February 2024 - Clickable Links
February 2024 - Clickable Links
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Benson, AZ - SKP Saguaro Co-Op (10 nights)
Benson, AZ - SKP Saguaro Co-Op (10 nights)
1 - Hike & Sierra Vista Visit with Friends
1 - Hike & Sierra Vista Visit with Friends
Ken was not up for it, but I took a short hike up the hill behind the park. It offered some great views of the park and the surrounding area.
Ended the day with a short 45min drive to Sierra Vista to have drinks and dinner with Wayne & Debbie (we were friends with Wayne from Signarama as he owned the store in Glendale but who also recently retired and moved to Sierra Vista with Debbie). We forgot to get pictures (too much fun catching up!) but I did get a pic of this really good liquor, Golden Tango Cream... like Bailey's but better...with a chocolate flavor.
5 - Furnace Getting Fixed
5 - Furnace Getting Fixed
We were scheduled to leave Benson on Sunday Feb 4th, however our furnace blew up on Saturday morning. Luckily we found a mobile service tech who could come out on the 5th to help us out. We thought it was the motor that seized up, however when Ken did some investigation it turned out to be the blower wheel that was broken. We again were fortunate in finding a new blower wheel back in Tucson, so that it could be fixed on the Monday afternoon.
We had originally picked up a new motor on the Saturday but as it turns out it was the wrong model that the store said would work. They took it back no problem! Three trips to and from Tucson to get this fixed...but not complaining as the nights are cold and we need heat!!! Keeping us warm in the meantime was a small ceramic electric heater that is now part of our arsenal.
6 - Arena Bar
6 - Arena Bar
Took our last trip to explore a bit more of Benson and found this hole in the wall "Arena Bar". The place was filled with locals just after lunch and they don't serve food! A waitress that knew what she was doing so even more of a plus. It would be great to visit again when they have activities happening in the arena. This is a must go again.
Deming, NM - Escapees Dream Catcher RV Park
Deming, NM - Escapees Dream Catcher RV Park
7 - Travel Day
7 - Travel Day
And so it begins, Ken is feeling well enough so we are headed to southern Texas. A quick overnight in Deming at another Escapees Park.
We dry camped for only $8.50 for the night.
Alpine, TX - Lost Alaskan RV Park (7 nights)
Alpine, TX - Lost Alaskan RV Park (7 nights)
8 - Travel Day
8 - Travel Day
Heard about this RV park from YouTubers, Stacey & Phil with Today is Someday. We had only planned on spending 4 nights here, but last minute extended to 7 nights to slow down the pace, allowing us lots of time to explore the area. Far west Texas is very desolate and makes for those moments of "wow, there is nothing in this area"!
9 - Fort Davis, TX
9 - Fort Davis, TX
Drove North of Alpine to visit Fort Davis National Historic Site. A military post established in October 1854 to protect travellers, mail and goods from San Antonio to El Paso during the California gold rush days.
San Antonio to El Paso Trail
Standing in the area of the first location of Fort Davis from 1854 to 1862.
In the history of Fort Davis, African-American troops now known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” amassed a notable record of accomplishments. They arrived at the post in 1867 when western Texas was still very open to attack by raiding Apaches and Comanches. www.nps.gov
Even though the Buffalo Soldiers were there to protect the travellers, they were still not respected by the townspeople. One such example was Henry Flipper who was a West Point graduate that served at Fort Davis from Nov 1880 to Dec 1881. His claim to fame was that he was wrongly accused of embezzling funds from the US Army and was dismissed from the army in 1882. He always proclaimed his innocence and posthumously was granted an honorary discharge in 1976.
Commisary
Officer Quarters
Can you say "Perspective"?
Amazing how they cut around the edges of some of the rocks to give it character.
After visiting the fort, we drove a little further up the road to check out Davis Mountains State Park.
This park was constructed by the CCC - Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.
After exploring the RV sites, we drove up the narrow road to see the views. It if had been warmer we may have spent more time at the top, however the wind was just a little too much.
10 - Marfa, TX
10 - Marfa, TX
West of Alpine is Marfa.
