Monday August 2, 2010-Garden of the Gods Campground

We started off our first full day here in Colorado Springs to cool temperatures, about 60 degrees. Its very nice to be able to sleep without the air conditioner, although the fan makes a good white noise to drown out any other sounds.

We ate breakfast here in the trailer of biscuits and sausage. The boys haven't been drinking as much coffee as they usually do when they stay with us, but they need the vitamins in the milk they drink.

We left to go to the Garden of the Gods park, following Mike in his new Ford truck. It is very pretty, but I am still a bit leery of any new motor in the first year of service. Once a lot of people get one and put lots of miles on them, we'll see what the reports are. I will be in the market for a new truck soon, but I am still leaning toward another GM truck, either a GMC or Chevy.

The Garden of the Gods is a beautiful park with a lot of rock formations. We only saw some of them, but it was very hot and crowded in the park, so we left and promised ourselves that we will return before we leave to see the rest of the park.

We came back home and rested for awhile before Mike fired up his grill and cooked hamburgers. It was threatening rain with thunder and a smattering of rain drops, but the rain held off until after we had eaten and sat outside for awhile. It is so pleasant here but this park doesn't seem as friendly as many we have been in.

It started raining about 9 o'clock but we were already in for the night so it didn't matter to us. I was kind of restless and didn't go to bed until well after 10, which is pretty late for me. Cam came in again and laid down in bed with me and we talked about the day and what a fun time we have had. He is having a good time and looking forward to the rest of our time here.

So long.

Sunday August 1, 2010-Travel day-Las Vegas KOA to Garden of the Gods Campground

We woke this morning and Stella called Jana so they could come over and drink their coffee with us. Since they are staying in one of the cabins, they don't have any way to make or drink coffee, so we invited them over. I set out four of our chairs and we all sat around in the cool morning drinking coffee and talking about our travels. They are going to Roswell today and are thinking about spending the night in Carlsbad, especially if they can make it in time to go to the caverns.

We pulled out about 9:15, which was later than we had wanted, but all right considering we had a nice visit with Chad and Jana. Almost as soon as we hit the freeway on our way to Colorado the dang low coolant light came on. Stella had forgotten to stow the clock in the bedroom, so when I stopped to let her check on that, I turned the motor off on the truck trying to reset the light. It didn't work because the light came right back on. I just continued to monitor the temperature, which was working perfectly, so we just motored on. The boys went to sleep but we woke them when we went through Raton Pass, a very pretty area. We had scheduled a stop at a rest area around Trinidad CO where we transferred fuel and got our business done. that seemed to open the gates for the boys and they wanted to stop at every rest stop we came to. I did stop for them twice but we passed the third stop without stopping. It was only a few more miles to our destination, so I figured they could wait until we got there.

After arriving, we got checked in but I was disappointed to see the back-in spaces. They are straight-in sites which are very difficult to get into. The guy that was sent to escort us to our site wasn't much help. He kept getting behind the trailer, where I couldn't see him. After what seemed like 2 hours, we finally got parked and started setting up. After the boys and got all the utilities set up and ready, Stella discovered that we wouldn't have room for the porch and steps, sitting where we were. We took everything down or loosened it and I backed the trailer up and we got everything done again. Finally, we're here in Colorado and all set up! Hallelujah!!

We sat around the site, cooling off and chatting with Mike. He pointed out the damage on his trailer where he hit a pipe at a gas station where they had stopped. He later put some RTV over the damage and covered and sealed it for the rest of the trip.

We had supper here in the park. They have a barbecue supper every Sunday, and it was pretty good. We came back to our site to eat, and we sat around chatting for the rest of the evening. The boys played outside and actually met some other kids from Dickinson. Wow, small world.
They turned in and went to sleep early tonight and slept all night long. It's good to be here and we're going to have some fun.

So long.

Saturday July 31, 2010-Travel day-Carlsbad RV Park to Las Vegas NM KOA

We made the long and most-times boring drive from Carlsbad to Las Vegas New Mexico today. Our day began with coffee for Stella and I in the trailer, but we changed somewhat on our departure. We packed up almost everything and took down the utilities leaving only the rooms slid out and the electricity on to keep Cassie comfortable while we went back to Happy's restaurant for breakfast. We decided that it would be better to eat a big breakfast, which is, by the way, the most important meal, and get on the road and then skip lunch. It worked out very well, and we got on the road at 10:30. There is only one town between Carlsbad and Roswell, so there wasn't much of a slow-down. North of Roswell is nothing but rolling lands and mesas in the distance. It was boring but the road is wide and smooth and we made good time.

Just before we got to Vaughn NM, where we made our first turn, our old nemesis returned. Yep, the low coolant light came back on but I had not seen any elevation of the temperature gauge. The gauge was still not showing to be hot, so we continued on into Vaughn and I stopped at a truck stop/convenience store and bought a gallon of coolant/water mix and added it to the overflow tank. I watched the gauges all the way into the new park that is actually about four miles out of Las Vegas NM and we got here with no other problems.

