This is third night in Davis Mountains State Park. Quite lovely here, the mountains range up to allmost 7,000'. Not high compared to Colorado but beautiful all the same. Again, this is high desert, very dry, scrub oak, juniper, pinon, agave, yucca and cactus. The first day we spent looking around Ft Davis. Went into a Thrift shop to benefit the Humane Society and, alas, found just the right coffee pot. A black/decker all plactic that brews 2 cups at a time for only $3.50! Works perfect in the Casita. Then I stopped by a broom shop where the guy makes hand made 1800 brooms. Of course I bought two. Not because I intend to use them but only because they looked good!
Yesterday I spent three hours at the observatory learning about the sun. Also, saw the sun in real time through the telescope, sunflares and sun spots. Very interesting. We then visited the two large telescopes one with a 9' mirror. Very impressive. Last evening I went back for what they call a Star Party. Wow! I saw the moon and venus. The moon was beautiful and I could see the craters quite distinctly. Also saw the Orien Nubula and Star cluster 52. The night sky was heavy with stars. No city lights for many miles and the sky was really dark. The moon was just a sliver with Venus almost right next to it. Stunningly beautiful.
On the way back to the Casita I saw several Javelina. Really ugly little creatures. Fox was ready to chase them when I took him out before bed. One came right in camp and didn't seem to care whether Fox saw him or not. It was 28 this am and is supposed to be 20 in the morning. I am going Van Horn then on to El Paso on Tuesday. It is getting quite cold now. . . almost sundown. Guess I'll take the Fox out one more time.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Alpine, TX
I had quite a break there due to absence of service in the Big Bend area. Spent one night in Marathon getting ready for the trip into Big Bend National Park, TX. Marathon is a small town about 69 miles from the Park Hdqs, Panther Junction. I stayed at a pretty nice RC/Motel combo park. It had been beautiful all day, clear skies and warm. The mesquite trees slowly disappeared the further I traveled from Sonora and the Juniper shriveled to about two feet tall. Clearly, we were entering the desert. The temp read 18 the next morning and my water had frozen. Fortunately, you can't do much to damage these Casitas and all was well; although, it took me quite a while to unhook the hose. Had to use pliers. I just put the two ends of the hose together and stuck it inside the Casita to thaw.
The trip to Big Bend was just lovely. There we were on the Chihuahuan desert. No trees, just huge yucca like plants with gigantic blooms, prickly pear cactus, walking stick cactus, and all manner of vegetation adorned with spikes, needles and burrs. The prickly pear was fascinating because as it dies it turns various shades of purple, orange, red and pink. This past year has been very dry so many cacti have passed on to "higher prickly grounds". I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road.
Just picture these desert plants with a back drop of ragged, jagged spiraling mountains, many of which were volcanoes. You find a mix of jagged red/orange hills next to volcanic ash that has turned into white rock with age. Better than science fiction. When I stopped at a scenic overlook and got out of the car I was hit by the silence, shocking. And, no wind at all. At first glance you get the feeling that nothing could live out here. Wrong, coyotes, javelena, cougar, bear and smaller critters. Simply amazing.
Fox and I stayed at Cottonwood Campground by the Rio Grande River. No hookups and no generators allowed. People are encouraged to camp quietly. The first night we camped under this yellow flowering tree. The fragrance was delicate and just strong enough to leave you with pleasant feeling instead of a headache. That night a group of us watched a big horned owl in one of the tall cottonwoods. I met two gals, Carol and Robin, with two dogs, JJ and Todd. We hit it off and I spent the next 2 days hiking with them. They were camping in a '66 Airstream. . . really nice inside. As it turns out they are from Eureka Spgs, AK where I bought my Casita. They had called on the Casita the day after I bought it. Small world.
