Quartzite, AZ

Twenty miles east of the Colorado River is a city called Quartzite. In January  each year  RV'ers and campers bring their rigs from all across the U.S. here for one big gathering/rally.  During this time a Giant Expo, along with World Famous Gems and Mineral Shows are going on. This is also the biggest EXPO of new gadgets for your campers and Rv.  A million or more people gather at Quartzite. I was reluctant to go at first, but Dave wanted to see the area so we drove into town only after half the population had left. We boon docked outside the city on a hillside covered with  rock/quartz.  The kids found a few interesting rocks for their collection. We were able to take our Honda CRV into the hills and explore the area.  In the evenings we had awesome sunsets.

Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

Chiricahua National Monument, AZ is truly one of the National Park Service secret treasures. If you are willing to drive the 37 miles off I-10, you will be surprised to discover a mountain wonderland of trees, wild animals, and the amazing balanced rock and pinnacles that make this place so unique.  Some friends we had met told us of this place otherwise we would not have gone.  We are sure glad we did, amazing to walk through the hills and trails and see these awesome rock formations and incredible sights.

Carlsban Caverns, New Mexico

Bat Cave

Located Guadalupe Mountains southeastern New Mexico

From about mid-April to mid-October, thousands of Mexican Free tail bats fly out of Carlsbad Cavern every evening, weather permitting, to eat insects.  Since it was January, the bats had migrated to other Southwest caves in Mexico for the winter. The entrance we went into was the bat cave. I was glad the bats were gone don't know if I could have went in knowing they were up there sleeping. You can take the elevator down to the lower cave or hike in which is what we chose to do.  It was 750 down into the cave, quite awesome.  Camera I had really did not do the sites inside justice but a few did come out.  Temps inside the caves are a cool 56 degrees year around.

David and Kelly completed their Jr Ranger packets and were being sworn in.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Located southwest of Texas, hundreds of miles from any cities. There were a few people camping here in tents and campers. It is cold this time of year at night to be in a tent. We pulled in and had several spots to choose from.





Our campsite was near the Mexican border, along the Rio Grand River.  The distance across the river into Mexico from our campsite was about 400 yards.  Kids kept trying to throw rocks across the river into Mexico.

  Our first night a pack of coyotes came running through camp, howling and barking, the look on the kids faces were priceless. 

We enjoyed exploring the mountain trails.  We took a lunch and sat atop a hillside that was rock and sand.  Kids got a workout climbing to the top as the sand would bring them back down again, eventually they made it.

As we hiked along the mountain/river we could see the Mexicans cross the river in a boat, in some areas you could cross the river on rock.  They would bring items that they made and leave along the river for visitors to buy.  They would cross back over and wait along the river and watch for people to leave money in their cans or buy something.  The officials discourage people from buying their items, I guess they don;t want them crossing the river. As we waved goodbye to them the kids left a small donation in their cans.  Pictured here are walking sticks, jewelry, rock gems.




Further up the river a man was serenading from across the river, wanting us to stop and look at his items and or leave money. A few Mexicans would arrive along the river on horseback.  Their dogs would sit with their horses while they were walking along the river, dogs were very trained.

We hiked into another area where a hot spring was coming up out of the river.  The locals had built a small stone ledge for people to come and sit in the hot spring.    The kids put there feet in, the temps inside the hot spring tub area was 105 degrees, river temps had to be in the 40 or 50's.

Bahia Honda, Florida Keys

We spent 9 days in Bahia Honda. Located 30 miles from Key West.   The weather was warm and beautiful.

David met a boy named John.  They spent a lot of time together. Kelly tagged along somewhat.

When we weren't swimming we were fishing. .  We saw sting-ray, shark,jelly fish and other types of fish.

                                 Kelly had just lost one of her front teeth.


These iguana's were 3 feet long.  We watched them move around from atop the pier. The longer we looked at them the bigger they got. 

We had walked back to this quarry and fished.  The water was clear and you could see the fish as they were coming near your bait.  A variety of colorful fish would swim by.  We got to see an eel and a barracuda.
The bird in the back ground waited patiently as the kids fished.  When the kids would catch a fish  the bird would move closer and closer. As you can see the bird gets the fish.

Day 1-2

We drove through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and ran into some strong storms just after dark.  We stopped at a truck stop and spent the night.  The next morning the car battery was dead.  Seems that if you don't open the door, the automatic lights don't go off.  We were parked under a light and didn't notice the lights still on.  Fortunately, one of the clerks in the truck stop store gave our battery a jump and all was good.  Very nice young man.  We got back on the road and headed north.  The countryside in southern South Dakota is simply beautiful.

The Adventure begins

With the current economic times, we are going on a camping/road trip to see some of the country while we still can.  We are going to leave DFW and head north towards Mount Rushmore.  Our intention is to go through Glacier NP, visit family in Kennewick, Washington, hit Redwood NP, Yosemite NP, Sequoia NP, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and The Painted Desert/Petrified Forest NP.

We are packing our Toyota Sienna with our camping gear and will head out tomorrow.