Trip #120 (51): Rio Grande Gorge & Red River

Trip #120 (51): Rio Grande Gorge & Red River 

Wednesday, July 13 - 18, 2022

Wednesday, July 13 — Arrived later in the day to Wild Rivers campground. #16 in Montaso CG, good spot, only 2 on this space and no one else here. Pretty warm so ran the a/c around 4pm. Whatever we do tomorrow, we best start it early.

Thursday, July 14 — Got an early start (up at 6am thanks to errant alarm clock), and hiked down to the Rio Grande River via the Big Arsenic trail. One mile down, 10 miles up. Would end up in the 90s later, so great we started about 9 or so. Rode bikes down the road to the trailhead, great campground here, all newly redone. Hike back up was killer, but we did it. Later drove over the the visitor center. It now being 94 degrees and the generator could not work hard enough (or get enough propane) to run the a/c properly so we just roasted for few hours, hoping it would rain, tho it never did. Did all around, but not here. Hot hot hot 

Friday July 15 — Moved up to Red River at Fawn Lakes CG. Unfortunately a recent flood washed out the lakes and nothing left but a dry lake bed. But our spot, #5 was roomy with shade and located next to the river. Set up camp and Sheila set up the Hummer feeders. Constant barge of hummers. Went to town to shop and ate at the Red River Distillery.

Saturday, July 16 — Went to town with bikes and rode around town. All trails are straight up and best for ATV's. Drove up the highway to 10K altitude, but most hikes are also straight up and full of ATV's. This is a suburb of Texas and that's what they do.

Sunday July 17 — Decided to drive up to Cabresto Lake near Questa. It's a rough 4WD road and met others turning around because of a broken down ATV blocking the road. So we went to town to Farmers market and the grocery store. Got water and just headed back to camp and sat around. Weather has been relatively cool with afternoon showers.

Monday July 18 — So due to the ever increasing heat wave and Sheila's lack of crafts to keep her busy, we decided to head home where temps are around 94-97°.

RIP: Ivanna Trump

Trip #119 (50): Grand Canyon North Rim

Trip #119 (50): North Rim Grand Canyon 

May 18 - 23, 2022

Wed, May 18 — Left warmer Santa Fe, with fires burning to the east and west (Calf-Hermits & Cerro Pelado) on Wednesday driving all the way to Winslow. Diesel pries $5.19 on the rez north of Alb. The Depp Trial is on-going, and doing my best to listen in the car as long as there is a signal, which is a safe bet along I-40. Grocery Safeway stop in Gallup, not normally remarkable, except they had the SEA SALT SMART FOOD POPCORN!!! Only place I have found it in about a YEAR. Camped at Homo‘lovi #34, good thing we had a reservation, cuz it was full. And 91 degrees, too hot in the sun. Of course, dinner at the Turquoise Room at La Posada, super delish as always. The Killer Veggie Plate was good, but not quite as good as before (this is probably the 5^th or 6^th time I’ve had it, never order anything else). Bill had Bone-In Pork with Raspberry sauce, excellent says he. Took a stroll around the grounds things look about the same except greener, bought a tin Xmas ornament, that La Posada is so well done, then another walk around the campground in the dark. It was a beautiful breezy, warm night after the blazing day. [Water report: Show was like using hot tub water – super chloriny!! Bill did a flush but PU it is still in there, was afraid I would have white or green hair like a public pool. And then the used Brita filter must have grown mold cuz the water I later discovered while in Grand Canyon tasted like mold!!! Quite happy to be drinking straight out of the tab across the street, better than any of ours.]

Thursday, May 19 — Oh Lordy, it is blazing here this am, stay in the shade if there were any… prob mid 80s by the time we hit the road for the Rim. Today turned out to be a long drive than expected, long stretches east of Flagstaff on 89 and 89a through the Nav Rez in a very hot and very windy drive. Not too many road jewelry vendors out in this wind. After finally reaching Jacob Lake, it is another 42 miles south to the rim, geez, don’t remember it being THIS long of a drive, long but… anyway. It’s higher and cooler here – entrance gate says 8800 feet. Kinda feel it. Got set up in spot #55, in the interior, easy enough pull-through, then tried to ride bikes – omg are we outta shape – then drove to see the lodge and gift shop, of course. Pretty busy, everyone here for the Kaibab trail it seems, very busy at the trailhead. Had a steak dinner and early evening – too many beautiful trees for the dish and the volume suddenly wasn’t working on the bedroom TV so no Friends.

