Those kind of shortcuts are what makes traveling fun and exciting. I'm a retired truck driver and saw the world on the highway. Now, when I travel, I only travel two lane roads. Enjoy your travels.
OK except when you are towing an RV and run into a dead end surrounded big trees requiring you to back up the RV over a mile down a goat path. Happen to us at Hungry Horse Resistor
I relocated to south west New Mexico two years ago from Vermont with the simple lifetime goal of never having to pick up another shovel full of snow. Closed on and moved into my new property on February 15 and woke up to a yard covered with fresh snow. All gone with bare ground by sundown. That’s the kind of winter I can put up with.
@@originalsixx the snow doesn't last in NM... In Vermont you shovel and plow it, and it doesn't go away till April at times. Out west it'll snow, but it catches people unprepared who traveled through elevation, and that snow is usually gone a few days later because the ground isn't frozen, and it is well above freezing during the day.
Hi Slim, welcome to NM! You have helped us out with our casita remodels so thank-you for your videos. People are surprised at our weather all of the time. We are at 8000 feet, have lots of snow, and you have to watch any dirt road with moisture. Hope you have good travels and if you are still around Alamogordo we highly recommend Oliver Lee State park. Beautiful cacti and scenery and low elevation. Another great state campground is City of Rocks south of Silver City. Stay safe and thanks again for your videos!!
Well, yup. It’s at 7,000 ft., snows in Santa Fe in April. A lot. We had to get a 4wd truck when my wife was working at the Opera. Most beautiful state though. Theres a reason the van living folks head to southern AZ in winter, nit NM, lower down and warmer.
Slim, I was stationed at Holloman AFB in '73 and my buddies and I used to ride up to Cloudcroft on our motorcycles on weekends. One particular ride up we stopped at a restaurant for lunch. We were sitting in the middle part of the room when the waitress asked us if we were the ones with the cycles and we said yes. She said we ought to think about heading out because it was snowing. Needless to say we finished our meal quickly and went outside. There was about and inch or two on the ground but we all were riding enduros with knobby tires. So off we went down that same road you were on dragging our feet to keep from falling. And yes, we all lived to tell about it!
Slim treat your self to a day in Ruidoso , you are very close and it is the year around play ground for Texas and Mexico . Every thing from world richest 1/4 horse track ,great skiing , beautiful Indian history and casinos. Worth a visit.
I had snow in New Mexico in May 2001! I spent 3 weeks there in our "so called" honeymoon, I and my becoming wife got married just after the trip. My wife was american and she had some friends there, we visited them, spent a few nights with them but then mostly drove around. I remember Chaco, a national monument, we camped there 2 nights in a backpacing tent and the first night we had about 26-27 f. At that place it was really clear and beautiful days but cold nights. then a few days later we got one day of wet snow... Lets say we were unprepared...
Mu mom used to accuse my dad of always choosing to travel on goat paths. I must confess that my wife has accused me of the same thing. Sometimes you find a shorter or quicker path, sometimes you just find adventure and a story to tell. Thanks for telling yours.
My Dad and I always picked the routes we traveled were always two lane. Dad talked Mom into picking the route. She chose California 36...we razed her for years and she never picked a road again.
For someone who is safety conscious and risk averse, checking the weather along a planned route has saved me from many high stress, dicey conditions. I'm all for back roads, just not when bad weather is likely. Also, I suggest you use your windshield wipers a bit more.
Well that turned out unexpectedly interesting adventure. We had a similar experience in the Joshua Tree Desert a few years ago. We drove to Southern California in the rain. We got to our campsite in the dark to find out I had to parallel park our trailer, as we did so it started to snow really hard. It had not snowed there in over 70 years! We never know what we will get in the deserts.
We have had 2 inches of wet snow in New Mexico, in JULY. A ranger once gave us this rule of thumb: "1000 ft in elevation equals 500 ,miles north in climate". About the only state were snow is very rare is Florida.
Very pretty drive through the mountains. Northern New Mexico is quite high up around Los Alamos and they get quite a lot of snow in that area. It is beautiful though.
