Santa Fe, to Elephant Butte, NM

We drove from Santé Fe, NM accidentally taking HWY 14 (wrong turn leaving the park) known as the Turquoise Trail, the road was paved, okay but narrow and windy through the Sandia and I think San Pedro Mountains we drove through Madrid on the only road that goes directly through the middle of town and only wide enough for 2 vehicles, with the buildings set right on the edge of the road, we met one car and he had to move over as far as possible as we did to go by each other. We could not stop not a place to park the rig, but what an interesting looking little town. I had left the camera in the fifth wheel thinking I had enough pictures taken from the Interstates, sure wish I had packed it in the truck! Of course I had to look up its history on the Internet which proved to be very interesting. An old coal mining town which also had a gold rush, some silver mining and is reported to be haunted. The town has become a haven for artists and craftsmen. The natives actually mined Turquoise there 1500 years ago.
Check the links below.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/NM-Madrid.html
You can also check out information on the Turquoise Trail at the above link.
http://www.visitmadridnm.com/
Highway 14 connects to I40 east of Albuquerque and added some miles to our trip but worth the views, wish we could travel it again with just the truck!

We stayed at Cozy Cove RV Park close the Elephant Butte Dam, nearest town Truth or Consequences, NM.
Nice clean park built on five levels, the area we stayed was brand new, all gravel but very level large sites. The area is known for good fishing, hiking and hot springs. Truth and Consequences was named after the radio program, you can read the story at the link below along with other information regarding the area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_or_Consequences,_New_Mexico
We only spent the night there as were anxious to arrive at our winter home.




As you can see, nothing but gravel but a HUGE area to pull into your spot!










Some brand new landscaping, all the trees and other plants they have planted are irrigated, this area will be beautiful in a few years time.