Carol is an artist and quite a good one. We showed each other our work and had a grand time talking art. Our first hike was to Saint Elena Canyon. Wow!! The Rio goes right through the canyon with rock walls jutting up 300-4000ft on both sides. It was magnificent with the sun hitting the river and walls. That was a fairly easy hike. The next day we hiked 4 miles to an oasis. Talk about hot and tiring. Of course, all is worth it when you see such spectacular country. The Javelena came into our campground. They are pretty interesting, eat anything and look like pigs, although, they are not related to the pig family. Also got to see two great horned owls mate. What a sight! The owls are huge and I kept my eye on the Fox.
At first, I was a bit cautious about camping so close to the Mexican border; however, the cliffs on the other side were so tall and steep that no one could come over them. I should say, though, border patrol were everywhere so I felt pretty safe. Coming out of Big Bend this morning I was stopped at a border inspection station. The officer just asked me if I was a US citizen and if I had come from the park. Then he wished me well and off I went.
I pulled into Alpine around 2pm. This is not a pretty place. Looks rather shabby and run down. Tomorrow I will look around town, get groceries and check out Marfa 35 miles down the road. It is supposed to be somewhat of an artist community. Today I spent my time doing the laundry and taking a shower. Man did I feel dirty after 4 days in the park with no shower and a lot of dust. Had eggs for supper and a frozen McDonald's hot fudge sundae I bought when I pulled into town. I stuck it in the freezer for a treat after dinner. It is dark and I can feel it cooling off. I sure will sleep well tonight after my household chores. Onward tomorrow. Oh, I should say that I am really enjoying staying in the National and State Parks. Cost me $7 to camp! The US is one beautiful place and I love the stark, expanse of the west. . . astonishingly magnificent.
The trip to Big Bend was just lovely. There we were on the Chihuahuan desert. No trees, just huge yucca like plants with gigantic blooms, prickly pear cactus, walking stick cactus, and all manner of vegetation adorned with spikes, needles and burrs. The prickly pear was fascinating because as it dies it turns various shades of purple, orange, red and pink. This past year has been very dry so many cacti have passed on to "higher prickly grounds". I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road.
Just picture these desert plants with a back drop of ragged, jagged spiraling mountains, many of which were volcanoes. You find a mix of jagged red/orange hills next to volcanic ash that has turned into white rock with age. Better than science fiction. When I stopped at a scenic overlook and got out of the car I was hit by the silence, shocking. And, no wind at all. At first glance you get the feeling that nothing could live out here. Wrong, coyotes, javelena, cougar, bear and smaller critters. Simply amazing.
Fox and I stayed at Cottonwood Campground by the Rio Grande River. No hookups and no generators allowed. People are encouraged to camp quietly. The first night we camped under this yellow flowering tree. The fragrance was delicate and just strong enough to leave you with pleasant feeling instead of a headache. That night a group of us watched a big horned owl in one of the tall cottonwoods. I met two gals, Carol and Robin, with two dogs, JJ and Todd. We hit it off and I spent the next 2 days hiking with them. They were camping in a '66 Airstream. . . really nice inside. As it turns out they are from Eureka Spgs, AK where I bought my Casita. They had called on the Casita the day after I bought it. Small world.
Carol is an artist and quite a good one. We showed each other our work and had a grand time talking art. Our first hike was to Saint Elena Canyon. Wow!! The Rio goes right through the canyon with rock walls jutting up 300-4000ft on both sides. It was magnificent with the sun hitting the river and walls. That was a fairly easy hike. The next day we hiked 4 miles to an oasis. Talk about hot and tiring. Of course, all is worth it when you see such spectacular country. The Javelena came into our campground. They are pretty interesting, eat anything and look like pigs, although, they are not related to the pig family. Also got to see two great horned owls mate. What a sight! The owls are huge and I kept my eye on the Fox.
At first, I was a bit cautious about camping so close to the Mexican border; however, the cliffs on the other side were so tall and steep that no one could come over them. I should say, though, border patrol were everywhere so I felt pretty safe. Coming out of Big Bend this morning I was stopped at a border inspection station. The officer just asked me if I was a US citizen and if I had come from the park. Then he wished me well and off I went.
