Altitude Sickness

High Bridge over the Rio Grand Gorge

US 84 Looking North after leaving IH40

Friday morning, after leaving the Waylon Jennings RV Park in Littlefield, Texas, I drove on to Billy The Kid's stomping grounds around Fort Sumpter, New Mexico, and then turned north on Route 84 toward Las Vegas, New Mexico. I decided to take the Eastern route from Las Vegas, north through the Mora Valley, and then west across the mountains to Taos.

Pueblo, Rio on New Mexico 518 Near Taos, NM.

This is a nice drive and has the advantage of reaching some high country sooner than sticking with 84 through Santa Fe and Espanola. At one time, Taos was an interesting village. Mountain man, Kit Carson made his home there. Even twenty years ago Taos retained some charm. I could wander the streets, meet some interesting people, and browse the art in the shops.  Today, Taos seems more of a crowded tourist trap that depends upon narrow streets and Adobe architecture for what charm it can still muster. I topped off the FJ's fuel tank and continued on.

Sagebrush in the San Luis Valley

Sunset over the Brazos Cliffs in New Mexico

We crossed the Rio Grande Gorge at the High Bridge and continued west across the sagebrush flats until we began to climb again. I had intended to make Chama, New Mexico before stopping for the night, but the scenery of these mountains was overpowering.  We stopped alongside the road to admire a particularly powerful view of the Brazos Cliffs. The pull off took us some distance from the highway, so there was not only that view, but also privacy. 

Setting up camp with the Casita is a trivial operation: stop, unplug the electrical from the car, and, unlock the trailer door! But even those simple tasks left me feeling weak. First I felt feverish, and then chills and uncontrollable shivering. I realized that I was reacting to the unaccustomed altitude and that the only cure would. Be to climb into my sleeping bag and sleep it off. I held out long enough to watch the sun set behind the Brazos Cliffs, then nodded off to an almost narcotic sleep.

The Brazos Cliffs as the Sun rises.

The sleep and fresh mountain air did it's job. I felt great as I stepped outside.  The amazing morning view was powerful. It is amazing how good the morning cup of coffee can taste when accompanied by a view like this! I lingered for a while and then broke camp and headed for Chama, New Mexico.