Wednesday Nov 20, Harry McAdams State Park, Hobbs, NM

An oilfield landscape of New Mexico

Enjoyed the overnight camp, which was surprisingly quiet considering it was just off the main highway. There was a laundry in the park, so managed to do the weeks washing while we had breakfast, all folded and done by the time we left at 9.30.

A classic Alamogordo motel

Heard last night on the news that some really wintery weathery is coming in and there will be snow this weekend. Might have to watch where we are travelling. Although the temperatures are still mild, the sky was quite dark today, rather ominous.

Took the scenic route east which was a great drive up through the Sacramento Mountains, climbing about 4000 feet in 12 miles to the ski town of Cloudcroft and certainly knew we were at 8,500 feet when we went for an explore around the little town. These changes in altitude make breathing a little harder until you get used to them.

Down the other side it was much more gradual and we followed a spring fed river before opening out onto a huge ranching area that seemed to go on forever.

The town of Hope...appeared to be a bit "Hopeless"!

But after leaving the town of Artesia our eyes were opened. We were in the oilfields and for over an hour we drove through a landscape of oil wells, everywhere we looked we saw oil pumps, many as close to each other as 20 metres. The smell of oil was invasive, and the roads were full of tankers and service people. There was the most beautiful stormy late afternoon sky….and all we could see was the industry of the area. Never in our travels have we seen anything like this, and it was quite depressing. I presume this is what keeps America going but it was quite frightening.

It was getting late afternoon when we got to Hobbs and thankfully found a delightful little State Park off the main roads and not an oil pump in sight. Whew!

This is the scene of multiple oil wells in New Mexico...so ugly!

A quiet beer on a warm afternoon.