The people here at the KOA are very nice and friendly and after getting set up, I spoke with the manager and her husband about a mechanic that they know here. I called him up as they suggested, but his phone was out of order, so I guess we'll continue on tomorrow with he watching the gauges all the way to Colorado Springs.

I learned that Las Vegas is a very historic little town. The road that we came in on, Hwy. 219, is a part of the historic Route 66 and that prior to 1937, Route 66 ran right through the site of this very park. Butch Cassidy once tended bar in town. (was that Paul Newman or Robert Redford?) Tom Mix brought early Hollywood to town and made several movies here. Movies made in and around Las Vegas were: Tom Mix movies: The Rancher's Daughter, Never Again, Local Color, The Country Drugstore. Also The Evil, Red Dawn (Wolverines!!), Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Girls, Speechless, Miracle in the Wilderness, Hi Lo, All the Pretty Horses, Blind Horizon and No Country For Old Men.

Later in the evening, Stella got a call from her niece Jana. She had been to Denver for a convention and had brought her family with her on the trip. They were leaving Colorado and had decided to stop off in Las Vegas for the night. Stella suggested that they stay here in one of the cabins, so Jana called the park and made their arrangements, and they got here about 8:30. We had a nice visit with them at the cabin until about 10 o'clock when we all turned in. They are coming over for coffee in the morning and we may all eat breakfast here in the park before we take off. We will be going on to Colorado Springs and they will be going to Roswell and Carlsbad. It seem ironic to have both been traveling and run into each other this way.

We have also been talking to Mike and Patrice, who are also coming to Colorado Springs from Dickinson. We may be able to hook up with them today and drive on into CS together. Mike is an old mechanic and may be able to figure out whats wrong with my truck. He'll be moral support for sure. You'll have to check back to see if we can find them along the road somewhere between here and CS.

So long.

Friday July 30, 2010-Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

Today was a very busy day for us. The big problem this morning was that Tyler wanted to sleep in because he stayed up late again. We had plans to go to the Living Desert Zoo here in Carlsbad today after we missed the closing time by 2 minutes yesterday. The zoo is in a very nice location with beautiful scenery around it, but I was let down by many of the cages being empty . and a lot of the animals not visible. I can only think that they stay inside their houses or in shelter from the heat. I know that it is summer and the animals are suffering from the heat, but after paying to see the animals, it is disappointing to not be able to see them. The boys liked it, so I guess thats all that matters.

From there we went to the caverns again. The boys wanted to go on a guided tour of a different part of the cave, but again we were late. We didn't get there in time for the last guided tour but did make it in time to go on the original entrance route. This is a very strenuous route that takes you 750 feet deep into the Big Room where we would catch the elevator back up to the ground level. Stella decided not to try the walk all the way and after taking the hike down, I'm glad she didn't! Even though it was cool in the cave, I was soaked in sweat. My knees ached, my ankles felt as if they were coming apart and my leg throbbed. Although I took several rest stops, I made it. It was tough but we made it. The boys didn't have too much trouble making the walk but they were very supportive of me.

On a lighter note, We were walking into the original mouth of the cave, where the bats fly every evening, and Cameron was intently watching the cave swallows swirling around near the opening when he was hit by a white sticky substance from one of the birds. He was very embarrassed and upset when it happened and of course, Tyler and I had a ball with it, but everyone had a good time. It was nice for me to get to spend some time with the boys alone. They have had fun for the trip and I'm sure it will continue when we get to Colorado.

So long.

Thursday July 29, 2010-Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

Here we are, getting ready to go into the Roswell alien Museum. The museum has many documents that relate the story of an alleged UFO crash near Roswell in 1947. There was evidence that something did crash out in the desert and that government officials took possession of the evidence and locked it up. The explanation was that a weather balloon had crashed, causing the debris in the desert. It was widely held by UFO proponents that this was merely a cover up but ended being a good story and put Roswell on the map as a place to visit.

This photo was taken at the Area 51 "Museum" which is a rather hokey representation of "aliens" dressed and posed and is a fun area for children. I don't think either Tyler or Cameron was very impressed with it. Here the boys are standing in front of a flying alien creature.

Here is Cameron relaxing on a couch with a new friend.

Here is Cam sitting in an outhouse with another alien friend.

Even PePaw got to sit with a new alien friend.

We went to eat at Happy's again this morning and had a great breakfast to start our day. We then went and had the truck serviced and the radiator flushed to try to find out what may have caused the overheating problem. It seems to be fixed now, and the only thing we could find was that the radiator was a little low on coolant, but that has been fixed now. We should be good to go now.

We came back to Carlsbad, intending to go to the Living Desert Zoo but we were one minute too late to get in. They close the gates promptly at 3:30, their advertised time, so we will go tomorrow, which will be our last full day here. We still have some more things we want to do here before we leave, so the adventures here will continue.

So long.

Wednesday July 28, 2010-Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

Here are the boys just before we went into the caverns. It was very hot outside, in the 90's but the temperature in the cave was posted at 37. It is also very humid in the cave, so its a refreshing change from the outside temps.