Friday, May 20 — Cold at night since a cool wave came through, about 40 in the am. Got out for a hike on The Trancept Trail (1.2 mi) right off the CG, very very nice; how come we didn’t do this before. Takes you all the way to the Lodge, only quicker than Bridle Trail it seems, and then to the Bright Angel Overlook off the Lodge – which we also never did before. Good views but extremely hazy either from dust or smoke and the high winds. Walked back on the Bridle Trail (4 miles total) and it is getting a bit warmer, tho prob didn’t top 68 degrees. Later the winds seemed cooler from that front. After lunch, walked over to the General Store down the street, not a bad store, and again with the phone since there is wifi there. After that we drove to the Widforss Trail to check it out – might have to do that tomorrow. THEN, drove to Point Imperial for an overlook. Drive goes through old burn areas now overtaken with zillions of aspens not giving the pines a chance to grow it seems. Great overlook area, too bad it is so hazy. Dinner at the Lodge tonight, at 8:15, the place is packed, but we got in about 30 minutes early even so. I think we were the only ones to have taken a shower before dinner. Lots of hikers right off the trail and many with their suitcases waiting for the shuttles after dinner I guess. Colder tonight, home by 9. TV working now.

Saturday, May 21 — Happy birthday Chris W. Was cool last night, about 44 this am. Looks like the winds have slowed down as I type this. Supposed to be 68 today, perfect. Drove over to hike Widforss Trail after it warmed up a tad. Great hike! Along the rim, but in the big pines, plenty of shade… Tho the trail went for 4 miles, we did 2, and turned back, did 4 miles. Came back and had a Napa lunch. Took the bikes out, rode around the park residential area, met two mules, and noticed some ranger types were activating – turns out later we saw the ambulance, and Bill said someone got airlifted out by heli for something. We will probably never know. Didn’t ride a lot, but was nice to ride the pavement over there. Not ready to sit around, so after reading more of the Navajo rug and weaving book, I wanted to go back to the gift shop and look at the rugs there, so I walked the Trancept Trail back for another 2 miles. Love this campground trail to the Lodge, hardly anyone on it at 5pm, and Bill stayed back and talked roads with Scott, and did some packing up since we leave tomorrow. Dinner, showered and in jammies by 7:45. Pathetic! Early night after Quinn and Friends.

Sunday, May 22 — 41 degrees this am. Time to pack up and go, to where, no one knows, but I really need a signal to hear the Depp trial! Drove through Nav country and stopped Hubbell trading Post. Not much new there. Drove on to Gallup and had plannee to camp at McGaffey CG, but as we drove in, the forest is closed for wildfire prevention even tho no fires in the area. So went to check out Red Rock Park and it is pretty full and run down so onward to the Sky Casino RV lot. Long drive so we had spaghetti and watched TV.

Definitely want to camp this I-40 Gallup area in more depth soon...

Monday, May 23

With everything closing up for fire prevention, it’s an obvious time to head home earlier than expected.

 

 

Trip #118 (49): NM Guadalupe Loopie

#118 NM Trip: Guadalupe Mtns, Ruidoso (then fire), Salinas Missions, Monzano Mtns

Sunday, Apr 3 

Departed on a Sunday, driving south on 285 all the way to just north of Carlsbad at Brantly Lake State Park. Such light traffic... probably because pot became legal here yesterday and everyone is still home getting high. 

Tues - Arrived to freaking HURRICANE force winds (almost) at Guadalupe National whatever it is. Walked getting sandblasted to the visitor center. Huge mistletoes in trees, but they don't remove, stupid. This is not a day to do any exploring.

Wed., Apr. 6 - 44 degrees in the am. Hiked Devil's Hallway, practically the entire trail was climbing over boulders in a large wash for a total of 4 miles. Dead ended at a dry waterfall that neither of us was willing to climb. Later took a drive over to the Spring Ranch, part of the park, an old historic ranch home and also the remnants of the Butterfield State stop from so long ago. Exciting, saw one dark colored deer. Don't see them ever where we live now.

[Hey where is the copy???]

Fort Stanton, fabulous campground in Ruidoso, out in the middle of nowhere, down the road from the fort and amongst the bat caves! (Rob Jigger CG) Interesting area. Another go-back. And oh, did I mention it burned after we got home? Not that exact area, but all north of Ruidoso. awful. not far from town,

check next time:

Black Water Draw Museum near Portales (2024 update: did the university museum, but not the site)

Amerind private museum near tombstone for artifacts from these places

RIP: Bobby Rydell. Dwayne Hadkins (qback in Fla traffic)

 

Trip #117 (48): Down AZ, Up NM

Trip #117 (48): Jan 29, 2022

Birthday Trip Down AZ, up NM 

Left Saturday, Jan. 29 …was cold in SF. First night @ Winslow, Homolovi campground, 30 degrees at night. Stroll and dinner at La Posada, delicious as always. I have never had anything but the Killer Veggie Platter. And probably never will. It is just amazing. 

Sunday - drive to Cave Creek with stop at In n Out for lunch. Perfect 73 degrees. Hung out, short walk. Still full from lunch so guac for din!

Monday - Becoming overcast, walked the little town of Cave Creek, securing two talavera pots at casa decor + other ideas. Drove into Scottsdale, very busy. Do this another day. Another short hike on Clay Mine Trail 63 degrees. Dining in 2nite

Tues – Drive to old Scottsdale, walking, galleries, lunch at Cien Agave.

