Hahaha, ok maybe not. That is unless the fascists at the gates on the highway determine that you are hiding a bomb or anthrax in your rig.

We were traveling to Jemez Springs, New Mexico yesterday, via Santa Fe, and just as we were about to get through the town of Los Alamos, we came upon a huge gated plaza with gun toting guards. We were told that we had to pull over so we could be searched.

This was a total suprise to us! OMG. I guess they search all RVs because the highway cuts through the Los Alamos Research Facility campus. They were pretty nice to us, but did actually go inside the rig. This was more searching that we've ever been subjected to, and it was a little unnerving.

So, just a warning if you're ever hoping to come to Jemez Springs for some hot springs soaking, do yourself a favor and get there the long way via Albuquerque instead of going through Los Alamos.

Fascists!

Good information to know.  How were the hot springs?????

Uh, more like warm springs. They are OK but we've been to hotter ones. The views though at Spence Hot Springs are incredible, best we've seen.

I would recommend coming here on a weekday because on weekends, this place is CRAZY. It's not even summer and the springs were packed. Nothing like making new friends in a crowded hot tub! ;)

Wow! (and, not in the good kind of wow) What kind of guards where these? Police? Sheriff? Military? Seems very intrusive that they would go into your motorhome without reasonable cause. What would have happened if you said "No"? Would they make you drive around? Call more guards? Haul Jim away to a foreign prison and make him listen to old Olivia Newton John albums?

Law enforcement does that to people going out to Burning Man, just cause they know people are going out there to whoop it up. All of the guides say to gently deny permission and they can't push the matter unless they have reasonable cause. I am sure they always come up with it, then become more pissy, but still.

I just don't like the idea of opening my door to have anyone "inspect" it. I think the American Revolution was suppose to put an end to that ;)

Does sound like a nice area. Not sure that I like the price of admission tho...


--kev

Yeah, I considered refusing too, we were just stunned, there was no warning given ahead of time, nothing.

They were military police though. I decided that messing with them wasn't a good idea.

Scary.

It's pretty standard to go through inspections like these when going through  military areas, especially those with high security like Los Alamos. Crazy shit goes on there.

Sorry we couldn't divert up there to enjoy the warm springs with ya.  We just arrived in Austin yesterday, it feels good to put the stabilizers down after being in motion for a month.


 - Cherie

Yeah, we were just surprised because we had no idea the highway went right through the base.

It would've been great to see you guys here, but I'm glad you guys finally have a chance to relax. Enjoy, and keep in touch.

Don't know if you are still in NM or not, but there are some great hot springs along the Rio Grande north of Taos, just west of the gorge bridge, ask some locals, they will point the way. Depends on snow melt, run off whether they are flowing or swamped. 

Hey thanks for the head's up. We are still in NM, just checked out San Antonio springs in Jemez yesterday. Pretty darn awesome.

Good for you for protesting at Los Alamos. I can't even imagine what they do in those compounds.

What workshops do you teach? Wish I was at Lake Travis now, it's so cold here!