Some 50+ years ago I lived in El Paso. The Boy Scout troop i was in headed into the NM mountains to camp out for a week. Having camped near Ruidoso before I knew it was going to be cold even in June since we were going to be at ~8500 feet. But we hadn't planned on that type of cold. The mud had long since fallen out between the logs in the cabins were were sleeping in, on metal bunk beds, letting the wind batter us in our sleeping bags. That is the coldest I've ever been. We spent a lot of time chopping wood to keep a fire going. Since this was to be my last year myself and a couple others turned down the opportunity to compass navigate. We'd already earned those badges and preferred to stay by the fire and let the younger guys have all the fun. It was a great time.
These last two videos drove me nuts because I kept thinking I don’t a sign of any gas stations. I was having anxiety attack watching them. But was glad to see you stop at one.
I was watching your video at 5:00 a.m. half awake and guess what? I had a chance encounter and chat with you, a meet and greet at a gasoline station in my dreams. I didn’t have to travel far for that. Amazing, how the brain works.
I got old road to Drumheller vibes. It's scary having a barrier on the passenger side when you know beyond the barrier it's all down, and you're on gravel. Heart in mouth time. Vertigo.😳 🫣
Yes. Those "short cuts" can be... unexpected detours. :-) I tend to plan "valley" routes in the winter. I am heading the opposite direction, Slim. Arizona, Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Happy Trails. Welcome to the southwest.
11:10 The shortcut worked in a sense, maybe call it a longcut. I bet you saw a lot fewer billboards the way you went, and cattle need something to look at as well. As long as you do not have to be somewhere at a specific time, enjoy your journey. Cheers Slim
Back in 1998 I traveled to California. Was March 98 and I was in Albuquerque NM was like 100F in the afternoon. Traveled about 140 miles to Gallup NM and it was snowing. So this really isn't surprising.
Looks like Raptor Lake. Hope you enjoyed the serenity of the lake and all the ducks. Also hope you got to watch some of the fighter jets from the airbase. Wish you would have spent some time camping in the mountains of Cloudcroft . Beautiful area.
Your "short cut" or less travelled road, made for a much more interesting and intriguing video! As long as you have a safe journey in the end, your documented exploration is well worth it! Look forward to your next adventure!
Sometime your and my short cuts don't turn out as such, but it's generally an adventure. Uneventful trips don't make for very good stories anyway. Keep the good stuff coming.
Here in SC USA we have everything from the Atlantic coast to the end of the Appalachian mountains. So far this year we are the only State who has had no snow, and there's always some up in the hills- but not this year. I've spent enough time out west to understand how vicarious the weather can be there, especially at higher elevations. Gotta always be ready for whatever nature can do and keep up with the weather forecasts, which isn't easy when you're traveling.
I'd say your shortcut worked out great! You were prepared and made it an adventure. 🙂 It is such pretty country in those mountains. Just thinking about a camping trip many years ago somewhere around Cloudcroft. I remember we got tired of camp food and found a good bakery in town! Some of the worst winter driving I ever did was going between AZ and NM in the White Mountains around Thanksgiving, I think. Thanks for another great installment of the "Slim Journeys" 👍
@@linebrunelle1004 as you should, eh! As long as it's not hateful or hurtful I'm all aboot it. I'm a redneck hillbilly and proud. Ask Slim aboot KY hillbilly repair shops.
I've been enjoying this road trip of yours. I guess the snow wanted to welcome its Canadian guest. As always, your narration makes watching your journey all the more enjoyable. Safe travels Slim. Great video. 👍
I grew up above 7000 ft elevation in Northern New Mexico...school wasn't delayed unless there was over 6 inches of new snow! It took 24 inches to cancel. New Mexico is where I learned to drive in real snow. I moved to southern Idaho to get away from the large snow dumps...LOL And there are plenty of ski hills in New Mexico!!!
One of your TX audience here. Cloudcroft is one of our favorite places to boondock in NF, when the hot summer arrives. When it’s 100+ in TX, the NF near Cloudcroft is in the low to mid 70s. We camp at 9200+ ft.
Thanks for another great video! Many years ago I met some folks from NM at a convention. At that time I had been no farther west in the CONUS than Tulsa, OK. Having spent many years recreationally seeking snow in the SE US I was fascinated by their stories of being able to snow ski in the morning and waterski in the afternoon in NM. Years later I lived in the east central mountains of AZ for several years, about an hour from the NM state line. We got considerable snow in the AZ mountains (hence the name “white mountains”) and I often enjoyed it in NM as well. During my years there I spent many hours plowing snow and driving a big “Kodiak” cat diesel powered snow blower, fighting snow for over 30 hours straight regularly. I sure do miss it!