Wed - hiked 4 miles on John Trail, another drive thru Cave Creek shops, ate in

Thurs - Safford, stayed in, left on hook, 32 degrees. Cold front continues.

Fri - Las Cruces 2 nites. Chile Institute at the college, drove around, 3 car accidents in town, walked downtown, event setting up (bought 2 bagels), fabulous dinner at La Posta!

Sat - 23 degrees this am. After the group birthday text and chris' latest project and sharing marketing ideas, headed out to farmer & craft market downtown (better than expected craftwise, mostly everyone had a dog), went to COAS bookstore, the University Museum (one room jammed with mexican textiles and ancient pottery from the entire region just sitting on shelves), Home Depot (plant marker material, none), delish lunch at a Bit of Belgium (which ruined dinner - Bill waffle and my bkfst green chile stew), then to Mesilla and fave store Galeri Azul next to Double Eagle (last time got blue cotton bedspread) and found outdoor mat for patio. Hope size is good, 5x8, much deliberation on style/color. Had to think... shopped around more, nothing great, back home. Found patio furniture photo! My store photo of rug helps... Gonna give it a try! Went back before 6pm closing and, wanting the 6 x 9 it was then that I realized it was only the 5 x 8 but guess what, it was on sale because it's been discontinued geez Louise. So now we got it. And this will be my birthday gift, cuz don't need anything else pretty much. Hope i like it! Too far to return. stayed in, still not very hungry, found plant markers on amazon, still working our way thru 10 seasons of recorded Friends, on season 3. All night had to hear neighbor’s trailer heater turn on and off - so loud and annoying. Every 10 mins sounded like a truck starting up. So ok. The end.

Sun - Feb 6. 24 degrees overnight. Could go all the way home, but supposed to snow in Santa Fe at our arrival, so might do one more night at elephant butte, temps in SF still under freezing - no trailer thanks! but first, a salsa shopping stop in Hatch.

RIP ...

 

Trip #116 (47): Florida Plus 8 more states

 Trip #116 (47): Florida Plus 8 more states: TX, OK, TN, AR, GA SC, MS, AL, FL

DEPARTED Oct. 30, 2021

To Florida via new territory

TX. OK. MS. GA. AL. AR. FL. SC.

Sat., Oct. 30, 2021

Left the most beautiful Santa Fe weather before 9am. a miracle. Drove all day to Amarillo TX. Nice weather there too. Nothing but semis up and down both sides of I-40, so the supply chain is trying to catch up. Stopped at Big Texan Steakhouse for early dinner, the place where if you can finish a 72 oz steak i think within an hour it is free. No one was trying while we were there. Not the greatest, but glad to finally have seen the place… huge btw. Camped another hour east at McClellan State Park north of the highway on a small lake. in the middle of nowhere. not too bad, not crowded and fine for one night. 34 degrees in the am. Was a beautiful 68 most of the day.

Sun, Oct. 31

Drove again on I-40 with all the semis, driving all day to the next destination to make distance closer to our first official stop, the Crystal Bridges Museum in AR. Was pleasantly surprised at Oklahoma, things got greener than Texas, but then we are "east of San Antonio", which is our benchmark of east vs. west. Went north of Oklahoma City to avoid traffic and went to Keystone State Park for one night. They don't take walk-ins, so we had to reserve the site in the parking lot before taking Lakeside spot #42. Nice and large park, great for boaters, but here for just one night. Not as cold in the am, maybe 45.

Mon, Nov. 1

Tried to get an early start for the 3 hour drive to Bentonville, AR for the museum but that never seems to happen. It is cool and drizzly raining, not more sun! got the gray schmutz overhead. Drove through Tulsa which thankfully wasn't that busy traffic-wise, so no problems. The gray skies and light rain would continue into the night but kept the temps down to 46 most of the day, cold and wet. Got to the museum about noon. Thought it would take a while, but really in 2 hours we were done so signed up for the FLW house tour at 2pm. I knew there was no art glass in the home they moved to this site but wanted to see it anyway; but wow, was really unimpressed with this "usonian" 1954 Frank design (Bachman-Wilson House, New Jersey). Concrete block walls and some wood shelves… best part was the wide open glass walls opening to the woods and water; other than that I was terribly unimpressed. It all came crashing to an end when we went down the 2-foot wide hallway to a tiny bedroom; that's it, claustrophobia, prison walls, I am OUT! I think Mr. Wright hated his clients or something. On the way out told the guy it was horrible and he agreed! Before we went another hour on a curvy, narrow Ozark highway to get to Leatherwood City Park CG near Eureka Springs, we drove through little downtown brick -buildings Bentonville. Would have liked to walked it, but it is raining, and we have the trailer, so no go. Went to a Walmart Supercenter nearby, expecting a showcase of a store, but nah, like all the others. With cold wet weather and tree fall leaves half gone, kind of a weird place but we have full hookups, got it set up and turned on the heat. No chance of a Dish signal with the trees, but there is a phone signal and it finally got me to start this blog.

Tues, Nov. 2

Eureka Springs day, expecting more showers.

