1 Month on the Road Today!

One Month on the Road Today!  

Greetings from Leasburg Dam State Park, Radium Springs, New Mexico along the Rio Grande.

March 29, 2024 Sunrise

It's been a very busy few days with very sketchy communication service, however this morning we're good.

We had a spectacular time in Big Bend. What a vast area it is. Still trying to put together more photos and videos that we took to share.

Had a beautiful drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The winds here can be strong and tend to slow down the driving. I think there is sand dust in every possible crevice. El Capitan was so prominent and the landscape changed from the desert we came from.  

We stayed at our first BLM (Bureau of Land Management) outside the park called Sunset Reef Campground. Drone videos once I get wifi to upload! 

Wildlife spotted: Alligator, Bald Eagles, Rabbits, Whooping Cranes, Foxes, Coyotes, Deer, Aoudads (the herd video was not prong-horned sheep, but rather Barbary (Aoudad) sheep), prong-horned antelope, Road Runners, and so many birds I can't expand on that!

Thursday, we traveled from Sunset Reef, while getting gas in Whites City at Carlsbad Caverns, a herd of Aoudads (Barbary Sheep) came right into the town. Very familiar with people and cars. 

Here are the videos I captured, UNEDITED!

Video #1

Video #2

We had a beautiful, white knuckled drive through the Lincoln National Forest to Cloudcroft, New Mexico, almost 9,000 elevation, for a fun lunch at Mad Jack's BBQ, whom new friends we met at Starlight Theater in Terlingua, Joan & Keith Russell from California, recommended. They actually showed up again as we were leaving!  

Notice the snow still on the ground!

We then continued onto Leasburg Dam State Park. The winds were very high, so we opted not to stop at White Sands National Park. Passing through the San Andres mountain range, along with the White Sands Missile Ranges. 

We are surrounded by mountains and had a great night watching the sunset and trying to capture the stars. Tom had given me a new Canon camera and several lenses for Christmas and I'm trying to develop some skills and not just use auto focus! 

March 28, 2024 - Leasburg Dam State Park

More pictures, drone videos and GoPro videos to follow!

	Miles
Miles Traveled Rhode Trippin’	3,686.4 * * includes 300+ miles in Jeep
Cycled	88.5
Walked	34.3

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Leaving Big Bend - Onto New Mexico!

We've spent the past 2 days in Big Bend. We rented a jeep, as we figured it would be easier to get back and forth. Although 2 days is certainly not enough, I think we covered a pretty good area considering that Big Bend is probably about 4 Rhode Island's all together! The vastness was just absolutely amazing. We've seen so many species of cactus, spotted foxes, Road Runners, deer, and aoudad sheep. 

I know my pictures won't do this magnificent park justice and still haven't been able to download from my camera yet! More to follow.

If you ever get an inkling to come here, DO IT!!!!!!!!

Even the surrounding towns of Marathon, Study Butte and Terlingua Ghost Town and Tin Valley Retro Rentals where we've camped are so historical and authentic. Be prepared to drive, drive, drive! 

In 2 days:

• 300+ miles driven
• 6.5 miles hiked
• 10 miles biked 

Now we're onto some BLM (Bureau of Land Management) in New Mexico near Guadalupe Mountain National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Continue to meet great people as well as camp hosts,  and some that have been RV'ing full time for a long time! For certain connectivity is sketchy but we're enjoying seeing our beautiful country and all it has to offer. We'll connect back when we can! 

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!

We left off in New Braunfels, Texas getting ready to visit our nephew Jake Pirnie, meet his new wife, Emily and son, Landon. We met them in Gruene, Texas, pronounced "GREEN". 

Gruene is a German-Texan town in Comal County in state of Texas. Once a significant cotton-producing community along the Guadalupe River, the town has now shifted its economy to one supported primarily by tourism.

We hit up a winery (they just seem to find me!), did some shopping and walking about the town, stopped into Gruene Hall, a authentic dance hall with music, and finally met Jake & family for dinner at Gruene River Grill. What a wonderful time we had.  Jake and Emily are very happy and successful and Landon was such a sweetheart! Reminded me of when our boys were very little! 

               

Here's a short video of the Guadalupe River from our campsite:

The next day we had a short drive to Austin and stayed overnight in a MARRIOTT!!!!!! A real hotel!

We had dinner and music at the Broken Spoke. A real Texas treasure for many country music stars. The place was a museum of all who've visited. 

 

 

Then off to Marathon, Texas, just north of Big Bend National Park. 
It was quite a drive from Austin but it was beautiful. Here's a folder of short UNEDITED Go Pro video clips we took on the drive. Pardon any swearing, inappropriate music and bug shit all over our windshield!

NEW BRAUNFELS TO MARATHON VIDEOS

Marathon contains a revitalized hotel, cafe's, BBQ, French Grocer, and the redone Motel campground we stayed in. This town that has so much to offer. Nevermind the 360 degree views surrounding us.  We had superb BBQ at Brick Vault Brewery, breakfast at Oasis Cafe, shopping at the French Grocer and fine dining last evening at 12 Gage Restaurant in the Gage Hotel. We had taken a bike ride to Pont Park & Gage Gardens and saw a fox, Pronghorns, cattle, etc. 

The Marathon Motel & Campground is known for its dark skies, although we stayed during a Waxing Gibbous of 97% illumination so it was hard to see many stars. Fabulous place to stay in. 

Marathon Motel & Campground

My latest rock! 

Took this video for my grandson Mason who is obsessed with trains!

Then off early this morning as there are 50 MPH winds today, so we could drive through the park and get settled at our Tin Valley Retro Rentals Campground! We literally are in the middle of nowhere, but it's so cool! Hunkering down until the winds die down and we rented a jeep for 2 days for travel in the park.  More news once we complete the next 2 days at Big Bend! 

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