My first week here in Farmington, New Mexico was full of firsts!!
The snow! I would have never imagined this contract to start out quite like this! Snow is suppose to be a rare occurrence here in Farmington, and our arrival was just in time to see this desert landscape transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland!
Then came my first days in the hospital. This contract is different from any of my others. I have negotiated to only perform in the intra-op position. The department is small but on a full day, the work is steady. It was a very abbreviated orientation on my first day. Since I have used this EMR in the past, this department did not feel a preceptor was necessary. I have relied on previous experience to guide me this first week while asking questions for anything new or different from what I am use too. Overall though, I have enjoyed my first days working at this hospital.
But, enough about working as a Travel Nurse… I know that you are all here to see my adventures! You are in for a treat and I could not have picked a better first hike!
Just over an hour south of Farmington, we turned off the main road onto our first dirt road. Yep, first dirt road! I was insanely nervous when I saw that we still had 15 miles to our destination and we were in the middle of nowhere following dirt roads to a hidden oasis. After 7 miles, we turned onto our second dirt road. While still considered a well maintained road, it was definitely getting rougher the further from civilization we got. And then came the 3rd dirt road. I am not even sure if you can call it a road, more like a four wheeler trail. Still covered in deep snow, the truck was put into 4wheel drive as we adventured even deeper into this abandoned desert.
Once we reached a good stopping point where we could park the truck, our journey on foot began. As the valley came into view, the magic of New Mexico was found!
Formations seemingly rose from the earth as we walked from one formation to the next. A dried river bed led the way to over 3 miles of unbelievable sights and unspoken history!
Petrified wood littered this landscape and speaks of the world before time. Evidence of a rich forest in the middle of this desert changes how I saw the world around me!
Perfectly spherical formations boggled my mind. How were these formed? What would this landscape look like in 20 years? As we followed along the trail, the dry river bed became muddy as the warmth of the rising sun melted away the cold of the night.
Valley of Dreams lived up to its name!
And our first hike in New Mexico, was nothing short of incredible.
Travel Nursing is the adventure that keeps on giving and I can not wait to see what hides behind the next dirt road!
Keep following along every Sunday as I share my experiences as a Travel Nurse in and outside the hospital! Be sure to subscribe to never miss a week!