Walked around town town, cold and drizzly. Nice shops tho. But so dreary... Looks like November. Went to an historic hotel up on a hill for a lobby tour.

Wed. Nov. 3

Memphis, TN Graceland time. Area not too bad*, (*editor’s note: after we left heard there was a shooting at the gas station down the block) wasn't sure what to expect after reading the CG reviews. But CG was right next to the entrance, and across from Graceland, so an easy walk. Got takeout BBQ from down the street at (name? they say E went there) with pink piggy airstream out front.

Thurs, Nov. 4

This is the day to tour Graceland. Place is set up like Disney. Cool and weird at the same time, all this fuss about one guy with a 20 year career. The new center, opened in 2017, showcases tons and tons of his outfits and cars and boats as well as other stars outfits. The place was amazing nonetheless, well worth the visit. So many artifacts, down to receipts for the stained glass.

Friday, Nov. 5

Huntsville AL arrival. Another late arrival but we got in a walk thru the space camp area. Earlier along the way we went thru a town called Corinth which had a civil war battlefield which was part of the Shiloh battlefield. Stopped in on a whim and thoroughly enjoyed the whole place. Great info.

Sat, Nov. 6

Huntsville AL - Bill toured rocket museum I rode bike (uphill) to botanical garden but only did gift shop. Felt weird today. Later we drove to downtown, got a walking tour booklet of old homes, saw some and toured the Harrison Bros Hardware, historic old place like Viddlers, later found a JoAnns and back early. Ate in. The park near the campground where this was was setting up for the drive thru light show, so that was a weird thing to see upclose. Also many space camp areas we rode our bikes around.

Sunday, Nov. 7

First time this happened: Getting ready to depart, bill took off the wheel locks and after stepping on the step, the trailer rolled off the lifts, dragging the foot about a foot, making an awful sound as I was taking a pee. What is happening!? i screamed. Lesson learned: chalks and wheel locks come off LAST. Georgia drive today. Took a lot of treed, curvy back roads. Stayed the night at Fort Yargo park, just one night. On a lake, arrived about 4pm and had a good steak dinner after picking up a yummy steak at Publix! so good to see that bright store again.

Monday Nov. 8

Charleston, SC. Seemed to have taken the LONG way letting the truck GPS pick the route (by way of Greenville to the north), but Bill enjoyed a high speed highway

After all that slow driving north of Atlanta yesterday. Again, arrived about 4pm, set up in a very shady spot without sewer #42 at James Island County Park. They have set up their christmas festival of lights so getting in and out is going to take some time. Went to Martin's BBQ for dinner, then to…. PUBLIX, then back, where the cult of yoga was having a night of it under the stars. ok then. Nice big park tho, enjoyed their expansive bike trails. Getting used to soggy humid air once again.

RETURNING: STILL traveling Dec. 3, 2021... writing this in Vicksburg, MS. Unusually warm winter.

After Huntsville Sunday, Nov 7- Winder, GA Fort Yargo SP After a winding, tight country road that got busier after we got north of Atlanta, found our first Publix. Arrive to camp late in the day, get in a quick walk in cooked our best meal yet with our publix steak. Our campsite was on the lake, but didn't get to enjoy it for very long. 

Monday, Nov 8- Charleston SC, James Island County Park Left Fort Yargo and had to drive on oiled surface that gave us no warning and get covered with oil splatter. Drove in Monday morning traffic a very, very long drive after going the wrong way and had to backtrack for whatever reason maybe the truck GPS, and ended up going all the way north to Greenville to get to Charleston. But it was all Interstate, so maybe better than all the crisscrossing back roads. It was nice weather, sunny and arrived maybe about 3 o'clock finding our way through the winding roads to get to our park. This Charleston area is all lowlands with canal after canal of smelly mangrove water, and was on James Island so we had to drive through a residential area a tight tree lane residential area to find our camp at the County Park. The roads were wet and we would find out the next day that it was because of the King Tide and of course global warming is making Charleston disappear ha ha. Our camp is undergoing early decorations for their festival of lights so we get a preview of what was to come. Tuesday Nov 9 Beautiful day to go to old revolutionary war Charleston area, walked around various neighborhoods don't know where we're going, hit the market Street and had lunch and a little French place near where we parked. Wednesday Nov 10 Took this day to sightsee and visit Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island. We did not tour Fort Sumter because a ferry and water was involved but we could see the fort from fort, heard from the waiter in the restaurant that Bill Murray lives on Sullivans Island so we went drove along the beautiful beachfront home's popping wait to see him out front gardening but we did not., great place next time stay there. Mansions on the water in a nice little neighborhood. Also drove to Mount Pleasant which smelled like a pile of shit and sewer and mangroves. Toured the small home of Pinckney because it was a national site and I could get a stamp. Wasn't much of a mansion but he used to own slaves and planted here and elsewhere growing rice. We had to be back in the park by 6:30 because it was opening night of the festival of lights and the road will be closed for a fun run. So we stuck around and walked the park to see all the lights and get in several bike rides as well as it had good trails.