The area that you were in is a great place to visit during the Summer months. Cloudcroft at its highest might be 80 deg in the Summer months with lows near 35 deg at night. The high desert is nice when the surrounding desert is 100 or more.
The views of White Sands, as you descend from Cloudcroft, are astonishing if the sun is shining. We did the same road last year. We stayed in Alamogordo overnight also. This year, we’re cruising around Arkansas State Parks. Enjoy your travels. White Sands is magical at sunrise or sunset.
We took our Houston-born grandson on a camping trip last March. He was thrilled when we pulled over for a snowball fight at a picnic area near Cloudcroft that had remnants of snow.
Slim, I work out of Santa Fe NM which is about 7,000 feet above Sea Level. It's the highest Elevation Capital in the United States of America. Taos New Mexico's elevation is even higher, as it's considered part of the Rocky Mountains. Safe Travels & if you ever make it to Santa Fe, hit me up, could have coffee & some genuine New Mexico cuisine including our world favorite Chilli Peppers ~ !
Back in winter of 1983/84 I was in the Navy, my ship was in drydock in Charleston Navy Base, SC. I was offered a tech school in sunny California, literally coast-to-coast. I drove out there and back, twice, as Christmas Break split it. On the second drive out west, blasting down I-10, the temp plummetted, from the thirties in Florida to sub-zero in West Texas and NM, with snow and ice. I couldn't stop at night as all motels were full. I crawled the snowy highway at 15MPH as my fat tired Firebird would slip and skid on the ice if I went faster! By the time I crossed into Southern California, it was warm,vI was in my t-shirt with The Beachboys playing on my casette player. 😅 Seeing the TV news when I finally stopped ay a motel, they showed the frostline up high in the East, dipping all the way down to Mexico as it came across Texas and NM, then way up north again in AZ and California! Weird weather that winter. 😱
This one made me a little nostalgic. I was stationed at Holloman AFB for 2 1/2 years. It is a stone’s throw west of Alamogordo. I t was a sleepy little town at that time. L learned to snow ski at that resort up in Cloudcroft. Happy travels, Slim.
Welcome to winter in NM. We got over a foot east of Albuquerque for this round of winter. It’s pretty and only lasts for a moment. Some of us do know how to drive in the snow ❄️ and live at 7000. Looks like you had a great trip regardless.
I started chuckling as soon as you told me where you were and that you were going to take the road less traveled. Hubby and I did that and ended up driving down a wash as part of the road.
Fun video, Slim. My wife and I love New Mexico! Made me think of what Virginia Reed once wrote, "Hurry along as fast as you can, and never take no shortcuts."
I’ve driven trucks all over and in southern states there exists a unique situation. Below freezing for a few days, storm brings snow, sleet or freezing rain. Cars heat the surface, which becomes wet on top of ice, and it’s like driving on snot covered ice rink. You’re from colder temperatures, and you might not know southern states can be seriously challenging, and as unsafe as it gets. 😊
Slim, we call those long cuts. Usually I take the long cut to avoid traffic, when I"m out on the highway there are other advantages. Wishing you safe travels.
I always try and find an alternate route from the boring freeways. And shortcuts often reveal beautiful views and some interesting camping spots along the way.
I live in Nevada and can confirm that the short way is not always the shortcut...just glad it all turned out ok. We have lots of dirt roads here but you never know the condition of them for safe travel. Always enjoy your content.
Месяц назад
Slim, All of the states in the southwest have deserts and, yes, forests where it does snow! It can even snow in the deserts in the winter.
Well, it's beautiful! And it makes sense for th4area you're passing through. It is still winter. Taking the road less traveled definitely added to your adventure ✨️ I'm surprised that the locals were having such a hard time. My parents were raised in this area and I've heard so many stories about the weather! I'm more impressed that you got to camp by a body of water in New Mexico! 😂
The locals in that area are very used to snowy roads. The road through that canyon is one of my favorite trips in the fall of the year. Wheeler Peak in northern New Mexico is more than 13,000 feet, so yes, New Mexico does have some mountains.
