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As you drive by Eagle Nest Lake you can't help but notice the low level indicative of the high water mark way up on the shore and the fact that the majority of the boat ramp is exposed. The lake is definitely low but not as low as it has been in recent history. According to USGS data, the capacity of Eagle Nest Lake is 79,120 acre feet (one acre ft equals 325,851 gallons). As of the beginning of November the lake was currently holding just over 32,000 acre ft. (40% of capacity). Seasonal fluctuations are normal with the lake retaining more water in the Spring months and moving to seasonal lows in October and November. The lowest level recorded in recent history was in 2014 of only 16,900 acre ft. Highs within recent history occurred in 2010 and 2019 of 61,150 acre ft and 51,000 acre ft. respectively. Eagle Nest Lake collects water from a relatively small watershed of only 167 square miles that encompasses the valley floor and surrounding mountains. Not all water from the watershed makes it to the lake, approximately 2,500 acres of pasture and agricultural land upstream from the lake is irrigated from the same watershed. According to the USGS the highest level the lake has ever reached was 81,360 acre ft in 1994 (flood stage), and the lowest ever recorded was in 1954 of only 635 acre ft (someone must have left the gate open). Eagle Nest Lake is formed by a concrete dam with a spillway cut into the natural rock. The dam was completed and began retaining water in 1918. Rob Swan Swan Realty

In order to help promote Red River, a new photo album has been created and will be hosted on REDRIVERNM.COM. The album will contain Red River and surrounding area photos and be available to anyone needing Red River photos for private or commercial purposes. This includes Red River businesses, all media outlets, and anyone else who may need them. The photos are FREE and no credit needs to be given to the photographer. It can be very difficult (and expensive) to find a photo for social media, website or a news article when you need one, especially if it is out of season. The end user is welcome to crop, add text, add a logo, or whatever is needed without fear of copyright infringement. The album currently contains about 80 photos (including drone photos) and will continually be added to. If other photographers would like to contribute, please feel free to contact me. The album is located at https://www.redrivernm.com/photo-albums - Rob Swan Swan Realty

