Conchas is in the Northeast Region of New Mexico, the same as Ute Lake State Park. Therefore, I was surprised to see the terrain in Conchas was unlike that of Ute which is flat/level. Instead, Conchas Lake State Park is more mountainous then Hyde State Park which is in the Northwest Region.

Prior to leaving Ute, I was depending on my gps to get me to the post office to mail a package; to Dollar General to stock up on jugs of water, and to the laundry mate to wash clothes because I hate travelling with dirty clothes. Before entering the small downtown of Ute, my cellphone died. It just so happened; I saw the post office on my left before going through the traffic light. So, I pulled my rv onto the shoulder and walked across the street to the post office.

Although three people were in the post office when I entered. “May I help you”, the clerk asked?

Sure, but these customers were here when I arrived, I replied.

The clerk and customers laughed. Honey, these folks live here. They come in daily to – just shoot the breeze. If they need anything; they can wait. So, what can I do for you? She asked.

I need to mail this package. Also, my cellphone died a little before I got here; I really need to find Dollar General and a laundry mat before I leave Ute. As well as find my way to Conchas State Park.

I bet you have Verizon, the clerk said.

Yes, I do, I replied.

Well I hate to be the one to tell you. Verizon cellphone service does not work in our town. This area is considered a dead zone. Also, your phone won’t work on the highway you’ll be traveling until you reach Tucumcari, NM for the same reason, the clerk said.

So, I am travelling blind, I replied.

No not really. The great thing is this… Everything you need is in a straight-line on your right once you make a right at that corner. Dollar General will be the first store you see; its on your right. Then make a right from Dollar General’s parking lot, the laundry mat will be a short distance down the street on your right as well, but you won’t see it. The tricky thing is this: You must drive slowly are you will miss these markers and be heading out of town. You are looking for a small motel on your left; as soon as you see it look to your right and make a quick right turn into a medium size alley street. At that time, you will see a hotel on your left and a vehicle parts store on your right. But you still won’t see the laundry mat until you park and walk back towards the street – making a right turn around the corner of the hotel. The laundry mat is the second door, a male customer said.

Regarding Conchas State Park, the street you’ve been traveling for Dollar General and the laundry mat is the highway you will take to Tucumcari and Conchas State Park. So, make a right turn from the alley where you parked. As stated before, your cellphone will not work until you arrive in Tucumcari. But I am not sure how long your connection will last because Conchas State Park is a desert-type environment. So, if you need to touch bases with someone, I suggest you do it before you leave Tucumcari.

Thank you for sharing information with me. I hope each of you enjoy your day, I said.

You’re more than welcome. We love helping our travelers. Also, you’re going to be okay, the clerk replied.

I’ll return in 14-days and update you on the results of that comment you just made, I replied.

We will be waiting right here, an older male said, laughing.

Believe me, truer words have not be spoken. They will be right here waiting, the clerk replied.

Bye and be safe. I love your butterfly tattoos, the first male customer said.

Thank you, I replied.

During my drive from Ute laundry mat to Tucumcari all I could see was a long desolate desert highway surrounded by mountainous terrain. This trip from Ute to Conchas turned out to be an hour drive and only two vehicles approached me as I travelled to Tucumcari. There was basically, no traffic; no stores, homes, business buildings or farms. Nothing, but desert and mountains.

I wasn’t worried about my vehicle because it was road ready. However, I was worried about running out of gas because I didn’t fill-up before leaving Ute, because I forgot to ask where the nearest gas station was located.

As stated by the clerk and post office customers, my cellphone was working once I arrived in Tucumcari. In fact, I used google maps to find the nearest Tractor Supply store to stock-up on puppy food for Dakota. The female employee that pulled the two large bags of puppy food from the shelve and put it into a shopping cart; was the same that rung-up my order; pushed the cart to my vehicle and loaded these bags into my mobile home which immediately made her focus on my puppy.

Dakota was smiling and wagging his tail, as usual when he sees people and other dogs.

Oh… Look at you – you’re a beautiful; friendly puppy. What sex is it? she asked.

It’s a boy, I replied.

May I pat him please? the employee asked.

Sure, I replied.

I have never seen a colorful Shepherd like you. I’ll love to see what you’ll look like as an adult. You and mommy must come back to see me. He is amazing, she said.

Thank you. By-the-way, do you know how far I am from Conchas State Park?

About 31-miles, she replied.

Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day, I said

You do the same, the employee replied.

My gps confirmed the employee’s statement regarding the distance to Conchas State Park was correct. However, 13-miles before I reached Conchas State Park, my gps died again. I found myself wandering around in a picnic area without patrons. After circling this area twice looking for a park worker that wasn’t in his vehicle with no success. So, I made a left at a fork in the road which took me pass a few boat shops which were closed. I back tracked and took the second road fork showing Tucumcari.

After travelling up a long one-way dirt road. I found myself facing a small two-car bridge and a sign calling the area Conchas Dam.  Nothing was coming – so I just sat there watching fast rushing water like floods shooting from every angle of that dam. I had never been this close to a dam in my life! Therefore, it was a little unnerving.

