Valley of Fires BLM for 4 nights with full electric – such a nice area to camp.Enjoying our wine o’clock outdoors on 12 January – beautiful day.Travato has 48,000 miles of fun – and a great pullout to commemorate.The Smokey Bear Historical Site has added this tribute to firefighters since we were last here in Capitan in 2016 when the Travato had less than 10,000 miles.Only YOU can prevent forest fires.We walked around Ft Stanton NHS before an Oso Good Chili Burger & Chicken fried steak at Oso Grille in Capitan.Memorable end to a great day trip before heading to Three Rivers Petroglyphs BLM.Two nights with electrical here with very pleasant walks among these petroglyphs.Oliver Lee State Park, Site 19, was one of 2 sites not reserved. We had to go online to reserve after we got there and only available for one night but was worthwhile.We only did a short hike but beautiful cactus and other desert landscape.Our destination was a small pool that creates a waterfall after rains.Almost full moon rise with a beautiful sunset – right from our campsite.White Sands National Park hike to Alkaline Flats, marked with these poles.Interesting wind patterns create an oasis with vegetation.So many interesting sand/wind formations.We were able to get our Site #1 at Aguirre Campground in Organ Mountains National Monument – BLM.Getting ready to hike Baylor Pass somewhere behind me.Looking across to Pine Tree Loop which we will hike tomorrow.Testing aerodynamics against the wind.The full moon setting at sunrise. This is not photo-shopped – it is really what we experienced.
We dispersed camped here at San Lorenzo Canyon BLM area to enjoy the sunshine.We walked into the canyon areas and enjoyed the natural beauty of the rock formations.Interesting colors and layers – very fun to climb on and explore. We were here last year and it was worth returning. https://tealsky.com/2021/02/08/san-lorenzo-and-bosque-del-apache/Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument has 3 different areas that were built by 17th century Spanish Franciscan missionaries in Native American areas.These were huge cathedral style buildings built in the ancestor puebloan style using stones from the local areas.Really wonderful construction details and such height!The third building has a different type of grey rock in the area which was interesting.An area to learn how to be an archeologist – sifting out the sand.
4 January 2022 – clear roads beckoned us to head south into New Mexico.We explored Los Alamos with a nice take out spicy lunch. Then Bandelier National Monument where had our choice of any campsite.We hiked from campground at top of mesa to the Valley below to enjoy the remnants from the past.Gorgeous scenery along the way – keeping our eyes open for cliff dwellings.Ladders to reach those dwelling above us.A rock formation that looks carved but is natural.The second day we hiked further down the canyon to the waterfall where we enjoyed sunshine and solitude.
Taking a break: How many miles have we driven?A pleasant campsite at Cass Lake near the headwaters of the Mississippi River — along our route.We had a proper sunset view from CG in Apostle Islands NLS.Marquette’s Ore loading dock – we got a take out pizza and enjoyed this View!The coveted photo: Miners Castle at Pictured Rocks NLS. We last visited in 2016.Hiked in to see this beautiful waterfall at Pictured Rocks NLS.More water falls to enjoy.Long sand beaches for our morning walks. Spectacular to be here.We walked about 2 miles along the shoreline to reach Au Sable Light Station.Time for a bit of maintenance – replacing the headlight bulb — took watching YouTube video on phone, buying bulb, and lots of patience using improvised tools.Whitefish Point Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior, protecting part of this notorious 80-mile stretch.The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 with her entire crew of 29 lies just 15 miles northwest of Whitefish Point.The many moods of Lake Superior have caught many ships unaware.We hung out for the day and spent the night at this boat launch as all nearby campgrounds were full on a Saturday night.Water in this bay was warm and calm enough for a swim.Sault Ste Marie Soo Locks had an outdoor viewing platform to watch the freighters rise or fall to the proper level of lake Superior or Lake Huron.Freighter coming out of Soo locks at a nearby park where we had a picnic lunch.Front row seat to continue watching the freighters during Wine o’clock and dinner at Bay Mills CG.The Mackinaw Bridge! 3,000 miles in 3 weeks since we have left home. Ready to visit Mom!
Starting our drive across the country…It is all in how your measure it.A nice reservoir here to enjoy a quiet evening.Gorgeous reflections this morning on the Little Missouri in Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South Unit.Watching a herd of Bison crossing the Little Missouri – water low enough we could cross also.A Bison traffic jam. We are late to start a hike!Seeing the Bison up close from the van.The historic original entrance gate to the National Park before it was rerouted through Medora, ND.Amazing CCC stone work with precise joints.Wild horses or as the rangers say feral horses but they have been here a long time.Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting cabin – this was where he came for his solitude.Hiked the Caprock Coulee Trail in North Unit with a stop at River Bend Overlook and the CCC structure.Hoodoos in the badlands. We saw a bunch of petrified wood also.A geological phenomenon called concretions – bowling ball type of rocks embedded in other rock.Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site – we were here also 10 years ago.The display hasn’t changed but we enjoyed being able to be here again.Driving across country we passed KVLY-TV Tower, Western Hemisphere’s Tallest Structure at 2,063 ft is in North Dakota.
So many beautiful alpine lakes in this one area of the Snowy Mountain Range.The lakes appear to change color during the day as they reflect the mood of the sky.As we hike by, there are numerous reflection of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.On top of the world: the first day hike is to summit Medicine Bow Peak.We were here 7 years ago and took a picture at this spot at start of hike to Lost Lake. https://tealsky.com/2014/09/08/medicine-bow-national-forest-in-wyoming/Our bit of Paradise for 5 nights! Sugarloaf campground has 16 sites and one can start many great hikes – starting elevation 10,700.Easy stroll to Libby Lake to watch the changing shadows on Sugarloaf.Another beautiful September day for a hike to Lake Maria. A great way to celebrate Labor Day.
Columbines blooming are a sure sign of spring. Lots of wildflowers on the trails.
White fluffy clouds just say summer to me.
Day trip to near by Echo Reservoir to enjoy the wonderful sunshine.
Another day trip to Santa Fe – 160 miles one way to the charging station. Oh, and could not pass on some great shopping!
Nice stop for coffee break. Took about 40 minutes to add 140 miles of charge (for a total 225 miles to return home).
Our first restaurant dining since Spain in 2020 – great outdoor patio with spicy New Mexican food.
We built this kayak stand to give us more room in the garage – works great!
Another building project?
A bug hotel for our 6-year-old great-nephew. We had fun painting and decorating!
We did an overnight trip to South Fork and got a hike in together as well.
He also came to see our house and check out the kid size bridge in our Japanese Garden- a fun day of mini-golf, picnic lunch, library summer reading, and a walk along the river.
We dodged some summer storms but managed a few evening concerts in the park.
Wandered downtown on 4th of July to see all having fun floating along the river.
Cruised downtown for the car show – dressed to match so owner wanted a photo.