Hey Slim! I love the drive to Cloudcroft, but yeah, given how steep and curvey the upper part west of Cloudcroft is, not surprising they had to close it until the plows could catch up. OTOH, if you are in that area a little later in the year, there is a beautiful little NFS campground about 10 or 12 miles East of Cloudcroft. High enough to have cool nights even in summer. Good for a quick overnight if you get back that way!
Thank you for showing Cloudcroft, NM my summer home. To get there, I drive from Florida, up through Mayhill, and stay on Highway 82 till I turn off on my Road. ALLSUPS gas station was just recently rebuilt. Nice to see it much bigger than before. My grandparents lived in Alamogordo. Safe travels, Slim!
The one thing that people who don't drive in snow don't seem to understand is the concept of getting a run for uphill stretches and that slowing way down in those situations assures you will lose traction.
74 F here in Indiana this afternoon (Feb 26, 2024). Wife and I lived in Alamogordo from 2009 til 2019. It snowed four times, always overnight. Three of 'em melted by afternoon, and the other by the second morning. We never went up to Cloudcroft in the winter. I hope you get to go back and visit the pie bakery up there. I also worked at White Sands Nat'l Park (then a monument), and it got mighty cold out on those dunes sometimes in December and January. Are you at the camping place just west of Holloman AFB? I hope you stay warm and happy. Thanks for another great video.🙂
It's New Mexico. Just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. In SF a few days ago we had three seasons in one day. Happy travels, thanks for visiting.
Hi Slim, you have a great sense of humor. My mom was born in the land of enchantment so I knew that you may get some snow. The snow was beautiful! I live in Fort Lauderdale so your video was quite chilling. 😂
Those kind of shortcuts are what makes traveling fun and exciting. I'm a retired truck driver and saw the world on the highway. Now, when I travel, I only travel two lane roads. Enjoy your travels.
Oh, yes! I agree!! I don’t like traveling those boring interstates. Way more to see on the two lanes.
Best way to actually see America is slowly as possible. That’s the same way I raft rivers, as slowly as possible. Rock on ✌️😁👍
OK except when you are towing an RV and run into a dead end surrounded big trees requiring you to back up the RV over a mile down a goat path. Happen to us at Hungry Horse Resistor
Sounds awful. I've been there. My fault. The truck got scratched up some (AZ pin striping) but just another adventure. @anWanderers
It's how I camp! 2 lanes and gravel whenever possible.
I relocated to south west New Mexico two years ago from Vermont with the simple lifetime goal of never having to pick up another shovel full of snow. Closed on and moved into my new property on February 15 and woke up to a yard covered with fresh snow. All gone with bare ground by sundown. That’s the kind of winter I can put up with.
Did you know you would get snow there? I wouldn't have guessed there would be any snow in New Mexico. 😂😂😂
Snow is not unusual in NM at elevation.
@@originalsixx the snow doesn't last in NM...
In Vermont you shovel and plow it, and it doesn't go away till April at times.
Out west it'll snow, but it catches people unprepared who traveled through elevation, and that snow is usually gone a few days later because the ground isn't frozen, and it is well above freezing during the day.
Now you know what that "stupid alarm " is in your canadian pickup
The Snow warning buzzer 😂
😂
Hi Slim, welcome to NM! You have helped us out with our casita remodels so thank-you for your videos. People are surprised at our weather all of the time. We are at 8000 feet, have lots of snow, and you have to watch any dirt road with moisture. Hope you have good travels and if you are still around Alamogordo we highly recommend Oliver Lee State park. Beautiful cacti and scenery and low elevation. Another great state campground is City of Rocks south of Silver City.
Stay safe and thanks again for your videos!!
It's winter! It snows in New Mexico in the winter ;-) It's elevation dependent of course, but sometimes it can snow even in the lower elevations.
Well, yup. It’s at 7,000 ft., snows in Santa Fe in April. A lot. We had to get a 4wd truck when my wife was working at the Opera. Most beautiful state though. Theres a reason the van living folks head to southern AZ in winter, nit NM, lower down and warmer.
I believe it's about the journey more than the destination.