I decided, I would backup which I did until I saw a sign in my right mirror saying, “Don’t Enter.” Okay. I can’t back down that road to back track, I thought. However. I did notice a small parking area on my right while watching the dam’s water. So, I made a right into that area; a sign indicated this was a day use ONLY area. There must be an exit somewhere from this area, I said out loud. Then I saw a small road bearing around some bushes. As a result, I drove toward it thinking I could take an exit, and back track to take the opposite dirt road I had seen on my way to this bridge. Nope. When I rounded the bushes – I saw the gate was locked by a large padlock.

So, I turned my 30-foot mobile home around and drove back to my previous spot. I was waiting to see if other drivers would cross this bridge.  Because, the bridge looked unused and very small compared to what I was driving. My thoughts were, “If you cross that two-lane bridge no one could pass you” which was replaced by, “Why are you thinking about other drivers passing you – No one has crossed this bridge since you arrived. Furthermore, there is no way for you to go back the way you came. There’s only one thing to do – which is to cross that bridge. Knowing; once you begin to cross – that entire sucker is yours because you will need every inch.”

Girl, you can do this! My ego voice screamed.

You’re right. Let’s get this over with, I replied.

It was a little tight for me to exit the Day Use Area because of the length of my vehicle and the angle I was exiting. After a few across the road pull-ups; back-ups and hard right turns I was properly angled to head for the bridge. Once I lined up between both sidewalls of the bridge; I noticed there wasn’t enough room for a bridge walker to pass me without being slapped by my mirrors. Mmm…Not my problem, I said. At this point, I focused my eyes straight ahead and crossed that small bridge with a fully loaded mobile home.

Then, I found myself wandering around this area for the same reason I had wandered around the previous; dead cellphone and gps. Finally, I stumbled upon a large lake where people were fishing, talking, laughing and listening to music. As well as, entering and existing their mobile homes, fifth-wheels, vans and primitive camping tents.

I got out of my vehicle and walked up to their area making Kock, Kock sounds with my mouth.

A friendly shirtless man greeted me. Hello, this is my first-time visiting Conchas State Park, and I am looking for the 14-day rv campground area, I said.

Few gps systems work in this area. So, it’s easy to get lost in this park unless you are a regular visitor. Anyway, you’re probably looking for Section C. So, you need to go back to the entranceway that brought you here; make a left and keep going. If you’re an annual State Park pass holder; your fee is half what the self-pay station shows which is the fee for the general public.

Thank you. But if you see me circling here again. You’ll know what that means, I said.

No problem, I’ll beckon for you to come to me. Then, we’ll start over again. Also, that’s a cool rig you’ve got there. I noticed you’re from South Dakota; I’ve heard and saw on the news that the weather is awful there right now, he said.

Yes, I’ve heard the same from my neighbor who stated, “Our area was hit by three tornados on three different sides of town.” It just so happens; I was in Why AZ at that time. Thank you for the information, I replied.

You’re welcome. Be safe, he said.

When I arrived at the rv campground, I was amazed by its environment and design. It appeared something large had chiseled out areas of a primitive, dry, barren inhabitable piece of earth and made it a viable environment for people from all walks of life to experience the simplicity of life without the need to hang onto stuff. As well as, for people with the need to escape the rat race and/or kindle his/her personal creative gifts.

Once my mind, eyes and heart made a connection with the above notion, I was hooked and ready to finish writing the travel articles and stories I hadn’t written to update my blog.

Also, I had settled into my campsite for two-days when I met and talked to the Park Ranger, who was a friendly, informative and laid-back individual. This is when I discovered the following: Conchas Dam is the only entrance and exit from this park; the only cellphone service that works on the outer perimeter and upon entering this park is AT&T, and to get to the nearest and only gas station you much cross the bridge and stay in the right lane which takes you to LA.

During a conversation with the maintenance man, I found him to be friendly, informative and funny.  He stated, the bridge over Conchas Dam was built in 1939 to accommodate sensible size vehicles such as family cars. As a result, there is a yellow flashing light before you get to the bridge which is the stopping point for rv drivers to make sure nothing else is coming across the bridge before he/she enters.

I told him about my encounter with Conchas Dam which brought laughter and tears to his eyes.

You’re not the only person who had to convince their mind and eyes, that the bridge was the only way to go which you discovered while looking for escape routes. Can you image if the Rangers hadn’t padlocked gates and posted Do Not Enter signs. The crowds of people, who would be trying to back – back down that long dirt road to escape crossing that darn scary looking bridge? He asked, still laughing.

Now that you mentioned it. No, I replied laughing.

My findings are as follows:

Most parks I have visited as a full-time Rv’er are different on many levels such as layout, amenities, maintenance, security, camp hosts, managers and campground residents.

Based on the above, I found Conchas State Park to be the most unique because all campsites possess three-side stucco buildings that contains stone picnic tables and seats; concrete floors and an outside ground frame to separate this area from vehicle driveways.

(1) Once you back into your driveway. The front of your shed is blocked by your vehicle which provides privacy for meals and socializing.

(2)  Amenities consist of electric and water spigot hookups; outside personal grills, clean public bathrooms and showers. As well as conveniently located trash dumpsters throughout the campgrounds, and water activities such as fishing, boating and swimming.

(3) Although not an amenity. The peaks and valleys offer additional privacy to camping residents.

(4) This park also uses a self-pay system.