Camping in Hyde Park near Santa Fe

I'm now at this camp site in Hyde Memorial Park north-east of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

My mood changed in Clayton. When I first arrived the solitude let me concentrate on reading and thinking and I enjoyed it greatly. But when more people left the park and no one at all showed up to camp around me the solitude turned to loneliness and I needed to get on the road.

So after a couple hours taking a scenic route the Clayton park ranger had highlighted on a map, I arrived in Santa Fe. Clayton is a really small rural town -- a very nice one -- but I missed people and stores that I know. On the highway exit leading into Santa Fe I saw a sign for Whole Foods and my mood perked up a bit. After driving a couple miles into town I found a Trader Joe's on my right and turned in to take a break.

I sat in their parking lot using the internet on my phone to make a plan. I'd just left a nice state park that had a shelter, lake views and showers and the parks near Santa Fe didn't appear to offer any of that. I just wasn't in the mood to camp in an uncomfortable camp.. but I didn't have many options. With a clock on daylight ticking away, I decided to do a little shopping in Trader Joe's and then take a chance on Hyde Memorial Park which was just 20 minutes away from me.

Getting to Hyde Park from Trader Joe's took me through Santa Fe and gave me a glimpse at this new place. Almost every building here is done in an adobe-influenced style so residences, offices and even the McDonalds have an earthy, tan-brown adobe look to them. It takes some getting used to, I think.

Hyde Park is just outside of town on a windy two-lane road that goes rather high into the mountains. The campground is at seven or eight thousand feet up and when I arrive I feel the effects of less oxygen as I walk around.

While checking out a camp site I meet Annette from camp site #24 who suggests camp site #25 that you see above. To my surprise, it has a shelter -- a very unique one that protects from wind and cold on three sides and is made of wood. At first I think of putting the tent in the shelter but this seems odd so it's on a nice bed of pine needles under the trees.

After being in the open plains and the solitary desert of north-eastern New Mexico, being back in the mountains with their cooler, thin air and earthy aroma makes me feel much better. I've met Annette and her family next door at #24 so won't go crazy from being completely alone.