The temperatures were getting high, so I started heading north. Using the apps, I found some nice campsites with beautiful views.
Also visited Fossil Butte National Monument. Found a good camping spot just outside it but the National Monument was so-so for me. The visitor center was well done but not much else to see.
As usual, I recommend clicking the first photo for a slideshow of larger photos (and captions).
I’ve also included a video below the gallery.
UTAH/WYOMING. JUNE.
My favorite kind of landscape is definitely “green” but I must admit, Arches was amazing.
I stayed on public land about 15 minutes away. No amenities but easy to get in and out of.
Only one hike – to the famous Delicate Arch. I started late in the morning which I don’t recommend. It was the first of June and hot. I knew it would be, so I took as many “shade breaks” as I could. Seeing the famous arch was pretty neat. I would like to go again when it’s cooler, the light is a bit better, and I’m in better shape.
One nice feature I enjoyed photographically are the La Sal Mountains that provide a beautiful backdrop to many settings in Park.
I got a bit carried away with photos and took quite a few. Believe me, though, I left quite a few out of this post. Of the ones in the gallery, several are out of order but I’m just going to leave them.
There’s also a video at the bottom of the gallery.
UTAH. JUNE.
I traveled to the mountains just south of Denver to meet some friends. The most exciting event there – golf ball (plus) sized hail. It was amazing, destructive, and loud! Definitely the biggest hailstones I had ever seen. I included a video in addition to the photos in the gallery.
We decided to vacate that camping site and headed up through Colorado to Steamboat Springs, a place I hadn’t been to since the 90’s (a ski trip). We found the public land camping areas were still snow-covered so we ended up spending the night along a street in town, something I didn’t think was possible. But it went fine and we moved along the next morning.
The next day brought beautiful Colorado views while traveling across the state. Having parted ways with my traveling companions, I enjoyed one of my prettier campsites next. The sound of rushing water along with Colorado views can’t be beat.
Two videos are below the photo gallery.
COLORADO. MAY.
I used an app to find Conchas Lake Corp of Engineers campground in New Mexico on my way to Colorado. There were only a couple people camping there and I looked everywhere for a place to pay but couldn’t find one. So, I assumed they were not charging. ‘Site with a lake view for no charge was nice.
I headed into Colorado next and found a camping site at Two Buttes State Wildlife Area. This site was in the middle of nowhere and it was wonderfully quiet and surrounded by wildflowers. I stayed for a few nights and saw one other human.
I stopped by Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, a former trading post on the Santa Fe Trail. Unfortunately, it was closed but it was worth a stop to read their kiosks and walk around the outside of the Fort. I would have enjoyed exploring this site; maybe another time.
Video at bottom of post, below gallery.
NEW MEXICO/COLORADO. MAY.
Next was White Sands National Park. There is a small but good visitor’s center that includes a film about the Park. I always see the Park film if there is one. It’s usually a good way to get an overall picture of the Park and/or to learn about its history. They are always free. The staff was also nice about answering several questions I had.
I enjoy seeing and photographing sand dunes because of the different patterns the wind makes in the sand and the way the light plays off the dunes. Sand is also challenging for me, though, because it is the absolute worst for camera equipment–even more so than water. If the sand is blowing, it can actually ruin equipment, so if that starts, I usually retreat to my vehicle or at least put away my camera(s).
There was not a great deal of wind, however, and I was somewhat able to take advantage of late afternoon light before leaving. I enjoyed this Park but, on this occasion, one afternoon was a long enough visit for me.
Before my arrival, I had scoped out a dry camping spot which was quite close by. It was by an evaporation pond and signs said not to use the water in any fashion. The birds used it, however, and it made for some nice reflection photographs. There were no amenities here, but it was a great, easy-to-access location with space for several rigs next to the water.
[Thanks to the Facebook bird group “What’s this Bird? – American Birding Association (ABA)” for help with identifications.]
NEW MEXICO. MAY.
I headed toward the Guadalupe Mountains next. This national park is in a very remote area where fuel–along with everything else–is hard to find. I ended up staying in an almost-empty, privately-owned campground that I found by literally driving by. No one was there but I peeked in at a brand-new bathroom with showers as well as a small but also brand-new laundromat. In the middle of nowhere, those were a very welcome sight, so I decided to stay. It took a little work to find out how to pay. I came to find out the owner (whose house was a few hundred yards off the highway behind the campground) was on vacation in Alaska(!) but I called & was able to pay him over the phone. He was extremely nice and he told me his uncle was keeping an eye on the place while they were gone. I later met Dave, the uncle, who was also very nice. It’s so comforting to find good folks when one is in the middle of nowhere! Their place was some distance from the Park but still served well as a base while I explored the area. I ended up staying an extra day because, of all things, a sandstorm which dangerously affected visibility on the highway leading to the Park.
At the campground, I met a young German man named Philip who was/is exploring the U.S. He was very nice also and we found we had photography in common. His work is very good.
This area counted among the top three or so of the “most remote”, especially when it came to fuel. The tiny town of Dell, several miles away (opposite direction from the Park), had one or two mom-and-pop stations with either limited hours or limited paying options. It was definitely different but doable with help/info from local folks.
The Park was different, too, as it doesn’t have any roads *through* the Park. It is accessed only through formidable hikes. After visiting the visitor center (which was good), I took a short hike on the outskirts and explored an interesting historic ranch. The other hikes were too long for me, and Sadie wasn’t allowed on any of them, anyway. Maybe return at a cooler time of year & when I’m in better hiking shape…?
Also, the wind was absolutely crazy here. I don’t know if it’s always like this, but no matter how tight my ballcap was “fastened” on, it still kept blowing off. Had to go around with hat hair. An example of the wind is included in the video after the gallery, below.
(more info in captions)
TEXAS. MAY.
In trying see as many national park sites as possible, I headed toward Big Bend next. It was starting to get hot, so the park and campgrounds weren’t crowded. And I was pleasantly surprised by all the wildlife there–many of which I saw right in the campground. I went on only one hike but drove all the roads in the park. If I ever go back, I will make a rafting trip part of the plan.
(see photo captions for more info)
TEXAS. MAY.
OK. So, that title was just to see if you were paying attention. It was actually the Lyndon B Johnson National Historical & State Parks, but the only LBJ that gets my fan vote is Lady Bird Johnson. ‘Not a fan of Lyndon. The park was interesting though. I visited there with friends but, after this, headed to Amistad National Recreation Area by myself for a short stay.
(more info in captions)
TEXAS. MAY.
As we moved to our third camping spot on the coast, we made a stop at the Patton Center/Marine Science Institute at the suggestion of one of our number, Diane. It was free and worth a visit. Plenty of parking.
We moved on to a free camping area on Indianola Beach next. Amenities: Pavilions with picnic tables, bathroom, and an outdoor shower (for swimmers). Enjoyed watching the sea/coastal birds including a number of brown pelicans & listening to the waves constantly coming in. Occasional ships and fishing boats could be seen in the distance. We also found a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great seafood. All of our time on the Texas coast was a bit hot and sticky but helped by coastal winds.
TEXAS. APRIL.
After our first day at the three-day Sandfest, we went back to Padre Island to go to the Visitor Center and walk on the beach. Then we returned to the Sandfest the next day to see the progress of the sculptures and find out who won the various categories of the contest.
After the Sandfest, we moved to the Mustang Island State Park campground. Hookups and bathrooms with showers were a nice change from Bird Island Basin.
TEXAS. APRIL.
My Side of the Adventure 