Some Sunday Morning Ramblings.

I woke up this morning to an e-mail from fellow blogger Les who is in my sidebar under the title of “The journey of a lifetime begins…”where he hints but doesn't come right out with it in his blog,but during his second night stop at a Pemex station in Sinaloa Mexico,parked in the back,(like we all have done many times)he was robbed at gunpoint.I wont go into the details but he posted his story in the Open Roads forum of RV.Net. Mexico and South America.  http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24560233.cfm 

I guess this can happen anywhere but I truly believe that the rule of law is really breaking down quickly in Mexico judging by the many hours of research that I have done this past summer,which sealed my final decision about not going this year.

It just seems that as the rule of law breaks down,all the nickel and dime crooks are coming out of the woodwork looking for an easy mark.Les is a pretty open minded guy and he sponsors  girls in an orphanage in SMA so he goes to visit every year,and its very important to him. judging by his last blog post,he is handling it well.I probably would have high tailed it back to the border with much haste.

On a lighter note,things here at Rio Grande Village campground are turning into a couple of nice days of doing nothing much….I had to put on my Mr. fix-it hat yesterday in a failed attempt to fix my ailing,well used, 2 year old “Buddy Heater.”Its back to using the furnace until I get a new one.Glad this didn't happen when it was really cold at night at those higher altitudes.

My campsite turned into a lakeside property the other day when they irrigated this section of the park.

And did that ever bring the birds around…They were everywhere enjoying the water.The Vermillion Flycatcher seen below has been around since my arrival along with a male red Cardinal that I was unable to get a good photo of.

And I need help to identify these guys below….I’ve searched my 2 bird books and cant pin these guys down.These are small,4”,they hover just above the ground,they cling to trees like a creeper,they have a yellow patch just under the chin and back of tail, then grey stripes down the breast ……Am I missing something simple here?

 

Stretched out a bit here.Any help would be appreciated from you experts out there.

The other afternoon I was relaxing outside with a brewsky watching a few new arrivals coming in for the night and along comes this monster set-up.

My first thought was…boy! he’s going to have fun trying to park that in here where I barely have room.They stopped and walked around for quite awhile,even surveying across from me……OH NO! No jockeying next to me puleeese!…. Ya,you guessed it,they pulled straight in across from me and actually got everything into the site.

 

I guess the fun will be when they leave….Although I must realize that this couple probably have been doing this for a long time and know what they are doing….More power to them….I’m impressed………And also what caught my attention was when they opened up the back of the cargo trailer to reveal…….

 

Yes a car and a boat above.The car came out for there daily tours.

The weather has cooled a bit from 80’s to 70’s and I will spend today watching a couple of Canadian Football league playoff games,then head out Monday morning towards Laredo.Finally one more bird to identify.

GO BC LIONS!

A Couple Of Hike And Sightsee Days.

I’ll start with another panorama shot taken with 3 separate photo’s.This is looking down toward the Rio Grande river valley in the distance with the mountains of Mexico in the background.A little in the sun with the 3rd shot.

The first full day here I took a morning walk up the trail from the campground to a highpoint.First we must cross a backwater of the river,consisting of several bridges and anchored floats.

Then up the trail where I first encountered evidence of where the Mexican people illegally come across the river and leave their crafts to be sold on the honour system.The $6.00 walking sticks are a bargain,nicely painted,but signs all over the place here tell us that its illegal to make these purchases.

Further up the hill we can now look back at the camping area and river,with a closer look on the right of the backwater and bridge system.All nice wood and aluminum.Recently replacing an old rotting wooden structure.

 

Now near the top we can look behind to the Mexican town of Boquillas del Carmen in the State of Coahuila.

 

The river is just at the bottom of this first photo and winds around behind the town.The river takes one of its many sharp turns in this shot below.As you can see the Rio Grande at this point isn’t much of a barrier for anyone who wants to cross.There are many places that you could just walk over.

Yesterday I drove out to visit a few other sights,first taking a very narrow dusty road that is so narrow that dually pickups are not allowed.It gave me some anxious moments because of the rock outcroppings on some of the narrow turns put your wheels awfully close to the edge if you don't want a scratched paint job.

