Silver SighTing in New Mexico Badlands

[krishl]

My wife and I flew out to NM to look at land in Catron County, and on our back to Albuquerque on Monday 11/21, we were northbound on NM 117 near El Malpais National Monument and saw a southbound Silver ST1300 with lotsa luggage. I waved, but not sure you saw me.

Envious in a rented Grand Prix,
Chrish

[STriders]

So what'dya think of Catron County?

[krishl]

Love it! I rode through NM last summer (BBG from VA to Santa Rosa, then sport-touring for 5 days to Tahoe), and fell in love with the Apache Creek, Reserve, Glenwood region. Alas, that's the most $$$ part of the county.

I supposed one could get tired of doing the US180/NM AZ 78/US191 loop, but it would take a while. And I think the dual-sporting opportunities there are simply amazing!

Can't wait to make the move. Gotta get the boys through college first, though.

Chrish

[STriders]

There's lots of great riding here, no matter what style. Good thing there's folks out there that refuse to beleive it. Keeps the traffic down.

Have you looked at other areas besides Catron?

We stop in Reserve when riding that loop or going to Hannigan's Meadow. There is a law that allows all able bodies over 18 to carry a firearm. Kinda unusual to eat at the diner there or stop at the bank and see all the folks with sidearms. Very little crime, though.

Another good loop is through the Jemez Mountains. From ABQ, north on 550 to 4. The road is the rim of an extinct volcano (Valle Caldera). The bowl was one of the last large working ranches but is now a national preserve. The Jemez River is considered Wild and Scenic. This road also passes Bandalier. The loop runs ~225 miles door to door for us, though we are never more than ~60 miles from home as the crow flies.

The Taos loop is excellent also.

Another thing that can't be beat is the weather. Today is sunny and 50s (we are in an unusual cold snap). Rarely gets below 40 during the day in the winter. Summers (in Catron and the north/central mountain areas) will hit 90s for a couple of weeks (low humidity). The southern part of the state is the hot sandy desert that everyone imagines the whole state to be.

[krishl]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm hoping to spend part of this summer working in ABQ (at the AF base). If I do, I'll ride my wee strom (V-Strom 650) out there so I'll have a versatile mount for exploring more of roads of all types.

I also looked at some property in Torrance County, but it's just a little too close to ABQ. I expect we're going to buy in Catron, but we haven't made our minds up yet.

Chrish