Slim, I was stationed at Holloman AFB in '73 and my buddies and I used to ride up to Cloudcroft on our motorcycles on weekends. One particular ride up we stopped at a restaurant for lunch. We were sitting in the middle part of the room when the waitress asked us if we were the ones with the cycles and we said yes. She said we ought to think about heading out because it was snowing. Needless to say we finished our meal quickly and went outside. There was about and inch or two on the ground but we all were riding enduros with knobby tires. So off we went down that same road you were on dragging our feet to keep from falling. And yes, we all lived to tell about it!
Slim treat your self to a day in Ruidoso , you are very close and it is the year around play ground for Texas and Mexico . Every thing from world richest 1/4 horse track ,great skiing , beautiful Indian history and casinos. Worth a visit.
Slim you are so right, life is all about discovery... when people say don't go this way, adventure begins...
I had snow in New Mexico in May 2001! I spent 3 weeks there in our "so called" honeymoon, I and my becoming wife got married just after the trip. My wife was american and she had some friends there, we visited them, spent a few nights with them but then mostly drove around. I remember Chaco, a national monument, we camped there 2 nights in a backpacing tent and the first night we had about 26-27 f. At that place it was really clear and beautiful days but cold nights. then a few days later we got one day of wet snow... Lets say we were unprepared...
Never a dull moment with you, Slim! 😅 Thankful you arrived safely to your destination!
Mu mom used to accuse my dad of always choosing to travel on goat paths. I must confess that my wife has accused me of the same thing. Sometimes you find a shorter or quicker path, sometimes you just find adventure and a story to tell. Thanks for telling yours.
My Dad and I always picked the routes we traveled were always two lane. Dad talked Mom into picking the route. She chose California 36...we razed her for years and she never picked a road again.
For someone who is safety conscious and risk averse, checking the weather along a planned route has saved me from many high stress, dicey conditions. I'm all for back roads, just not when bad weather is likely. Also, I suggest you use your windshield wipers a bit more.
My car's dash is driven by an Android phone, so I pull up RadarScope when weather is around. For other times FlightRadar24!
Well now that was quite a trip !! Glad you made it to safety .
"The Land of Enchantment"....beautiful state.
I miss New Mexico and all of the surprises it enchants people with..
Beautiful country even with snow. I love New Mexico.
Well that turned out unexpectedly interesting adventure. We had a similar experience in the Joshua Tree Desert a few years ago. We drove to Southern California in the rain. We got to our campsite in the dark to find out I had to parallel park our trailer, as we did so it started to snow really hard. It had not snowed there in over 70 years! We never know what we will get in the deserts.
We have had 2 inches of wet snow in New Mexico, in JULY. A ranger once gave us this rule of thumb: "1000 ft in elevation equals 500 ,miles north in climate". About the only state were snow is very rare is Florida.
Absolutely, that's what keeps life interesting. Some of my most interesting journeys have been while getting lost.
Very pretty drive through the mountains. Northern New Mexico is quite high up around Los Alamos and they get quite a lot of snow in that area. It is beautiful though.
Yes. We do get snow in the high desert during winter. New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Arizona desert… all get snow.
Yep, Dante Fe is higher than where I am in Colorado
Some 50+ years ago I lived in El Paso. The Boy Scout troop i was in headed into the NM mountains to camp out for a week. Having camped near Ruidoso before I knew it was going to be cold even in June since we were going to be at ~8500 feet. But we hadn't planned on that type of cold. The mud had long since fallen out between the logs in the cabins were were sleeping in, on metal bunk beds, letting the wind batter us in our sleeping bags. That is the coldest I've ever been. We spent a lot of time chopping wood to keep a fire going. Since this was to be my last year myself and a couple others turned down the opportunity to compass navigate. We'd already earned those badges and preferred to stay by the fire and let the younger guys have all the fun. It was a great time.
These last two videos drove me nuts because I kept thinking I don’t a sign of any gas stations. I was having anxiety attack watching them. But was glad to see you stop at one.
I was watching your video at 5:00 a.m. half awake and guess what? I had a chance encounter and chat with you, a meet and greet at a gasoline station in my dreams. I didn’t have to travel far for that. Amazing, how the brain works.
I got old road to Drumheller vibes. It's scary having a barrier on the passenger side when you know beyond the barrier it's all down, and you're on gravel. Heart in mouth time. Vertigo.😳 🫣
You should go to Wisconsin where it's warmer.
😂😂😂😂
...or drive back to Detroit, Michigan....a record-setting temperature of 72 degrees February 27, 2024.
