Carlsbad NM

Yesterday we drove from Tularosa to Carlsbad NM.  The drive along the 82 over to Artesia was an unexpected treat.  Cloudcroft is an old town, established in 1899 and sits at 8,675’.  It looks like a place we will come back to when things are opened up.  

Artesia is the start of oil country in the Permian Basin.  It extends south and east to Texas.  We are staying at another Harvest Host, Balzano Winery and Farm.  Last night you could see several “glowing areas” in the distance where the oil fields are burning off the unwanted fuels.  

Carlsbad is a little bigger than I imagined.  We took a ride into town to check the place out.  It has all the conveniences one would need without traveling to get them.  If you can avoid it, don’t go to Lucy’s Mexican restaurant on the south end of town.  

We then came back out to Balzano which is about 10 miles north of Carlsbad.  We walked the dogs around the farm and played 5 games of Yahtzee, 3 for me, 2 for Katy.  We only won one free ticket.  

We made 6:45 reservations at Balzano for Friday Steak Night, Date Night.  This is the first time we’ve gone out for dinner.  Salad, 10oz Ribeye, green beans, baked potato and bread, dessert for two and a bottle of Tempranillo.  It was a great dinner and setting.  We would recommend it.