I pulled into Alpine around 2pm. This is not a pretty place. Looks rather shabby and run down. Tomorrow I will look around town, get groceries and check out Marfa 35 miles down the road. It is supposed to be somewhat of an artist community. Today I spent my time doing the laundry and taking a shower. Man did I feel dirty after 4 days in the park with no shower and a lot of dust. Had eggs for supper and a frozen McDonald's hot fudge sundae I bought when I pulled into town. I stuck it in the freezer for a treat after dinner. It is dark and I can feel it cooling off. I sure will sleep well tonight after my household chores. Onward tomorrow. Oh, I should say that I am really enjoying staying in the National and State Parks. Cost me $7 to camp! The US is one beautiful place and I love the stark, expanse of the west. . . astonishingly magnificent.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Caverns of Senora
We are outside of Senora, TX camped in the Caverns RV Park,, beautiful spot. Lots of large mesquite trees and juniper, rocky ground. I say large mesquite because as I leave the Hill Country for dryer parts of Texas the mesquite gets smaller and smaller and it reminds you of scrub oak. This spot is in the middle of nowhere, very quiet and should be very dark tonight. Chance to peruse the universe. . .always a delightful passtime of mine. I think I will take a tour of the caverns tomorrow morning.
This morning I joined some Casita friends and chatted more about life in the EGG. Very nice people. Then I went on to Fredreicksburg and stopped at the Trade market outside of town. Lots and lots of vendors with mostly antiques. I did eat some Texas bar-be-qued brisket and a piece of fudge. Found a little daschie yard decor made out of something rusted. Of course, I had to have it. As it turned out, she was also selling fudge, lucky for me! While I was talking to her she asked me the name of my dog and I told her. She said "well Foxy is one of those names that you can't tell what gender it is, kinda like "Pat". With that we both had a good laugh. I told her that was the funniest thing I had heard all day. Anyone who watched SNL knows why that is funny.
Driving on HWY 10 to Junction and Senora you mostly see rolling hills that tend to get flater as you go west. Flater also = not much water and shorter trees and taller cacti. Really rugged. I had the country 'n western music blaring. . . songs like "singing the blues" and "She got the mine and I got the Shaft" Great songs!!! I continue to develop my Texas twang.
I am going to fix a little dinner and prepare for it to get dark so I can look at the stars and listen to the coyotes. Life is good.
This morning I joined some Casita friends and chatted more about life in the EGG. Very nice people. Then I went on to Fredreicksburg and stopped at the Trade market outside of town. Lots and lots of vendors with mostly antiques. I did eat some Texas bar-be-qued brisket and a piece of fudge. Found a little daschie yard decor made out of something rusted. Of course, I had to have it. As it turned out, she was also selling fudge, lucky for me! While I was talking to her she asked me the name of my dog and I told her. She said "well Foxy is one of those names that you can't tell what gender it is, kinda like "Pat". With that we both had a good laugh. I told her that was the funniest thing I had heard all day. Anyone who watched SNL knows why that is funny.
Driving on HWY 10 to Junction and Senora you mostly see rolling hills that tend to get flater as you go west. Flater also = not much water and shorter trees and taller cacti. Really rugged. I had the country 'n western music blaring. . . songs like "singing the blues" and "She got the mine and I got the Shaft" Great songs!!! I continue to develop my Texas twang.
I am going to fix a little dinner and prepare for it to get dark so I can look at the stars and listen to the coyotes. Life is good.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Back In The Texas Hill Country
Finally, I am back on Blog duty. Took quit a break after Palo Duro Club. From there I went on to McKinney, TX to visit good friend, Jill Ellen. We spent the weekend at her lake cabin in Bonham, TX. Very restful and lovely to just relax and catch up on old and new times. She has 3 Italian greyhounds, they and Foxy got along just great. He had such fun running around Jill's property. Reminded me so much of Palo Duro Club, even the coyotes were singing. When I get pics ready I will load a few.
