Chiricahua National Monument, AZ

We started the day watching the sunrise,



then we went to the Chiricahua National Monument and Coronado National Forest. The mountains were beautiful as we made our way to the park, but we didn't realize at the beginning what a spectacular find this was!



It started out with a small cemetery from the early 1900's of the homesteaders that lived on the land. Kim dropped me and Sam off at a picnic area and stocked us for .5 miles until we got to the end of the trail. Samantha knew Kim and Ginger were nearby and was so excited to see them, it reminded me of those dog races where they have the little bunny to follow for motivation. This time the motivation was Kim's truck! I was the one being walked down the trail, and it was a lot of fun walking by the river bed.
We met Kim on the other side, and went to see the homesteader's house that is really well preserved. There is also an old farm there. I was alone with Sam and when the wind kicked up, a part of the fence CREAKED open, making me jump.



We proceeded to travel down the road, and it just kept getting more and more spectacular. Huge rocks balanced upon one another, looking as though with the slightest breeze they might tip over.



Some of them appeared to be watching us!



Wanting to stop at every corner, we settled on going to the very end and making our way back. Well at the end of the road is a spectacular overlook that is an expanse of rock for as far as the eye can see. These rocks are chiseled so that they are separated from each other and look like odd structures sticking up towards the sky.





Each one has it's own distinct personality. We climbed the rocks and gazed out at the beauty. It was windy and cold up there, the elevation was around 4800, but I didn't feel the cold, there was so much to look at and crawl upon.





We drove back slowly admiring the rocks and the gorgeous views everywhere. At one point we saw several birds with blue tinged backs flying around the tree-tops. They ended up being Gray Breasted Jays.



We ended the trip with a jaunt to the Coronado National Forest, where we found an old gravesite of some homesteaders, the Hands. Both husband and wife were buried in that forest. We walked down a trail and let the girls run to their hearts content. We are all exhausted but what a fun day!

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Coronado National Forest:
Samantha and I FINALLY feel more at home today! For the past 6 months we have been restricted due to alligators, then we finally hit some areas that seemed to be good doggie areas, until our paws hit the ground, then we discovered sore paws due to the thorns in our paws, and the burrs that have been sneaking in between our pads... ouch!
Today we were taken to the Coronado National Forest in Arizona!



It reminded us of our adventures in Montana. Samantha and I went into puppy mode, we did not act like the 9 and 10 yrs old that we are. Samantha even did hang time going over a ditch, and I crawled into the ravine and back up... I like being a mountain goat! It brings me back to the days of raising Joe!



We both passed out for the ride back to the 5er! What a great day... Ginger

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We are watching the sunset in bed tonight here in Arizona. The window in the bedroom of the RV is just high enough to see over the houses and watch the beautiful colors over the mountains. It'll be dark soon, and I think we'll sleep well tonight!

NM 3/28/06

Last night we found a wonderful spot on the PNC trail. This one in New Mexico has a small RV park nestled behind the main gas station and store. All around you can see the desert and the mountains looming in the distance.



We saw quite a bit of wildlife.
One in particular was very ferocious.





This Desert Wren was quite the entertainment for Bugs! It made quite a racket, which Bugs is particularly sound activated!





We got to watch the sun set and the colors change behind the mountains.



It feels good just to sip coffee and watch the sun rise this morning among the cacti.



Here is the aftermath of being in New Mexico:

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

After Carlsbad Caverns, we stayed in the magnificent Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We arrived just in time to get the last spot that our 5er would fit in. The rv's were in basically a paved lot, while the tents had a nice campground that is more like one would expect from the national park system. It was quite un level! So much so that our neighbor (who had automatic levelers) actually had one of his tires off the ground! We were so tired we did not worry about it! we actually slept fine, although we did not feel comfortable putting the slider out due to the feeling of tipping over... each time we would move around we would stager on our steps down to the main living area, and Suzi had quite the time cooking. Put an orange on the counter, and it would quickly roll to the floor! The campground was small, built by the park is encircled by rocky peaks all around.



Mountain Lion warnings are on all the trail heads. YAY! We're finally home! This country just takes your breath away. After being in the relatively flat areas of Florida and Louisiana it is just amazing to see these giants on the horizon.



It had been almost a year since we have seen actual mountains looming over the land. It actually feels like we're in a different country, the contrast is so incredible. I can't wait to see more!