Marfa is a city in the high desert of the Trans-Pecos in far West Texas, United States, between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park, at an elevation of 4685 feet. It is the county seat of Presidio County, and its population as of the 2020 United States Census was 1,788. The city was founded in the early 1880s as a water stop; the population peaked in the 1930s and has continued to decline each decade since. However, today Marfa is a tourist destination and a major center for minimalist art. Attractions include Building 98, the Chinati Foundation, artisan shops, historical architecture, a classic Texas town square, modern art installments, art galleries, and the Marfa lights. ...Wikipedia
On the drive we stopped at historical markers along the roadway.
The Paisano Pass
Presidio, Oldest Town in America
Porvenir Massacre
Around Marfa are large scale art installations. Here are some that we found.
Prada Marfa - a recreation on a very small scale of a Prada store from 2005, to be found west of Marfa just outside of Valentine, TX.
The shoes and bags inside the building are from 2005. The door never opens!
is a permanent sculptural art installation by artists Elmgreen & Dragset, located along U.S. Route 90 in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northwest of Valentine, and about 26 miles (42 km) northwest of Marfa.[1] The installation, in the form of a freestanding building—specifically a Prada storefront—was inaugurated on October 1, 2005. The artists described the work as a "pop architectural land art project." ...Wikipedia
The Marfa Pillars
Just east of Marfa off Hwy. 90 (67), framed by an RV park, two historical markers, train tracks, and an empty field, sits twelve pillars of steel that may go unnoticed during the day. If so, it would be a mistake, for, in this land of haunted lights, faded movie sets, and minimalist art, you would miss a chance at “Actual Contact.” Artist Jason W. A. Tucker created this sculpture installed at this location in the spring of 2018. The sculpture consists of 12 pillars and 24 playful hieroglyphic forms...www.MrsPadillysTravels.com
Sleeping Figure
Having made its debut as part of the Desert X biennial, Matt Johnson’s 150-foot-long Sleeping Figure artwork has been relocated to west Texas – where it joins a growing collection of sculptures. The installation was built using 12 repurposed shipping containers arranged at seemingly precarious angles to create the impression of a person lying down. Johnson described the piece as drawing on an art tradition of reclining figures and topical world events, such as the Ever Given container ship, which got stuck in the Suez Canal in 2021. Johnson spent two years and a significant sum completing the sculpture, which, post-debut at Desert X, was facing disassembly. The artist was instead able to donate the piece to Michael Phelan, founder of the art fair Marfa Invitational, who is creating a new sculpture park just outside the city....www.TheSpaces.com
No 1193 Mesh
Marfa Invitational, the annual art fair in Marfa that also possesses a five-acre, open-year-round sculpture park, celebrated the acquisition of Bangladesh-born/London-based artist Rana Begum’s massive No. 1193 Mesh (2023). A gift from Ms. Begum and her gallerist Christian Lethert of Köln, Germany, No. 1193 Mesh was unveiled as a fixture of the sculpture park and joins other contemporary works by Matt Johnson, Ethan Cook, Charles Harlan, Polly Borland, Myles Nurse, and Szabolcs Bozó. Begum’s piece is a series of colorful grids, arranged at angles and stacked atop each other in a way that creates a skeletal, irregular archway through which the desert landscape can be viewed. A press release from Marfa Invitational says she uses “industrial and ready-made materials” to construct her large works...www.glasstire.com
Giant Marfa Mural
A donation to the city of Marfa, the mural by artist John Cerney honors the movie 'Giant' (1956), which was partially filmed in this small west Texas town. The mural is a collaboration with singer/songwriter/musician Michael Nesmith who made possible the addition of an audio element to the mural installation. The sounds of Nesmith and his First National Band Redux play continually on a loop from hidden speakers near the automobile in the scene....TexasTimeTravel.com
"Giant" poster located inside the hotel
Caught site of the Tethered Radar System high in the sky as we drove to Alpine on the 8th and today as it was so windy, we were able to see it closer to the ground as it was not in the sky.
Back in Marfa to explore the local attractions. Lots of art exhibit museums but we are not so inclined so we walked part of the downtown to see what we could find.