From McKinney I went to Dallas and stayed with Nancy and Carl Klinke for a couple of days. Nance and I went to Kimbel Museum in Ft. Worth and the Museum of Modern Art. Both were wonderful but I was quite taken with the Modern Art Museuem, beautiful stainless steel sculpture outside by the Japanese pool titled "Conjoined" . The piece looked like two stainless trees reaching out to one another. Fab!! The next day we went to the Museum of Modern Art in Dallas. What a wonderful two days. Then Nancy took me to the airport to fly to Ft. Myers, FL to see Mom. I left my Casita on the lake at jill's place and my car at Nancy's.
Fox and I spent 5 weeks in FL with Mom. Had a very restful time but the weather was cold so I only made the beach twice. We did play golf and I took Fox to the Doggy Park everyday to play with his friends. Mom and I went to a dance for the Golf Scramble folks. Guess it is the big event for the year. I actually danced with real live men. Also played in the Scramble a couple of times. Did manage to visit the Edison/Ford summer estates. WOW, what a couple of magnificant minds. I can only imagine their dinner conversation! I should mention that Fox managed to eat a stick of butter off the dinning table when our backs were turned! Ugh! He was up all night with the Fox Trots! I put beach towels down all over the carpet in my bedroom. Not a pleasant event but the towels saved the day. Haley came to visit us in FL for 4 days. During that time her Dad and his wife Mary also visited. We all went out to lunch. It had been almost 15 years since Mom had seen Clay. It seemed like a life time to me.
I made my way back to Dallas on Feb 12. Went to the Lake to spend a couple of days and pick up the Casita. Jill is a Nurse Prac. with her own clinic so I got some free meds, shingle shot and VB12 shot! Whoopie, I feel great now. Except for a humungus bruise from the shingle shot. I had a reaction so had to take allergy meds. Jill had day off on Monday so she went with me to drop off Casita at the factory for minor repairs and dinette conversion. I got rid of the captains chairs and put in a booth dinette so I could have a twin bed for company. It looks great. I picked it up Wed and headed to Waco.
Spent last night in Reynolds Creek Park run by the Corps of Engineers. Only cost me $10 for the hookups and the place was georgous! The lots were on Lake Waco and each one at least 1/2 acre! I was so tired when I arrived that I didn't have the energy to blog. We got on the road about 10am and I decided to go through Crawford. Nice little town but the Bush's weren't home so I didn't stop. Then went on to Gatesville and ended up in Johnson City. I noticed on Casitaclub.com that there was a Casita rally here at the Miller RV park so I decided to stop on the chance they had some extra spots. Sure enough I got one. Fox and I walked around and met quite a few nice folks. Most of them do rallies every 2 months or so. Boy did they have their Casita's in great shape with all kinds of bells and such. I will leave in the am for somewhere. Haven't decided yet.
Have to say that I felt right at home here in the Hill Country. I had forgotten how much I liked Texans and the countryside is lovely. Rolling hills of cedar trees and mesquite. Saw a ranch with ostrich and Greater Kudu grazing (they kindof look like gazelles but have 3' horns that are swirled). I haven't seen those animals since I left Africa 35 years ago. Game meat must be big business here.
This was a short blog for 6wks worth, but now I feel caught up. I am sure I will be filling in as I go along.
From McKinney I went to Dallas and stayed with Nancy and Carl Klinke for a couple of days. Nance and I went to Kimbel Museum in Ft. Worth and the Museum of Modern Art. Both were wonderful but I was quite taken with the Modern Art Museuem, beautiful stainless steel sculpture outside by the Japanese pool titled "Conjoined" . The piece looked like two stainless trees reaching out to one another. Fab!! The next day we went to the Museum of Modern Art in Dallas. What a wonderful two days. Then Nancy took me to the airport to fly to Ft. Myers, FL to see Mom. I left my Casita on the lake at jill's place and my car at Nancy's.
