Leasburg Dam

About an hour south of Truth or Consequences NM or 20 minutes north of Las Cruces NM you will find a delightful gem of a park called Leasburg Dam.

As I read this sign to Freddy the Wonderpup, he asked what diversion meant. I explained that is when you change the course of something, usually for a benefit. Normally it applies to water flow but has many other applications.

He pondered that for a little bit and then asked me to divert rabbits his way. He wagged his tail. I ignored him.

Anyway, let's check out this park. There is a visitor center on the right as you enter.

Inside is a lot of good info, entertainment to borrow, and a smiling volunteer.

Directly across is the main restroom with nice hot showers. Trust me, they are nice and hot.

Next to that is a sizeable playground.

Unfortunately, puppies are not allowed so Freddy had to watch with jealously as I played on the slide. Nearby is the amphitheater.

Year-round night sky programs along with Ranger led  hikes and special events make this the focal point for public gatherings.

Leasburg State Park has a great night sky and when the clouds are absent is extremely popular to view the stars. Head Ranger Alex showed me the telescope. Wow.

The roof slides back and the scope can be hooked up to view the output on the screen in the amphitheater.

At the far end of the park is the group camping area and shelter.

I will show more of the group camping area as that is where Freddy and I stayed. But onward to the campsites.

There are three loops. Agave Loop (aka Greasewood) has  nine sites, four with power and water and  five with water only.

Cactus Patch Loop has nine sites as well.

Most are available for reservations and have power and water. Sites 15 and 16 are non-reservable, 16 being an ADA site.

Cholla Loop has five reservation sites with water and power, number 25 being an ADA site.

Since the campground was full during my visit, Alex allowed me to camp in the group area. Freddy called it the VIP area. Very Important Pet.

So we had to open the gate and drive down our private road.

To our campsite.

The views from here are amazing over the Rio Grande valley. So bear with me as I bore you with some sunrise and sunset pics.

The sunrises are behind me. Left side in the picture above.

But the sunsets happen right in front of me.

I really enjoy cloud formations at sunset. I asked the pup what he thought this one looked like. I'm thinking an alien ship readying for attack with me to save the world.

He looked up.

He mumbled cockroach. And took a nap.

A whole herd of trails meander throughout this park. Freddy walked me along them.

At spots along the trails are information signs with interesting facts about the valley.

Freddy found a missing sign at one overlook and left his own message. Probably something to do with rabbits.

Our favorite trail was alongside the river.

Freddy did his normal sniffing and looking for rabbits.

I enjoyed the winter colors.

That is beautiful. The lower Mogollon Trail connects the north and south day use areas.

Even when the upstream dams are not releasing any flow this area has some water due to natural springs. Hot and cold springs. And they mix. The fish and fowl love it.

Geothermal activity is prevalent in this area. According to Alex, this is one of the rare rivers that follows a rift, an uplifting and shifting in tectonic plates that brings the fun stuff closer to the surface. Think Yellowstone. Without the grizzlies.

OK, you have all seen those car commercials as they tout their latest offering that say "professional driver on a closed course."

Well I am a professional photographer and this is basically a closed area until the access road is opened in a few weeks. So Freddy is going off leash for a photo shoot. A very brief one.

First Shot.

I imagined the pup leaping through the water with the mist in the background and the clouds reflecting the sun on the river.

"Freddy, I need you to go sit over there until I say ACTION".

"OK.'

"Then you need to run through the water and do a leap".

"OK".

"Alrighty, ACTION!"

He didn't move. I asked what the problem was and he said he would be more in character if I said rabbit. Fine.

"RABBIT!"

Worked out good.

Second Shot.

The sun was coming up and illuminating the brush on the sides of the river. It was still cold enough to see some mist.

"Freddy, I would like you to stand in the river with the sun on you. Give me a good smile with your tongue hanging out. Don't worry if your legs get wet."

"My legs won't get wet."

"Um, say what?"

"Don't worry about it Greg, just take the photo."

So I did.

And his legs stayed dry somehow. He is a pretty amazing puppy.

While the diversion dam and the canals were being built here over 100 years ago, a dam keepers house was also constructed. I met Alex there for a tour. I found him waiting for me in the Bat Cave underneath the house.

I cannot even begin to tell you all the history he told me. This gentleman loves his park and the surrounding areas. When you visit, go on one of his nature or history walks. He will amaze you.

We went inside.

I felt a shiver, and not from the cold. A good shiver. We walked through the house that hasn't been occupied in several years.

Original moldings and floors. They don't make things to last like this anymore. Check out the built in corner cabinet.

Then there was the screened porch.

The good shiver again. We headed back outside and talked while I looked back at the house.

The left window is actually a screen facing inwards towards the porch. I saw someone move into the frame and give us a look. Dressed in white, maybe a gown. Then move away. I mentioned it to Alex. He said that some other folks have seen it as well.

Alrighty then.

Freddy and I are open to visits from ghosts or spirits or whatever the PC term is nowadays. Usually they are just lost souls looking for completion from a past life to finally sleep.

We kept an eye on the house and our door open.

And yesterday I saw a shadow, waving at us.

Behind the screen. Saying goodbye.

Regards,
Greg and Freddy