Marfa Water Tower
Presidio County Courthouse
The Hotel Paisano - notable for hosting the cast of the movie "Giant" in 1956.
Stopped for a cool one at Planet Marfa.
Ken's feeling better!
On the patio.
On our way back to Alpine we stopped at the Marfa Lights Viewing Area.
The Marfa lights, also known as the Marfa ghost lights, have been observed near U.S. Route 67 on Mitchell Flat east of Marfa, Texas, in the United States. They have gained some fame as onlookers have attributed them to paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, UFOs, or will-o'-the-wisp. Scientific research suggests that most, if not all, are atmospheric reflections, automobile headlights or campfires. ...Wikipedia
On site are also some informative panels.
Marfa, Texas
Marfa Mystery Lights
Marfa Army Air Field
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands
11 - Marathon, TX
11 - Marathon, TX
It was a very windy and cold day as we walked around Marathon. Went to the Gage Gardens which were a little bleak this time of year but I'm sure would be much better early summer or fall time.
Stopped for lunch at the Brick Vault Brewery & BBQ, which also happens to be owned by Gage Hotel. The BBQ was ok, served fast food style.
Dropped into the Gage Hotel beside the brewery to see what it was all about. Very western and homey and from what I understand the rooms are very pricey.
Enjoyed seeing the cow head wall in the patio of the White Buffalo Bar and also enjoyed a cold one.
13 - Alpine, TX - Hancock Hill Trail Hike
13 - Alpine, TX - Hancock Hill Trail Hike
Enjoyed the short but rocky and in some places steep trail that is in town. The best part is sitting at the desk that is at the top of the mountain and has been there for 40+ years.
It was in 1981 that Sul Ross Industrial Tech Education students Jim Kitchen, Bill Wagner and Travis Miller lugged the desk up to the top of the hill. According to the Sul Ross website entry on the desk, the trio were looking for a quiet place to study away from others. It didn't hurt that the view was rather pretty, too. Kitchen left a notebook in the desk and soon others were venturing to the top of the hill to study and leave notes in the notebook. ...www.Chron.com
Looking down into Alpine.
The Hancock Hill Desk
Adding our 2 cents worth to the notebook.
Oh No...why am I here?!
All good!
Some of the brush on the way back to the trailhead.
14 - Alpine, TX "Windshield Tour"
14 - Alpine, TX "Windshield Tour"
Alpine put out a brochure with a windshield tour that takes you around the town talking about mainly the homes but a few other sites as well. It's a good way to learn about an area.
Kokernot Field - built in 1947
These stadium seats have seen better days!
San Antonio iron workers made the decorative gates with baseballs.
A short drive from the baseball field was Baines Park. Home of the "Jardin de las Mananitas"
Across the street from Baines Park was the Catholic Church.
Beautiful in the simplicity of the interior and with the stained glass windows.
Alpine is "littered" with many wall murals...Murals really do make a town more enjoyable to walk around! Click thru the photo carousel below to see those that we saw...certainly not all of them!
Murphy Street in Alpine is supposed to be a place to get eats & shop, however there was not much there. Looks like it will take many more years to bring this area back to life.
Another small grotto beside a small restaurant that is only open on Friday and Saturday. Great character though.
Del Rio, TX (1 night)
Del Rio, TX (1 night)
15 - Amistad Recreation Area - San Pedro Campground - Driving Day
15 - Amistad Recreation Area - San Pedro Campground - Driving Day
You just never know what you are going to see along the way in the far west of Texas. As we left Alpine and about 20 miles east of Marathon, we found the smallest Buc-ee's! Non-functional of course.
Stopped for night in the Amistad Recreation Area just outside of Del Rio, TX. For only $3.00/night it was a great deal. The camping was pretty bland and there was no way to get to the reservoir from the campground. However, the water level was really down so likely not much to see there anyways.
Mathis, TX (1 night)
Mathis, TX (1 night)
16 - Driving Day
16 - Driving Day
Got an early start to our day and stopped in Uvalde for breakfast at the Sunrise Restaurant. Great place to grab a bite!