Thursday, Nov 11- Savanna, GA. Skidaway Park Located in the Landings development. Got a lot of biking in the area. Plus they had a nice little Publix The first night we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, Tequila Town. The place looks dark but it was packed and we had to wait for a table. 

Friday, Nov 12 Decided to take the Savannah bus tour and glad we did it was very informative and it was a hop on hop off trolley. We didn't do a lot of hopping but it definitely came in handy. Famous characters jump on board and give some history which made it fun on the open air trolley bus. Had lunch at a small Greek place on the river front and walk down, past and Paula Deen's place but didn't get Byrds cookies. 

Saturday, Nov 13 Today we drove to the mall, and a Bass Outlet for more fleece jeans, and tried to find the bird cookie factory but gave up. On this trip we ordered the new map for the truck which will be sent to Florida. Came back and took a nice long bike ride toward the landings on their nature trail. Later went to the cute little Publix and got stuff for dinner. 

Sunday, Nov 14- Ormond Beach, FL Tamoka State Park Today we drove from Savanna to Ormond Beach. Robin and John are driving up to join us for a camp dinner. Good time, too much wine never saw much of the park and we left in the morning to head to Pompano. 

Monday, Nov. 15-28- Pompano Beach I 95 drive down to Pompano Parked on 7th Street and went to La Bamba. French knots, b & p dinners, never played kibbie, cooked a lot Vic did anyway, Hot Dog Heaven, so much traffic in unrecognizable Lauderdale, saw our WM house, so depressing, they took out our front oak and put in purple shiny roak! Bike ride to beach, sealed swing, saw roaches, got bitten, enjoyed dog park and Rosie and lots of Simba, made dad move too much, put out Xmas deer, Becs for Thanksgiving, Bill bday, went to Bonnet House with McD's, ate an entire cream puff, many cookies... went to Costco, ate at Bonefish Grill, Zona Fresca, and a Thai place, tried to touch bootsy. 

Monday, Nov 29- St. Petersburg at Fort DeSoto Park Left for trip back, taking harrowing drive to 595 on a Monday morning. Nice day. Probably some of the scariest drivers we've come across were in South Florida. Quick drive over to Saint Pete Beach for two nights at De Soto Park, our first evening to be catered by Roo Grilli and his frozen ribeyes, etc and smoky barb the bartender and her wooden drink smoker. I'm sure we were the loudest group in the park but we had a good time. Bill set up his new garbage picked canopy, which needs a new leg. Still cheaper than a new one. 

Tuesday, Nov 30 Somehow managed to get out for a bike ride before heading to the Museum of the American Arts & craft movement, which was awesome. First we drove to downtown Saint Pete and had a Cuban sandwich at Bodega. Then I had the entire afternoon at the museum and used every minute for the Roycroft and other exhibits. Took a drive afterwards to see Mary's old house, and then the beach, and then went to the Grilli home to see the old Homestead and meet the new greyhound Jackie! Went to Treasure Island to VIP mexican for dinner (The waiter dumped Bill's margarita on him, the place was packed and we walked through the kitchen) (and Lou kept talking to the porcelain little girl next to us) and then walked over to see the sand sculptures. Great day and time to get moving home.... 

Wednesday, Dec 1 Sparks, GA Reed Bingham SP Today we will visit Chris and Donna's new place in Bell Florida. Went up I 75 and headed west on 27 a little bit early but got to see some land other than the interstate. Visited for about an hour and got to see the 5 acre estate and how much they've already got done already since November 11, good for them. Secured a parking spot for the next visit yay might actually do that. Back on the road and made it all the way up past Valdosta to Reed Bingham State Park another place we arrive late in the day and never saw much of the park but apparently there was a lake there. 

Thursday, Dec 2- Auburn AL Chewacla SP Got sucked in by the billboards and made Bill stop at Magnolia Plantation gas station so I can get some Lucy jams and peanuts. Took a very long and winding and sometimes hilly drive to get to Andersonville Civil War Prison. They really did put them in the middle of nowhere. Did the audio tour around the park and then toured the cemetery. The drive then to Alabama and made it as far as Auburn. Alabama and stay Chewbacca State Park #14 $36 it turned out to be full of trees and almost like a mountain but again it was just an overnighter. However Bill lucked out getting a discount and also having full hook ups plus cable plus Wi-Fi. I figure it's because of all the football clientele in a must get. Went to the Walmart and ate in that night. This is definitely a college town there was actually people under 60. Or also on the edge of the time zone with one phone adjusting in one night so we really weren't sure what time it was, whether we gained that hour or not... 