Welcome to the Permian Basin, Slim.
Caliche roads and oilfield trucks.
Yes. Those "short cuts" can be... unexpected detours. :-) I tend to plan "valley" routes in the winter. I am heading the opposite direction, Slim. Arizona, Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Happy Trails. Welcome to the southwest.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
@phillalonde1509 I like the Yogi Berra quote..."When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
And that is how I became hopelessly lost in the woods...
11:10 The shortcut worked in a sense, maybe call it a longcut. I bet you saw a lot fewer billboards the way you went, and cattle need something to look at as well. As long as you do not have to be somewhere at a specific time, enjoy your journey. Cheers Slim
Back in 1998 I traveled to California. Was March 98 and I was in Albuquerque NM was like 100F in the afternoon. Traveled about 140 miles to Gallup NM and it was snowing. So this really isn't surprising.
OMG WE GET THEM OVER HERE IN BRITAIN
ABIT OF SNOW AND THE ROADS ARE TOTAL MANIC!!!!!!
BECKY 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 XX
Looks like Raptor Lake. Hope you enjoyed the serenity of the lake and all the ducks. Also hope you got to watch some of the fighter jets from the airbase. Wish you would have spent some time camping in the mountains of Cloudcroft . Beautiful area.
A weather radio is one of the best tools to have at home and on the road.
WOW HOW THE WEATHER JUST CHANGED
HAVE A GREAT TIME AND STAY SAFE MR POTATO MAN
BECKY 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 XX
Your "short cut" or less travelled road, made for a much more interesting and intriguing video! As long as you have a safe journey in the end, your documented exploration is well worth it! Look forward to your next adventure!
We've gotten ourselves into some of those messes in our travels as well Slim, thanks for posting the good and the bad.
Sometime your and my short cuts don't turn out as such, but it's generally an adventure. Uneventful trips don't make for very good stories anyway. Keep the good stuff coming.
Here in SC USA we have everything from the Atlantic coast to the end of the Appalachian mountains. So far this year we are the only State who has had no snow, and there's always some up in the hills- but not this year. I've spent enough time out west to understand how vicarious the weather can be there, especially at higher elevations. Gotta always be ready for whatever nature can do and keep up with the weather forecasts, which isn't easy when you're traveling.
YOUR JEEP SOUNDS AWESOME 👌 LOVE IT
BECKY 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 XX
I'd say your shortcut worked out great! You were prepared and made it an adventure. 🙂 It is such pretty country in those mountains. Just thinking about a camping trip many years ago somewhere around Cloudcroft. I remember we got tired of camp food and found a good bakery in town! Some of the worst winter driving I ever did was going between AZ and NM in the White Mountains around Thanksgiving, I think. Thanks for another great installment of the "Slim Journeys" 👍
Yes, we have snow in NM!
Weather patterns are changing. Northern Illinois was sunny and 71 today.😊
Oh yeah, it does indeed snow in New Mexico! Anywhere in New Mexico! ☺️
All over New Mexico!
I was in vacation during the summer and we camped in Las Cruces when we left on our journey we drove thru Cloudcroft and it was beautiful.
Northern az going up gets snow; but usually doesn't last long on ground on lower elevation.
I’ve been in Cloudcroft twice in ten years, and both times we had a snowstorm.
That's what makes the adventure so great, the unexpected.
We lived in Roswell 18 years and we had snow every year around Thanksgiving.
Short cuts are more fun and interesting.
Snow in the trees is beautiful!
I hear your angst! It snowed from Texas to Alberta our entire trip home! 😂👍🇨🇦😎
Hey Slim. Of course the unexpected is what it's all aboot !
you realize that we also make fun of y'all's regional aak-scent. lol.
@@linebrunelle1004 as you should, eh! As long as it's not hateful or hurtful I'm all aboot it. I'm a redneck hillbilly and proud. Ask Slim aboot KY hillbilly repair shops.
I've been enjoying this road trip of yours. I guess the snow wanted to welcome its Canadian guest. As always, your narration makes watching your journey all the more enjoyable. Safe travels Slim. Great video. 👍
I grew up above 7000 ft elevation in Northern New Mexico...school wasn't delayed unless there was over 6 inches of new snow! It took 24 inches to cancel. New Mexico is where I learned to drive in real snow. I moved to southern Idaho to get away from the large snow dumps...LOL And there are plenty of ski hills in New Mexico!!!
