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Boondocker · 10-18-2009, 06:51 PM

OK, I have been really terrible about updates. Maybe I will get to it in a day or so. In the mean time here is some eye candy.

Gene · 10-18-2009, 06:55 PM

I was going to PM you to see where you were. Kind of looks like Durango area. Glad you are still alive.

Gene

Boondocker · 10-18-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

I was going to PM you to see where you were. Kind of looks like Durango area. Glad you are still alive.

Gene

From where I last saw you (Heron Lake) I went over to the San Juan river for a week, then down to Jemez, to Alb (pick mom up at airport) the Balloon Rally, to Santa Fe, back to Heron Lake, back to Jemez, to Alb (drop mom off at airport), to Manzano, to Pumpkin Chunkin at Estancia, to Three Rivers Petroglyphs today.

dstalzer · 10-19-2009, 06:20 AM

Great pictures Rodney. We were wondering where you were and knew you were going to the Pumpkin Chunkin. We had hoped you did not get in the way of one of the pumpkin canons we heard about. It would be fun to see pictures of that event too. Great to hear of your adventures on the road.
Best wishes for a safe journey.

Dennis & Kate

Gene · 10-19-2009, 08:13 AM

Rodney, now I remember, that must be the Chama to Antonito RR.

Gene

Boondocker · 10-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Three Rivers Petroglyphs. This site is administered by the BLM. Two RV sites ($10 I think with elect and water/ $5 with any of the federal passes) day use and dry camping $2 or free with any of the federal passes. Dry camping area is very un-level so bring leveling boards.

Petroglyphs of uncertain meaning, produced approximately 500 years ago by a people with no known living descendants.

Boondocker · 10-19-2009, 02:19 PM

Boondocker · 10-19-2009, 03:20 PM

Boondocker · 10-19-2009, 06:42 PM

Boondocker · 10-20-2009, 10:45 AM

Trip Update October 20, 2009
September in the Pines was a tremendously fun rally. So many neat folks in a great park! I stewed about the park for a couple days after the rally and had a chance to visit with Gene and Barb (Crawford Gene) before pulling out.
From Heron Lake I took Hwy 64 West to Navajo Lake SP. I stayed at the lower campground (Cottonwood?) for about a week. Read a lot, fished a good bit, caught nothing. I was feeling pretty low about my lack of catching on one of the west’s best rivers until I found out nobody was getting much. It was wonderful weather and I greatly enjoyed my stay.
From Navajo, I took 550 down to Jemez for a brief overnight and a dip in the hot springs. Next day was the rendezvous at Camping World for the Balloon Rally. Now I’m not saying that CW is overpriced on their products, but when I went through check out with a single novelty ice cream the clerk asked me if I was a member of the presidents club……
Going into the Balloon Rally I was a bit skeptical; I figured it was one of those things where you do it once and you had seen all you would want to. In practice, it was a hoot, and something I would do again given the time and money. It was a great time, and OH MY- THE ALUMINUM. Mom flew in from Tennessee for the rally and a NM tour after, so it was a great start for her. Many thanks to Rich and Greg for the specially designed trip t-shirt they made for her!
Leaving the Balloon Rally we were off north to Santa Fe so mom could do some shopping. Then on to Chama (Heron Lake Camping) to ride the Cumbres and Toltec. That was a great ride! Loved it, even if the downhill ride was somewhat screechy. From Chama we headed south to Bandelier for a overnight stay. I have to say mom took the snake on the trail much better than I would have guessed. From there, it was over the mountain into the Jemez Canyon again where mom got her first hot spring experience. After that, it was time to drop mom off at the airport.
From Albuquerque, 337 down to Manzano SP. Lots of neat stuff to see down that way including Salinas Pueblo National Monument. Before I knew it, it was time for the Pumpkin Chunking rally, which was a good time. Leaving Estancia, I took 55 south, it is a wonderful drive on a lonely road. I recommend it. That night I had intended to stay overnight at Valley of Fires, however, I wasn’t thrilled by the campground and talk about expensive for a BLM park. It was going to be $18 (if my memory is right) for an electric site and it wasn’t clear to me that I could have gotten into the non electric ones. I opted to push on a few more miles to Three Rivers Petroglyph NRS also run by the BLM. They have RV sites for $10 (elect & water), I opted for dry camping ($2 free with Federal Lands Pass). The only down side to that option was there is no level spot that I could find. It took a BUNCH of leveling boards to get level, but it worked out in the end. I hiked out to the petroglyphs the next morning before the sun got to bad and I have to say, everyone needs to put this site on their to do list.
From Three Rivers, I headed south to Alamogordo to Oliver Lee Memorial SP. Nice park with great views- wouldn’t want to be here in august. It was 85 yesterday and was the first real test of my new fantastic fans. Today I’m loafing, may head out to White Sands this evening, maybe not until tomorrow. Probably ought to get groceries and a haircut at some point. Anyway, that’s all the news…..

eubank · 10-20-2009, 12:42 PM

Sounds like it was a fun trip! We're in Santa Fe now, were going to head home tomorrow but the weather is turning south in the north mountains (80% chance of snow tonight and tomorrow). I guess we'll hang out here for an extra day or so.

Lynn

dstalzer · 10-21-2009, 12:11 PM

Rodney,
Not sure you missed that much at Valley of Fires. Kate & I camped there a couple years ago and got chewed on by noseeums. Could not figure out what was biting us, but they sure made us itch. Valley of Fires is an old volcanic area that looks like being on the moon. We hiked around on the marked trails and were amazed at the wildlife that lived there. We enjoy your travelog and wish we were there as we have always enjoyed New Mexico.
Dennis & Kate

Boondocker · 10-21-2009, 06:21 PM

Is there anything worth seeing in El Passo? I see there are some state parks in the area, so it would be easy to slide into town if there are things to do.

Gene · 10-21-2009, 07:39 PM

Rodney, the real action is on the other side of the border.

Gene

Boondocker · 10-23-2009, 06:52 PM

I found out that there was an Ihttp://www.airforums.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=762266MAX in town at the space museum and got excited about it. I bought tickets to both shows. What a disappointment. Both films were old. They seemed faded and the second one called "sharks" should have been called "a stupid talking turtle". I was so disgusted that I walked out in the middle of that one. IMAX can be so cool, to have these out of date, faded shows is inexcusable.

I was so unhappy I didnt go into the Space Museum. Maybe another time.....

Boondocker · 10-23-2009, 07:19 PM

Lily&Me · 10-24-2009, 06:32 AM

Stunning photo.

Boondocker · 10-24-2009, 07:37 AM

Thanks, I was starting to wonder if anyone was reading this thread

**azflycaster** · 10-24-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Thanks, I was starting to wonder if anyone was reading this thread

Rodney,
I always enjoy seeing your work. I was wondering if you were going to sneak one balloon shot into the mix?

Boondocker · 10-24-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Rodney,
I always enjoy seeing your work. I was wondering if you were going to sneak one balloon shot into the mix?

I thought about it, my balloon shots dont add much to what others posted, just more of the same for the most part. I may look through them and see if there is anything worth posting......