Road trip

We got started this morning early because we are camped a long way from Death Valley. There was a 5000 foot descent down to sea level as we entered the park. That's equivalent to driving to the river from the rim of the Grand Canyon. It was quite a road. The temp increased as we descended. Death Valley is the largest park in the lower 48. It's 1/3 larger than Yellowstone. 3 million acres. Hard to see in just a few hours. The ranger we talked to at the visiters center strongly suggested we stay on paved roads so we did for the most part. It was a 9 1\2 hour day trip. 116 degrees was the hottest we saw. There were no campers anywhere in any campgrounds in the park. It was just too hot.

Lone Pine CA.

We are out of Joshua Tree. Our plan is to drive up the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains and see what we can see. We went into a visitor center here and left 30 minutes later with a 3 inch stack of ideas. Tomorrow we will drive the car into Death Valley. 110 degrees is in the forcast so camping there isn't going to work. It will be an all day drive. This pic is of Mt. Whitney. It's the highest point in the lower 48. 14,495 feet. Death Valley has the lowest point in N. America  -282 feet. Only 90 miles separates the two elevations.

Lotta Rocks

This place is a rock climbing mecca. Some of the climbing routes have metal eye bolts drilled into the granite. We have seen some of those routes but we haven't seen any climbers on them. The park was really packed today. I guess these California heathens don't go to church. There were so many people here I had to be careful when I did my rock rolling. The rock in the pic went over pretty easily and made a nice crash.

Joshua Tree day 3

Today's big event was......wait for it......wait for it.....A Hike! We are somewhat predictable. The hike is the most popular in the park. It involved a 1000 foot climb in a mile and a half up to the breathtaking elevation of 5400 feet. There were definitely a lot of people. Most of them were Oriental. I swear I saw Kim Jung Un. I don't know why he left N Korea. I guess everyone needs a vacation. Tomorrow will be our last full day here. We have been good on our water usage. I'm sure we could go several more days. There isn't a dump station here so that's something we'll have to find on the way out.

Connor's birthday

First thing on the agenda was a phone call to Connor. We drove to a place with coverage. He was at school. After that disappointment we drove on a dirt road to a trailhead and did a hike. The park rules allow you to go anywhere. We have been doing a lot of off trail scrambling on the rocks. We finally got Connor on the phone and continued our exploration. Jenny asked me to sit on a cactus thinking it would be a good pic. Some profound advice to all you husbands out there. You don't always have to do what your wife asks.

Joshua Tree day 1

We\I had an epic fail today. When we got to an acceptable campsite at Joshua Tree   I was setting things up outside and when I got to the satellite I couldn't find the dish. This is a hard thing to lose in the back of a car. I had left it at our Salton Sea camp. DAMN! I drove back and got it. That won't happen again. I really learn things good, the hard way. In spite of my faux pas we did have a late afternoon, 3 mile hike, to a desert oasis. There are a number of these in the park. We heard and saw a small rattlesnake on the hike. We are camped among the rocks. We can get cell after a drive toward 29 Palms. That's a town. I call it a town but it doesn't have a Walmart.

Joshua Tree

We are camped in the park, I'm just outside the park at the moment. We have no cell, no WiFi, no water, no electricity. Get the picture?  Should be here until Monday. Will send some SPOTS if I think about it.

Salton Sea State Recreation Area

Today was really fun [sarcasm]. We went into the RV place early because we had another issue with the MP, other than the lock, that needed attention. The toilet was loose. It's fixed now but getting it fixed was not a sure thing. We got the new lock around 2 and hit the highway at 3 something. We got here a little after 5. I have flown over the Salton Sea many times and just wanted to see it up close. The lake filled up in 1905 when a flood on the Colorado River broke a dyke and the entire river flowed into this low basin for 16 months before they could stop it. There is very productive farm land just north of the lake. Runoff from those farms has screwed up the water. It's not only salty but it's polluted with organic matter. That kills the fish. There is a fairly pungent odor blowing off the water. The icing on the cake is a heavily used railroad track just across the road from the campground. This is where we turn North. Tomorrow should be Joshua Tree. Don't know about cell service.

