New Mexico

August 17, 2022

North of Arboles to Chama

My sheltered spot last night, on an old rail bridge with a shelter built on one end

I'm following a scenic byway called Tracks Across Borders, which in theory follows the old railroad route between Durango in Colorado and Chama in New Mexico. However I'm finding it hard to follow. Every so often I'm seeing the old formation and a few steel bridges. Meanwhile the muddy road is a slow cycle at the start, so it could be a long day as I have to get to Chama tonight to ride a tourist train tomorrow. Eventually the mud eases but it's still a bumpy gravel ride on an overcast morning.

Along the way, the potential camping spot, 7 miles from last night's spot is just a bare area beside the river. So I made the right choice last night to stay at the shelter beside the old rail bridge.

More old rail bridges, which go through private property

As I approach New Mexico, the isolated dirt road is now the rail right of way and is a much easier ride as it now follows a river. A wooden Native American signs, is the only way I know I'm now in New Mexico, a state I have been through twice by train. Which included, a night in the scenic Sante Fe.

Now in New Mexico, I'm on the old rail route

The further I go, now on what appears to be an abandoned paved road, the more spectacular the gorge is becoming. Soon I'm approaching Dulce, my first town today.

Dulce appears to be a Native American town, with a casino and a much more cautious approach to covid, as I have to mask up to enter the supermarket and my temperature is taken on entry. I'm carrying masks, as it has been common in indoor places in Australia, particularly on public transport. In California masks where common, but over the past few weeks in Colorado, I have gradually stopped wearing a mask, as no one else is.

As far as I'm aware, I still haven't caught covid, despite many people at my work catching it. So before leaving Australia, I got my fourth booster shot, just in case.

Past Dulce, I'm heading east on a highway. Gradually throughout the afternoon dark clouds are appearing to my south, while it's sunny on the north side. Therefore occasionally light showers are appearing but thankfully they never become heavy.

Since it's still looking stormy, I will stay at a basic motel in Chama. Allowing me to see what American cable TV is like. There are plenty of channels but not much on.

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