Friday Dec 3- Vicksburg MS Ameristar RV Park Got an early 8:40 start because we want to get to Vicksburg in Mississippi. Had a good drive through Selma and Montgomery and Jackson. Decided to stay at the Ameristar RV campground right near the river and the casino, terrible customer service nobody answers the phone and nobody calls you back but we managed to book the site on the way in at a lunch stop. Not the greatest looking place but a good location and full hook ups we got site number 38 for $29. The woman at the desk kind of bummed me out by saying how dangerous and crappy and awful the town was so I think that affected my view, but we had no problems. Late in the day but we drove around to get the lay of the land, pretty amazing architecture from way back considering the area became a state in 1817 and buildings go back to 1830. We will do the park tomorrow. Saw the downtown but it just wasn't too appealing so we only did a drive-by and decided to stay in and it came up with that early start I was pooped but I don't know if he was. Saturday Dec 4- Tyler, TX Tyler SP Woke up to gray skies and extremely humid conditions as in 91% inside and out. This has been a very late winter and it's not here yet but I'm glad because we haven't gotten back yet. Anyway get an early start to the park and drove around for their audio tour but since we watched the film online last night didn't have to do that. This battle lasted for several months so there is too much to absorb with all the skirmishes that took place. Also got to see the Cairo Ironclad exhibit and Museum and we're able to hit the road by noon. 

As I write this we are almost to Shreveport Louisiana and it's 2 o'clock, how far will we get?...Let’s go past Shreveport and on to Texas! WORST ROAD ANYWHERE!! The rough road knocked the table completely onto the floor of the trailer. IT WAS LIKE RIDING A BUCKING BRONCO. We’ve also been hit by two giant rocks, one in Louisiana one in Texas. The first left a dent on the roof of the truck the second one has yet to be determined. No damage has been detected but I find that impossible, it will show up it made my ears ring. Drove on as far as we could and made our way to Tyler Texas, at the state park. Pissed the hell out of Bill that we have to pay six bucks a head additional for park entry on top of the campground fee but seems like they all do it that way now. We are tired ate a frozen meal and went to bed early. 

Sunday, Dec 5- Quanah TX Cotton Gin RV Park The plan is to drive as much as we can so we made our way from Taylor to Greenville Inn across the top of Dallas through Denton, which is exploding. By complete chance I happened to find an In-N-Out Burger along the way so that was the perfect time for lunch. Drove 380 then 287 to Childress Texas, Didn't quite make it to Amarillo. After a grocery stop we decided to go to Copper Breaks State Park 10 miles down the road only to find out the park is closed for a hunt. So came all the way back up to the highway and went five more miles down the road to the old Cotton Gin RV Park the sun is about to set and we ain't driving at night. Nice area but lots of road noise. The TV is static he so setting up the dish. The air is finally dry it was 83° today but with the dry it didn't feel so bad but 37° in the morning. Road noise gone with windows closed. 

Monday, Dec 6 Santa Rosa State Park Did a short walk before dinner. Windy last night, and 55° when we went to bed but 30° when Bill got up! We found winter! And 16% humidity. As always, once you get past the San Antonio /Dallas longitude the air dries out. Cleaned up the trailer and headed home. 39 days and 5,200 miles on the truck! 

RIP: Bob Dole

Trip #115 (46): West/SW WHYoming, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons

 #115 (46): West/SW WHYoming, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons

(More copy way down below photos)

August 19, 2021 —  departure, lucked out with cooler weather

LOST IN WHYOMING: Knitting Edition: Pinedale to Hoback

Dullsville: no internet or phone signal OR dish cuz mtns are too damn high...

Theme: thrift store yarn & kitty blankets. Scored huge in Pinedale; cleaned them out... got 4 done so far since starting out.

CG along Hoback River, 70 degrees as i type, tho we don’t have river view since we moved this am from spot #17 at the noisy entrance to #14 on the inside, with a YARD! So much nicer, wide spot rather than narrow. Not much planned this hazy day, might drive south to Granite Creek, something about hot springs. Other than last night's beaver, not much wildlife, tho we hear birds now, got my feeders out. So do others so prob no bears around. But i did see a bald eagle fly over there. Yday two flew down the river. We are on a two lane road; cars aren’t bad but DAMN the trucks are. We are in a narrow canyon, beautiful.

Photos like these is what perpetuates the mythical idea of camping, though i will say the temp is perfect and i am sitting outside and nothing is biting me. Epic.

And no toys or people to play with.

The excitement.

Fri, 8-25. After knitting like the blazes in the am, hiked across the street straight up an old road. Expected a bear but none. Lots of talus from Bryce Canyon to the right, but gave up after a mile (of course forgot my pedometer). Did some work for an hour, showered early, napa dinner, aggravation and a movie. The dish doesnt work cuz of the STRAIGHT UP mtn to the south so no news and no phones for 2 days, ie., Donner Pass. Relaxation in a hole. This is Maroon Bells part II.

Saturday, 8-26.