After the day of driving stopped at the Mathis Motor Inn & RV Park. Not a bad place to spend the night for $30.00, full hook ups. Too bad we didn't need them, but we did need the really nice cement drive given how soft the ground was from all the rain. Luckily we avoided the rain on our drive.
Before we called it a day, we drove to Lake Corpus Christi State Park, where we were hoping to stay but the campground was full up for the night.
We would likely try to get in here another time and staying in the Javelina Loop would be a big plus.
As you can see the actual lake is very large compared to the size of the State Park (SP) that is at the southeast corner of the lake.
A view looking back at the campground from the fishing dock.
The "Castle" built by the CCC in the 1930's.
Looking out to the lake from the building.
Looking back at the Castle from the lake overlook.
Corpus Christi, TX Area (9 nights)
Corpus Christi, TX Area (9 nights)
17 - Rockport, TX - Goose Island State Park - Driving Day
17 - Rockport, TX - Goose Island State Park - Driving Day
It was a short 1 hour or so drive this morning to get to the state park. However, it gave us time to stop at the local Walmart and restock. We are just north of Corpus Christi about a 45 min. drive away.
Spending the first 2 nights as this park in the wooded area.
18 - Corpus Christi - USS Lexington Museum Tour
18 - Corpus Christi - USS Lexington Museum Tour
USS Lexington (CV/CVA/CVS/CVT/AVT-16) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during World War II for the United States Navy. Originally intended to be named Cabot, the new aircraft carrier was renamed while under construction to commemorate the recently-lost USS Lexington (CV-2), becoming the sixth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name in honor of the Battle of Lexington.
Lexington was commissioned in February 1943 and saw extensive service through the Pacific War. For much of her service, she acted as the flagship for Admiral Marc Mitscher, and led the Fast Carrier Task Force through their battles across the Pacific. She was the recipient of 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war, Lexington was decommissioned, but was modernized and reactivated in the early 1950s, being reclassified as an attack carrier (CVA). Later, she was reclassified as an antisubmarine carrier (CVS). In her second career, she operated both in the Atlantic/Mediterranean and the Pacific, but spent most of her time, nearly 30 years, in Pensacola, Florida, as a training carrier (CVT).
Lexington was decommissioned in 1991, with an active service life longer than any other Essex-class ship. Following her decommissioning, she was donated for use as a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 2003, Lexington was designated a National Historic Landmark. Though her surviving sister ships Yorktown, Intrepid, and Hornet carry lower hull numbers, Lexington was laid down and commissioned earlier, making Lexington the oldest remaining fleet carrier in the world...Wikipedia.
Our first stop on the tour was to visit the Flight Deck. Up we went about 3 sets of very steep stairs to the outdoors.
I guess it only makes sense, but who knew that the wings of the planes folded up?! If you are a real plane buff, you would find all of these very interesting. They were neat to look at but we did not take time to appreciate all of the reading material.
I walked the plank! It was really steep on the way down, good thing the decking was very rubberized! When we were below deck I was able to get a pic of the plank from one of the portals.
They had a nice display for President George H.W. Bush who served in WWII.
Focs'le - Living Quarters for the crew & the Anchor Chains area
The passageways were very narrow and you better watch where you are stepping as you are always lifting your feet over a doorway!
Whatever It Takes is imprinted on many of the columns. "Whatever it takes" is the motto of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, also known as "The China Marines"...Generative AI
There were not many portholes but I managed to find one and snap a few pics.
A memorial for the USS Arizona
Many examples of military outfits are on display.
This was the area where a scene from the movie Pearl Harbor was shot.
The commanders stateroom was a treat compared to what the other soldiers had to endure. Hope you are not claustrophobic!
Bunk Racks & Coffin Lockers
Not much of a Lounge Area as it only seemed to be about 6'x6' if that.
All the comforts of home were on board. Doctor & Dentist office, Barber, Post Office, Meal Prep Areas, Eating Area
No private barber for the enlisted soldiers.
