Weekend in Gila (Lower Gallinas)

9/18/09: The sun has slipped behind the mountain. It's 6 P.M. My after-dinner nap was interrupted by a fresh nip in the air. Or it could have been the arrival of my new neighbor. The campsite closest is now occupied. I anticipate the weekend will be a rush of campers. This morning was a difficult sleep. Just after midnight I began to debate loading up and heading for Albuquerque to meet my friend David and his girlfriend Susan. They invited me to stay up there for the weekend. But I'd have to load up and leave my treasured campsite. To follow a "first things first" agenda this a.m., I made my priority a few minutes of quiet time. Then there would be camp and travel equipment chores. The motorcycle battery had reacted to the change in elevation, (now 9 to 10,000 feet), and acid had spilled over onto the frame. This would be somewhat of a major operation. Checking the level, I removed at least 10% of the fluid. I had to wire brush the affected frame points, but I'd have to leave repainting for later. I'm told that a solution of baking soda and water will be beneficial.