Finally after a few minutes, reached the parking lot,then set out for a 10 minute walk along the river to the “Hot Springs”.Not much of a sight to look at.

But oh so warm!….105 degree F.

Again a small display of goodies for sale and I could see the person on the other side watching his crafts.His 2 mules came down for a drink on the other side while I was soaking.Well the 10 minute soak was delightful but on an already hot day,a bit much,so its off to another location way over on the other side of Boquillas.My earlier shots of this town where taken from the hill behind and to the right of the tallest building.

And yes again we have our little display of crafts….This time they were across the river watching,so I called out a greeting in Spanish and they answered back with an reply in perfect English including a sales pitch.I guess I should have known better.

So you see,here’s the sight line.

Their crafts in the foreground and they and their canoe in the background on the Mexican side. Sealed borders?……Say what!…….Of course if they wanted to cross for good,they would have a gruelling 80 miles to get to any civilization,plus passing through the Border Patrol check points.Although the Border Patrol was in the park the other day looking for someone that had been reported by campers,so I guess some are crossing for good.

So goes another day along the river…The weather is so fine that I think I’ll sign up for a few more days here and just kick back…..Everybody has to be someplace…..So I is here……..All bad grammar intentional.

Just Chillin In Texas Big Bend Country

Below is another panorama shot taken as I left the Fort Davis area Tuesday morning…Truly beautiful sweeping vistas like this all the way down to the Big Bend country.

I’m also kicking myself for not taking the time to unhook during my Fort Davis stop and go and explore this delightful and clean looking town with its refurbished fort,….So all I could do is enjoy the morning drive through,because on travelling day,that's all I concentrate on.

A little while later I stopped in the town of Alpine to gas up, and by the way with all my earlier complaining about paying at the pump problems with my Bank of America card,……Well,I’ve since found that “Fina”stations are great,just insert the card,it reads it and I’m good to go.New Mexico and Texas so far are crawling with Fina stations.

A quick grocery stop at one of the local Thriftway stores in Alpine was next,where I got short-changed a buck and didn't realize her mistake until too late…….I hate when I get careless like that…..Getting out of town was another screw-up as all the streets are one-way and with some road construction and a confused Miss Garmin,I went in circles for awhile,finally driving right past the same Thriftway on the way out of town.

The day got hotter as I headed south toward Big Bend Park.I was finally going to get down to lower altitudes after several weeks.Below is the final drop down just before entering Rio Grande Village.1850 Ft.

 

Not much here but the store/gas station and two camping areas.I chose the non hook-up 100 site $14. a day campground which was about 1/3 full at best.I had googled and researched this spot beforehand and was pleasantly surprised as I entered and found it to be really much nicer than anticipated.It does have nice washrooms with flush toilets along with water taps scattered along the roadway…Much like our Provincial parks back home….And a dump station.

Its full of big beautiful shade trees,which were welcome because of the mid 80 temps.The trees are full of Monarch Butterflies,probably on there way to their winter home in Mexico.

 

They seem to love these Mesquite trees….Now I could be wrong as I’m no expert, but they could be the Viceroy (similar) variety that stay around,but getting a close look was difficult as they are skittish when you try to get close.This telephoto shot helped.

Another view of the park.

 

This is all behind my trailer,a good distance to the next park road over.The sites are well spaced.The river is just a short walk away and I will cover that next time.

Due to the wild animals, they provide these steel boxes in each site for food storage if you are tenting.

 

So again life is good,the weather perfect,with warm days and mild nights.The bugs are not a bother and for the first time in almost a month on the road………I got my deckchair out of the truck.

Aint life grand?

One final note about some of my posting and e-mail times.My computer is on Pacific time,I’m not…..I’m on Central time…..So I’m not up that early.

Hiking And Dodging Javelinas

By morning I realized,hey! I like this park…Its not just an overnight stop,so decided to stay another day and hike around.There was plenty of bird activity outside my door first thing so I though that I would have a look see but they seemed to move on before I got out with the camera,just one of my old desert favourites the Cactus Wren going somewhere with nesting material.And this guy below who I couldn't identify..Note white patch on tail…made a peep peep sound,Any help out there?

