Tag: landscape

Guadalupe Mountains NP

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.

First, an interesting mountain ridge on the route, Second, tremendous wind at a rest stop looking back at the Guadalupes, Third, Sand!

Big Bend National Park

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.

Lady Bird Johnson Parks & Amistad NRA

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.

Travel through (and Celestial Events from) Four States

CALIFORNIA/ARIZONA/NEVADA/UTAH. DECEMBER-APRIL.

After my stay in Tucson, I headed back to the Yuma area and then up to Quartzsite to volunteer for a charity I support, Homes on Wheels Alliance. After that, another stay in Southern California to rest up from the busy volunteer days. Friends invited me to stay at their Nevada home for a while and then it was off to Apple Valley, Utah, to camp with a friend’s group.

My photos from these stays ended up being mostly of weather and celestial events–at least until I got to Utah. It was a pretty part of the state that I had not visited before. After that, I decided to head to Texas for an event I’d been wanting to attend for some years.

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South California, Tucson, Fort Bowie NHS, Chiricahua NM

ARIZONA. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER.

I started heading even further south toward some friends’ house in Tucson with a camping stop in Southern California near Yuma. While getting vehicle repairs in Tucson, I visited a couple NPS sites, Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Chiricahua National Monument.

(much more info in photo captions)

Mysterious Accident & Arizona White Mountains Visit

ARIZONA. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER.

This is my third or fourth stay in the White Mountains. I always love coming because the light here is extraordinary.

A strange thing happened as I neared the area. I was driving along a remote two-lane when I came upon a vehicle upside down on the shoulder. A guy had stopped, and I slowed to ask if anyone was inside. He said he hadn’t found anyone. There wasn’t a signal at that location, so he said someone had driven one way to get a signal to call 911. I said I would drive in the opposite direction to try the same. After driving some distance, I was able to call emergency services. I went back to the accident site where by now more people had gathered; I let them know I had been able to get a call through. They still had found no victims. Since it was getting late, I decided to leave and, several miles down the road, met the responders on their way to the scene. I checked the local news for the next few days but never did see anything about the accident. Both a bizarre and sobering event.

I drove all the way to the area in which I planned to camp, arriving after dark – something I almost never do. I simply pulled off the dirt road for the night and the next day, scouted out a camping site for myself and friends I was meeting.

This is a beautiful area that I highly recommend.

(see photo captions for more info)

Stormy skies on the approach to the White Mountains
Beautiful skies above the Arizona Whites

ND & SD travel featuring Hugh Glass Lake

NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA. AUGUST.

As I headed south through North Dakota, I found a nice little camping area provided by the Lions Club in Bowman, ND, with bathrooms & a dump station. They asked for a $12 donation. It was an easy stop for the night. I had heard of civic groups providing spots for travelers, but this was a first for me.

Next, I headed into South Dakota and camped at Hugh Glass Lake. At the time, the camping was free, but I just read they are now charging $16.91/night (a strange amount!). I did not know until I spoke with a couple camping next to me that Hugh Glass is the man about which “The Revenant” was made. I haven’t seen this film, but I understand his is a remarkable story of survival.

The nearby town of Lemmon SD, made for an interesting visit with its petrified wood park, and artistic murals and sculptures.

(see photo captions for more info)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

NORTH DAKOTA. AUGUST.

I was excited to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Park as I’m a bit of a Teddy fan. Not politically but personally — and because of his conservation efforts and support of National Parks. Even if folks are not in his fan club, I would think most people would find him interesting, at least. He led a varied and fascinating life. From NPS site: “President – Colonel – Rough Rider – Father – Naturalist – Rancher – Theodore Roosevelt was all of these things and more. His life was one of constant challenge and adventure. “

The Park has both a south and north unit. The visitor’s center at the south unit had a lot of good historical information and exhibits.

I was also interested in the Park because, before I came out on the road, I had heard of the abundance of wild horses found here. I saw some but had hoped for more. On my next visit, I plan to do more research on when and where to find them. There was a good bit of other wildlife which I always enjoy.

Despite the lack of horse sightings, this Park was a highlight for me.

(See photo captions for more info).