Jan 27th - On The Line

Seldom are we given such a gift as we were in our first  Boondocking spot - the sunset to top all sunsets.  I wanted to include 2 pictures but.....I couldn't stop!  I think you will understand.

Preview of what was to come

Warming up

Getting better and better

Can it get any better?

Yes it can!

Earth Mother & Father Sky......Thank you

After leaving Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus we headed north to Deming, NM to pick up supplies and fill up with gas, knowing that we were going to FINALLY start to do one of my favorite things! - Dry camp or as RV'ers call it - Boondocking!   Not sure why I love it so much.  Maybe, it is coming from a small town, being able to walk out my back door and head into the woods and be in Nature that makes me appreciate all the wide open spaces here in the Southwest.  Instead of feeling alone in all this space, I feel one with the earth; the ancient mountains and all the cacti and hardy trees that fight so hard to live here. 
Our first night of boondocking was just south of Lordsburg, NM on  BLM land (Bureau of Land Management land).  The public is welcome to camp on this land.  We are just asked to close any gates that we may have to open to go through.  Often this land is open range grazing for cattle.  We slipped off I-10 and immediately saw a promising piece of land.  We followed the little dirt one track back about one- eighth of a mile and came to a rest near a big rock- strewn hill.  There was also a dry river bed known out here as a "wash".  One of the important things one must know about boondocking is to never ever park your camper or put your tent in a wash.  Flash floods are devastating and are well....flash fast!  I have never seen one but I have heard the local people talk about them and the look on their faces when talking speaks loud and clear.  However, a wash has opportunities for rock hunting and after setting up camp I immediately headed out with walking stick and rucksack to check it out.  We were treated to a sunset that was beyond words and we stayed out way after dark watching every moment.
We headed out the next morning to find a little "quieter" place.  It was just about perfect except it was so near to I-10  that we heard the soft roar of the cross country truckers all night long.  We found another spot on State Trust Land on the border of Arizona and New Mexico.  We didn't have a permit to camp so we kept our fingers crossed that we wouldn't be booted out.  No booting took place.

 We are now at an RV Park named Rusty's RV Ranch where we stayed last year.  Rusty, (the owner's) mom and dad help out with the care of the park and her dad is a stitch!  He is a big "John Wayne" sized man with a long white ponytail, cowboy boots, and a holstered long barreled, 6 shooter  on his side. He met us again this year with arms opened wide for his welcome hug!

 We had an interesting bike ride after setting up camp today.  The border patrol was setting up a camp of their own about 2 miles down the road.  A portable inspection station was being hastily assembled as we rode by.  On our way back we had to stop and be "inspected".  We didn't warrant the dog- sniff inspection that each vehicle is subjected to,  just the officers to check us out and we were sent on our way.  Most of the inspection stations are permanent buildings with lots of man power and dogs.  This one had 1  dog and about 7 officers.  This is a main corridor for people coming from Mexico, especially drug runners.

Jan 25 Boondocking spot - Where the sunset  will begin soon

Fraggle Rock --- I found it!!!

Second Boondocking  spot- "Leave no prints"  We didn't but a wandering horse did.

Aren't they beautiful?

Six Shooter Bob is packing a long barreled .22 in a holster on his hip! He is the owner's father and gives the best hugs!  We were here last year! 

Jan 24th - Cool but the sun is bright!

Building another cairn in the desert

We are still hanging with Pancho Villa here in Columbus, New Mexico. The weather continues to be warmer here then  where we wish to be traveling.  So here  we will stay until the weather cooperates.    Daily bike rides around the area continue to produce new photo opportunities.  Richard has been checking out all the local flora and I have been waiting for clouds and sunsets.  With clear skies (think cold weather) there are not as many spectacular, colorful sunsets but still worth watching.  The desert, regardless of the weather conditions is so beautiful.

Pancho Villa State Park at sunset

Sunset through the trees

Aura around the sun - good weather?

The two water towers of  Columbus at dusk

The sinking sun on fire

Jan 22nd - Staying Put!

Last night we talked about perhaps riding our bikes to Mexico today.  It is only 3 miles down to the border crossing from our camp site.  However, in the clear light of dawn we rethought our plans.  A little investigation into the area turned  up - quite literally,  some reasons not to go.  On the bulletin board of the Pancho Villa Park was a recent post - Jan 19th 2011 of some "incidents" at the Columbus border.  Evidently not too long ago - only 2 months in fact, 20 bodies had been unearthed just on the other side of the border in Puerto  Palomas, Mexico.  The article also stated "It is not unusual for homicides and kidnappings of American citizens at this border crossing but many Americans believe it is perfectly safe".  (This was exactly the quote in the article)  It went on to say that several retired American citizens make the crossings each week in a tour bus from Deming, New Mexico.  The article didn't elaborate if the tour bus people all stick together once they get  over the border.  I also assume that they count noses as the people get back on the bus for the return trip across the border.  We decided that discretion was the better part of valor and just rode  around the area of the state park and little town of Columbus today! 

We had planned on leaving this park tomorrow but once again the weather man is not cooperating and the cold front will continue to hang on in the area we are trying to get to in Arizona.  So Pancho Villa will keep us company for another day. 

