These are national monuments in western New Mexico: off the beaten path, managed by the National Park Service. There are 138 national monuments in the United States and 63 national parks. El Morro Roughly, this means “The Headland.” El Morro is a giant sandstone outcropping with a life-saving pool of water at its base (created […]
Categories
Western New Mexico via BLM Land
We’re in the El Malpais National Conservation Area, a little north of the National Monument. Tracy’s walked on some of the lava flows that made people long ago name this the bad land, but I haven’t yet, so I’ll save those photos for another post. I can catch up to this point, though. We had […]
Camping and Hiking along the Gila River
We’ve spent a week boondocking in a horse corral between the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument visitor’s center and the trailhead to the cliff dwellings hike; in short, along the Gila River in western New Mexico. The Gila is one of the longest rivers in the West, with a gigantic watershed. People have lived along […]
“Cliff” Being the Operative Word in Gila Cliff Dwellings
I’ve never had a problem with heights, so all I was thinking about as we climbed the 180-foot ascent to see this archaeological find was my knee when it was time to go back down. Jeez Louise though, the second we approached the caves in the side of the cliff and I saw that there […]
Moving Sunlight and Changing Focus at White Sands National Park
How do I tell you about White Sands National Park in New Mexico? We spent only a day there (a short record for us), but my impressions are hard to pin down. Words aren’t enough, and photos are hard to take. I could tell you about the unique geographic features that come together to make […]
Hitch Quasi-Update and How Wild It Is that RVers Live in Different Ways
I’m always the wise-ass with my son when I give him my version of science-related advice: no matter how frustrating it feels to hit dead-ends in research, you are making progress when things fall apart in that you’re ruling out options. It feels like no progress at all, though, I know that. And it’s the […]
Sitting Here in Limbo
A classic from Jimmy Cliff: Sitting here in limbo Waiting for the tide to flow Sitting here in limbo Knowing that I have to go I can’t say what life will show me But I know what I’ve seen I can’t say where life will lead me But I know where I’ve been (Three quick […]
How to Take a Campground Shower in 10 Easy Steps
(Read Now to Receive 2 Bonus Prep Steps and 3 Special Opportunities!) Whether you find yourself in a long-neglected, government-run bathroom facility with more spider webs than towel hooks or in a fancy RV resort’s shower house with a bucket of gift flip flops, following these 10 easy steps will increase your chances for a […]
For Us Winter Texans
I was reading about the first act at an outdoor music venue we go to sometimes down here in Brownsville, and the post said the artist would be on from 6-8 pm, “for you Winter Texans.” Aka, old people who like to go to bed early. I’m in! So, we stood in the chilly evening […]
The Nomad Witching Hour Is Upon Us
Sometimes when we’re staying somewhere for more than a few days (and when we’re lucky)—the weekend campers are gone, we’re done with our mystery trips to the local grocery store and laundromat—and we can explore and relax in peace. That’s the sweet spot. I’m thinking we’re in the sour spot about right now. Time wise, […]