Dental Clinic
Brass Shop
Machine Shop
Vege & Butcher Shop
POW Memorial
Engine Room - a lot of techie stuff in here.
Labels on everything. I'm sure it had to be that way even back when the ship was in service.
USS Lexington 1943 Ships Bell
Fun Facts
Ended our tour with a cool beverage at a local hangout, The Blue Marlin Saloon.
19 - Rockport, TX - Goose Island SP - Bayview
19 - Rockport, TX - Goose Island SP - Bayview
It was a long day of driving...Not...to our new spot in this state park as we were able to secure 2 nights on the bayview side. Site 42.
After we got setup we took a walk over to the other set of bayview campsites and where there was a really long fishing pier.
Fishing at Goose Island. We did not see anyone catch any fish even though there were numerous lines in the water.
At the end of the fishing pier looking back at the state park.
This is another set of bayview campsites as viewed from the fishing dock. We are not in this set.
We are in this set of campsites...that's us on far left just behind the little Airstream.
It was a beautiful sunset to end the day.
20 - Hanging Out - Big Tree & Whooping Cranes
20 - Hanging Out - Big Tree & Whooping Cranes
Today was a day to have coffee on the beach! It was plenty warm and Ken even wore shorts for the day.
There was lots of water action today as we spotted a pod of dolphins feeding in the bay and lots of fish jumping.
After lunch took a quick drive to see "Big Tree" a Live Oak that is in the area and that the park is trying to preserve. This tree was no where near the size of the "Angel" tree that we saw in Georgia but it was still pretty big.
As well in the area is a flock of Whooping Cranes that uses this area to winter in...smart birds!
The whooping crane is an endangered crane species, native to North America, named for its “whooping” calls. Along with the sandhill crane, it is one of only two crane species native to North America, and it is also the tallest North American bird species. Wikipedia
After our adventure away from the camp we enjoyed watching the "Red Head" Ducks bouncing in the waves.
Here's a better pic of what we saw.
21 - Drive Day to Port Aransas Beach, TX
21 - Drive Day to Port Aransas Beach, TX
It was a short drive to Port Aransas Beach. I had read that this beach was hard packed (easy to drive on!) and very wide. So I thought that this would be a good first experience for beach camping....was I wrong!
When we first arrived on the beach all we could see was lots of RV and lots of kites. Given the wind...no wonder!
Driving on the left and then RV's or whomever and then usually close to the water are the fishermen.
Miles & miles of beach!
We only drove down the beach less than a mile and set up here for the night. All seemed good...
And then the wind really blew in overnight...Noisy! Through the night, Ken said he felt like the trailer "clunked down" and no wonder as the stabilizer feet had the sand blown out from under them as well as from under the ball hitch!
I had already cleaned off our chairs that were covered in sand and then spent some time cleaning off the sand from the mat. Good thing it's meant for sand!
22-25 - Padre Island National Seashore
22-25 - Padre Island National Seashore
We had planned on spending 2 nights on the beach in Port Aransas but as we were touring in the area we found a spot in Malaquite Campground on Padre Island National Seashore and with our senior park pass, it was only $7.00/night so a no brainer for us. Back to the trailer we went, packed up, drove the 45min to the park and got settled in. Much quieter being off the beach (but still accessible by the boardwalk) and no sand to clean up in the morning!
Spend the next 3 days having coffee on the beach in the morning, walking along the shoreline and biking on the really hard packed sand. There is free camping just past the Malaquite Visitor Center and both Ken & I said that this would have been a much better place for us to experience camping on the beach. Who knows, next time we are in the area maybe we'll check it out! But not likely as both Ken & I found camping right on the beach is just not for us. Too windy, too noisy and for me, too messy! We like to be close but just not right on it. Also it would be great to have daily showers with beach camping, but not possible with our tank sizes. So we will just have to stick with beach hotel resorts...yeah!!
We saw lots of Laughing Gulls and Wilson's Plover were on the beach and quite a few Brown Pelican's were flying in the air each day.
Not sure what this bird was...?
Beach walking and so few people around here as compared to Port Aransas.
Toes in the sand as we enjoyed our morning coffee!