Love this!!! Happy you made it safe and sound to your destination ...Btw I love the goatee!! Looks really good on you..
Yes, it does snow in NM. And there are numerous areas with higher elevations. Enjoy NM! It’s a beautiful state.
One of your TX audience here. Cloudcroft is one of our favorite places to boondock in NF, when the hot summer arrives. When it’s 100+ in TX, the NF near Cloudcroft is in the low to mid 70s. We camp at 9200+ ft.
Thanks for another great video!
Many years ago I met some folks from NM at a convention. At that time I had been no farther west in the CONUS than Tulsa, OK. Having spent many years recreationally seeking snow in the SE US I was fascinated by their stories of being able to snow ski in the morning and waterski in the afternoon in NM.
Years later I lived in the east central mountains of AZ for several years, about an hour from the NM state line. We got considerable snow in the AZ mountains (hence the name “white mountains”) and I often enjoyed it in NM as well. During my years there I spent many hours plowing snow and driving a big “Kodiak” cat diesel powered snow blower, fighting snow for over 30 hours straight regularly.
I sure do miss it!
The area that you were in is a great place to visit during the Summer months. Cloudcroft at its highest might be 80 deg in the Summer months with lows near 35 deg at night. The high desert is nice when the surrounding desert is 100 or more.
The views of White Sands, as you descend from Cloudcroft, are astonishing if the sun is shining. We did the same road last year. We stayed in Alamogordo overnight also. This year, we’re cruising around Arkansas State Parks. Enjoy your travels. White Sands is magical at sunrise or sunset.
Yep found out that new Mexico does have mountains and yes with that comes snow. Arizona has mountains and snow to. Glad u made it through. ❤❤
We took our Houston-born grandson on a camping trip last March. He was thrilled when we pulled over for a snowball fight at a picnic area near Cloudcroft that had remnants of snow.
Slim, I work out of Santa Fe NM which is about 7,000 feet above Sea Level. It's the highest Elevation Capital in the United States of America. Taos New Mexico's elevation is even higher, as it's considered part of the Rocky Mountains. Safe Travels & if you ever make it to Santa Fe, hit me up, could have coffee & some genuine New Mexico cuisine including our world favorite Chilli Peppers ~ !
Back in winter of 1983/84 I was in the Navy, my ship was in drydock in Charleston Navy Base, SC. I was offered a tech school in sunny California, literally coast-to-coast. I drove out there and back, twice, as Christmas Break split it. On the second drive out west, blasting down I-10, the temp plummetted, from the thirties in Florida to sub-zero in West Texas and NM, with snow and ice. I couldn't stop at night as all motels were full. I crawled the snowy highway at 15MPH as my fat tired Firebird would slip and skid on the ice if I went faster! By the time I crossed into Southern California, it was warm,vI was in my t-shirt with The Beachboys playing on my casette player. 😅
Seeing the TV news when I finally stopped ay a motel, they showed the frostline up high in the East, dipping all the way down to Mexico as it came across Texas and NM, then way up north again in AZ and California! Weird weather that winter. 😱
Good story telling !
Ahh, a shortcut and scenic highway are the best. You definitely had some beautiful views. Crazy weather with the El Nino. Glad you were safe. 🙂👍
i once took a short cut like that across the bottom of Idaho. what would have been 3 hours by Interstate, took 8. it was a great 8!
This one made me a little nostalgic. I was stationed at Holloman AFB for 2 1/2 years. It is a stone’s throw west of Alamogordo. I t was a sleepy little town at that time. L learned to snow ski at that resort up in Cloudcroft. Happy travels, Slim.
Welcome to winter in NM. We got over a foot east of Albuquerque for this round of winter. It’s pretty and only lasts for a moment. Some of us do know how to drive in the snow ❄️ and live at 7000. Looks like you had a great trip regardless.
Good one. I was in stiches laughing. Thanks for sharing.
I started chuckling as soon as you told me where you were and that you were going to take the road less traveled. Hubby and I did that and ended up driving down a wash as part of the road.
My Aunt lived in Los Alamos and they got some very serious snow several years. We are talking in the measurement of feet.
....& It's Not Snowing in Minnesota.....
Yes it is about the Journey....
