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November 4, 2009, a Wednesday
Cochiti Lake Recreation Area to Elephant Butte Lake State Park (South Monticello), New Mexico, USA
— Headed further south to a favorite camping spot
I awoke around 6:00, and J was already out of bed! Had my normal breakfast, then polished a blog entry. Did some computer work. Prepped the RV to move, then I went up on the roof of the RV to stow the solar-electric panels. I hooked up the Jeep to tow, J took out the trash, and we left at 8:36 — an early departure for us.

We stopped at the Post Office in Peña Blanca at 8:45 so J could mail an eBay package. We got underway again at 8:51.

We got on I-25 south at 9:04.

We stopped at the REI in Albuquerque at 9:45 to buy some CampSuds camp soap. They didn't open until 10:00, so I went online in the RV to check gas prices. I went into REI at 10:04, picked up a bottle of CampSuds camp soap, then took a quick look at their clothing. I returned to the RV at 10:15, then called some liquor stores in town to locate some Asbach Uralt. We left at 10:20 and went ...

To the nearby Costco to fill up the RV with gas at $2.539/gal. We left at 10:38 and went ...

To Jubilation Wine & Spirits, Albuquerque, at 10:52. I got a bottle of Asbach Uralt and a bottle of Aalborg Jubilæums Akvavit.

The we went to a nearby Smith's grocery store at 11:02. We went in and I selected some apples and bananas and got some meat and cheese from the deli. There was a woman, probably in her early 30s, dressed like the sexy secretary for a 1950's private investigator: jet-black hair, tight-fitting thigh-length dress with a plunging neckline, 6-inch (15cm) heels, and tattoos on one arm. She was a real eye catcher! I first saw her while I was on my way to the deli, then J pointed her out to me after I met back up with her. J had even tried calling me to tell me about her — she was that interesting! J continued shopping and I returned to the RV and took a shower. J returned to the RV around 11:55.

Had my normal lunch around noon while doing some work online. We left at 12:57 and got back on I-25 heading south.

I listened to an episode of Car Talk. We got off I-25 at Exit 89 at 3:28 to go to South Monticello Campground in Elephant Butte Lake State Park. It's one of our favorite campgrounds in New Mexico because it's quiet, has a nice view, and we can get a nice fast internet connection through our USB sticks with Verizon Broadband Access.

We reached South Monticello Campground at 3:40 and stopped to dump on our way in. We occupied Site 24, which has a great view of the lake, at 4:07. I hooked up the electricity and filled up the RV fresh water tank while J registered. With our annual New Mexico State Park pass ($225 for non-residents), campsites with electricity at all parks cost a whopping $4 per night! What a bargain! I went online and did some computer work.

J made dinner of Chicken Rice-A-Roni with chicken pieces, spaghetti squash, and a Greek salad at 6:20. It was all very tasty! J did the dishes too because I was stressing a bit over some work.

I did more computer work, then processed two images for the blog. We had dessert around 7:45 of fresh-baked brownies and vanilla ice cream — mmm. I had some Asbach Uralt while working up a blog entry. We watched a program on TV about Dale Chihuly, a famous glass blower. J was fascinated by the teamwork required to make some of the pieces. We don't watch much TV, but J came across the program on one of the channels after programming the TV.