The MP Strikes Back episode 11

Yesterday afternoon I needed to go outside but found myself locked in. The main door has ceased to function. It was frozen shut. I couldn't get it to work no matter what I did. We called a locksmith and he came out this morning. He couldn't get it to open either. We called coach net (that's Rv's AAA) the best they could do was the end of June in Reno. I'm not  kidding. We found an RV fixit place across the river and he agreed to look at it. We drove over there all hooked up expecting to be sent on our way and having to use the cab doors for the next month. Turns out he appeared to be a pretty sharp guy. He was able to get the door open but the latch\lock was shot. After some effort he found the part but it he had to order it. It will be sometime  tomorrow so we have reluctantly returned to the commercial campground we were in last night. We had a rough plan that is now another MP casualty. She continues to fight back after being fixed again and again. I wish she would just give up.

Almost in California

We are in Ehrenberg AZ. It's on I 10. The commercial campground we are in has a few hundred feet of frontage on the Colorado River. Right across the river is Blythe CA. We drove across the river to do some grocery shopping. We will be in CA for at least a couple of weeks. The Salton Sea is next followed by Joshua Tree. We have Memorial Day coming up which will complicate our campsite choices. I did a paddle on the river before dinner.

Thank God film is free

Our day was filled with a 20 mile dirt road drive through the desert. There were several warning signs concerning the possibility of encountering human travelers. We did find a watering station that was marked with a blue flag on a long pole. We found an empty, black, gallon water jug. We were told by the ranger that they use black bottles because normal 'milk jug' type bottles can somehow be seen from helicopters at night. Wow, and I thought I knew everything! We also found a serape that was well worn. Apparently the northward migration is still under way. Our drive included 2 fairly vigorous hikes. The scenery was awesome. We both took too many pictures but there was a scene that was picture worthy around every turn. We covered the 20 miles in 5 hours. That's retirement pace.

"OOH!! SO THAT'S A WEDGIE"

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Well, I was wrong about cell service. The story is as follows: This park was closed for 11 years following the shooting death of a ranger by some drug smugglers. One of the conditions that was deemed essential for the reopening was phone service for visitors. This section of the border is used for illegal crossings. Jenny read some statistics about the park as we were driving here. There are 20 arrests every month in the park. In 2014, 29 bodies were recovered in the park. There are Border Patrol check points on the park road and the park enforcement rangers have been increased from 5 to 20. Anyway, we can only run the generator a little while in the morning and afternoon and there are no hookups of any kind in the campground. I have included a pic of an organ pipe cactus. This park is its northern limit. It is more common in Mexico because it is susceptible to frost.

ATTENTION BLOG FOLLOWERS

Tomorrow we will be moving to Organ Pipe National Monument. It is right on the Mexican Border. We will be boon - docking. The chances of phone or Internet are very slim. We will send a spot every afternoon. Our stay will probably be only 2 nights but not sure. Today I did a morning desert bike ride and then we did a tour of Biosphere 2. We all live in Biosphere 1 (you know? Earth) really interesting. In the early 90s a small group of Biospherians lived in the completely closed system for 2 years to simulate an outpost on another planet. There were problems but it worked for the most part. The project was financed by a Texas Gazillionare. The project has changed its focus several times and is now part of ASU's science department. They are doing research that is appropriate for today's degradation of Biosphere 1. After that we went to a botanical garden and attempted to learn a couple of hundred plant names. Jenny had a chile relleno for lunch. We leave tomorrow.

Catalina day 2

When we checked in yesterday a lady came into the office and told the ranger she had just seen a mountain lion in the campground. The ranger's response was somewhat nonchalant. Last night we were out in the car and had a stare down with a coyote. Needless to say I carried my bear repellent on our hike this morning. We walked up the mountain behind the park for 2 hours. Our goal was a series of spring fed pools. The last time Tucson had measurable rain was last January so we weren't expecting to see any water. We were wrong. There was a little stream flowing for a few hundred yards. We have booked 3 nights here so we'll do something tomorrow.

