Seeking shelter in Santa Fe.

So my plan was to arrive into Santa Fe Forest area by early Friday afternoon. I wanted to have time to set up camp, get warm and settle in, since I hadn't found a couch to surf.

But all of us who have ever truly traveled know that plans change...a lot. A whole lot. Did I mention a lot?
Leaving later than originally planned was the first setback. We also hit bad weather going through Raton Pass coming from Colorado into New Mexico*

I ended up arriving close to 8:00 pm. It was dark, extremely cold and  camping was out of the question. I have never stayed at the Salvation Army or a Regular homeless center, but I know fellow travelers who have and that wasn't an option at this time either.

So with 35% phone battery I looked for one place I can usual count on in the cold weather. An emergency winter shelter. These places are easy to get into and setup sort of like a hostel but with less travelers and more homeless guys.

Finding one quickly on my phone I made the short forty five minute trek there. I got in with no hassle as  I expected, having to undergo a quick search, give my name and check my bag.
I grabbed some food from their kitchen window and later grabbed a sleeping bag and a bunk.
Morning, of course, comes early in a place like this...
"Watch your eyes gentleman, here comes the sun!" was announced seconds before the ultra bright lights came on.

Taking advantage of a continental type breakfast, I had two bowls of cereal and grabbed a couple green tea bags and all natural oatmeal packets for my bag.

"Checkout time" is 7:00 which is pretty standard in a place like that. I was out before that anyway as I was excited to explore Santa Fe.

Well, that just about sums my first night in New Mexico. It wasn't an exciting evening, but I thought it worth mentioning as a travel tip concerning emergency shelters. While they are not for everybody, in last case scenarios they are life savers. You don't need money like at a hostel and you don't have to get there at four or five o'clock like a homeless shelter.

I plan to camp today, and keep looking for couches, but I will keep the emergency shelter in mind if the weather gets too bad.

*How Cowboy did I sound?!...Coming through the pass in bad weather...awesome!

Safe Travels!