Valley of Fires

Well, we had a long drive from our last stop, and were targeting a not-so-well-reviewed camping area that we might have arrived to after dark.  Basically, not a good plan ;-)

So when we passed the Valley of Fires National Recreation Area, we thought we would check it out.  Thankfully, they had one spot left, so we took it.  Not the most level site as you will see in the pictures, but we put our levelers on overdrive and made do.

And we also really enjoyed the views.  In short, we had a nice stay, good evening and morning hikes, and avoided a possible boondocking faux pas.

Level Up, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Kind 'o the Hill, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Catching Rome Rays, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Old Fires, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Valley of Fires Sunrise, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Sunset Paintbrush, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And as far as a vegan recipe for today goes, I offer you a humble volley into the Coffee Wars.  I bought one of these Aeropress contraptions back in 2008 when we bought Thistle Dew Too.  Never used the dang thing.  Carried it around for a month before I tried making hot coffee with it.

Aeropress Rules!, Vally of Fires National Recreation Area, Carrizozo,NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And let me tell you ... I AM SOLD!  This makes a cup of coffee in 30 seconds ... a minute if you are slow ;-)  (This assumes you have hot water at the ready.)  And the best part ... it cleans up in less than 30 seconds, with NO water.  Perfect for when you are boondocking.

So go ahead -- buy one if you haven't already -- and see just what it is I am smoking.  Or leave me a comment with *your* preferred coffee preparation method.  But only boondockers need reply -- don't want none of those fancy-pants expresso machines ;-)