RV Travel: The Fence That Won The West

Above, barbed wire fence next to Six Mile Canyon Road in Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Barbed wire. Where I live in New Mexico there's plenty of it around.

There's cattle pastures near our community, especially along Six Mile Canyon Road that takes people to Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

The reason I am mentioning barbed wire is that RV Travel posted an article on the "devil's rope." They also call it "the fence that won the West." 

The article begins with:

Mention the words “barbed wire,” and I immediately envision growing up on our Iowa farm. Those barbs snagged my chore clothes countless times!

I didn’t fully appreciate barbed wire as a child. Nor did I know then what I now know: There are two (yes, two!) museums dedicated to barbed wire—one in Kansas and one in Texas—and both have become popular roadside attractions for RVers who enjoy discovering America’s history.

You may not have a high interest in or memories of barbed wire, like me. However, the museums dedicated to this invention are worth a stop along your way.

To read more, go here. 

Short Jeep Drive After Dinner

Last evening, after dinner I took a little Jeep drive over to the corral where the entrance into Six Mile Canyon is located.

Today wasn't rainy out, but there were plenty of clouds. The Six Mile Canyon Road was dry and the culverts were passable.

I stopped at the corral and took the following photos:

A Drive In Six Mile Canyon

Above, the Jeep where Six Mile Canyon Road branches off. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon, I took a drive in Six Mile Canyon. The weather was nice with a few clouds and some wind. But otherwise it was sunny.

I saw a couple of other vehicles driving in the canyon and one camper. It was a relaxing drive.

Naturally, I took a few photos.

Six Mile Canyon Evening Drive

Above, the Jeep at the corral. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening after dinner, I got tired of watching television, so I decided to take a little drive in the Jeep.

I headed over to Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. It was still warm and there was some sunlight even though it was cloudy out. 

I first stopped at the old corral at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon and took some photos. Then I headed into the canyon. There was one other vehicle in the canyon (it was a side-by-side) but it was heading out.

So far, I haven't seen any cattle in the canyon this year, but they are probably in another section of it. 

After a drive of a few miles, I turned around so that I can head back home. 

I noticed that gasoline at the Flying J went up in price. It was $3.59 the other day for unleaded regular. It it at $3.79 today. I thought prices would be coming down now that the Iran war has ended. I guess the oil companies haven't gotten the memo.

Some photos:

 

A Jaunt In Six Mile Canyon

Above, the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After having my usual Sunday breakfast at the Silver Screen Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel and doing some grocery shopping this morning, I relaxed on the deck with a beer (Alien Amber Ale, of course!).

When I was done with that, I decided to take a drive into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

I saw only one vehicle there and he was leaving the canyon. I headed in. 

After a little while, I noticed a big black cloud coming in from the Southwest. We're nearing Monsoon Season and I know they can (and do) produce heavy downpours. It was getting windy and some rain drops started falling as it approached.

I decided to make a u-turn near where the windmill is located and head out. I don't need to get drenched and possibly have the road washed out.

Other than that, I enjoyed the drive, even though I had to cut it a little short.

Some photos:

Recreational Drive

Above, today at the corral and Six Mile Canyon entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today has been a relaxing one.

I took a little recreational drive in the Jeep around our subdivision and over to the corral at the entrance into Six Mile Canyon.

It was cloudy out and the forecast has possible thundershowers today. 

I cut my drive short as it was beginning to sprinkle. We can sure use it! Monsoon season begins there later this month. It is hoped that we get a good amount of rain here.  

Memorial Day Weekend

Above, the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow is the start of this year's Memorial Day weekend.

 As has been my usual custom, I plan on spending it at home. Many others will likely do the same since gasoline prices has jumped. 

There was a time when my family and I would head to the Mother Lode region of California for Memorial Day weekend and camp in Columbia, a gold rush mining town. It still is a mining town, except it is mining tourist dollars. We camped at the Marble Quarry RV Park. It is so-named as it is near a marble quarry. 

I will probably take a Jeep drive or two into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. It is located right next to our community in Jamestown, New Mexico (nice and handy, eh?). 

Drive To McGaffey

Above, McGaffey Lake today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After this morning's coffee/breakfast with the gang and watering the front yard trees, I decided to take a drive to McGaffey Recreation Area in the Cibola National Forest.

To get to McGaffey, I took Six Mile Canyon Road through Six Mile Canyon. The weather was pleasant (although a little windy) and the road was in good shape.

Once I got to McGaffey, I noticed that McGaffey Lake was pretty low. We hadn't received much precipitation this year. Hopefully the monsoon season (that starts in June) will add much more water to it.

Outside of trucks hauling dirt or gravel, I was the only one in McGaffey. I did drive around some ranch areas to the east. But turned around as the trucks were kicking up too much dirt. 

Still, I had a great time during this drive and did take a few pictures.

 

Year's First Six Mile Canyon Drive

Above, at the windmill.

For the first time this year, I took a Jeep drive into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

This was my first opportunity as either the culverts along the road were too muddy or I was out-of-town. It was cloudy out with some wind. 