I remember attending speaking events that Rush would give in the Community House about the history of Red River and Northern New Mexico. Rush spent his retirement years compiling Red River history into speeches, pamphlets and a book entitled " Red River City - A History of Northern New Mexico, 1800 to 2000" Rush's speeches were engaging and incredibly interesting, especially for a kid who spent a portion of my youth exploring every old mine, encampment, and ghost town I could find in the area. I was always fascinated by the things I would find but never really understood the history behind them until I started reading Rush's writings and attending his speaking engagements. Unless history is documented it will be lost in time. Rush did more than his share in helping to preserve Red River history and for that, our town will be eternally grateful. I have include his obituary below, it's worth a read, he was quite a guy. Obituary reprinted from Ramsey Funeral Home Rob Swan Swan Realty JOHN PIERCE OBITUARY John Rush Pierce Sr. of Georgetown, Texas died on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Rush, affectionately known to friends and family as "Boss" was 93 and until, the last few weeks of his life, was independent, driving, living on his own, and making his own meals. Rush was a physician, clinical professor, Navy veteran, Boy Scout and church leader, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Rush was born on February 4, 1929 in Dallas, TX to Graham L. Pierce and Elizabeth Weaver Pierce. He grew up in Dallas during the Great Depression. He attended Highland Park High School, where he was active in sports and excelled academically. He was an Eagle Scout. After high school, he attended Southern Methodist University, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and finished in two years by taking extra classes and going to summer school. He then enrolled in the newly formed Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He met Amanda Allen on a blind date and immediately they fell in love. They married on June 10, 1951 and remained married for 63 years until Amanda passed away. After graduating from Southwestern, Rush completed a fellowship and began a residency in internal medicine with Dr. Tinsley Harrison in Birmingham, Alabama. His medical training was interrupted by military service in Jacksonville, Fla, where he served as a lieutenant in the Navy. After two years, he and his young family returned to Dallas to complete his medical residency. In 1958, Rush, Amanda, and their sons moved to Arlington, a small, fast-growing community in north Texas. There, Rush opened a practice in internal medicine, which continued for 35 years and included up to five different partners. He served as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, President of the medical staff at Arlington Memorial Hospital, and President of the Arlington Branch of the Tarrant County Medical Society. In 1993, Rush became Medical Director of a new Veterans Administration Clinic in Fort Worth and served in that role until his retirement in 1997. In Arlington, Rush and Amanda raised their four boys, Rush Jr., Ben, Frank, and Scott. Rush was a leader in the Boy Scouts. He took scout groups on high adventure trips to the Quetico wilderness of Canada and to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He and his family often spent their summers in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Red River, NM, where they hiked. Rush was active in several churches and taught Sunday School for many years. After retirement, Rush and Amanda moved to Granbury, TX and later to Georgetown. They spent their summers in the mountains of northern New Mexico, where Rush developed a passion for photography and nature. They were active in the Red River summer community and had many friends there. Upon Amanda's death, Rush established the Amanda Pierce Nature Fund at the Red River Community House, which sponsored nature camps for children, wildflower walks, and other nature projects for the community. Family was important to Rush. He and Amanda held an annual Cousin Camp for their grandchildren, where the kids slept outside, swam, did crafts, and had special events. Later, they held regular Cousin Dinners at their house for the grandchildren. Rush loved to write. He authored several books about northern New Mexico, including a hiking guide, a guide to mountain wildflowers, and a history of Red River. Later, he researched and wrote short essays on interesting people, places, and events, which he mailed to family and friends. He was an avid photographer, taking beautiful pictures of mountains, wildlife, and flowers. Rush was preceded in death by his parents, Graham and Elizabeth Pierce, brother Graham Pierce Jr., sister Eugenia Pierce Krause, and his wife Amanda Pierce. He is survived by son Rush Pierce Jr. and wife Diane Goodwin, son Ben Pierce and wife Marlene Tyrrell, son Frank Pierce, son Scott Pierce, and multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Amanda Pierce Nature Fund, Red River NM Community House (http://www.redrivercommunityhouse.org/).

Last night I received a phone call from Taos County Sherriff, Jerry Hogrefe informing me that my cattle trailer that had been stolen in August had been found across the border in San Luis Colorado and informed me that I could go to San Luis and pick it up. I arrived in the dark at a small farm about 10 miles southeast of San Luis and was met by Taos County Under sherriff, Steve Miera and his deputies along with multiple Sherriff's Deputies from Costilla County Co. Through multi agency cooperation, the Costilla County Sherriff deputized the Taos County Deputies in order to assist with the investigation. The Sherriff's departments were able to obtain a search warrant for this rural property where multiple stolen items were found including, multiple RV's, pickup trucks, and multiple trailers. There was also an assortment of smaller items present including generators, welding equip, tools, compressors and saddles that may also have been stolen. Northern Taos County along with Costilla and Conejos County in Colorado have been plagued with thefts throughout the summer. Rumors had been circulating that the stolen good were being taken to San Francisco, a small village near Sanchez reservoir. The rumors proved to be true as the farm was located near the San Francisco church on County Rd J2. Deputies spent their time identifying the stolen vehicles and contacting the owners with the good news and requesting they come and pick up their property. Many pickup trucks arrived along with a few tow trucks to begin the process of removing the stolen items. Deputies on site indicated that they had not yet made any arrests. Please give your local Deputies a pat on the back next time you see them as we can all now worry a little less about our property being stolen Thank you Sheriffs and Deputies for a job well done. Rob Swan Swan Realty

Reprinted from The Questa Ranger District - US Forest Service Questa District Ranger Adam LaDell last night honored an individual and a group for volunteering to clear thousands of fallen trees from trails and roads around Red River, NM. The trees fell during the December 15, 2021, snow squall. All told, an estimated 11,000 trees have so far been cleared. Justin Brandenburg individually cleared an estimated 950 trees in the Lost Lake area, including from the trails to Middle Fork Lake and Lost Lake. A group of about 35 individuals from the Red River Off-Road Coalition have cleared an estimated 10,000 trees from various Forest roads around Red River, such as Midnight Meadows, Greenie Peak and Goose Lake. “These areas would have not been open to the public this past summer if it were not for the amazing efforts of these local volunteers,” said LaDell. “This is a great example of shared stewardship between the national forest and the public, and I welcome more groups to engage with us to get work done on the ground.” Efforts will continue into next year to clear trees, including from the East Fork Trail and spur roads on Greenie Peak.

