Carlsbad, New Mexico

We arrived in Carlsbad yesterday and it was hot.  About 100 degrees but 4,000 feet lower than we have been.  And, boy, can I tell the difference.  I can breathe again.  Getting old is tough.  And the heat isn't too bad.  Very dry and the wind is really blowing.  That is why we are getting lots of smoke, from the forest fires they are having in the southwestern part of the state.  The smoke is blowing way over here.
We got here fairly early, so after we set up, we went out to the Caverns, not thinking about it being Memorial Day Weekend.  They said all the tours were probably booked up for today and it would be a zoo, so there wasn't much point in coming back.  We went back to the trailer and called to make reservations for Tuesday and Thursday, for me and Marv, and Wednesday for Marv.  He is going on a tour that you have to climb down using a knotted rope, crawl on your hands and knees through tight spaces and climb up several ladders.  Think I will stay home and do laundry.  Plus we will be doing a couple of self guided tours and I want to see the bats leave the caverns in the evening.  With all this going on, we will be staying an extra day at least.
Because we couldn't go to the Caverns today, we went to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.  It is a state operated zoo and botanical gardens, specializing in native species of the Chihuahuan Desert and New Mexico.  The animals are all rescued animals that can't make it in the wild for one reason or another.  The Mexican wold is an endangered species, the mountain lion is old and arthritic (sound familiar), the bald eagle has a bad foot.  You get the idea.  It was a really wonderful experience.  If anyone gets to this area, it is well worth the visit.  Now for the pictures.

Roswell, New Mexico

Yesterday we went to the Indian Flea Market at the Tesuque Pueblo.  It had a lot of nice things with some really nice prices.  We tried to visit the pueblos but they are still in use and on the reservations, so we went back to Santa Fe and toured the Governor's Palace and museum.  People don't realize how much history there is in the southwest.  They started settling it before Jamestown and Plymouth.  And before that were the Native Americans.  We hear so much about the English, Dutch and so on, that we forget about the Spanish.  It was really interesting.  Of course, inside the museums you can't take pictures.  But I did post from the day before.
We left this morning and drove down to Roswell.  The drive was very nice and fast.  All four lane roads all the way and Marv got to play with his new GPS.  It really worked.  But there was only three turns between RV parks.
Roswell is a nice little town.  Even without the aliens.  Of course, we had to go to the UFO museum and Research center.  There wasn't much to it but was fun.  Took a picture but haven't downloaded it.  Wasn't really worth it.  But they do have a Golden Corral and Marv is taking me out to dinner tonight.
It will be an easy drive to Carlsbad tomorrow and we plan on staying for four nights so should get to see everything we want to see.  I'm hoping to see the bats leave or enter the caves.  That will be so cool.  And the caverns too.
That's all for now.  Til later.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 24,2012

We got into Santa Fe before noon this morning.  Got all set up, had lunch, then took off for the Old Plaza.  First thing, we took an hour tour of the old town and Canyon Road which has all the galleries. Santa Fe is truly different.  It is the oldest town in the USA, since the 1600's and around the old Plaza all the building are stucco or adobe, town law.  Wish we could use adobe in our area.  I love it.
After the tour, we did a walk about for a bit.  Then we headed for the more modern part of town, Lowes and Best Buy.  Our friends in Ouray have reflective insulation on the windows of their 5th wheel so Marv wanted to try it.  He almost have all the windows done.  When you are in this country, it can get really hot with the sun pouring into the windows.
Marv also decided to buy a new toy.  We are now the proud owners of a GPS.  All we have to do is learn how to use it.
Tomorrow we are going back to the Plaza for a little more sightseeing and going to the Tesuque Flea Market and check out a couple of Pueblos outside of town.
Now for the pictures.

Loretto Chapel

Oldest house in USA. so they say.

San Miguel Mission. Oldest church in USA

Cathedral  Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

These are the pictures for today. More tomorrow. 

Til later.