It was Beautiful but not too Safe....
Thanks again ..
Fun video, Slim. My wife and I love New Mexico!
Made me think of what Virginia Reed once wrote, "Hurry along as fast as you can, and never take no shortcuts."
I’ve driven trucks all over and in southern states there exists a unique situation. Below freezing for a few days, storm brings snow, sleet or freezing rain. Cars heat the surface, which becomes wet on top of ice, and it’s like driving on snot covered ice rink. You’re from colder temperatures, and you might not know southern states can be seriously challenging, and as unsafe as it gets. 😊
Slim, we call those long cuts. Usually I take the long cut to avoid traffic, when I"m out on the highway there are other advantages. Wishing you safe travels.
Lived in Alamogordo for eleven years and the Lincoln National Forest is my all time favorite!
Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
I always try and find an alternate route from the boring freeways. And shortcuts often reveal beautiful views and some interesting camping spots along the way.
Thank you for having taken the shortcut! It was surreal Slim! Also thank you for inspiring us!
I live in Nevada and can confirm that the short way is not always the shortcut...just glad it all turned out ok. We have lots of dirt roads here but you never know the condition of them for safe travel. Always enjoy your content.
Slim, All of the states in the southwest have deserts and, yes, forests where it does snow! It can even snow in the deserts in the winter.
Well, it's beautiful! And it makes sense for th4area you're passing through. It is still winter. Taking the road less traveled definitely added to your adventure ✨️
I'm surprised that the locals were having such a hard time. My parents were raised in this area and I've heard so many stories about the weather! I'm more impressed that you got to camp by a body of water in New Mexico! 😂
Yep pretty much in the heart of winter now just like Colorado
Life is full of memories, loved your trip.
The locals in that area are very used to snowy roads. The road through that canyon is one of my favorite trips in the fall of the year. Wheeler Peak in northern New Mexico is more than 13,000 feet, so yes, New Mexico does have some mountains.
We went through New Mexico to Utah last year at this time and there was a lot of snow.
Hey Slim! I love the drive to Cloudcroft, but yeah, given how steep and curvey the upper part west of Cloudcroft is, not surprising they had to close it until the plows could catch up.
OTOH, if you are in that area a little later in the year, there is a beautiful little NFS campground about 10 or 12 miles East of Cloudcroft. High enough to have cool nights even in summer. Good for a quick overnight if you get back that way!
Thank you for showing Cloudcroft, NM my summer home. To get there, I drive from Florida, up through Mayhill, and stay on Highway 82 till I turn off on my Road. ALLSUPS gas station was just recently rebuilt. Nice to see it much bigger than before. My grandparents lived in Alamogordo. Safe travels, Slim!
Nova Scotia to New Mexico, I so travel vicariously Slim..my only way presently...stay safe !
The one thing that people who don't drive in snow don't seem to understand is the concept of getting a run for uphill stretches and that slowing way down in those situations assures you will lose traction.
It's all explained in 'The Hobbit' Slim...... Shortcuts make for long delays'.
Quite the adventure; wow 5 hours longer! Thanks for sharing.
Cloudcroft is beautiful. The whole Lincoln National Forest is. White Sands is also beautiful especially at sunset.
Love the backroads & “short” cuts!! 😂👍💕✌️
74 F here in Indiana this afternoon (Feb 26, 2024). Wife and I lived in Alamogordo from 2009 til 2019. It snowed four times, always overnight. Three of 'em melted by afternoon, and the other by the second morning. We never went up to Cloudcroft in the winter. I hope you get to go back and visit the pie bakery up there. I also worked at White Sands Nat'l Park (then a monument), and it got mighty cold out on those dunes sometimes in December and January. Are you at the camping place just west of Holloman AFB? I hope you stay warm and happy. Thanks for another great video.🙂
I am start calling you the short cut man ha love have a safe trip 💕 Bonnie Dozier calera al
It's New Mexico. Just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. In SF a few days ago we had three seasons in one day. Happy travels, thanks for visiting.
Rusty 78609 has a get a way in Cloudcroft.
An absolute fun and exciting adventure down the road.😊
Hi Slim, you have a great sense of humor. My mom was born in the land of enchantment so I knew that you may get some snow. The snow was beautiful! I live in Fort Lauderdale so your video was quite chilling. 😂