Finally time to leave DONNER PASS. Not sure i can take any more excitement. COLDEST MORNING yet, about 34 degrees. Wanted an early start but too cold! Now at 8:15 we are starting to move, ok, i am. Yellowstone, here we come for 2 nights. And hoping to drop off 7 (Pinedale yarn) kitty blankets to the shelter we passed so. of Jackson. I did, o one there, left it in the donation box with a card, just in case they want more. But looks like they mostly have big dogs. Went to our spot in Grant Village, love when its a village, means stores! Our site was A15, a tight old CG w/o water or elec. more boondocking. Its fine, no one spends much time there except at evening when they all have to have stinky fires. At least we had 2 bars of cell. Took a drive to Bridge Bay for something to do, pretty boring down here on the south end, didnt see much or any animals.

Sunday, 8-27. Slow start today. Left house about 11:30 and will meet up with Mark & Cherise later, they are visiting Big Sky. Today is her birthday. So we did the SW geyser basin area first, with a stop at Old Faithful and killed time till they got to Old Faithful at 2pm just like they said. Never thought they'd make it what with traffic but they did - while we were 30 mins late getting back there oops. Had lunch at General Store cuz thats all there was (friggin covid) and took it outside on the most perfect day to date -- blue skies and perfect temp, about 72 or so. Watched Old Faithful go off then more shopping at the nicer Lodge store and off they went, it was 4pm. Dish doesnt work at camp due to trees but podcasts do thankfully. Friends and Wings night, yay for old recordings.

Monday, 8-30  Rolled down to Grand Tetons for 3 reserved days! W/ elec! J199 but NO SIGNAL OR DISH. 😟 Tuning out is truly overrated -- cuz it also means no googling anything - topics, how to's, or weather. Anyway, previous people were not out of our spot at 11am checkout, so Bill pulls up behind them to stare them down; i was mortified and kept looking down, ugh awkward.....an old man and younger man were like the walking dead not packing anything until momma comes out and they mobilized. Weird. It's a long spot so plenty of room but another old established CG. Might be able to see a Teton from camp, thru the trees, but very smoky from fires today, utah maybe. Drove around to check out this village - it has a real grocery store, nice - got a Yellowstone buffalo medallion for my walking stick then went up to Jackson Lake Lodge to shop and use the phone for a signal, which is barely there. Couldn't get reservations for their restaurant, fully booked. So back to our camp to take a "short" walk by the lake, or so i thought. BTW, lake is really down at both ends -- enough that they had to move the marina. Set out in jeans (its getting hotter here), sandals and NO camera -- just a short walk, right? Well we kept going toward Heron Pond/overlook (3 miles in all) and as I was putting a big raven feather i had found into Bills water bottle holder i said, "watch, we'll see a bear cuz i got no camera." Yep - i called it again. Reached the ponds and noticed a beaver dam on the other side -- lets go! Checked out, and another but no one home. About to head back when Bill says "look". I was expecting to see those same 2 people on the other side, but instead see a big bear walking down the hill and getting in the water. NOT AGAIN! Back in Teton, hiking w/o bear spray and seeing a bear on DAY 1. Do we ever learn?? Apparently not. High tailed it outta there, hoping he didn't see us (he didn't care, he just wanted a cooling dip), all the while thinking about that lady killed by a bear in Durango last spring.... as we neared the short end of the pond i re-noticed the big pile of bear skat w/ berries we walked past the first time (duh), and a couple who was taking pics and said they would send me some! Ran into the original couple on the other side on the hike out and they said it walked 30 feet by them without noticing! I woulda crapped my jeans! They took it well, nice couple from Ohio. Ok, so skettie night, old reruns and knitting. Tired!

Tuesday, 8-31

Drive around day, very smoky. Sightseeing, lucked out and saw a fleeting glimpse of 2 blk bears from the road, way off in a field; causing a stir of course. Took the winding road to Teton Village and passed the Rockefeller Preserve so pulled in! What is it! It (and a beautiful new fancy visitor center with not much in it) was situated in a sage meadow so I wasn't expecting much. Well, turns out Lawrence Rockefeller donated thousands of acres to the park, Landon used to be his family's playground. There is a 1.25 mile hike to Phelps lake, which we did and it was lovely: tree covered forest all the way. And no bears. There were 2 piles of scat when you first start out, wonderful. Ended up in jackson for dinner at Merry Piglets Mex and groceries. They have a local mask mandate going on so skipped some stores around the square. Also picked up a bison steak since we couldn't dine at Jackson Lake Lodge, all booked.

Wednesday, 9-1

Still smoky tho B read it would clear out; it didn't. Couldn't decide if we should hike or boat, since it was smoky we decided to hike along string lake. Well, now that i see how clear and calm a glacier lake is, lets boat! But first, we must get the park boat permit. So we drive down to Jenny Lake to find out where to bet one. The [stupid] ranger said moose or string Lake, right where we were. So we drove back up to String. Nope nothing at string. So after much consternation, we did decide to drive the 15 minutes south to Moose to get the freaking $17 permit, then get some lunch to take on our float. A bit of sun thru the haze, and a small but beautiful lake it was. Spent about 2 hours but chose not to portage to the next lake, too far & too heavy. The cranberry turkey sammich was filling so leftovers and Dr Quinn for dinner. Going to bed at 10 OUT OF BOREDOM is the norm.