May 23. 2012

This is taken about a mile from Ouray, and about a mile up.  We left early this morning, heading for Santa Fe.  I really goofed.  The road out of Ouray it very windy and slow.  Kind of like the trail from Canyonlands, only paved and wide enough for a real road, but with switchbacks of 10 mph.  There were pullouts, but we were focused on just driving and looking so I didn't take any pictures.  I am so sorry.  The scenery was incredible.  We started at 7700 feet and the highest pass was 11,008 feet.  The next one was 10, 980 feet.  Most of the day was as high or higher than Mt. Hood.  And we didn't cross the continental divide, there was peaks that were towering over us, around 15,000 feet.  
We came down off the mountains to Chama Village, which is about 7000 ft.  Don't think we will get very low until we get to Carlsbad.  It is about 3000 ft.  Tomorrow we will be in Santa Fe for a couple of nights and that is still around 7000ft.  Sea level is going to feel good.  Or I will get use to the high altitude.
I promise to take pictures in Santa Fe and Carlsbad.
Til Later.  You all have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  

Ouray, Colorado May 21

We are now in Ouray, (pronounced Uray) Colorado which is a little town in Colorado that is very quaint.  Think it is an old mining town and during the summers there is lots of jeeps running around the hills.  Our friends have just bought a place and are in the process of moving in.  It it had a ocean close by, I could live here.  It is beautiful. 












Last night was really awesome.  We spent about 3 hours at the Panorama Viewpoint in Arches National Park with about 200 people watching the annular solar eclipse.  The rangers passed out some viewing squares, but we had to share, so met some really nice people for all over.   Of course Marv made his own pinhole viewer so he could take pictures.  And he got some really nice ones.

This was taken through the filter but was hard to hold the camera still.

This was taken though the Rangers  peephole light box.  The image is inverted but you get the idea.   It was a truly amazing show.  Marv is already planning on the solar eclipse that is taking place in August, 2017.  We will be in John Day to see it.  That will be one of the best places.  Nice to have something to look forward to.
Tomorrow we are going to Montrose, Colorado to visit with Marv's aunt, and then Wednesday we head toward New Mexico slowly. 
Til later.

Canyonlands. May 19

No internet, so I wrote the blog on word, but couldn't get it to transfer.  So I am sitting in a coffee shop in Moab trying to do this before my computer runs out of battery.

We had a great time yesterday running on very off road roads.  I like to do it once in awhile, but don't understand people doing it all the time.  My innards are still shaking.  Though the views were awesome.  So was the road.  I think we did the Grand Canyon thing in a truck.  Some of the switchbacks were so tight we had to back up and inch our way around.  Been nice if we had had a smaller car.

Now for the pictures.  We did see one of the monoliths in the distance, and the Colorado River.  Didn't make it down to the river bank and didn't see any rafters.  Thought there are lots of places to book rafting trips.  There is even a place for hot air balloon rides, but Marv wasn't interested, thank heavens.  I would have had to stay home.  There is no way I'm going up in a balloon.

The last picture is part of the road we took from the canyon floor to the rim.  Gulp!

Tonight we are going to a ranger program for the eclipse and tomorrow we heard for Ouray, Colorado to visit with college friends.

Til later.

May 18, 2012, Moab, Utah

I will try this again.  This is the third time I have started this blog tonight.  The internet has been really slow and spotting, so I keep losing my place.  As you can see, we are in Moab.  Got here about 3:00 yesterday.  Drove most of the day, which is unusual for us.  I even got to drive for about an hour.  It was almost all freeway, so wasn't too hard.
The weather here has been a little cooler than we have been having.  Today started overcast and windy, but the clouds did go away.  The wind did not, so made it cooler for the hikes, but kind of like being on the beach almost any time.
We did a few hikes in Arches National Park.  I think this is one of my favorite parks.  The scenery is so awesome and the colors are fantastic.

This is Balance Rock.  A nice walk around the base.  Then, next is the Three Gossips., then comes Delicate Arch.  It was quite a walk out to the view point.  The last picture is Double Arch.  We took a ranger guided walk to here.  I just can't believe the different rock sculptures. Wind and rain are great artists.
Tomorrow we are going to Canyonlands  National Park.  It is a great place for 4 wheel driving.  But is sure shakes you up.  Then it will be back to Arches for the solar eclipse Sunday night.  Hope I can get some pictures, but don't want to burn out my camera. 
Til later.