I saw one camper in the canyon during my drive. I made a stop at the windmill and found that a solar panel was added to it. 

Naturally, I made use of the stop for a photo opportunity. 

Six Mile Canyon: The Gate's Open!

Above, the gate to Six Mile Canyon is open. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our Tuesday morning coffee at Denny's today, I took a detour on the way home to check out the main gate to Six Mile Canyon, known locally as "The Playground."

I am happy to report that the gate is open to allow vehicles (ATV, side-by-side, Jeeps) into the canyon.

So now I can drive the Jeep into the canyon and drive all the way to McGaffey Lake.

Yesterday's Drive

Above, the Jeep inside national forest property off of Mustang Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was perfect. It was about 70° outside, so it was neither cold nor hot. It was a good day for some more Jeepin'. 

I took a drive up the hill from home and reached Mustang Road, an east-west side street. It tapered off as a hilly dirt road.

I drove it for a bit and reached a barbed wire fence that had a sign indicating that it was national forest property on the other side. There was an opening in the fence at that point, so I drove in. 

Above, the national forest property beyond the fence opening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Up ahead was a square area (photo above) that had some sort of border that was of sheet metal. It may have been some sort of corral at one time. It looked as if it hadn't been used for a long time. I drove around it for a while then headed back out though the opening I came in. I think this is a part of the Six Mile Canyon area of the Cibola National Forest. This was the first time I had driven in it. As the canyon was still closed to vehicles, I didn't feel it was prudent to continue driving in it. I could have gotten a citation from a patrolling ranger. 

Still it was fun driving in an area I hadn't been in before. 

Above, after getting home, I fired up the mini bike. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting home, I fired up the mini bike. It had been over a month since I last did so. It took a while to start, but it eventually fired up. 

Six Mile Canyon Open To Vehicles At Month's End

Above, the Jeep at the windmill in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're fast approaching when Six Mile Canyon (our playground) of the Cibola National Forest is open to vehicles. Officially, the canyon is closed to vehicles from December 15 until March 31 for the winter season.

It will be nice to be able to drive the Jeep into the canyon to explore or take a drive up to the McGaffey Lake recreational area. I last did so in November. 

As it has been a relatively dry winter season, wildfire restrictions will likely continue. Several of us Jamestown residents have cleared brush and cut down trees for wildfire safety. A wildfire can't spread if deprived of fuel. 

Jeep Drive

Finally, after a week away from home, I got the Jeep out of the garage and did some joy riding.

Since Six Mile Canyon of Cibola National Forest is now closed (as of December 15), I could only go as far as the gate at the old corral on Six Mile Canyon Road.

After that, I drove around our subdivision for a bit and ended up at Barking Spider Acre, where the below photos were taken. While there, my next-door neighbor came over and we chatted for a bit. Noticing that smoke was coming out of his workshop's chimney, I joked, "Are your sending smoke signals?" He replied that it was his wood stove heater in the workshop.

It was nice to take the Jeep out for a ride. I was going to drive it to Denny's this morning for our Tuesday coffee, but it was too cold out (around 29°). I took the Mustang instead.

 

Winter Two Days Away

Above, the toys yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two more days from today, winter solstice will kick in. 

Thus far, autumn has been relatively dry. It is hoped that we get more snow this year than last. We can use the water.

This also means that Six Mile Canyon is closed to vehicles. The forest service closes the canyon each year on December 15. So now I have to confine my Jeep driving to the community, down to the Flying J and the area near the shooting range. This is what I have been doing this week since returning from the Iowa to California trip.

Since my Christmas trip to Lake Havasu is coming up next week, I didn't bother to put the motorhome into its barn after returning home.

I got some not-so-good news in the mail yesterday. My homeowners insurer is not renewing my policy claiming there is heightened risk for wildfires in the area. Now I have to find an insurer by the end of January. I have been with this insurer for eight years and have filed no claims during that time.

The weather for Jamestown next week is shaping up as follows per the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Christmas Day

A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Drive To McGaffey

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A storm is supposed to hit the area starting tomorrow with rain or snow (or both). I just fired up the house heater (propane). This was the first time I've done so during the evening this season. The clouds are already gathering in the area.

With that in mind, I decided to take a Jeep drive up to McGaffey and the area near it. It has been a while since I last did so. Six Mile Canyon Road traverses through Six Mile Canyon in the Cibola National Forest and ends at McGaffey, a little west of McGaffey Lake. The road will be closed December 15 to vehicle traffic for the winter.

The lake itself had water in it but it was lower than the last time I was there. 

From McGaffey Lake, I drove to some ranch area nearby to the east. One ranch was occupied, whereas it was vacant and up for sale the last time I saw it, about two or three years ago. 

I drove a little further east to where another ranch is located and turned around there. I headed back through Six Mile Canyon. There were some other drivers in the canyon as I was driving through it. Some were hauling out firewood. Hope they had permits as it is national forest land. 

It was an enjoyable ride and the Jeep ran flawlessly.

Some photos:

Above, Six Mile Canyon Road about two miles from McGaffey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the ranch that was for sale now occupied. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at McGaffey Lake. 

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep at McGaffey Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.