connie and took some nice walks with them and Jake. Then I packed up again and drove to the RV Park.
I've been here almost a week now. The first few days I wasn't sure about this. Our sites are fairly large, but still, there are lots of RVs around me, out each window, and I'm not used to that. There are other sites I could move to that don't have as many neighbors, but I'm going to try to tough it out and see how I do. It's kind of like going from living in a house on a large lot to a condo, and I've done that before.
You all know I love dry-camping and it fits my frugal lifestyle. But I've been thinking for a long time about having a home base, even if it's just paying an annual fee at an RV park that I can live in and travel from. I'm just not sure that would suit my gypsy genes, so this is a baby step in that direction. Plus, if I decide to do that, I want to try out some different areas to see if I can find a location and an RV Park that would work for me.
I'll let you know how it's going. :)
Some Elephant Butte State Park critters - I love this first one:
There was a nest in the bush right in front of The Palms and the Curve-billed Thrashers would come and go all day long, first peeking out, then flying away.
Views of and from our EBSP campsite:
There was a beautiful full moon over the lake:
On Thursday night we had the worst (best?) thunderstorm we've been in so far. We were here in the RV Park, and it went on for a bit, then it was right overhead. When the thunder rolled, it just kept going. Then the lightening CRACKED! right overhead. WOW. If it wasn't raining so hard, and so windy outside, I would have gone out and unplugged the rig. I turned off everything electrical and unplugged the computer and TV from their outlets. I love storms, but jeez, this was a STORM!
When we've been here a bit longer I'll get some photos of the RV park and show you where we are.
That's about it for now - from me and Katie, have a great Saturday, everybody! :)
Wow!! Birds, animals, insects, and scenic views. . . You have covered all the bases. Enjoyed your blog posting, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I think my favorite is the angry sky... love seeing all your birds and other critters.
ReplyDeleteOh Dear, looking at your photos stirs the southwest traveling bug in me. Let me see now, hmmmmm yes about 5 & a half months before we can get ourselves back down there again. I understand that urge to look for a home base & also the desire for all the nice perky amenities. I like those things as well just not all the hubbub that goes with them. And I agree with your thoughts about pools, spas, & pickle balls. Key for you will be to find just the exact right spot where you can be most relaxed & comfortable. That spot is out there somewhere just waiting to be discovered:))
ReplyDeleteNext time this happens you might want to go ahead and brave the elements and unplug from the pedestal as soon as you hear thunder or see lightning. If the storm passes, you can hook back up pretty quickly, but you probably don't want to experience what Andy did when he got hit by lightning. It definitely made a believer of him!
ReplyDeleteVirtual hugs,
Judie
Yes, I know - it was Andy's experience that always makes me think of that. I have a surge protector at the pedestal, though, and it would stop the electricity from traveling along my electrical cord. I had forgotten about that at first. But I think I'd still unplug in the future. A good hit would probably ruin the surge protector, and it was expensive! $$$
DeleteJohn emailed me you had arrived. That place is a major favorite commercial campground of mine. Incredible hiking available all around the park in the desert. I put in a lot of time hiking in that area in the past. There thousands of acres of BLM and NF land around the area that I found fun to visit. If the garden swing is still on the back porch, it is wonderful to be there when night falls and the city starts to light up. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to protect the Palms from an Electrical Storm is unplugging the power cord and either winding it up or tossing the end under the Palms. The next way is to open the breakers inside your breaker box and it's all inside away from the bad weather.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I love the picture of the storm clouds over the Palms. RV Parks do come with neighbors but we've found that they really do respect our boundaries. In fact, our little corner of the park is like a family. And I like that feeling of security.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted. Great thrasher photo!
ReplyDeleteI certainly understand hating to move when the only reason is to meet the number of days in the campground requirement. Oh the Ying and Yang.The need to nest, versus the need to roam. It will be interesting to see when the urge to move hits you. Lol
ReplyDeleteI certainly understand hating to move when the only reason is to meet the number of days in the campground requirement. Oh the Ying and Yang.The need to nest, versus the need to roam. It will be interesting to see when the urge to move hits you. Lol
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, I'm one of your long time readers. I didn't know your were still in the area I could have stopped by to say hi. There is a nice rv park in Truth or Consequences that has a monthly rate of $210. Mom and I are thinking of going back to it next winter and using that as our home base. We have been full time for a year and a half. We met up with Annie at Caballo last month. There are so many of us in NM right now. Fun times.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear your take on RV Park living for a month. I think it's good to step out of our comfort zone once in a while, and I hope you enjoy this opportunity whether or not you like the idea of it all the time.
ReplyDeleteWe still have so many regions of the country to see and travel thru that we aren't quite ready to think about a home base yet. Staying for a month has worked well for us because we have a towed and like to drive around. If we had a class C without a towed I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much. I'd feel really stuck in one place. We usually have hook ups because we don't have solar.
ReplyDeleteLove thunderstorms too!
There's just something about a storm as long as you don't have to drive in it. Enjoy yourself no matter what you decide to do.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few place we can call a home base but just move from one to another, still takes care of our needs , lots of variables too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
Barbara, you are developing into a master photographer. Stunning pictures! We fully understand your idea of having a home base. When we considered full-timing we also found that having a home base is a good thing for a variety of reasons.
ReplyDeleteWe like to mix it up. Sometimes it's nice to spend a month or more in an RV park without having to worry about solar, finding water, dump stations, etc. But we always love getting back to a remote boondocking site. Nothing wrong with a little variety!
ReplyDeleteLove your storm clouds! It seems to me that long-time fulltimers make adjustments during their adventures. Your adjustments seems natural. I suppose that when we have been on the road a bit more, we might consider the same option.
ReplyDeleteDoes Katie freak out during thunder storms? Oliver and Olivia certainly do!
Hi Nan - no, I'm lucky that Katie doesn't mind storms. :)
DeleteIt was great to see you again; hopefully we'll get in another visit before one of us leaves the area. That storm was a little exciting, I ran out and unplugged Bliss from the pedestal then Connie and I turned out the lights and watched the show while Jake burrowed himself under the covers.
ReplyDeleteWow. has it really been four years? I remember when you were selling stuff and looking at rigs!
ReplyDelete