I spent the early part of the Evening at Madam's Lounge and Theater being entertained by one of my favorite New Mexico artists, Garry Blackchild. Blackchild, a talented guitar player, song writer, and story teller who on this evening was accompanied on stage by Mexico Lopez who filled in with harmonica and vocal sound effects, between the two of them, they kept the crowd laughing and cheering throughout the evening. Garry's music is a cross between country and folk with a gritty, down in the dirt New Mexico vibe. The majority of his lyrics and story telling revolve around his experiences of life, love, adventure and in his words "Drinking like a bunch of pendejos" in the Land Of Enchantment and throughout the south. Listening to songs entitled "Espanola Girl" to "Ruidoso Bound" you can learn about his travels and many mishaps throughout the state. The name "Blackchild" came from a nickname his Choctaw grandmother use to call him. Garry figured "Blackchild" would make a great stage name and so became, Garry Blackchild - Rebel Folk Singer. Garry's path to success has been tough and dangerous at times. Garry recounts a time in Ruidoso when a bar patron confronted him in the parking lot after a show, he was upset about the fact that a black man was singing country music. Garry went on to survive the incident and wrote a song that chronicled the event with a chorus line that includes " I'm Just A Black Man In New Mexico Trying Not To Get Myself Killed". Garry's great sense of humor and musical talents combined with his unique perspective definitely make for a fun evening. Highly recommended. https://garryblackchild.bandcamp.com/releases -Rob Swan Swan Realty

This years Octoberfest was not just a hit, it was a huge hit. According to Naoma Staley, Chamber Of Commerce Director, final numbers are still being tallied but she estimated that approximately 8,000 people came through the gates during the three day event making it the largest Octoberfest in Red River history. Vendors selling everything from Beer, Wine and Bratwurst to Fine Art and Crafts were also pleased with the turnout with many of them selling out or at least running very low on supplies by the end of the event. Non stop entertainment was provided by a DJ who spun plenty of German music along with a Rock and Roll and Country mix that kept the crowd on their feet showing off their best dance moves. The corn eating event was good for some laughs and a bit of nausea for some of the participants especially since it was followed up with the Chicken Dance contest. Nevertheless, everyone survived and a great time was had by all. All credits for the tremendous success go to The Red River Chamber of Commerce and their Octoberfest committee who all worked tirelessly to make this years event a huge success. Can't wait till 2023! Note - If you do plan on coming next year, make your reservations early, the town is sure to sell out again. - Rob Swan Swan Realty

If you would like to camp while you are in Red River, you are in luck, the options are many. Private Campgrounds - These options offer you full hookups for your RV and some even have their own private fishing ponds. 4K River Ranch - RV Sites, RV Storage, Tent Sites, Private Fishing Pond, River Enchanted Forest - Upscale Camping Yurts, for a truly unique experience. Red River RV - RV Sites, River Roadrunner RV Park - RV Sites, River Forest Service Campgrounds - Red River has three Forest Service campgrounds just west of town on Hwy 38. These are primitive campgrounds. No reservations, first come first serve. Junebug Campground - Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, water, Parking, on the River Elephant Rock Campground - Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water Fawn Lakes Campground - Tent camping ,Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water Primitive National Forest Camping - Red River is surrounded by National Forest much of it accessed by primitive dirt roads and trails. Camping is free (no permit needed). Rob Swan Swan Realty Photo Credit - Jimmy Howell