Court house - desert style (They should see Iron County's)

For sale..hmmmmmm

Home landscaping -where are the Marigolds?

The truly awesome Agave cactus standing a little crooked - blooms once in about 100 years  then dies- These tall stalks are the blossoms!

Jan 21st - Pancho Villa State Park

Christmas on Route 9 to Columbus, NM

Hwy 9 west from El Paso to Columbus, NM

Someone remembered

Overlooking El Paso from The Franklin Mountains

The Gift......The Red Tailed Hawk

We started out yesterday with the idea of heading north from Van Horn, TX to Carlsbad, New Mexico to visit the caverns.  Richard checked out the weather on Wunderground and discovered it was going to go down to 11 degrees at Carlsbad.  We looked at each other and in unison said "WEST".  Every now and then I have to remind myself that I am retired and do not have to follow a schedule.  That goes for traveling also.  We have decided that we will move as the spirit (and weather man predicts). 
As mentioned before we do not like to take the major interstate highways and only do so if necessary.  There just were no other roads to take to get around El Paso so we hopped onto I-10 from Van Horn and exited  as soon as possible to avoid the city.  We went north just outside of El Paso, a route that took us over the Franklin Mountains.  There was a pull off just past the pass or highest point of travel.  We stopped to take some pictures of a benevolent appearing El Paso and then slipped off the four lane onto a simple two lane that took us the 60 some miles into Columbus, New Mexico, where we are camped at Pancho Villa State Park. 

As we were driving on Route 9 west just outside of Columbus, we had pulled over so I could take a picture of a roadside memorial to someone most likely killed on that piece of roadway.  Just as I opened the door a Red Tailed Hawk took wing almost in front of me!  Without thinking I put the camera to my eye and pressed the shutter and miracle of miracles I got the photo!    What a gift. 

Jan 18th - Eye in the Sky

Our eye in the sky!

We left Marfa without seeing the "Lights"  - the reported mysterious lights in the sky that have been reported in this part of Texas since 1881.  The lights have become so popular that the city of Marfa built a viewing center to help the ranchers keep the public out of their cattle fields.  As dusk settled in so did the viewers so that by full dark there were several people hoping to see the "lights".  Alas, the moon rose almost full but no spectral lights were to be seen in the southern sky over the fields of Marfa.  We stayed in the well maintained parking lot with hopes that we wouldn't be asked to leave by the local authorities.  Nothing disturbed us but the regular trains running through 200 feet to our north.  We continued on our way this morning with our nose pointed west once more.  As we were getting close to Van Horn, TX a large white blimp like object appeared about 500 feet over our heads.  We saw these objects several times last year in our travels through Arizona, Texas and New Mexico but never one quite so low and close to us.  After taking a few pictures of it we passed the "launching" pad of the TARS (Tethered Aerostat Radar System) from the US Air Force which provides detection and monitoring of the border between Mexico and the USA. (Also watches over the Florida Straits and parts of the Caribbean in the support of the counter drug program.

Suffice to say they look like fat white birds floating around the sky.  We stopped in Van Horn and decided to stay in the RV park here and do a little exploring on our bikes.  It was an incredibly warm beautiful day - the best we have had in a very long time.  We took advantage of every minute!

Hwy 54 north of Van Horn, Tx

Van Horn "art"

Warming up!!!

On way to Marathon, Tx from Fort Stockton, Tx

Looming mountain  toward Big Bend National Park

Sun breaking through!!!!

Back yard of camp ground

Yes, they have resident chickens! X 4

"I get to lay my green eggs here!"

I'm retired!!!!

Jan 15th - We left Sanderson, TX for Marathon, TX. this morning.  We are staying on Hwy. 90 that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso.  It used to be the main thoroughfare through the southern part of Texas before Interstate 10 was built.  We hopped onto 90 just west of Del Rio and will continue on to Van Horn where 90 connects with I-10.  It is a wonderful road - almost,but not quite a Blue Road.  Very little traffic compared to I-10.  Everything slows down and you can see wildlife, ranches and everything from very  flat expanse of land to rolling hills that become mountains in the high desert.  We traveled this road last year.  You can easily get to the Big Bend National Park from Marathon, and I would advise anyone going through this part of Texas to do so.    We took that route last year from Marathon through the National Park and on to Presidio, TX where we had the chance to cross over into Mexico for a short visit. 

We are staying here for a couple of days and hope to take advantage of good weather for a good long bike ride tomorrow!  It is so nice to feel the temperature rise enough to take off the long underwear!!!

Jan 14th - Still in Sanderson, TX

We were only going to stay in Sanderson, TX for one night and then move on west to our projected destination of somewhere in Arizona but the cold front that is holding the US in its tight little fist has kept us in south Texas instead of moving on to New Mexico and Arizona.  We decided that 27 degrees at night was better then 13 degrees in an area of Arizona that we wanted to head to.  We had to remind ourselves that we do not have to be anywhere at anytime so we are residing in Sanderson until the weather warms up further west of us.  The sun is shining and it does warm up during the day  to about 55 degrees, max,  so what is there to complain  about?  No floods, no ice storms, it is just a little nippy in the night and early AM. Our greatest worry is keeping the water lines open during the night.  We were still able to go for a walk and a bike ride today.  All is well.

