The ride to Red River seemed to take for ever-- 12 hours pulling a trailer, but the trip was worth it. Seven Trailchaser families made the trip, including the Wilkey clan DeWayne and Carla, Kelly and Sheila, Jason and Amy, Robin, Deanna and Zac Jones. Also going were Billie, Janita, and Rob Young, Pam Selby and friend Carla, and our family Robert, Christine, Melinda Foster and niece Caren Schwake. Red River is located at the base of the mountains just west of Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. The town is small - you know this because you can go into every shop in 1/2 day and see everything. The weather was cool all week, not at all like Oklahoma. On Sunday, we drove up to Goose Creek Lake. The trail up there was narrow and twisty, and the locals warned us it was very tough. We just said "You have never been to Clayton, Ok. have ya?" The lake is beautiful and we saw lots of chipmunks and long horned sheep (note: if you attempt to feed a long horned sheep, you will get long horned sheep snot on your hand) We both got to drive that day. It was lots of fun for both of us. Monday we took the trail up to Middle Fork Lake. Now that trail is rough! The road is narrow and climbs the mountain at a steep angle. We counted 25 switchbacks to the top. It was worth the effort though. The view is incredible and the cool mountain air is refreshing. Tuesday, some of the Wilkeys went shopping in Santa Fe, while the rest of us explored around Mallet Creek area. There are a lot of ATV trails here and many were narrow and steep.That night we all rode go-carts. Kelly tried to beat us in racing them, but we held our won!! Wednesday the Wilkeys went to Eagle Nest and Angel Fire and visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We rented ATV's with the Young's and road all over. That was the first time we had ever ridden an ATV for several hours at a time. It was great!! We learned several things that day: (1. ATV + MUD = FUN 2. Tan lines wash off in the shower 3. God made dirt, dirt don't hurt. 4. pretty sunsets come at 3pm if you are wearing orange tinted goggles.) That night the Wilkeys made a night run up Pioneer Creek trail. Kelly entertained them all by telling ghost stories on the trip up. By the time they got to the deserted mines, it didn't take them long to look at the mines and come back down. Thursday, Kelly took us back up the Pioneer Creek trail. We got to drive again. The trail was narrow, with creeks to cross and rocky hills to climb. That was lots of fun and we both learned a lot. On the way back we stopped and rode the ski lift up the mountain. That was cool!! (note: bounce on a ski lift and everyone riding it joins in!) In the evenings after supper,us kids would go down to the "Playhouse" which is a teen center. They had pool, putt putt golf, skating, and arcades. That was lots of fun. We were all sad to see Friday come when it was time to pack up and go home. Four-wheeling is great. We learned several important lessons this trip, such as: (1. pit stops are good 2. anything past 3rd gear is easy riding! 3. pull in the mirrors and don't panic!) Thanks to the Wilkeys for including us on their vacation week. We are both ready to go again.