Many guests use VRBO and Airbnb in order to make their Red River reservations, but do you know how much they charge you for this service? VRBO charges you between 6% and 15% of the rental amount while Airbnb charges 14% but can be as high as 20%. That's a lot for simply using their web site. Now some small lodging hosts may not have a website and use these online booking services exclusively and there may not be any other way to book, so in that case it may be your only option. Most management companies and many single property operators do have their own websites or at least a phone number you can call to reserve your vacation property and that could save you and them a bunch of money. So how much can you save? Here's some quick math. Average nightly rate for 3 nights: Most of the year about $250 for 3 nights = $750 x VRBO/AIRBNB Fee = $75 to $150 in additional fees. Christmas (higher rates) $600 for 3 nights = $1,800 x VRBO/AIRBNB Fee = $108 to $360 in additional fees. If you are booking more expensive properties the fees are obviously going to go up from there. Do yourself and your host a favor, find the property you want to book then do a Google search to see if you can find a way to book direct, if you can, you just saved yourself a bunch of money that you can use to buy even more goods and services in Red River which in turn helps our town to grow and improve. - Rob Swan Swan Realty

A visitor to the 2022 Octoberfest claims he had a great time at this years Octoberfest although he did fail to recollect exactly what it was about the event that he enjoyed. The gentleman, a long time visitor to Red River and a big fan of Octoberfest events says he spends the month of October every year attending multiple events in different parts of the country practicing his Octoberfest skills and hopes to someday be good enough to attend the "Mother of All Octoberfest's" in Munich. If this were to happen he exclaimed "This would be the culmination of all my life's work and would surpass the birth of my children in the list of my life long accomplishments". When asked what skills he is working on perfecting, the Chicken Dance comes to the top of the list, followed by Bratwurst consumption. "The training is difficult and the Bratwurst practice has definitely had an affect on my waistline, finding a tailor to make my Lederhosen bigger is not easy". He also stated that it is helpful to know at least a little bit of German profanity otherwise "It would be hard to fit in". When asked why he had trouble recollecting exactly what it was he enjoyed about this year's Octoberfest, he said it may have something to do with his fondness for German Pilsners and then added that he wished Octoberfest would last all year long. Regardless he said, Red River is one of his favorites and he is planning on returning next year. - Rob Swan Swan Realty

Over the weekend locals started reporting sightings of a large Bull Moose in neighborhoods within the Village of Questa just west of Red River. While Elk and Deer are very common, Moose are not. Colorado does have a population of Moose, however, it is rare to see a Moose come as far south as New Mexico. Previous sightings were reported in 2018 in Costilla and 2019 in Tres Piedras but as far as anyone knows, this is the first Moose to ever visit Questa. Although New Mexico only has one Moose, they are actually a protected species here, so even though it is Elk season, please do not shoot the Moose. Rob Swan Swan Realty Photo Credit - Lexy Gurule

Last night marked the first ever Taco Tuesday at Vine + Dine located upstairs in the Southern Exposure building, 402 W Main. The majority of our Real Estate office staff and a few friends decided to attend in order to help support this new business, but more importantly, we all really like Tacos and Margaritas. We were not disappointed. After bringing the first round of Ritas, the waiter inquired as to the type of Tacos we would like to have, he proceeded to rattle off about four different types and explained each one. By the time the waiter got around to take my order, the bottom of my Margarita glass was starting to become visible making me agreeable to just about anything so I opted for the combo platter in order to avoid having to make any difficult decisions. This proved to be one of the best non-decisions I had made all day. The Tacos were excellent, some had been roasted on a grill on the deck, others had been prepared in the kitchen, they were accompanied with a really nice chile red sauce, refried beans and a fresh cous cous salad. Matt Dietz, the proprietor has gone out of his way to bring something new and different to Red River. The atmosphere is not typical of Red River, but I think that's the point. Dietz has put in a lot of effort in to creating a unique ambiance, and it's working. As an added bonus, Vine + Dine also serves Red River Brewing Co beer along with a selection of fine wines and spirits. If you want to keep up with what's happening at Vine + Dine, I would suggest liking their Facebook page as Dietz does a pretty good job of keeping everyone in the know. - Rob Swan Swan Realty