Catalina State Park AZ

We are sort of in Tucson. There is a shopping center across the street from the entry gate. We have been needing to get a few things done and we did those things this afternoon. We are in the Sonoran desert now. It's identifying plant is the Saguaro cactus. I did a short exploratory bike ride before dinner and took these pics. We are not far from the 'Biosphere'. It was originally built to simulate a long space journey by having different biomes located in a closed system. There were people trying to survive in that thing. I can't remember what happened. If we do the tour I'll ask and pass it on

Pancho Villa St Park Columbus NM

There is a lot going on around here. I will give a synopsis. Poncho Villa and a band of miscreants crossed the border and attacked Columbus NM on March 9th, 1916. That attack prompted a massive response headed by General Blackjack Pershing. 10,000 troops headed south looking for the rascal. 6 months later they gave up and returned empty handed. That attack was the last time an armed force crossed our borders. The campaign was the first time airplanes were used by us in wartime and our first military airfield was built here. It was also the first time our military used mechanized vehicles. General Pershing and his troops were soon called up to fight in WW1. The experience they received chasing Pancho was deemed critical to our success in that war. Jenny and I walked across the border and ate lunch and did some shopping. Tomorrow is our  42nd anniversary. The drive out here was desolate and the wall went to the horizon in both directions.

Happy Birthday Jenny

I planned a very special day to celebrate. I wanted to do all the things Jenny loves. Over the last few years birthdays have deteriorated so I decided I would "Make Birthdays Great Again". I knew I could do it cause I'm a really smart guy and I knew I could afford to go all out cause I'm really, really rich. The really fantastic day began with a hike guided by me. I gave myself a HUUUGE tip at the end because my guiding was really, unbelievably fantastic. We then went to lunch at a restaurant that I could have bought with the change under my Mar-a-lago living room couch cushions. We are now back at the chump change pit. I have been reliving the day because I love celebrating my successes.

Hueco Tanks State Park

That's pronounced like the Texas town "Waco". In fact Waco is a mutation of Hueco, which means hollows in the rock. These are rock basins that fill with water. There are a lot of them in this park. They are all dry because it hasn't rained here in forever. This water attracted people for centuries and, people being people, they painted graffiti everywhere. Pictographs. The park protects an 800 acre outcrop of granite that has huecos and pictographs. The hiking consists of climbing around on the rocks. We did that for a couple of hours after lunch.

Davis Mountains State Park

We have been here at least 3 times. It was a convenient stop and it's a good park. I did a bike ride and then we did a hike above the campground. I took some pics but I'm not sure if they will post. We seem to camp in Internet dead zones a lot.

On the road again

We are finally moving again. The MP was parked at Seminole Canyon for 9 days. Tonight is Davis Mts. State park. Then Hueco Tanks St. Park near El Paso for a couple of days. We should be out of Texas next Tuesday. Stopped for lunch in Marathon. Hence the pic.

Pecos river trip

Well, I don't know where to start. My college buddy didn't show up so I did it solo. Turns out we got our days mixed up. He and his group were thinking Saturday instead of Friday. I'm not sure I should take the blame but I will. The entire 7 day trip I didn't see anyone. Kinda weird but it was sure quiet. I took gopro video of some of the rapids I went through and the camera says I have taken 57 videos. It was pretty hairy in a few places. I lost My Tilley hemp hat in one of the more "exciting" chutes. I rate that trip as one of the 10 best of my life. It was difficult, beautiful, exciting and I was alone. Right up my alley. We have decided to stay at Seminole Canyon another day.

Jason takes a chance

Seminole Canyon SP

No problems on the drive out. Jason and I did a long hike after we got setup. Jenny has a sore knee and decided to give it a rest. I get on the water tomorrow and Jenny and Jason will return to SA.

SA days 4 & 5

Yesterday was lunch at Jason & Maggie's and dinner with Alan & Donna. It was a high calorie day. Today was a bike ride in McAllister park and a meeting of the Everett brain trust. Tomorrow we drive west on Hwy 90 to Seminole Canyon State park. Jason has agreed to go along so that Jenny won't have to drive back to SA alone. I am going to be dropped off on the Pecos River for a week of paddling with a Aggie buddy and a few others. Jenny will be with her dad and the MP will be a alone at the state park. At the end of the trip Jenny will pick me up and we will continue westward. I will send a spot every afternoon so if you're on the list you should expect that. Blog posts might be problematic.

SA days 2 & 3

I rode my bike on the Salado Creek Greenway yesterday. It has been under construction for literally a decade. Every time I come here I ride it to see what has been done since I was here last. Well, it is apparently finished. I kept asking people where the end was, and I was getting mixed answers. I figured I rode at least 20 miles. I did get to the end. This pic is what the oaks look like near Larson's house. They were denuded by a severe hail storm 2 weeks ago. He needs a new roof. Jeff's car was totaled. He had a dent in every square inch of the hood and roof.