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TankerIP · 07-19-2009, 11:18 PM

7/15 - This was our second "long trip". We decided it was time to "escape" the summer heat wave in Austin by going to Santa Fe, NM. Google said the route should be through El Paso on I-10. Instead we decided to go to San Angelo first for a couple of nights, then to Palo Duro Canyon state park. Last Wednesday we left Austin early and checked in to the Goodfellow AFB Recreation area. A nice campground on a lake. We got a great site plenty of shade and adjacent to the "rec room/laundry/library". We stayed until Friday, when we drove to Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle. More on that in the next post.

TankerIP · 07-20-2009, 12:04 AM

7/17 - We left San Angelo at daybreak for the long trip to Palo Duro Canyon. We never have been to the Texas Panhandle, so this trip was going to be a treat. Our Garmin told us to travel on US 84. This turned out to be a great route. The highway was smooth and scenic. There was less traffic than on an interstate; this made the drive comfortable. We arrived at Palo Duro about 3. Check in was a breeze, and the man at gate assigned us a very nice spot. It was perfect with: some shade and very close to showers. The drive down into the canyon was a bit of a surprise with the Airstream in tow, but staying in 1st gear downhill we managed just fine.

The park has 3 RV areas. We were in the Hackberry area. Another area, Mesquite, featured 50 amps, and parking adjacent to canyon wall. Everywhere was scenic.

TBRich · 07-20-2009, 01:16 AM

Sounds like a great trip...we are taking notes! Been wanting to get to Palo Duro... Thanks for sharing your pics...looks nice...

kstampa · 07-20-2009, 04:49 AM

great pictures. we love NM too. there should be more posts like yours. i love to see where people are going.

mojo · 07-20-2009, 07:29 AM

Just stayed at Black Canyon CG just 7 miles north of SF. 10 degrees cooler than town. The CG has been recently redone and is very nice and clean. No hookups or showers, though.

TankerIP · 07-20-2009, 08:27 PM

7/18 - We spent our second and last day in Palo Duro just touring the park. The weather was great. A gentleman in San Angelo had tried to warn us about the heat down in the canyon. Not this time. We woke to a very nice, breezy 69 degrees. It warmed up in the late afternoon. But then some storm clouds, but no rain, cooled us down again. All in all, Palo Duro was a very nice relief from the Austin summer.

We visited the visitor center again, back up in the upper elevations. You can get cell phone coverage there. The trip up and and down was very easy now that were used to the inclines. Then after going back down we toured the canyon park in our truck. There are many, many trails around to hike, but we didn't have the time or equipment to do all that, so a truck tour of the park was as good as it got.

It was certainly worth the trip here. A change of pace. On Sunday we drove to New Mexico and Sante Fe.

TankerIP · 07-21-2009, 11:15 PM

We arrived in Santa Fe on Sunday afternoon. The trip into New Mexico was uneventful except I noticed the Dodge was heating up more than I have seen before, but this was our first trip climbing uphill over a long distance in warm weather. Still we arrived okay and checked into the Trailer Ranch RV park where we had reservations. They hung up the "no vacancy" sign as we arrived. This park is in town, on Cerillos, about 5 miles from the plaza and very conveniently located on the bus line to go everywhere. . This is a very nice, friendly park for the over 55 crowd. I'm sure it will be a nice stay.

They had us park right next to a nice 1985 Airstream 25' Safari. Unfortunately, the AS pulled out before I had a chance to get a picture. The owner did let us see inside, however - I was impressed with the configuration.

On Monday, we took the bus to the plaza. One Dollar buys a full day pass. So you can ride the bus line as many times, anywhere in Sante Fe. Everything is convenient. There is a bus stop in front of the RV park - easy to get to. Since we were warned that parking is difficult we will just ride the bus and leave the driving to someone else.

TankerIP · 07-21-2009, 11:38 PM

We spent all day Monday in the downtown plaza area. Most people know this is a shopping and art lovers mecca. They have free concerts in the plaza everyday at noon and in the evening. Folks just gather there, linger, and listen to the music. There is lots to see and lots to buy. Weather was great.

eubank · 07-22-2009, 07:10 AM

Cool Santa Fe pics!

Lynn

TankerIP · 07-22-2009, 08:59 AM

We went to Albuquerque on the commuter train. It costs $6 for an all day rail pass and that ticket also allows you to ride the buses anywhere in Albuquerque city free. Nice ride there and back. We rode a couple of buses to see a liitle of the the town. Old Town Albuquerque consists of an old Spanish plaza and several blocks of shops similar to that in Sante Fe, although a little slightly smaller. Deals and prices may be a little better in Albuquerque than Santa Fe. A nice place to stroll. We left and 6:30 AM and arrived back at night for a nice meal at Tomasitos by the train station. Highly recommended Then a cold, wet, 5 block walk in a 59 deg rain storm to catch the bus back to the RV park. Wonderful day!

