"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime"-MARK TWAIN

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

City of Rocks

 

We departed home on Tuesday, the third.  A day later than planned, but the weather forecast of heavy rain and the threat of tornados for Monday had us hanging at home.  The storm came through as predicted and we had two confirmed tornados in our County.  Thankfully they were EF-1’s, and caused minor damage.

Tuesday afternoon found us at our normal first stop. Sandy Creek CoE near Jasper, TX.  After getting set up I happened to notice something in one of the truck tires. A quick trip back into Jasper looking for a tire store.  Found one with thirty minutes before closing.  They removed the tire and found a two inch screw. Removed the screw, applied a patch, and I was ready to go before five.  Twelve bucks.  I thought it was quite a deal.

From Jasper, we moved on to Cranes Mill CoE on Canyon Lake, near San Antonio.  Nice weather Wednesday and Thursday.  We made the drive into San Antonio for some shopping along the riverwalk on Thursday, and it was shortsleeve temps.  The weather started changing Thursday evening and we awoke Friday morning to a temperature of 24 degrees. On Friday, we made a Walmart run, and met some friends for dinner at a wonderful little Italian restaurant near the campground. Saturday’s low was 22 degrees, and it was 24 as we pulled out of the campground.  A good day’s drive got us to Balmorhea State Park.  A couple hundred miles short of El Paso, but a really nice place for an overnight. 

Sunday found us on the road early, again.  Bypassed El Paso to the North, and made our way to City of Rocks state park north of Demings, NM.  Our first time here.  A very unusual geological formation in the middle of nowhere.

We had a beautiful spot back in the rocks for Sunday night. 

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Though the park is a couple thousand acres, I would think the main boulder field to be about forty acres.  Oh, to be a kid again and have this place to play in.

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Holes used by Native Americans for grinding grain.

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The ancients also left a few other reminders of their time here, if you knew where to look.

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On Monday morning we lucked out and got one of the eight electric sites.  We wanted it so we could watch the championship game between Alabama and Clemson.

After getting set up in our new site, I headed out for a hike.  Going up there!

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It didn’t take long for the trail to get real.

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Desert water hole.

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Gaining altitude.

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Another water hole.  Large round pads, no claws, Mountain lion?

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I made it to the top.  A good start for 2017.

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Love this Country…….jc

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great travel week. Hope to see a few of those campgrounds on the way home....City of Rocks for sure!

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  2. Glad you enjoyed City of Rocks. It always seems to fascinate.

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  3. You slipped on out...at least Texas weather didn't bring the "nasty stuff" just some freezing...I always enjoy following you Two as you find terrific places that I never heard of and put on my list...safe travels...Horst sends
    ps..glad you got to stop at City of the Rocks...I enjoy that area...some super Mts to the East ....makes for some nice day trips!

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  4. Looks like Sally liked those rocks too. I've only stayed at the SP rock cg in Deming, also very nice. Good to see you're on the way west.

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  5. What an interesting week of travel!! That was quite a hike to begin 2017 with!!
    We've bought an Oliver so we can full-time again. We've been sidelined due to my year fighting cancer....all is looking good at this time. All test coming back clean and clear. We just want some time to travel and "be."
    Safe travels!!

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  6. I like the rock park, looks like a great place to stay:)

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Thanks for looking, and comments are welcome.