Sunday, April 28, 2013

NEW MEXICO, TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, ILLINOIS

Couldn't resist sharing this Roswell, N.M. postcard
As I drove through the Texas panhandle, I  saw the sign, the BEEF CAPITAL OF THE WORLD identifying Hereford, Texas -- and then thousands of cattle and huge quantities of grain bins.

Some of the many grain bins seen

Cute signs found at an Oklahoma Rest Area in the pet area:
Fire hydrant with City Dog sign
Tree trunk for Country Dogs
WalMart - Forest City, Arkansas
Saturday night, I parked at a WalMart in Arkansas, after I rejected a campground in Brinkley, Arkansas that was located behind a Motel 6.  As tired as I was, their electric looked questionable (and no WiFi), so I drove on and stayed at a WalMart -- no electric, no WiFi -- no charge. Hey, and it had  a much better view.
View from 888 at WalMart

 It's Sunday night and I'm enjoying Camp Lakewood in Effingham, Illinois -- love this campground and this is the perfect campsite -- with a deck and it overlooks Lake Pauline.
Campsite #19 - Mac's hammock is ready for him
Tomorrow, I'm driving to, and staying at, Kankakee State Park where I'll have a chance to get 888 organized and things packed up for Chicago, before driving back on Tuesday -- my time in Texas and these past two weeks have been fantastic and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat...even Mac wags his tail at RVing now...

Friday, April 26, 2013

CARLSBAD - DAY 2

John Muir's quote fit my visit to Living Desert Zoo & Gardens perfectly. 


I spent two hours experiencing 1.3 miles of Chihuahuan Desert habitat. Good to know their zoo is a safe haven for animals that might not have survived or can no longer survive in the wild.

The flowers were lovely and I especially love the photos I took of the mountain lion and the bobcat.


Elk
Bobcat -- a perfect pose, just for me
Bolson Tortoise
Claret Cup Cactus
Interesting info...

Mountain lion
Looks fierce -- BUT I caught him/her in a yawn
Ocotillo
Prairie dog
Heart - sums up all of my adventures
Drove to Roswell, New Mexico, to check out the UFO Museum.  Their exhibit includes photos and comments of residents and military.  Very interesting ….


 Spent the night in Clovis, NM.  This morning, Friday, April 26, I will start drive back to Chicago. My plan is be driving through Oklahoma and Arkansas over the weekend to avoid rush hour traffic.  Weather forecasts look good so far -- I'll keep my fingers crossed.  It's been a wonderful adventure!!


Thursday, April 25, 2013

CARLSBAD CAVERNS

Carlsbad Caverns is identified as a “subterranean marvel” and that is an understatement.  It definitely warrants being recognized as one of twenty USA World Heritage Sites.

Left Hand Tunnel (professionally lit photo) It was dark when we toured
Getting to the Visitor Center when it opened was worth the effort -- I purchased the last ticket for the Left Hand Tunnel tour and it’s only offered once a day. 
Lit only by the 15 lanterns carried by each of us, plus our ranger, we trekked 1/2 mile through an undeveloped section on unpaved trails to see cave pools, ancient reef fossils, and unique formations. 
Survey #58 embedded into tunnel wall
 At one point, we all blew out our candles and experienced total darkness. It was an amazing moment--and my favorite one! 
Next, I toured the The Big Room--a self-guided tour (with audio) that covered 1-1/4 miles. The lighting was done by theatre professionals – and they did what they do WELL (as can be somewhat noted by my photos).  I, and everyone else, kept taking photo after photo.  I was hopeful that a few of my photos would capture some of the beauty of the formations.  I was  happy with these few.

Chinese Theatre - one of my favorite
Column, stalactites and stalagmites

So delicate

Reminds me of jellyfish

Great color and texture 


Rock of Ages Column


Rather than visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, I decided to check out Brantley Lake State Park for a campsite -- which is “first come, first serve.” I found a lovely site and hooked up 888. Put Mac’s hammock out and got him settled,
Mac before I started to drive forward
I looked closer at the site and noted 888 would be more level if I pulled up a few feet – so I jumped into 888 and started driving forward – well Mac frantically started barking and jumped off his hammock (fortunately I had his leash hooked to the picnic table).  Poor fellow thought I was leaving him….
 As I finished up these notes, the sun has set. There is a full moon with stars twinkling in a black sky – no other lights except inside RVs – I’ll sleep good tonight and won’t be getting up at 6 a.m. like this morning.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO

Texas landscape
As I drove north to New Mexico, I saw lots of Texas oil rigging equipment as well as water drilling.  Made me remember:  in Saudi Arabia they had trucks bring water for their lawns – lots of oil, but no water. 
Mac on his hammock; Cobb grill ready for lunch/dinner
Arrived in Carlsbad, New Mexico, around noon (1 hour difference) and settled in at the Carlsbad RV Park. I hadn’t made reservations and was lucky to have a small RV that “could fit in anywhere.” 
Mac hasn't been on his hammock for 10 days -- wonder what he's thinkin... 
Sweet potato fries with sea salt and seasonings -- yummm
Pizza -- waiting for that crust to get crisp -- yummm
Salmon grilled on a wood plank --- yummm
All grilling done with 9 pieces of charcoal...Cobb  Grill  Rocks!

LEAVING FREDERICKSBURG


I couldn’t leave the Fredericksburg area without seeing wildflowers in hill country. Willow Springs features a Willow City Loop drive through 15 miles of private property; the road is narrow without pull over areas. Because I did the drive on Monday morning, I only met two cars the entire drive and was able to stop to take some photos.  On weekends, it’s been reported to be like rush hour traffic—bumper to bumper – another huge plus for being “semi-retired”.
Loose Livestock warning
Yes, livestock are loose
Texas Bluebonnets line the roadway
Golden-Wave Coreops
Texas Bluebonnets
Nice combination of colors
Blanketflowers and yellow?
Love those poppies

888 on Willow City Loop
Before driving back to Fredericksburg, I visited Enchanted Rock which a is pink-toned, naturally occurring solid-granite structure 640 acres and1825 feet in elevation. It’s the second largest granite outcropping in the USA. Native Americans held it in awe and reverence.
Enroute to Enchanted Rock - the wildflowers alongside the road were fabulous


Mac and I checked out the trail
Mac climbs back up the stairs to parking lot
Leaving Enchanted Rock -- will boondock in Ft. Stockton, Texas