Fox and I spent 5 weeks in FL with Mom. Had a very restful time but the weather was cold so I only made the beach twice. We did play golf and I took Fox to the Doggy Park everyday to play with his friends. Mom and I went to a dance for the Golf Scramble folks. Guess it is the big event for the year. I actually danced with real live men. Also played in the Scramble a couple of times. Did manage to visit the Edison/Ford summer estates. WOW, what a couple of magnificant minds. I can only imagine their dinner conversation! I should mention that Fox managed to eat a stick of butter off the dinning table when our backs were turned! Ugh! He was up all night with the Fox Trots! I put beach towels down all over the carpet in my bedroom. Not a pleasant event but the towels saved the day. Haley came to visit us in FL for 4 days. During that time her Dad and his wife Mary also visited. We all went out to lunch. It had been almost 15 years since Mom had seen Clay. It seemed like a life time to me.
I made my way back to Dallas on Feb 12. Went to the Lake to spend a couple of days and pick up the Casita. Jill is a Nurse Prac. with her own clinic so I got some free meds, shingle shot and VB12 shot! Whoopie, I feel great now. Except for a humungus bruise from the shingle shot. I had a reaction so had to take allergy meds. Jill had day off on Monday so she went with me to drop off Casita at the factory for minor repairs and dinette conversion. I got rid of the captains chairs and put in a booth dinette so I could have a twin bed for company. It looks great. I picked it up Wed and headed to Waco.
Spent last night in Reynolds Creek Park run by the Corps of Engineers. Only cost me $10 for the hookups and the place was georgous! The lots were on Lake Waco and each one at least 1/2 acre! I was so tired when I arrived that I didn't have the energy to blog. We got on the road about 10am and I decided to go through Crawford. Nice little town but the Bush's weren't home so I didn't stop. Then went on to Gatesville and ended up in Johnson City. I noticed on Casitaclub.com that there was a Casita rally here at the Miller RV park so I decided to stop on the chance they had some extra spots. Sure enough I got one. Fox and I walked around and met quite a few nice folks. Most of them do rallies every 2 months or so. Boy did they have their Casita's in great shape with all kinds of bells and such. I will leave in the am for somewhere. Haven't decided yet.
Have to say that I felt right at home here in the Hill Country. I had forgotten how much I liked Texans and the countryside is lovely. Rolling hills of cedar trees and mesquite. Saw a ranch with ostrich and Greater Kudu grazing (they kindof look like gazelles but have 3' horns that are swirled). I haven't seen those animals since I left Africa 35 years ago. Game meat must be big business here.
This was a short blog for 6wks worth, but now I feel caught up. I am sure I will be filling in as I go along.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
On The Road Again
Well, here we go again! Fox and I are camped at Palo Duro RV park just east of Canyon on the road to Palo Duro Canyon. We pulled in at 4pm yesterday and met Deb and Larry. Boy, the Casita sure looks tiny next to their rig. What a nostalgic trip this first day was. Guess the family has traveled this road 100s of times in the past 44 years. I haven't been here since just before Dad died 14 yrs ago. As I left Raton it felt like I was drifting into the past traveling HWY 87 through New Mexico to Clayton. What beautiful vistas! There was Capulin Mt. as it was millions of years ago when it spewed lava over the valley floor. Everywhere are hills of lava rock. Makes me wonder when the last time was it erupted. I'll have to look that up. The town of Capulin may have added one more art gallery but one gas station was boarded up, probably because of the high prices. The other villages like De Moins were almost ghost towns. As I pulled into Clayton it was like a picture out of the old west. . . wind blowing dust and tumbleweeds down the main street. No Hi HO Cafe, in fact, I looked for the building but couldn't find it, probably painted a different color or something.
I turned off 87 and took Boy's Ranch road. WOW, did that take me back in time. Would you believe the Canadain River was actually full of water. I think that is a first. Coming into Amarillo everything had changed so much that I took 3 wrong turns. Finally made it to the RV park where I met Deb and Larry. We all went out to Palo Duro Club. What a trip. I took several pictures that I will upload tonight when I get into Dallas. The place is beautiful, the creek is up, no wind and it was about an hour before sunset. The memories started coming. . .remember when the couple was parked on the bluff in their VW Bug? They got out of the car and put down a blanket to lie on while they watched the stars and the VW started moving and went over the cliff! Scott water skiing on stryafoam boards on the back of Sam's boat. Deb and I kept trying to remember who lived in what house. We walked over the first crossing around the creek to Mom and Dad's house. Boy, was it beautiful, the water calm and the late day sun shinning through the trees. The evergreen tree is now taller than the house! What memories we have to tell! Haley, Scott and Greg, you would have loved to been on the walk with us. Wouldn't it be great if we could someday have a reunion there. Something tothink about.
