Lavalands

Volcano eruptions are a huge part of the past in New Mexico.  The ensuing geologic areas are a result of these eruptions.  One type of area is the lava lands, or "malpais" as they are called here.

Lava in a high pile

Several different government agencies have visitor centers and campsites in these "malpais".  

Campsites in malpais

One thing that is interesting to me is that several of the old pueblo tribes had foot paths through the lava to travel and trade between their pueblos.  They must have had tough footwear to get through the sharp lava!  One of these old trails goes between Zuni pueblo (south of Gallup) to Acoma (often called Sky city) located south of I-40 at milemarker 102.

Lava filling a valley

After lava cools, and after eons of weather occurs, the lava slowly allows plants to grow in the crevices, thus making the landscape more hospitable.

The park has installed great paved walking paths throughout the lava fields, and miracles, the dogs are welcome if leashed.  In many federal parks, dogs are not allowed on any trail, so the rules here are very refreshing!

RV serviceman or sanity saver!

Several weeks ago I sent for an upgrade kit for my fantastic fan that is in the roof of my motorhome kitchen!  

I made arrangements with a repair man to install it, and after waiting for ages, He took one look at it and said it wouldn't work, and left the job site with a bill for me($45.00), and with me holding the bag, so to speak.  I felt rather in shock and frustrated, so I rested a few minutes, and then called Fantastic Fan company, and the technician assured me that it would work, and to read over the instructions, and do it myself, because it's "very easy"!  I had read the instructions before and read them again, but decided I couldn't do any worse than the "serviceman".

I removed the screws, and disconnected the wires as directed.  No problem!  I had difficulty getting the rain sensor removed, even though it was supposed to be very easy.  Working overhead is a bit dizzying as well.  I did make some minor progress but was worried I'd mess it up.  So I put it away temporarily.

Later I hired another serviceman to do the job.  He assured me that he was very familiar with the Fantastic Fan and had installed many of them. However, he removed two screws and stated that the kit I had purchased would not work to replace the old one!  I called the company and they talked to him to get him "unstuck".  After about an hour, he had this "easy" job done and I have a functioning fan, and after paying the bill ($110.00) I was ready to leave and go back to my camp.  

These fans are wonderful, and if one is a boondocker they are nearly a necessity in hot weather. I had not realized how essential they are for keeping a black greyhound comfortable in warm or hot weather.

What is this hot sun doing, making me miserable?

This is how I should look, cool an comfy.

They also act like a skylight, making the inside of the RV more bright and cheerful. They pull hot air out and exchange the RV's air in a few minutes.  I am glad to have mine working again, in spite of the difficulty of the repair.

Night voices

While walking, we came across this pond.  My greyhounds had various reactions.  Fleur was an old hand and said "We can figure it out!

This is great!  Adventure!

"This is something new! 

Power on the other hand, was really excited and jumped up in the air from all four feet!  He said "This is something new!  Should I be afraid?  Should I jump on it?  Should I run away from it?  If I could get off this leash I could run till my excitement fades!  Let me go-go-go-go-go!"

trying to hide

I had not heard these voices in about 20 years.  Took me a while to decide what they were.  They do talk at night, but once the brain is aware, I heard their voices in the daytime also!

Nighttime symphony

C-r-o-o-a-a-k-k!