Thursday, 9-2

Heading to the east, the other side of the mountain as we begin to head back. Got 6 days before the new beds arrive. Stayed at an RV camp in Riverton. Did see a moose as we drove thru the mountains to get there. Went to din at Perrett's italian, not bad. To bed early, a bit of rain. 

Friday, 9-3

More rain in the am, but time to take a longer, luxuriating shower in camp! Got Letusa signal, so did some online ordering, yay. Checked in at a comsignment store for more yarn, and scored 9 more @ $1/skein. Woohoo [after Pinedale, that makes about ... 22?) Drove until about 2pm, passing Saratoga lake (too early), will check on Encampment. what da hell? THERE IS A SPOT! FULL hookup/dumps for a "donation"... 3 day max. And this is Labor day weekend. And its Friday. And there is a thrift store on OUR corner... they are open tomorrow. Does it get any better? Let us see how long we stay. Checked out "home store" - gaggy - then went for a hike on Encampment River trail - down there was an entire other CG, bit glad to be up here, since it is going to rain. Did about 2 miles; Bill wants one of those river houses. Came back and went to another shit/antique/thrift store and it was HUGE. Owner was on the phone and told me to go down to the basement for yarn. Found it! Score 4 more, making $13 in one day -- are there enough animals to justify this??? Hahahaaaa Now waiting for the storm, blowing like a mofo, but as of 6:10 still no rain. Ut an antelope and dog did walk thru camp.

Sat, 9-4

Who knew it took encampment wy big open skies to get the dish to reset right. Just needed to stay plugged in overnight. Drove to Savery and toured their museum - excellent!- the a stop at Dixon Saloon for a cool drink, ok beer and hard lemonade. (Were heading to Baggs for no reason and terminated the trip at Dixon.) Saw 3 sheep and antelope on way back on the beautiful, windy, high mountain road. Passed Thomas Edison marker, he fished in the lake below where his fishing line gave him the idea to use filament for a bulb. Museum with moved local cabins and exhibits galore, showcasing local military heros, a doc, and a mtn man. Famous mountain man Jim Baker's cabin was the main event, as we was a friend of Fremont and Kit Carson, "back in the day." After we got back i went the half mike to the visotor center where i learned about Brush Creek Ranch, a high end lodge and retreat buying up all the land. It was SO beautiful out, i made Billy go for a town walk and we checked out some greenhouses (closed) and the Divide restaurant (way nicer than expected). Stayed in and cooked. 

Sunday, 9-5

Today we will drive around the Snowy mtn range, its cooler up there and it is about 80 today. First we walked to the attraction of the "indian bathtubs", natural depressions in some rock outcroppings about a mile from town. Short 3/4 mi walk but HOT! Injuns swarmed thru this area, incl Utes and Arapahoes. But no, no arrowheads for me. Did a 2 mi hike at the forest stn up the mtn, kinda boring so moved on to drive some more. 12,000 ft got much cooler up there. When we got back we toured the exterior of the encampment museum buildings, and as we left saw a stray cow that got out. Great, him and a german shepherd that has been wandering.... not sure if he is lost but what can i do. Saw him over 2 days. Dinner at DiVide for good pizza, walked! Couple of deer bucks when we got back. Love being able to walk places, and population of 450, mostly retirees.

Labor day

Next time cemetery and walk to the river access

28 airstreams so far; make that 36 till Mon night.

Drove from encamp to Aspen Glade camp in super so. Colorado, in 2.5 hrs we would be home but i made him stop. Not going to drive at night with drunks and deer. LOTS of traffic heading the other way toward Denver, luckily we had a traffic-free drive to here. Big spot #21 on river, but not much daylight to enjoy, but did a camp walk.

Tues

Awoke to being pummelled by pinecones

RIP: Gabby Petito

Trip #114 (45): Leadville

Trip #114 (45): Leadville

Buena Vista, Leadville  - July 4, 2021

Pvt cg # 7 Valley Mobile RV, a bit rough

Arrived to blazing sun mid 80s, Drove 2 miles back to town for the Fourth of July art show which really is a dog show more like it. Not much there, walked through town not much there, stopped at a pizza place called Crave and had a drink; they had air-conditioning. Place is pretty packed and I don't think I saw a mask anywhere.

I was very tired today so we hit the grocery store then came back, I took a nap while he drove around to find a different campground for future reference. Just hung around, grazed, listen to podcasts, watch TV, pretty uneventful evening. At least it cooled off at night. We were running the AC in the trailer all day. That doesn't help me much at all either.

Monday, July 5

Move down to Leadville, Baby Doe number 50. Arrived too early, the tent or still in the spot so we parked around the bend and are waiting it out as a type. Weather is cool, low 70s partly sunny, hit a few sprinkles and I see gray skies. It's going to be a mixed bag. We have bikes and perhaps the last trip with the kayak but I have a feeling maybe not. no water or electric here. well at least no electric so it's like camping

Set up and How long are

Surfside implosion July 4