 

After breakfast I wandered around with the camera out behind the trailer.I kept hearing a crunching sound,so I followed it to the hillside a few yards away and discovered several Javelinas feeding on prickly pear cactus.I kept my distance because my knowledge of these creatures is limited as to their aggressiveness.

Next I walked over to the quail viewing area to see the Montezuma quail.The park has a feeding station set up but I arrived close to the end of the good viewing times and only saw this ruby throated hummer.Again my identification is untrustworthy but it did flash red under the chin.

 

Now its time to take a hike up the hill,a steep narrow rocky trail that switch-backed all the way up.Not a good time to be wearing shorts with all the cactus.Below is a view back down into the parks camping area.

Some of the hillside cactus growth.

I finally reached the top and had to celebrate.

Looking across the valley I could see the University of Texas McDonald Observatory on 8378ft. Baldy peak.

And to the left back down in the valley,The Indian Lodge hotel complex.

Time to head back down as it was getting hot and I was crapping out…..glad it was all down hill.On the way back I stopped at the quail viewing area again to see what was there and as I quietly walked up to it,I spooked a couple of javelinas who were feeding in the tall grass.

They started toward me…..Not knowing if they were tame or aggressive,I stood my ground and took these shots.

  

When the one on the right got within 10 feet of me,I shuffled my feet and he snorted and headed the other way,much to my delight……That was close enough.

There is much to see in this area like the old Fort Davis, where back in 1854 it was built and first manned by the 8th U.S.Infantry who,mounted on mules, first fought the Comanches….So next time I will add it to my bucket list.

Last night my “just before dark, backyard visitors”, were these guys.

Scratching fleas.They look like white tails but seem so light grey in color.There where 4 of them surrounding my trailer.(Jeeze! I sound like Gaby Hayes….Lets us two surround them Roy!)    One stopped and licked the fire pit grill for several minutes.

So this morning its down to the town of Alpine Texas where I will gas up and grocery up,then head down into the Big Bend National Park along the Rio Grande.

I hope to find it as quiet as all the other stops so far this trip.I’m sure that after the New year all these places would be much more busy.

I hope in my last post that my negative comments about this place were not taken too seriously, about the layout…..It is really a nice park.

Fort Davis State Park Texas

Sunday morning,and time to move on after 6 days at Brantley Lakes.No need to rush out as my days journey south is only a 3 hour trip.I did my final morning exercise walk at sunup…Gotta burn the fat.

Being a “turn the clocks back” morning it seemed that I had even more time to take it slow on departure,but in the first hour of travel south into Texas,I didn’t count on there being a time zone change which meant that I had to set them all back to where they were earlier this morning,and suddenly my arrival time was later than I figured.

The drive south into Texas follows the Pecos valley,which really is just flat uninteresting brown grasslands dotted with nodding horses pumping out all that black gold…Texas tea.

I arrived at the small city of Pecos Texas just at noon local time.Just under 10,000 people and nothing stirring downtown….No traffic…no people,just like a dusty ghost town.The only sign of life was at the local Sonic drive-in….I’m not used to seeing this kind of a dead scene in a town this size.The only rational I could come up with was that everyone was at home watching the Dallas Cowboys getting whipped.

Soon to the southwest,out of the flat prairie,loomed a mountain range in the distance,which would be my destination.Crossing under Interstate 20 as I left Pecos and 30 minutes later taking a 5 minute drive west on Interstate 10 at Balmorhea,another sleepy town in the foothills of the mountain range.The drive up into the dry mountains was a welcome change,very similar looking to the mountains in southern Sonora Mexico.

45 minutes later and I think mid afternoon…I’m confused now, I arrived at the entrance to Fort Davis State Park.Unlike the past State Parks,this had a live Ranger person on duty….No more pick your spot…Fill out the envelope…..This time she took my drivers licence and phone number and put it all in the computer……I thought I was crossing the border again.And the fee’s are a little more than New Mexico’s too because they add an entry fee on top of the camping fee,so for what I paid $14. for in NM,I paid $19. here,and if I stay longer you pay the entry fee every day.($4.00) This is an interesting park so since I have no agenda,I might stay a day or two.

