Driving into New Mexico
I left Willcox, AZ in mid morning, after stopping by ACE Hardware to pickup some insulation for my trailer’s water pipes. I figure it would be a day’s work when I am sitting at some park, and it will prepare the trailer for the expected 20 degree nights that will be coming as I point the nose of the van North towards Colorado.
Once on the road it was swallowed up by the blue-whale in quick fashion. I found myself caught off guard as the welcome-sign for New Mexico was quickly approaching and my camera was still in the center console. I did get a quick picture snapped to prove my route… and this at 60MPH
I was promptly hounded by road-side billboards demanding me to stop and shop at this “ol’ tradding post” 40 some-odd miles into N.M. and I obliged as I have been wanting to pick up something specific for Timmy. I also finally got around to picking up a new hat for myself, though I have yet to warm my ego enough to the new look to share… soon, it will undoubtedly make an appearance.
I was aiming for a specific camping spot just East of Lus Cruces, but after clammering around 20 miles of gravel roads, the site proved too much for my van and trailer. I pulled out in hopes of another one down the road, but as I got back onto pavement I felt the van groaning about something familiar.
6 months ago, the right-front brake caliper seized half applied. Luckily I was nearby home and was able to fix it without major incident. Today, the left-front caliper decided to follow it’s brother and treat me to the same ordeal.Ironic, because just this afternoon I remembered the previous incident and thought to myself, “I should have replaced the other caliper before this road trip.”
Still, I was lucky to have caught it when I did, as I turned around and made it 5 miles closer to Las Cruces before it fully seized forcing me to pull off the road and stop. I fell 5.5 miles short of the nearest auto part store, who did promise to deliver the part to me in the morning as they were closing at the time I called.
Worst case scenario was that I did not notice the feeling sooner and I continued over the San Augustin Pass towards White Sands National Monument and got stranded out there… no where near an auto parts store.
Tonight, I spend on the off ramp of Hwy 82, just east of Las Cruces
