Category: National Parks

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A Travato 59K is waiting for us in Texas

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June 1 we flew to San Antonio, Texas. We were chauffeured by Rick, cousin of Barry Gorden (Motown Music Founder), to KerRVille where our van was waiting. We learned so much about how to operate it from Keith, for which we are very grateful. We also appreciate the small town service of Otis, Todd, Shannon and Keri. Thank you so much!
We bought a Winnebago Travato 59K which is a converted RAM 3500 high top extended cargo van. This is the layout of the 21′ length – everything we need!
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We did not linger in Kerrville because of the intense rains forecast. We drove to Fredericksburg in the rain and spent the night there. We had a pleasant evening but it did rain all night – so we know our van is waterproof!
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Our first National Park with the Travato is LBJ childhood home. The Texas White house is closed due to flooding but we enjoyed our time here very much. Good movies on both LBJ and Lady Bird – seemed like a good start as they did much to preserve some of the beauty of our country.
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We took a ranger led tour and sat on the front porch.

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We left early and drove to Ft Stockton to skirt all of the storms. We were successful!
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Our first purchase was this fresh water hose. Newbies trying to figure this out. We love that the Travato is fully self contained and that the solar panels recharge the “house” battery.
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The little kitchenette, 2 coach seats swivel with airline type trays, overhead cabinets have lots of storage, 2 twin beds that can push together and also tilt for reading/TV viewing. Sliding screen door and lots of windows – good cross breezes.
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After a visit to Ft Davis Historic Site, and the local library, we headed up into the hills and found this The Nature Conservancy Trail and picnic area.
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Seemed like a good spot for wine o’clock and then to spend the night.
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Guadalupe National Park with Chollas blooming.
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Our camp site for 2 nights. Interior of van is 6′-3″ so Henry does not hit his head.
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An automatic awning over the picnic table. Wine O’clock in style!
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We got up early and hiked Guadalupe Peak. A 3,000′ elevation gain!
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This formation of El Capitan from the top reminded us of Michigan lower peninsula.
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What lies ahead? We wander into New Mexico.
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The Mexican Trestle Bridge hike in Cloudcroft where we spent a night.
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We went to the space museum in Alamogordo. This was the moon model behind Walter Cronkite when he gave all those updates on the astronauts. Pretty interesting that it is preserved here.
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Capitan is home of Smokey the Bear and they have a museum to him.

 

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Fraser – Rocky Mountain National Park

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From our friend’s condo, we hiked from the Red Gate down to Hideaway Park in Winter park to ride the bus back home. Still snow on the ski runs as you can see.
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We hiked along a creek, stopping for lunch to enjoy this view.
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Shadow Mountain Lookout Tower in RMNP was a beautiful destination. Notice the chipmunk in the foreground.
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This is classic CCC architecture.
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St Thomas Virgin Islands

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We rented a 2 bed, 2 bath condo on Bolongo Bay – this is view from the balcony. Very nice! Thank you to the owner Sue for being on VRBO and sharing with us.
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Got in some pool time. It was a nice each to walk around with a restaurant and ar – you really did not have to leave this little bit of paradise.
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Relaxing before the big event…
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And here we are dressed and ready for the party at the Ritz.
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A very handsome couple
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Here comes the bride: father and daughter
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Under the gazebo on the bay –
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You may kiss the bride. Yeah!
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Our niece is married!
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The best men…with the cake!

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Happy Mother’s Day with a rum punch to send the newlyweds on their way!
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A day trip to Virgin Island National Park on St John – gorgeous day!
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So glad this island was preserved from development!
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This was very pleasant way to end the day.

 

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Wupatki and Sunset Crater NM, near Flagstaff, AZ

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The Raven and Wupatki Pueblo
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Box Canyon Pueblo in early morning light — Wupatki NM.
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Box Canyon Pueblo was fun to explore — amazing architecture!
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Lamar Pueblo was just down the road in Wupatki NM
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Detail of Lamar Pueblo. Imagine living here!
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Is that incredible!!! So much more picturesque with the snow on that black volcanic rock!
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Standing in front of the lava field with a very interesting old tree.
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Beautiful.
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Around Sedona, AZ

 

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Montezuma Castle NM
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Hey – my man Teddy was hanging out at the Montezuma Castle visitor center. We had a chat…
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Tuzigoot NM
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Incredible panorama near Sedona with a dusting of snow to highlight the red rocks.

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Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ

 

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Sunrise with moon and Venus
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What a way to start the day!
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This is our home – weather is predicting some rain storms so we snagged this site with the Ramada.
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Reflections from the overnight rain.
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Really fun to experience the morning changes.
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On the hiking trail to Lost Cabin — found but lost agian.
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See how these Chollas jump!
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Old wheel near the Victoria Mine
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There is a bull on the rock face behind us – a nice steep climb to this point.
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But it is worth it for the views towards Mexico!
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Awesome to be able to just relax and enjoy the day.
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This is the view from near the Rancher’s Line Camp.
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And looking the other direction is The Border…and The Fence.
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Look how it runs as far as the eye can see straight up the distant hill.
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The old Wangler’s Line Camp building.
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Let’s ‘off road’ Motor — with amphibious Mini!
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Another incredible sunset in the Arizona desert.

 

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Tumacacori National Historic Site and Anza Trail

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The Mission is on the Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail – we had visited here last year but did not hike any of the trail. This year after our trip to Tubac and hiking some of the trail there, we focused on this part of the history.
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Such a beautiful detail against a pure blue sky.
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The Anza trail is between here and the mountains. It enters the USA just south of here around Nogales and goes all the way to San Francisco as he set up the Mission there. There is an Anza Borrega State Park South of Pam Springs we visited.
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Another view with an interesting sky against the Tumacacori mountains.
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I did not know the origins of the name Arizona! The good oak tree is hard to find.
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Here is the section of the Anza trail behind the Mission’s orchard.
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A large flood plain as the river changes depending on the water flow.
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We chose this spot to have our picnic lunch. The water is moving quite rapidly and we watched the sandy bottom shift its ripples.
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These riparian ways are really known for their birding opportunities. We hear a lot of different songs but they are hard to capture with our camera – however this lovely one kept us company during our rest. A huge flock of raven circled overhead making quite a racket – wonder what all that was about!

Here is the blog posting from our visit last year

http://tealsky.com/2014/12/29/tumacacori-national-historic-site/

and from Anza Borrega State Park http://tealsky.com/2011/01/20/anza-borrego/