Alamogordo, NM
March 2, 2026
March 2
Travel day.
Packed up in Albuquerque and made the drive out to Ghost Ranch. The landscape shifted pretty quickly — flat-top mesas, deep-cut canyons, and that wide-open New Mexico sky the whole way.
Got set up at camp, made tortellini for dinner, and took a walk as the sun dropped behind the cliffs. One of those quiet, “this place is different” kind of evenings.
March 3
Work in the morning, then out to hike Chimney Rock.
It’s one of those trails where the whole time the views keep opening up more and more — hard to stop looking around long enough to keep walking.
Dinner was gyros, and the rest of the night was just hanging around camp. Ghost Ranch has a way of slowing things down without trying.
March 4
Morning work, then a drive out to Lake Abiquiu.
The water against the desert backdrop didn’t feel real — bright blues with red and tan cliffs all around. Hung out for a bit, skipped rocks, let the kids explore.
Back at camp, dinner was Costco mini tacos. Not glamorous, but they hit.
March 5
Started the day at Echo Amphitheater — big curved rock walls that bounce sound right back at you. Naturally turned into a lot of yelling just to hear it echo.
Grabbed lunch at Café Sierra Negra and randomly ran into RV neighbors, which somehow keeps happening out here.
In the afternoon, headed over to Plaza Blanca at Dar al Islam. Completely different landscape — bright white rock formations, tight paths, and a lot of climbing and weaving through.
Dinner back at camp was meatloaf with roasted broccoli and cauliflower.
March 6
Road school and work in the morning.
Bethan made a cake for Jude’s half birthday — which felt like a good enough excuse to celebrate something. Snow started coming down later in the day, which changed the whole feel of the place.
Headed out on the Quarry Trail with everything dusted in snow, then came back for a pretty intense round of cornhole.
Dinner was stir fry and gyoza.
March 7
Ski day.
Headed to Pajarito with Claire and Susie — small mountain just outside of Los Alamos. Only one lift open and one run going since it was the last weekend of the season… but that didn’t really matter.
Got some runs in, checked the box, and called it a win.
Stopped at Walmart on the way back for supplies.
Frozen pizza for dinner, which felt about right after a ski day.
March 8
Up early for a horseback ride around Ghost Ranch.
The place is massive — over 20,000 acres — and it feels even bigger when you’re out riding through it. Cal was on Tuxedo, who spent most of the ride trying to bite the horse in front. Meagan rode Pancake, Bethan was on Roy, and Jude rode Chopper.
Back at camp, knocked out a couple loads of laundry, and Bethan went on a bike ride with a friend out toward the base of Box Canyon.
Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs.
March 9
Moving day.
Packed up and got ready to head out — Ghost Ranch in the rearview, next stop ahead.