At the Malquite Visitor Center just up the road from the campground they have a very nice display about the Kemp's Ridley Turtle that comes onto the beach to lay her eggs in late April and May timeframe.
Changing Sand Dunes...
The overlook of the beach from the visitor center.
Just a short walk from the visitor center down the boardwalk and you are on the beach. Padre Island really does have many areas along the road that are beach accessible. Now if you have a 4x4 not a problem for most of the access points but beware if you do not.
Just inside the park is a Grassland Nature Trail and we took the 15-20 min to explore what it had to offer. Not much as it turns out for the time of day.
Grassland Prairie...
We did see deer though.
And even though we did not see this Indian Blanket bush on the walk, we did have some behind our trailer at the campground.
Enjoyed a couple of bike rides along the beach. Our first day riding was wonderful weatherwise as shown in this pic, however our last day (Feb. 25) was extremely windy on the ride back. But nonetheless it was great to get out on the bikes.
Brownsville, TX - Part of the RGV, ie. Rio Grande Valley (7 nights)
Brownsville, TX - Part of the RGV, ie. Rio Grande Valley (7 nights)
26 - Sunrise and Driving Day
26 - Sunrise and Driving Day
Who knew we could get up so early in the am. Awake about 6:30am and thought we would catch the morning's sunrise. It was pretty good, I must admit.
Here's the boardwalk that we take to the beach. Just a short 30 second stroll from our campsite. Sun is just on the horizon.
A little bit more...
And then she was up!
One final look before leaving later that morning.
It was just over a 3 hour drive this morning to Brownsville and we are spending the next 7 nights in this area at Breeze Lake Mobile Home Park & RV Campground. Can't beat the price of $270.00 for the week.
Crossing from Padre Island over the JFK Causeway
27 - Boca Chico, TX - SpaceX & Starbase
27 - Boca Chico, TX - SpaceX & Starbase
Only about 45 min. away, is Starbase, Elon Musk's spaceport that is still under construction. Pretty unbelievable that this area is right off the road for all to drive by and see. Lots of construction is still going on in this area. Looks like it will be a pretty big facility one day. In the meantime, lots of workers are being employed here at Boca Chico, TX just off the beach. and just north of the US-Mexican border.
Starbase is a spaceport, production, and development facility for Starship rockets, located at Boca Chica, Texas, United States. It has been under construction since the late 2010s by SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer. When conceptualized, its stated purpose was "to provide SpaceX an exclusive launch site that would allow the company to accommodate its launch manifest and meet tight launch windows."The launch site was originally intended to support launches of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles as well as "a variety of reusable suborbital launch vehicles", but in early 2018, SpaceX announced a change of plans, stating that the launch site would be used exclusively for SpaceX's next-generation launch vehicle, Starship. Between 2018 and 2020, the site added significant rocket production and test capacity. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk indicated in 2014 that he expected "commercial astronauts, private astronauts, to be departing from South Texas," and eventually launching spacecraft to Mars from the site....Wikipedia
Maybe office space or assembly facilities on the left and the launch pad on the far right.
Space X - Gateway to Mars
We were just "blown away" today!
Good thing I did my hair for the day, haha!
Looking back at the facility as we headed home from the beach.
Looking back at the launch area from Boca Chico Beach.
Live in OUR Tomorrow Today...
Starbase, Boca Chico, TX
It was a very windy day (25mph with gusts up to 35mph) and the beach was no exception.
This area has lots of Civil War history. As we drove home from Starbase we found this site that was not well marked from the road but seemed to have some good information.
These were in abundance along our drive today. The Yucca treculeana or more commonly referred to as the Spanish Dagger!
28 - Resaca de la Palma State Park
28 - Resaca de la Palma State Park
A resaca is a former channel of a river that has been cut off from the main body of water...Generative AI
Who knew that in this part of the country that "birding" is a big deal. There are lots of parks that are World Birding Centers and this is one of them. It was a nice day to drive out there and we just missed the rain while we headed back to our truck after hiking the Mesquite Trail.
One of the Observation Decks
Saw a wild boar with piglets in the distance.
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