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Stuck at the Bottom of a Hill

Sunday, May 1st – Gila National Forest to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico – Day 80 

 I had been stressing about how to get our front wheel drive SUV pulling a trailer up the hill we came down. If the car stopped high in the hill, I’d have to back up a trailer bumping all the way down. I just wanted it over with so I could figure out how to deal with the outcome. 

A few things to do first. The dirt was very dusty in the campground. Everything gets coated in it. The kids had all their toys out for Diego, so toys and dishes needed to be washed off in the river. Dad and Mom cleaned the camper while the kids played on a rock dam in the river. Eventually everything was packed up and I was ready to try this drive. But not yet. 


 There was a canyon at the end of the campsite that was supposed to be a fun hike. We walked over. On the way, a green 4x4 Ford pick-up drove past us. I was relieved, if the Santa Fe fails, I’ll ask them for help. The canyon floor was rocky, but everyone loves climbing over rocks, so it was a hit but short lived. Everyone took a water break in the shade, and we decided to head back to start the drive. 


 When we got to the hill, the kids and Gen plus some of our heavier items were jettisoned. I took two runs at the hill. First run, went left, bounced the trailer across the drainage trough in the road and was left stopped shortly after. Second run, went right drainage ditch was further up and narrower, same result. Then I saw the pick-up driving towards us, and I went to ask for help. They were great and said they’d make sure we got out. They hooked up the trailer; we got everyone and everything else into the Santa Fe. 

 There was a professional bike race along the road at the top of our problem hill. The racers were coming whizzing by after the steep hill before the campsite. We decided not to switch the trailer over along the narrow shoulder. They knew a spot just past the peak that was level, and we could switch over. We drove the steep hills, windy roads and sharp drops to the spot. We said thank you and I offered them some money for their efforts, but they refused. We took our time enjoying the view, having something to eat and cheering on the bikers as they passed before hooking up and continuing. 


 The hills were steep and now mostly downhill to get out of the forest. Gen heard a flapping on the trailer, so we stopped to investigate. The tire had a piece of rubber flapping off the tire. We weren’t sure if we should put on the spare immediately or try to continue until we had cell service. The side of a hill on a steep mountain road probably wasn’t the best place to change a tire so we kept moving, We monitored the sounds but everything seemed to be working. 

We needed to get gas and the closest station closed at 4pm so we kept driving. When we finally reached the gas station, I started to get ready to change the tire for the spare when Gen noticed holes in the rubber on the other tire. No point changing one tire because if the other one blows your out of luck. So, we kept going; first one that blows, we’ll change that one. 

Gen charted our course, and we were off. The drive took us back into Gila National Forest and through the heart of the mountains. There was another route that was flat and straight, but we took the curving, winding road with no guard rails through the mountains. Oops. The views were spectacular as I cruised at 20 km/hr through switchbacks, sheer drops, and long climbs up and down. My palms were sweaty but we made it through the mountains and stopped at a pretty little gorge for a stretch. 


 The rest of the drive was dull in comparison. We were debating where to end up: Truth or Consequences or, plus two hours, Albuquerque. Gen found a campground, Elephant Butte State Park, in Truth or Consequences so we decided not to press our luck. When we exited the highway, Gen suggested we check out the Walmart to see if they had tires. They had two matching trailer tires and we set up an appointment the next morning to have our trailer tires changed and a tire rotation on the Santa Fe. 

 We reached Elephant Butte state park and set-up. The kids found a tree fort to play in. The last thing we did was drive to find the showers and get cleaned up after days in the Forest.

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