Indian Cave NM 03/27/06

Totally exhausted after the tour that took much longer than the projected 1.5 hours, we flopped in our bed and didn't want to move.

We were graced with several Turkey Vultures soaring over the parking lot on our way back to the pups (and kitty).

However, as we were traveling down the pass, we happened upon a sign that said, 'Native American dwelling' and yes, you guessed it, had to take a peek.
The trail is lined with plant life and explanations of how the Native American's utilized the different plants for food, blankets and shoes. A cliff ledge that shaded the canyon was at the end of the trail, and this is the ancient home of the Native Americans.



A purple flowered bush was nearby with an odd flying something-or-other that I have never seen before, I'm still not sure what it is!

*******Update: we have found the following*******

******* is a White-lined Sphinx Moth *******

*******Thanks Carol *******

We made our way, now completely and utterly exhausted to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. And more on that beautiful place later!

Carlsbad Caverns 03/27/08

We have always wanted to go to Carlsbad Caverns and finally being in Southern New Mexico, we got our wish. Going up a winding road, we came upon a very inconspicuous brown building. Who would have thought that right beneath it and 750 feet down an elevator is an entirely different world made up of cavernous ceilings and strange water carved stalactites and stalagmites. Sharp straw like spikes decorated the ceiling while an infinite variety of mushroom shaped sculptures pushed out of the floor.



Lights illuminated the beauty of the cave, but without them, it would be pitch black, and you couldn't see a hand in front of your face. Definitely glad to be wearing a sweater, we were lowered deep down into the earth by an elevator. It was only a minute ride but we could feel our ears popping and see where the earth had been blasted away outside the windows.



Arriving at last, we entered the dark tunnel, lit by artificial light, and began our journey. The trail was paved with hand rails and partially accessible to wheelchairs. Several structures really stand out in my mind like the blade shaped sword that hung down from the ceiling,



and the caveman.



Occasionally, I would think someone was watching me, and it ended up to be just another varied stalagmite, that with my vivid imagination had eyes!







As I got hungrier, half way around the stretch, objects started appearing more like food. Don't ask!



However, the brain shaped linings around the water and the graphic insides of a heart, soon helped me to overcome my stomach grumbles.



Fortunately there were places to sit and just take in the beauty and majesty of this place, though we wished there were more. One area showed a rope where upper chambers had been explored. There's a sense of wonder and curiosity as forbidden roped off trails lead off in every direction. Looking over the edge you can see an area still being explored deep below our feet.







A bottomless pit, named because with lights there was absolutely no end in sight, stretches below. With lights and exploration it was found to go 160 feet down, but still looks ominous, even lit up.





There are so many magnificent structures, and pools of clear water that lurk deep in this dark place.



Many of them remind me of strange gardens that blossom over centuries, because they are slowly in the process of change. The Fairy Gardens really stick out for me because they reminded me of Goblin Valley in Utah. Twisting rough shapes of the fairies are absolutely everywhere. Some structures remind me of Yellowstone, and what some of those natural wonders would look like if absolutely dry.



Bats lurk around here, mama bats and their baby pups are born here. (Sorry just had to say that!) And mid May begin a magnificent flight in the evenings to get their dinner. I would love to see that someday.

New Mexico and Arizona roads are a familiar pathway for Kim's parents. Fortunately for us, they have scoped out some prime camping areas. Some people follow the Lewis and Clark trail, however for us, we will follow the PNC trail. :)

South Eastern New Mexico has one of these spots. Just inside the city is a small park with about 4 free hook-ups for RV's. There is a fish stocked lake and we felt right at home with the small coots swimming outside our window.





Our dogs enjoyed splashing in the lake but they didn't enjoy the burrs that got wedged in their paws. We'll be glad to get them out of cactus country.

Texas seemed to take a LONG time to get thru! probably due to the fact that we chose the fattest part of Texas to drive thru. We won't mention the flat tire on the 5er that made us purchase new tread... oh, and yeah, I can no longer tease Suzi about being unemployed! She is going back to work for the same hospital in Seattle that she used to work for... barring the FBI background check of course...



At one rest area we saw these all over. Wondering if any of you know what kind of animal created them??




We pulled over at a nice spot for a picnic!



We really enjoyed the hills of TX!

We were mean at the place we spent the night in Louisiana. It was a visitor center/ rest area along I-10.