I need to get dressed and have coffee with Deb and Larry before I take off for Dallas. More tonight and I will post pictures. Let's all remember that there is and always will be a special quality about the family we were and are.
I turned off 87 and took Boy's Ranch road. WOW, did that take me back in time. Would you believe the Canadain River was actually full of water. I think that is a first. Coming into Amarillo everything had changed so much that I took 3 wrong turns. Finally made it to the RV park where I met Deb and Larry. We all went out to Palo Duro Club. What a trip. I took several pictures that I will upload tonight when I get into Dallas. The place is beautiful, the creek is up, no wind and it was about an hour before sunset. The memories started coming. . .remember when the couple was parked on the bluff in their VW Bug? They got out of the car and put down a blanket to lie on while they watched the stars and the VW started moving and went over the cliff! Scott water skiing on stryafoam boards on the back of Sam's boat. Deb and I kept trying to remember who lived in what house. We walked over the first crossing around the creek to Mom and Dad's house. Boy, was it beautiful, the water calm and the late day sun shinning through the trees. The evergreen tree is now taller than the house! What memories we have to tell! Haley, Scott and Greg, you would have loved to been on the walk with us. Wouldn't it be great if we could someday have a reunion there. Something tothink about.
I need to get dressed and have coffee with Deb and Larry before I take off for Dallas. More tonight and I will post pictures. Let's all remember that there is and always will be a special quality about the family we were and are.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Traveling through Kansas
Well, yesterday was interesting to say the least. I had my first lesson in being prepared! I drove all the way from Grand Island to Littleton, too much for my stress level. I dropped down to Kansas route 36 to avoid trucks on 80. The road was super and I would recommend it, hardly any traffic. Of course, with no traffic, no gas stations. I had half a tank when I hit the Colorado border and 113 miles to Byer. I drove through some town that started with and I and the only gas station was closed. No problem I thought there are six to go before I run out of gas. The first five did not even have a gas station and Anton (my dead end spot) had one that was closed. I pulled in and noticed a pick up parked in front so I banged on the door. I could see someone way in the back with a light on appearing to ignore me. So I banged louder, went to another door and banged even louder. Finally 2 guys came to the door and I told them I was desperate for gas. One was the owner and he opened the pump for me so I could buy $20 worth. They were very nice and saved me from a night in Anton. The next station I came to was 55 mi down the road!
Decided to skip the toll road and take I70 to 225. Well, of course, I missed my exit because you can't exactly change lanes on 3 sec notice. So I took the long way through downtown Denver. Ugh, that goodness it was Sunday, still packed with cars. Spent the night in the Casita in front of Greg's house and will head up to Bailey this afternoon.. Now I am tired and wish only to be home. Of course it is always great to see the kids. I am going to see if Grace will take a walk with Foxy and me.
Cold this am so I expect it will be freezing in Bailey tonight. The boys are wrestling so I will go to their matches. In the meantime I am going to the container store and buy some goodies for the Casita. Might even drop by Anthropologie for another kind of goodie (:-)
Decided to skip the toll road and take I70 to 225. Well, of course, I missed my exit because you can't exactly change lanes on 3 sec notice. So I took the long way through downtown Denver. Ugh, that goodness it was Sunday, still packed with cars. Spent the night in the Casita in front of Greg's house and will head up to Bailey this afternoon.. Now I am tired and wish only to be home. Of course it is always great to see the kids. I am going to see if Grace will take a walk with Foxy and me.
Cold this am so I expect it will be freezing in Bailey tonight. The boys are wrestling so I will go to their matches. In the meantime I am going to the container store and buy some goodies for the Casita. Might even drop by Anthropologie for another kind of goodie (:-)
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