Heading north
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Leaving Fort Davis, TX we headed north through high rolling hills of pale yellow grass, Mexican pinion, and hairpin turns. After an hour it seemed we were once again on a flat plain surrounded by distant mountains - or are we on a plateau? That vertical/horizontal trick is still playing with my senses. An altimeter would set me straight … but I’m kind of enjoying the imbalance. The colors, althou at first seemingly monochromatic, are beautiful! Straw, ochre, russet, sage, and pops of lime.
I am constantly overwhelmed by how big the sky is out here! It just never ceases to amaze me. The expansive view is quite calming - being able to see so far into the distance - and it makes me feel so small. Not insignificant… it just reminds me of all the things that I do not know. It makes me feel connected, human.
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Somewhere along Rt 54 north of Van Horn, TX
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Entering Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas / New Mexico border
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We stopped at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 755’ below the surface of the Earth we wandered for close to 2 miles through 8.2 acres of underground wonder. It is very difficult to explain and even more difficult to photograph. Dimly lit and practically alone we traversed this underground chapel with only the sound of dripping water.
Although the cavern was visited by Native Americans over 1,000 years ago, they left no record of entering its darkest zones, leaving only a few drawings on the cave walls closest to the natural entrance. In the early 1900's the cave was first explored by a local, Jim White. He kept trying to convince people of what he found inside the dark reaches of the cave ..... and no one believed him. Finally, in 1915, after taking a photographer with him on one trip and whose subsequent photos were displayed in town, people began begging to see it! Still, the US Department of the Interior was skeptical that such a natural scenic wonder could exist. In 1924 National Geographic sent a team and later that year Carlsbad Caverns were declared a national monument.
stalactites and stalagmites
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columns
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There are a lot of options for overnighting while you are traveling, especially in a rig as small as ours. When, and if, we are covering a lot of ground to get from one point to the other, we will often stay at a truck stop. You can gas up, fill propane and/or empty the septic, pick up bottled water …..or any needed salt related products. Truthfully, I felt a bit odd doing this at first - but now I look at it like it’s a Motel 6 stop - except it’s free! I’m arriving late and I’m only staying 1 night. All I want to do is eat something (that I actually already have onboard) and go to sleep (in my own bed). The truck stop gets my business - buying gasoline, propane, whatever …..and I get a parking space - preferably in a darkish corner, to sleep comfortably in! Win, Win!!
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When we do want to spend some time in an area, we always prefer to stay in state parks. They are plentiful, inexpensive, usually in a beautiful setting and quite well kept - each having an on site “camp host” as well as the regular park rangers. Many of them offer “full hook ups” - water, and electric. Unlike private or “lifestyle” campgrounds, I have found that state park campgrounds are populated by people that prefer nature and outdoor experiences, care about the environment, and are looking for a quiet, subdued atmosphere. I have found most of these people to be friendly and open, willing and wanting to have a conversation about their “rigs”, favorite places and what their travel goals are. There are weekenders, lifers, yearly travelers, and those just experimenting for the first time. Old people, families, empty nesters, and young couples. Huge 30-40’ rigs with all the bells and whistles, old trailers that have seen better days but are still going, pop-ups and tiny tear drops, crazy self and custom built stealth campers and, of course, the basic tent. Each camper brings their own agenda - whose focus it is to fish everyday, hike, bike, geocache, bird watch, sunset watch or just….. sit. It is an amalgam of people - an interesting “melting pot” of humanity.
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Brantley Lake State Park
Carlsbad, NM
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