THE GLISTENING EMERALDS OF QUESTA, NM

 By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1977 Airstream that reads the newspaper, well, sorta.)

Vannie used to write for the Questa Del Rio News.

She is trying her hand at it again this summer.

The following article will be in the July edition of the paper.

Enjoy

Dave is enjoying the lake that is right around the corner from where we are parked.

THE GLISTENING EMERALDS OF QUESTA

By Vanette Harris

I missed those emeralds when I was away all winter.  The sparkle, the shine, the quiet moments…Eagle Rock Lake is all of those wrapped in one glorious place.  I recall many years ago, when I first encountered the lake, I called it Emerald Lake.  At certain times of the day, it was as bright and shiny as the greenest of all emeralds. 

Questa is my happy place.  My husband and I have been staying the summers at Gloria Gonzalez’s RV Campground for the past 10 summers.  It’s shady, quiet, and near Emerald Lake…oops, Eagle Rock Lake.  Old habits are hard to let go of.  Walking by the lake in the early morning is a moment like no other.  It heals your mind and soul.  If you haven’t tried it, there is no time like the present. 

I’m not a fisherman, but I see lots of people enjoying the sport.  There are boys and girls, moms and dads, and grandpas; and grandmas. I’ve noticed that it really doesn’t matter if anyone is catching fish (although that’s a bonus).  I see happy faces….calm faces…relaxed faces.  The squeals and laughter of the families are worth all the money in the world.

And guess what…Questa has its own waterfalls. When the melted snow and rainwater roll down the mountain within the banks of the Red River, and with the help of a few beavers’ dams, there are waterfalls that emerge.  One does have to take one of the back trails to see the falls, but they are there….and what a spectacular sight.  Walk over the lower bridge across the river, take the trail to the left, walk a short way, and there it is….Questa Falls. There is a picnic table in the area.  What fun it would be to have a picnic in the vicinity of the falls!!

The trail that takes one to the falls, also will take one on over to the Questa Forest Service Headquarters.  It’s a nice walk with beautiful wildflowers, and the sound of the rushing waters of the river.  And as an added bonus, one can visit the Forest Service Headquarters.  The rangers love to share their brochures and information about the beautiful Carson National Forest. 

I’m from Louisiana and Texas, but northern New Mexico is my second home.  As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz says, “There’s no place like home.” I’m definitely feelin’ the love.

The Red River that flows down the mountain.

It feeds into the lake.

Some of the Questa Falls and beaver dam

walking path around the lake

bridge over the river leading back into the falls area

picnic table by the falls

path leading to the Ranger Station

Vannie said that you can see the reason she called it Emerald Lake in this photo.

My goal was to write a blog 2 times a month.

Wow...I just made it this month by the skin of my wheels. Hee Hee