We will head on to Fort Stockton, TX tomorrow AM which is about 65 miles north of Sanderson.  We will then back tract to Route 90 to Marfa and Alpine.  There are a couple of areas I want to revisit on route 90 that we covered last year.  Don't think we will head south into the Big Bend National Park this year.  The elevation will make it even colder then what we are experiencing north of the park.  We will then cross over into New Mexico and then onto Arizona.  Hopefully by then the weather will have changed and a warm front will move in.  We can only hope!!!  Richard went for a walk this morning while I was making bread and we both went for a bike ride this afternoon in the sunshine and warmed up.   The people here are very friendly.  This little town reminds us of small communities in Iron County.  Once again, people are pretty much the same regardless of the accent!

Protective hills of surrounding Sanderson, TX on east side of town

My new home - I love the stones!

Richard  in red!

East side of Sanderson, TX

Oldest structure in Sanderson - just down from trian depot

Jan 12th - Sanderson, TX

Flat Texas terrain outside of Del Rio

Changing terrain going west

Border Patrol "dragging"  the ground near the borders to detect footprints

Dirt "roads" on each side of Hwy for Border Patrol checks

Sanderson, TX RV Park (home for the night)

We have once again found ourselves in Sanderson, TX in the same campground we stayed last year but much has changed or perhaps, continued to decline here.  Sanderson is between Del Rio to the east and Big Bend National Park to the south and Alpine, TX to the west along highway 90.    Richard took a walk through this little village and almost every one of the business establishments are closed.  There is a gas station on the east end of town, this RV park which caters to mostly permanent oil field workers, and little else.  There is a school in town that must pull in its student body from very rural areas. 

The big difference that is noted as one drives from the far south east of Texas to this area that is moving on up north and west is that the terrain is getting hilly.  Altitude has gone from 112 feet back in Zapata to 2,200 feet just outside of Sanderson.  Also the presence of the Border Patrol is heavily felt as the border runs very close throughout the area from Del Rio to just east of here where we moved on north of it.  We went through two Border check points today and they are serious about their work.  Dogs at each stop that sniff all around each vehicle as it stops at the check point.  The officer at the stop asks where we have been, where we are going, if we are US citizens.  We have not been asked to exit the vehicle for an interior check of the camper as yet.  Guess we don't fit the profile!

We had so hoped for warmer weather as we continued our travels across Texas but it just isn't to be.  This cold front has the whole US in its grip.  Once again it will drop down to about 20 degrees  here tonight which means we will get up frequently (read - Richard :)  bless his heart;  to run water to keep the lines open.  Checking out the US weather map it doesn't look like there is much warm weather to be had anywhere except southern California and the very tip of Florida down near the Keys.  The sun continues to come up each morning and it does shine now and then.  Life is good!

Jan 10th Zapata, TX

Sunset in Palacios, TX

I know...enough chickens!  Couldn't help myself!!!

One of hundreds of wind turbines in south Texas

A pair of Falcons near "Falcon Reservoir"

Jan 10th and we are here in Zapata, TX  which is a long stone's throw from  the border of Mexico across the Falcon Reservoir.   We stayed here last year and rode our bikes to the huge reservoir made from damning up the Rio Grande.  Last year the fishermen at the water front were complaining that the water level was so low and they couldn't get any good game fish.  This year the powers that be must have decided that they needed more  sport fishermen in the area and opened the flood gates to allow more water in the reservoir.  There would be no way to sit and take pictures where we did last year.....unless we were treading water!  I guess I have reservations about reservoirs.  This one was created to provide hydroelectricity, flood control and irrigation for the area.  But.....it also destroys the animal and bird habitat  of the area, not to mention destroys  the lives of all who lived there before the dam was created.  This reservoir was dedicated in 1953 by the presidents of both the US and Mexico.  Ironically, it was named after a woman -- Maria de la Garza Falcon from the town of Falcon which was "displaced" (flooded) when the reservoir was created. 

More interesting; there is no port of entry by land to Mexico from the US, in the Zapata area.  There have been several  pirate attacks by Mexicans in US waters  in 2010 of fishermen or pleasure boaters in the reservoir. One man was shot in the head and  killed and his wife injured while jet skiing in the reservoir  this past summer. Later, the chief investigator in the case (from Mexico) was found beheaded in Mexico. Evidently the area is a highly contested drug cartel area and the different gangs are fighting for the control of the drug routes into the US.  We will stick to bike riding and out of the water!!
 
We are moving on tomorrow toward the Laredo area as the weather here is due for a 4 day stretch of rain and dropping temperatures.

One comment about the "windmills" or wind turbines that we passed about 80 miles back toward the Gulf.  There was a double row of these that went on for over 5 miles.  We pulled off the road and just sat and listened to the "whosh" as they turned.  They are so much larger then the photo shows.  They appear out of the mist across the land like alien creations  from outer space.