TankerIP · 07-25-2009, 10:04 PM

Today was our last day here. It's been a nice week, and a very pleasant campground. Spanish Market started today in the plaza. Hundreds of spanish oriented arts and crafts were on display for sale. Tourists flocked into town from everywhere for this annual event. Indian Market, reputed to be even larger, is next month. But sadly we won't be here. Our neighboring airstreamers who had left for four days were also back, so I got a chance to take a picture.

Tomorrow we head back via I-25. then I-10. Probably camp around El Paso, then Davis Mountains before going home.

TBRich · 07-25-2009, 10:29 PM

Sounds like you've had a great trip so far...have fun at Davis Mountains State Park...we were there the end of May...nice place and cooler than surrounding areas. If you haven't been there before, consider hitting Balmorhea State Park about 35 miles NE near I-10 and take a swim in the cool spring fed HUGE swimming pool built by the CCC in the 30s! (There's an RV park there, too, but Davis Mts is nicer for staying over.) I think your registration at Davis Mts lets you into Balmorhea for the day without charge, but don't hold me to that. They should be able to tell you at the ranger station. Also at Davis Mts, there is free WiFi at The Indian Lodge on the Davis Mts. park grounds, should you need it. Marfa, TX, SW of Davis Mts State Park is well worth a visit...be sure to see the Hotel Paisano...and maybe you can even see the Marfa Mystery Lights! (See our tavel log, link below, for details.) Enjoy your trip!

TankerIP · 07-26-2009, 07:45 PM

We left Santa Fe this morning going south on I-25. A nice scenic drive. We like Hatch peppers and had to stop at the town from where they come. Some are coming ripe, but they will be in full swing harvest in about 4 weeks. We were able to buy some fresh roasted peppers for the trip.

Next stop was Ft Bliss. They have a new to us campground --- very modern, 74 sites, great community facility. We will be here two nights before moving on to Davis Mountains. We miss the cool northern New Mexico days already. It's 104 here.

StingrayL82 · 07-26-2009, 08:01 PM

TankerIP, we saw your rig at the Rec Camp, when we took the kids swimming. Next time you're in the area, let us know, and we'll have you over!

We're going to take a weekend off in August, to go to Fredericksburg. The KOA there is really nice.

kingfisher24 · 07-27-2009, 11:44 AM

hey we are going to the "santa fe experience rally" aug 28 and i have been contempleting a route and yours looks great...sounds like a very nice trip...i will study your posts and see if i mimic your route...hopefully it will be cooler then.... the rally information says we are headed for Santa Fe Skies RV Park...can't wait....

dstalzer · 07-27-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TankerIP

Next stop was Ft Bliss. They have a new to us campground --- very modern, 74 sites, great community facility. We will be here two nights before moving on to Davis Mountains. We miss the cool northern New Mexico days already. It's 104 here.

Great travel log and pictures. You will enjoy the cooler temperatures in Fort Davis after the heat in El Paso. We were there at the end of May with temps in the low 60's at night and low 80's in the day time while it was already in the upper 90's in Austin.

Dennis

TankerIP · 07-28-2009, 07:45 PM

We stayed two nights in El Paso. Monday was our full day here. We went to the El Paso Saddle Blanket shop, a 4-acre emporium with all kinds of southwestern, must have, blankets, pots, trinkets, etc. Then we drove up the Trans-Mountain Highway. A spectacular view.

TankerIP · 07-28-2009, 08:15 PM

Today was a drive day to Davis Mountains. Down I-10 from El Paso about 3 hours, then we spent 1 hour going up and down a curving hilly road to the State Park. More rustic and isolated than some parks but still nice. We were told the closest Walmart was 1-1/2 hours away. We passed UT's McDonald Observatory on the way - makes a nice view up on the hill. The park is about 5200 ft elevation so the weather is a lot cooler than back home. One spectacular feature is the Indian Lodge at the park. The lodge was built by the CCC in 1937 and still exists today as a hotel and restaurant in the park. A very nice place to visit. We will be here for a couple of days to relax.

TankerIP · 07-29-2009, 09:57 PM

Last night was a noisy storm over the Davis Mountains. Back home in Austin we have a severe draught, but plenty of rain here. I had to get up in the middle of the night and put my awning up, worried that something bad might happen.

We took a side trip today to Fort Davis, a late 1800's fort built to protect the San Antonio to El Paso road. We very much enjoyed this National Park site.

Gastrolith · 07-30-2009, 01:24 AM

We just returned from 5 days in Santa Fe! Maybe we counted your rig as we kept count of our daily sightings. We stayed at Santa Fe Skies (Santa Fe Skies RV Park - Santa Fe, New Mexico) outside of town. We loved it there! Santa Fe is absolutely beautiful. We want to retire there someday. Did you visit the Jackalope store (www.jackalope.com)? Glad to read of your adventure.