‘This is like therapy’: After months indoors, El Pasoans and Las Cruceans flock to Caballo Lake

CABALLO LAKE, New Mexico -- After weeks indoors, El Paso residents Raul Herrera and Vinnie Malcolm bought jet skis, crossed state lines and enjoyed the refreshing water at Caballo Lake.

"It's been awful," Herrera told ABC-7. "This is like therapy."

"We feel that the risk value is actually less," said Malcolm. "You're on miles of water, away from everybody else."

On Memorial Day, Caballo Lake didn't appear to have as many visitors as previous years. However, one Las Cruces mother said Sunday was uncomfortably busy.

"Yesterday was packed," said Cheyenn Atma. "There was just so many boats and jet skis and people on the shore. It was pretty busy."

"We got in for a little bit, but then we got out and there was like a line," said her 11-year-old daughter Emberlyn.

Because of the large crowds, the Atma family went home and returned on Memorial Day.

"I think everybody's ready to be out," the mother told ABC-7.

“As the weather gets warmer and more people begin to head outside, State Parks reminds everyone to keep six feet apart from others, keep groups to five people or less, and wear your mask while visiting a State Park," wrote Susan Torres, a state spokeswoman.

Torres said park rangers are modeling appropriate behavior, including wearing masks. She also said lake visitors are not required to wear masks if they restrict socializing to their immediate family.

"We don't do a lot of going out," said Noah Wells, a Las Cruces father and U.S. Army veteran. "We do more camping and fishing and hunting when it's season."

Wells said he believes it's safer to stay out of the city and vacation at a state park. On Memorial Day, he remembered his fallen brothers.

"That's actually pretty personal," Wells said. "Looking back and remembering them is a big part of today."