VEGAS BABY!

We left off in Phoenix and then spent 3 days in Joshua Tree. 2 right in the town of Joshua Tree and 1 in the park at Cottonwood Campground. What a great vibe Joshua Tree had. we shopped at the local vendors/artisans. hit a pop up Bar!, then ended the night at the Joshua Tree Saloon!

The following day we drove into the park and explored a few trails. We also saw numerous geography eco-systems that were constantly changing. The Mojave and Colorado deserts kept us on our toes while driving. I really can't wait to piece together my videos but am sure they will not do it justice. We stayed 1 night at Cottonwood Campground within the park and it was magnificent. Unfortunately we had a cloudy night saw the Dark Sky park aspect was not at its peak!

So......  we got up early as bad winds were predicted and they didn't fail us.  We had a terrible drive from Joshua Tree with the most wind we've endured yet! A 4.5 hour drive took us nearly 7 hours. But we made it to VEGAS! 

Yes, we're in Vegas, but not for The Strip. We're currently staying at Nellis AF Base FamCamp, which by far is our favorite FamCamp. Some of the jets we've seen while here on base are: A10's, F15's, F35's and UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Tom's brother Jim and wife Teresa live here as well and we've been getting caught up with them both.

They provided us a private tour to Death Valley National Park on Tuesday, April 9th! What a magnificent park. Tom and I both agree it may be our favorite so far! I had no idea what to expect, and was flabbergasted by the sights! 

                             

     

We had a restocking, cleaning and laundry day yesterday and had a nice BBQ with Jim & Teresa. It's been so great getting caught up with them!

Now onto UTAH! WOO HOO!!!!!!! We'll be off grid for a few days! 

I'm having issues with uploading and processing

my drone & GoPro videos

but will tackle that once home!

	Miles
Miles Traveled Rhode Trippin’	5,135.3* * includes 300+ miles in Jeep
Cycled	136.8
Walked/Hiked	54.7

Follow us on Facebook here (Yes, I'm back on FB)

Follow us on Instagram here 

Follow our videos on YouTube here

Arizona Sunshine!

We arrived in Phoenix, Arizona for a few days of R & R, at a Marriott resort, and to see family here. 

Our travels have been great, but we are so happy to be out of the winds that have been following us since arriving in Texas! 

This portion of the drive has been the most challenging. 

From Leasburg Dam State Park, City of Rocks, Roper Lake & finally Marriott in PHX.

The weather changes frequently, winds have gusted to 50 MPH, and rain have kept Meteorologist Tom Pirnie on his toes. 

Some travel highlights:

• Had to get off the interstate due to winds for over an hour.
• Had to remove a vent cover due to winds loosening brackets.
• Have learned how to sleep in the camper without the slide out out, so as not to tear/rip off the slide topper. 
• Played RUMIKUB several times due to uncooperative weather.
• Nancy trying (hard attempts) to overcome fear of heights over the mountain passes.
• Nancy becoming a better passenger.
• Tom being a better passenger when Nancy is driving through a mountain pass, near a panic attack, avoiding a ladder being dropped in the highway of Pinal Peak in the Tonto forest!
• Seeing the Miami mine was one of the largest copper mine in the country.

Pinal Mountains, Tonto National Forest

BY

NOAH AUSTIN

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in recent years, it’s that we all could stand to be a little more polite to each other. On the route to the summit of the Globe area’s Pinal Peak, that’s a necessity. This narrow mountain road presents a few challenges and a need for driving etiquette, but a pleasant trek with remarkable views at the top is the reward.

(I missed all the sights as my focus while driving was strictly on the lane!)

Some other fun stuff while traveling:

Lil Gem got a bath!

Tom fixed my tire on my bike. Thankful for amazon locker deliveries of fat tire tubes!

We took a mineral bath soak at Kachina Mineral Spring & Spa in Safford, AZ .

    

FABULOUS Winery in Deming, NM - Luna Rossa Winery

Grocery & BEER haul on our bikes! 

Some views we've captured.

I'm having issues with uploading and processing my drone & GoPro videos but will tackle that once home!

	Miles
Miles Traveled Rhode Trippin’	4,467.3* * includes 300+ miles in Jeep
Cycled	119.4
Walked/Hiked	42.1

Follow us on Facebook here (Yes, I'm back on FB)

Follow us on Instagram here 

Follow our videos on YouTube here

 

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

Follow us on Instagram here 
Follow our videos on YouTube here