Two weekends ago, we did something we have not done in a hot minute – we packed our bags and hit the road for a little camping trip! Since this was our first trip with Joey we decided to stay semi-close so if all hell broke loose we could get back home very quickly, so we chose to go to Cloudcroft, NM which is only about 1-1.5 hours north of El Paso.
On Thursday we got our RV trailer and packed it up so as soon as Lance was out of work on Friday, we hit the road. Joey was super awesome in the car and didn’t cry at all! He was happy as long as I played with his stuff toys and read to him.
We’ve been told about Cloudcroft since we first moved to El Paso. Whenever someone hears Lance is from Washington state and that we miss it, people always bring up Croudcroft. They said we would love it because it has that “feel”. Read: there are trees and no sand haha. I’ll be honest, when we made the turn in Alamagordo and started heading up the mountain and saw the sign that we were less than 17 miles from Cloudcroft, I was skeptical. We were very much still in regular desert land – sand, rocks, no trees.
But as we kept going up, up the mountain things changed very quickly and we saw trees. Big ol’ pine trees and my little heart skipped for joy.
Cloudcroft is a quaint little mountain town, full of old buildings, that backs right into the Lincoln National Forest. Friday night we just relaxed in our camp area, enjoyed the trees, and spent time as a family.
On Saturday we went into town, did a little shopping, and had lunch at one of the diners. In the afternoon, after Joey’s nap, we went on a couple of short trails and enjoyed the views. I’m kind of really sad we didn’t get a picture of all of together but every time we stopped at a lookout – we were alone so we couldn’t ask anyone to take our picture and we didn’t take the tripod with us #RookieMistake.
Mamarazzi in action lol
Even though it was only a short weekend trip, it was so, so needed. Disconnecting and spending time as a family was amazing and I can’t wait to go back to Cloudcroft!
We ran a 10k in Cloudcroft and it really is such a beautiful place!!
That is ONE gorgeous place to run a 10K!
That place looks gorgeous!! Glad you were able to get away for a bit! 🙂
It is so beautiful! I can’t wait to go back 🙂
It’s nice up there yeah? I’m so glad it’s so close by. I like being able to escape the desert now and again.
What a cute little place! It reminds me of Gaitlinburg, TN. I love being able to get away for the weekend, unfortunately our next getaway is a PCS, yikes!
Also, did Joey turn into a tiny teenage on the drive up? He’s looks so grown!
What a fun venture, probably the one thing we really miss is roadtrips! We’re definitely planning on taking a few, while we’re back on the mainland.
I’ve never been to Cloudcroft, but I have friend who go there alllllllllll the time (they’re stationed at Alamogordo), and I’m always so jealous of their photos. I’ve GOT to get you guys to go up to northern NM before you PCS! lol it’s a life goal for me :p
We just got back from Cloudcroft! My first time there, and absolutely loved it! Already planning to go again next year!
I cannot wait to go again!