The warning on the brochure stated to be aware of Bears,Mountain lions and Javelinas,so I don't know what to expect other than just at dark last night I had 2 Javelina’s at the back of my trailer 30 ft. away playing and rubbing up against each other…..Aint love grand?…By the time I grabbed my camera they had slowly moved off into the tall grass.(for those who don't know,Javelinas are wild pigs and can be dangerous.I once saw a pack of them attack an RVer’s dog right in the RV Park in Sierra Vista Arizona.

The campsites here are nice,some with plenty of shade and others open like I like, although they seem to be backward as the Ramada's are on the wrong side of the driveway.I guess its alright for motorhomes nosed in…Also the water and electric are so far back I hardly had enough cord to reach,even parked as far back as possible.

So there you have it….I’m looking forward today to doing some hiking and possibly seeing the local rare bird…..The Montezuma Quail. The altitude is 5000ft. and the daytime highs in the mid 70’s this week so life is grand.

Doing The Caveman Thing At Carlsbad Caverns.

Now caves really aren't my thing,although you might say I live in a mobile “MAN CAVE”but that's a whole nuther thing,so on Thursday after seeing my friends off, departing on there trip back towards Arizona,I decided to take a little jaunt some 50 miles to the south to visit the famous “Carlsbad Caverns.” Barb and Jake had given me a briefing on what to expect and what choices I had on how to spend the time there……So plain,simple and easy was my plan.

First off the drive up to the visitor area and the caves from the main highway, is a gentle winding drive up about a thousand feet along a shallow canyon.

Photo above taken from switchback on this section of the road.Then after a few miles I topped out on a high plateau looking back down to the flat plain 1000ft. below.

And a large parking area with an equally large visitor centre.

I decided to do the Big Room self-guided tour,which suited me fine,so after buying my entry ticket,I was given a short briefing and escorted to an elevator.

This elevator ride is an ear popping 75 story, 754ft. drop down into the depths,that takes less than a minute. Then I entered a visitor area with washrooms,souvenir's and food sales.All in a cave like atmosphere.

And get this!…..Dig the spotless washrooms built right into the cave.

So the Big Room self guided tour is one mile all the way around and takes about an hour and a half.There are over 30 miles of passages in the Carlsbad Caverns, but the public can only see a bit of it.

The darkness and dampness took a little getting used to as I found the breathing a little heavy.Here is a map of the Big Room with the lines showing the path all the way around….Its one BIG cavern alright!

The pathway was great but the darkness and my inner ear problem found me staggering a bit and conjuring up Canyon De Shelly, take a tumble thoughts.

Many of these photos taken with the flash make it look brighter than it really was.

You would occasionally meet someone but for the most part you had the feeling of being alone in the darkness,hearing the occasional distant whisper or seeing a camera flash. At one point I saw what looked like a figure sitting quietly in the darkness and as I passed him, spoke, but he didn't answer.Then later I could hear voices coming up behind me and it was him talking to himself and laughing at his own jokes….Sort of a weird hippy type that has probably been smoking good weed for a long time.He moved on ahead of me talking away to himself and laughing.

Later I came across him sitting in the darkness humming like a Buddhist monk….And I thought I was weird.

I got a few drips hitting me on the head but considering the amount of moisture,it wasn’t bad.

Even the Red Rag got the tour with me as it was perfect for the almost constant mid 50’s temperature down there.

The fellow who graciously accepted my request to take a photo of me,had a hard time finding me in the dark as his first try missed me altogether…..No,it wasn't the weird hippy.

So after an hour and a half,I was finally back at the starting point.I bought the Tee Shirt and headed for the elevator.

And speaking of the weird hippy….We had the pleasure of his company on the elevator ride back up.And in less than a minute during the ride,He told us all how he saved several peoples lives in Hawaii and saved others lives in other parts of the world.Had many heart bypasses and back fusions and still went out and saved most of the world……..What a guy!

Then as I was taking a final photo in the parking lot,there he is again,he stops his car and says (take my picture,I’m famous you know),I just laughed and said lying,that I took one of him in the cave…….Then after he drove away I was kicking myself for not obliging him……It would have been a perfect ending for this blog entry, to be able to show him………..Who knows……Maybe he is famous.