I'm putting together my summer plan. Departing Oklahoma around May 10, returning around August 10. The basic plan at this juncture is outlined on the attached map. If you know cool things to see, do, ect near this route I would love to hear them. I want to be in Idaho by early July and back down toward Colorado for early August.
I am especially interested in boondocking spots, cool national forest, hot springs and such. This will also be my first real trip into Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming above Yellowstone, so any insight into those areas is appreciated. I haven't decided much about the Colorado section of the trip at this point either except that I am mostly thinking about hitting the central to south west portion of the state.
Thanks!
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
No doubt, however, even though I have the summer, there is only so much time. As it is, I expect to miss a lot of neat stuff along the way. Some other year perhaps.
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
Thanks, 2air' and Gene.
We are headed to Yellowstone again about the 1st of June then on up to Glacier and then to Lewiston, ID.. We are retired so no time limits other than our short trlr gets, shall i say, umm cozy after a couple of weeks.
I have driven thru the pnw with wife and kids 30+ years ago but didn't get the time to stop and enjoy.
Olympic NP to Coos Bay sounds like a nice trip.
Thanks for the info
Don
On the road- transmitting from the Valles Caldera Nat Preserve
Day one: Lawton, Oklahoma to Montezuma New Mexico
I managed to get out of Lawton only one hour later than planed with the mule pointed west by 9:30. Cut across to Amarillo where I took I-40 west as far as Tucumcari. From there the fun began. I decide to take HWY 104 N to Las Vegas, NM which is near day ones destination.
Hwy 104 is a long and lonely lane through the high desert. I highly recommend the route since it is anything but crowded and scenic in its own way. I was surprised how beautiful the views were. I think I have driven this route before, but wasn’t old enough to appreciate it. There is one extended climb (something like 3 miles) where you climb from the lower desert to the higher desert about ¾ of the way through. If you do take this route, best fill up. Its 100 miles and I think the only fuel stop along the way is at Conchas Dam. There is a park there, but I have no knowledge of it.
Arriving in Las Vegas in late afternoon I pushed on into the mountains above, passing through Montezuma along the way, more about which presently. Following state Hwy 65 another 10 miles up a beautiful two lane ‘hanging’ road and then onto a forest road at 484 miles, I reached today’s destination: El Porvenir campground. The campground is a small, well cared for NFS campground. I would guess there are about 10 sites and it appears that longer campers would fit fine although I would be hesitant about bringing a big rig up the 10 miles from Montezuma due to the hairpin curves and narrow roads. Not to say it couldn’t be done, just saying it would have its issues. Camping is $8, there are pit toilets, central water, & trash cans that’s it.
Now, more about Montezuma: Montezuma is a small community whose most salient features are the Amand Hammer World College, and more to the point here- HOT SPRINGS. Right off the road at the college is a series of hot springs. The springs are superbly maintained and monitored. The current rules: no booze, no nudity, no loud noise, closed between midnight and five am. There are several springs, but the best and most popular is a connected series of three pools, the top being the hottest with the water cooling progressively as it descends from the top pool. The top pool is well like, about 5 ft deep and quite hot. The lower two pools are better for sitting as they are shallow.
Day three Montezuma to Jemez
Lots of wind again on this stretch, glad I have the diesel to buck the wind with. Saw diesel at $4.50. I finally found a boondock spot off of Hwy 4, it was worth the effort as I am right on the cliff facing south. I was hoping to get cell service there, but I need one of those booster antennas.
Here is some eye candy for those of you at home today...
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
Oh boy, Rodney... can't wait for the photo-mentary! Judging from these, they're gonna be great!
Quote:
Here is some eye candy for those of you at home today...
Don't rub it in...
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. Bill & Kim's Marvelous Adventure "I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries and a reprieve from my obligations".
Procrastinator's Creed AIR 9218
WOW, what a fun week! Sorry about the lack of updates, but the cellular internet hasn't been all I had hoped for. Tonight I am camped out at Monte Vista RV park with eubank (aka Lynn). Nice park, wonderful views of the mountains.
First, the Kiva is at Pecos NHP, it looks square because of the 10mm lens. The boondock site I had scoped out on Google Earth (see earlier in the thread) turned out to be everything I had hoped for. I was backed up against the edge of the canyon and could see just about forever. This is one spot where being in a narrow body vintage paid off, I doubt very much if a wider unit would had gotten in and out in tact. Hot springs soaking just about every day I also caught my first trout just below Jemez Falls (a cut throat) and made some progress on my casting, which was much needed. The weather has been pretty good, mostly sunny, there were a couple days that were icky and there was snow one morning.
At this point I am not sure where I am headed next, the main plan is to find a place to hunker down for the big weekend. I haven't done as much photography as I normally would, but that should gear up soon.
__________________ "If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base and sordid creature, no matter how successful." Letter to his son Kermit, quoted in Theodore Roosevelt by Joseph Bucklin Bishop, 1915
Hey, you know, I recall that you maybe wanted to go up to the Valle Vidal area, or? I'd bet a buck that there'd be plenty of room up here even smack in the middle of Memorial Day Madness.
Lynn
...At this point I am not sure where I am headed next, the main plan is to find a place to hunker down for the big weekend. I haven't done as much photography as I normally would, but that should gear up soon.
Glad to see the updates and the weather in Angle Fire looks VERY appealing! We pulled into Santa Fe last night and will tried to get our heads twisted on straight today.
How big of a campground rush is gonna hit this coming weekend?
__________________ Hi Ho Silver RV!
Vernon, Sarah, Mac the Border Collie - 'Epiphany' the 29' Airstream and a honkin' long 34' named AlumaTherapy
I would really love to go back to Cimarron again. I understand there are many more things to see and do there now than the last time I was there 35 years ago (other than the obvious Sangre de Christo range). It's not too far from ABQ and we have a member here that owns a camp ground near there. I suspect that you could could stay on the reservation, but that's just a guess. Late spring, before the crowds get there, is great. Plenty of wildlife for the new camera of yours.
We'll make it back some day...some day.
Jim
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Can somebody remind Susan that I really do want bagpipes for Christmas?
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I also caught my first trout just below Jemez Falls (a cut throat) and made some progress on my casting, which was much needed. The weather has been pretty good, mostly sunny, there were a couple days that were icky and there was snow one morning.
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