On the Road with the Jacksons: January 2011

Visitor's Center - Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Part of our volunteer time is spent in this Visitor's Center

welcoming visitors and collecting fees.

Trip from Albuquerque to Elephant Butte SP

Model of the San Gregorio de Abo in the Visitor's Center

San Gregorio De Abo Ruins

Trip home from Albuquerque December 21, 2010

Kiva . . . an underground meeting chamber of Pueblo Indian.

Finding one in the heart of Franciscan's residence raised many questions.

McPherson Christmas in Albuquerque, 2010

For several years the McPherson (Jo Ann's sister) families have rented condos to get together for a week at Christmas. This year they rented a large house with swimming pool, hot tub, pool and air hockey tables. Here the grandkids are enjoying the hot tub. We drove up on December 20 and enjoyed our time with them.

Putting together a puzzle . . . family project.

Family enjoying time together

Christmas at Elephant Butte Lake State Park

This is probably the skinniest Christmas tree we have ever seen.

Trip to Caballo Peak - December 27, 2010

The trip up to Cabillo Peak provided many views

with different beautiful colors and rock formations.

This huge buck did not seem concerned that we had stopped to take pictures

(and it was hunting season). He appeared to be searching for water in a near dry pond.

Where you find a buck . . . there are usually females around.

This is one of three in the immediate area.

As we were driving to the top of the Peak this is looking down on Elephant Butte Lake

. . . to bad it was a hazy day.

The face of Caballo Peak

This is the road we drove to reach the top.

Made it to the top but this time we were not alone . . .
that's Maryann and Jim's pickup.

With Caballo Peak being the highest point in the area
you would expect to see lots of towers on the top.

From the top of Caballo Peak you can look out 360 degrees.
This is looking West.
Caballo Lake down below with another state park at the South end.

Looking East.

Looking south.

Looking north towards Elephant Butte Lake.

When we were driving off the peak, the GPS showed several different routes (can't always depend on them). This is one of the roads and after attempting it we decided to return by the route we had taken to the peak.

How Elephant Butte Lake got its name

The volcanic plug formed during a firey historical past. . . . . at just the right location you can see an elephant but we have not found this location. These pictures are part of the park files.