Jan 15, 2023 Day 1 Roswell, NM

The forecast for Sunday called for strong, gusty winds for today starting at 5:00am – 8:00pm MT. We are leaving Carlsbad today to travel to Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in Alamogordo, NM and we were concerned after seeing the forecast. I checked our RVTrip Wizard for a RV safe route and it suggested 3 routes but each route had high wind warnings in their forecast. The 3 routes also required we travel through a mountainous region, making me twice as concerned with winds of 30 – 40mph and gusts of 60 – 70mph.

We got up around 6:30 and started to pack up. Although the forecast called for winds here as well, it was a pleasant morning with light breezes, giving us a false sense of security. This would change dramatically before the day was half over.

The route we selected had us travel north for 24 miles before turning west for 110 miles. It was going well until we turned west, and the winds began to pick up. About 15 miles outside the town of Artesia, it started to really blow, moving the truck and camper at times. Ron slowed to about 50 mph but it was still difficult to stay on the road. Suddenly the small awning on the drivers side of the camper lifted up from the camper and Ron stopped immediately to get it back down before it was ripped off. This has never happened before and we were more than concerned to say the least. When he tried to open the door, the wind was blowing so hard, he had to push with all his strength to get it open far enough to get out. As soon as it opened, off flew his hat and I’m thinking that’s long gone. He managed to get the awning back down and find his hat in the ditch, then with a huge effort, open the truck door and get back in.

Where we stopped was directly beside an intersection with a road to the right. Now if you’ve ever been to New Mexico or ever plan to go there, know this – there are few roads, houses, gas stations, towns, or any hints of civilization at times. It is total desolation, but in a strangely beautiful way.

Back to the story and the road to our right. I noticed the road was heading north with a road sign for Roswell in 58 miles and making a split second decision, we chose to turn here because if we continue on the road we’re on, we are likely to find ourselves in a ditch or worse. As soon as we turned, the wind was to our back and instantly made it easier to drive. It was a long haul to Roswell through total desolation – no trees, power lines, houses etc, but we finally made it to this town, home of the UFO sightings back in the 1950s.

We think someone was looking out for us at that road crossing. If our awning hadn’t came loose at that exact moment, we would have passed by the only road available that gave us reprieve from the 60mph winds, and allowing us to make it to Roswell safely.

Our plan was to get to town, gas up, and evaluate our plan for the rest of the day. After fueling up we stopped at the local Walmart to decide what to do. It was windy here too but the buildings gave us some buffer and in looking at our Campendium app, we saw this Walmart allows free overnight parking for RVs and trucks.

So our first boon-docking night is at the Walmart in Roswell, NM! We found a good parking spot and will stay hitched up overnight, and plan to leave early tomorrow morning after checking the weather forecast. There are several others trucks and campers utilizing the parking lot too, so safety in numbers.

I needed a haircut and was able to get it cut at the beauty shop in Walmart and Ron purchased an impact socket we needed at a nearby O’Reillys. It is all working out, and we are thankful to be here and safe, and thank you to whoever was looking out for us🙏❤️.