Caddo Lake SP, Karnack, TX

The morning started off with a big ROAR!  Space X has a research facility near here, we saw it from the road when we went to McGregor.  This morning they apparently ran an engine test for a few minutes.  It is 8 miles away but at first we thought a jet was right overhead.  Then I remembered Space X.  Our second encounter with them on this trip!
We got up early, just before 7, to see if we could see the Humanity Star, that reflective satellite, but the day was too bright already.  Only Jupiter was visible.
Nice 5 hour drive to Karnack.  We could have made it faster but we prefer to stay off the interstate and I wanted to avoid Dallas.  Like I said yesterday it is spring here.  Flowering plants, green grass, trees leafing out.
This park is small with one of the few natural lakes in Texas.  We walked all around the campground and checked out the fishing pier.  Probably some hiking tomorrow.

Mother Neff 2

Hiked all around Mother Neff this morning.  Didn't take all that long, it isn't a big park.  Some nice scenery but we seem to notice that we are back in the green tunnel, all wee see is woods with occasional views.  Where is all that wide open space with views everywhere?

This afternoon we went for a ride to Temple, so see some scenery and do laundry.  Got to do that sometime!

Mother Neff SP, Moody TX

Woke up an hour earlier today so we must be getting used to the time zone.

Texas up here in the Panhandle and into the Hill Country areas is much different.  We have seen a lot of agriculture, occupied/used land and some oil country.  But the biggest impression on us has been to see trees and green grass!  The hills are rolling and not very high but many of them are covered with trees.  Ad to that a certain amount that are flowering.  Yes, it is Spring here!  Even some crops that have sprouted in the fields.

Went out to dinner tonight.  That's something we have not done very often.  We ate out at Winter Range a few times, but that was catered.  I don't think we have been in a restaurant since New Orleans.  This was a BBQ place that was very similar to one I frequent with the cowboys in Saratoga.  Tasted about the same too, which is excellent.

Had a little walk out to a pond when we got back.  Didn't see much other than a few flowers.

Our campground has GREEN GRASS!  And TREES!

Th local vegetation now only has an occasional Prickly Pear cactus.

St Paddy's Day at L. Col Park

Got up at 8:30 this morning.  Seems that 2 time zones in 2 days is catching up with us.  It was planned to be a leisure day anyway so it didn't matter.  We went hiking on the trails here by the lake.  Not a big deal as the first was 2 miles along the lake shore, but set back in the wooded area so we only got a few small views of the lake and the generating station.  The second trail was supposed to be a 1.8 mile loop.  But we got out there and discovered the trail was only on the map.  They have not built the second half of it!  We had Cal with us so decided not to bushwhack, too many thorns and picky plants.

This afternoon we went into Lake Colorado City to see what was there.  All we found was a Dairy Queen.  All Mary's talk of maple creemees had me in the mood.  It did not live up to expectations, but was still good!

All packed up for the road tomorrow, just the stuff we use at night left to pack.  I rearranged the back of the truck to make room for my beer.  I have taken a liking to Tecate Light (a Mexican beer) so I have 2 cases for the summer.  Plus the case I have been drinking in between the gin & tonic.  No, not on the same day, geez, those were the old days when I could handle that!

Writing this blog!

Tonight's sunset
Sunset here in the far west of Central Daylight Time is 7:53

Lake Colorado City State Park

About a 400 mile day today.  Nice lakeside campground about 20 minutes out of Lake Colorado City.   Yesterday was high winds that pushed the camper all over the road at 60 mph.  Today was rather calm so I was comfortable at 70 or even 75.  Speed limit is 75. I normally drive it 60 to save fuel but with the 400 miles to cover I decided to spend some fuel.

A lot of variety in terrain today.  Some big hill climbs and some wide open totally unoccupied spaces to the horizon.  The route took back into NM and by Carlsbad but since we've seen that we kept on going.  As soon as we crossed the state line back into Texas it turned to farming.  It's spring here and the tractors were busy tilling fields.   Cropland to the horizon again.  And cattle, oil wells, oil pumps.  All the symbols of the western states.

Hueco Tanks Stae Park, El Paso TX, Thursday night

Hueco Tanks is a park and historic site, the huecos are potholes that store water, but this time it is volcanic rock which formed bubbles and are now open to hold water.  Pretty interesting place.  The Apache people have considered this a special place for ages, there are lots of sites among the rocks with archaeological value.  Lots of pictographs.
A lot of people come here for bouldering and climbing.  Bouldering is climbing boulders without ropes, using crash pads to fall onto in case of losing one's grip.

There was minimal cell service so I could not post last night.  Here it is better but no WiFi and slow service so again, minimal photos.

Rockhound St. Park, Deming, NM

Good drive over on an overcast day.  The park campground was full when we got here so we're camping on the side of the road in the park.  Sounds much worse than it is.  This is nicer than a lot of campsites.  Plenty of privacy, great open views, short walk to facilities.  Just an overnight so we don't need any utilities.  And the sunsets are outstanding!

When I see these signs all I can think of is Burma Shave! 

This does not look like the Continental Divide I usually think of

Hiking around the Rockhound Park