Here is everyone but MeMaw taking photos. I am actually using her camera, so perhaps one of my children will find it in their heart to give poor old dad a new camers for Christmas. (Shamelessly hinting for a gift)

Here is one of the many beautiful rock formations found in the cave. Some are shaped like animals, some like ice cream cones, all shapes and sizes. They are all caused by the water that erodes the rocks into shapes and colors.

There are just so many formations, it would be impossible for me to put them all in this blog. One of the things I noticed was that there are many different colors in the cave, but I read that they use only white lights and the colors seen are because of the coloring of the rocks.

We had thought about hanging around for the bat flight that starts at dusk, but as soon as we got back outside, we were greeted by very loud thunder and lightning and a very ominous storm cloud, pictured above from the truck as we were leaving. We got a lot of rain when we got home, and the power went out for a few minutes.

This was our first full day here in Carlsbad NM. I woke and had my coffee and woke the boys for our trip to the caverns. Tyler was a big sleepyhead this morning, and I found out that he had stayed up way late last night and couldn't wake this morning. We ate breakfast here in the trailer but the boys didn't want to go early. We left here about 2 o'clock for the 20 mile drive to the caves.

After exploring the "Big Room" of the cave, we came back to Carlsbad and ate supper at a place called Happy's. It's a large-portion restaurant that is in a building that looks like it began as a Stuckey's due to the shape of the building and parking lot. The food was really good, even though everything is served on throw-away plates with plastic dinnerware and styrofoam cups. They also serve breakfast all day, so we'll probably try that one morning. It began storming on us while we ate, so we hurried on home when we finished eating. Cassie doesn't like being alone in the trailer during a rain storm, especially one with thunder and lightning. Sure enough, she was very glad to see us, and of course, wouldn't go outside in the rain. As soon as it stopped, she was ready to go though. As I said before, the power went out for about ten or fifteen minutes, so it wasn't long enough to cause a problem.

Tyler and Cameron went swimming again and wanted me to go with them, but I was tired from the 1.3 mile walk around the big room, so I went to bed early. Cam must have been tired too because he came back and went to bed too. It was a good day and the boys enjoyed themselves.

So long.

Tuesday July 27, 2010-Travel day San Angelo KOA to Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

We got up in San Angelo to much cooler and drier air than we are used to in Houston. We are going to enjoy this trip! It was nice to sit with the air conditioner off and still be comfortable. I turned the coffee on this morning, thinking the smell would wake the boys, not knowing that they stay up much later than PePaw does. I drank my coffee and ate my cereal, and they still didn't get up. I finally had to get them up at 7:30. We were going to try to leave earlier than yesterday, but didn't make it. The boys are getting much better at helping me get things put away outside. The problem is, sometimes they get a little overzealous, and turn things off before it is time. I have learned not to turn off ANYthing without checking with Stella first and have the knuckle-bumps to prove it. Tyler turned the water off and I heard a loud voice from inside the trailer. I asked her if that was all right and she said "I guess it is, I have already washed up everything". She is accustomed to me asking before turning the water off.

The bad thing today was that Cameron misunderstood his MeMaw and told Tyler that he could turn the electricity off before she was ready. Well now, that got a completely different response than the "that's all right honey"... We got it worked out and everything got packed away in it's proper place but we still didn't get away until 9:30, or the same time as yesterday. At least we're consistent.

I watched the temperature gauge like a hawk all day, but it never did go up like it did yesterday.
Even when the truck downshifted going up hills, the temp never moved. Thats really strange after our experience yesterday, but I'll take it. I'm still going to get the truck looked at and at least have the cooling system flushed.

We made good time on the trip today and only made one long stop for lunch, just before we got into Andrews TX. We pulled into one of those little picnic areas that the state puts in beside the road. It is nothing more than a wide spot on the shoulder. You know the kind, with a small shelter and a couple of trash barrels. This one was on the opposite side of the road, so we had to exit facing toward the oncoming traffic, but the road (state Hwy. 62) is a lonely road used mostly for oilfield workers servicing the many, many oil wells alongside the road, so there wasn't much traffic to put up with. The one thing about it was that some of the big trucks seemed to shake us worse than the other traffic. I watched one of them as he came by and he drove with his wheels off onto the shoulder of the road, apparently so he could shake the trailer when he drove by. He never came close to us, but the wind blast from his big truck sure shook the trailer.

There was no sign at the border when we crossed it. I intended to stop and take a picture of this historic occasion for the boys first going out of Texas. They actually flew to California a couple of years ago to visit their dad but that doesn't count. It only counts when one is on the ground and able to actually see when they cross the border.

We pulled into Carlsbad about 3 o'clock or 2 o'clock New Mexico time. Remember, we are in Mountain time now. We found the Carlsbad RV Park without any trouble, thanks to our Garmin, and got checked in and set up in less than an hour, including our porch and steps. Its good to be home, at least for a few days. The boys went swimming and I soon joined them for a cool dip in the pool. It was nice and refreshing. The pool was full, so I didn't stay very long and returned home. The boys came back after a little while but changed out of their bathing suits and went back outside. They found some new friends and stayed out with them for awhile. It was nice and relaxing while there was some peace and quiet in the trailer. I didn't nap, but did get to close my eyes for a few minutes. We are so thankful for the life we are able to lead.

So long.