O' the Sun, That Wonderful Yellow Thermal Ball

What a difference 630 miles makes. Temperature up by 40 degrees with blue skies. Beach camping in Port Aransas, TX (27.824286, -97.057135). $12 for the annual parking pass. There is three day limit that is not enforced during the winter. There are only a dozen or so rigs and miles of beach.

Phil settling in for a nice paddle

Paul enjoying the warm day

The shipping channel for
Corpus Christi is nearby.

Last night was the 18th Dine Around for Port Aransas. 20 restaurants particpated. We threw in the towel after number 11. Some hits and a couple of real misses. Never order pizza in Port Aransas. Costco make better. 

Trout Street Bar & Grill served a very nice Cajun Gumbo

Bernies Beach House

Bernies plied us with a tasty French Dip and
Clam Chowder

Everyone thought the Cray Cajun's ribs merited
a return visit

Meatballs with a beef reduction demi glaze at the
Black Marlin bar & Gill were savory.

one year ago

two years ago

The Kings Palace

The brutal cold snap continues.

Today we took the ranger lead tour of the magnificent area of Carlsbad Caverns called the Kings Palace. It is called this because of all the magnificent/magical formations. The 56 degree caverns will feel down right balmy.

Arlene, Paul, and Linda.

Headed into the Kings Palace

What a magnificent room

Arlene checking out all the beautiful formations.

I really love the draperies.

one year ago

two years ago

BURRRRR

It's so cold! We are in Carlsbad, NM at the SKP Ranch. (32.637872, -104.382921)

Alamogordo, NM

Todays outing,  the International Space Hall of Fame.

Dwaine checking out the space station mock-up

Next to the Trinity Site model, Paul explains to Arlene how
an atom bomb works.

Linda and Arlene inspecting a Apollo fuel cell.

Paul through a rocket nozzle

Ending the day with lively game of Mexican Train

The Pink Store

It was a sunny, but cool drive 30 miles due south to Puerto Palomas, MX. Todays mission was to have a delicious lunch at the Pink Store. Mission accomplished.

One room in a huge store of Mexican nick nacks

Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit

Here's to good friends and the joy of the open road

365 days ago

Deming, NM

Going the Right Way

The back up was 6 miles long.

The Luna Mimbres Museum

The Mimbres culture resided in this area from 950 to 1200 A.D.  

Arlene and Linda check out the artifacts.

Many examples of the Mimbres' unique  pottery have been discovered in the area. The dead were buried under the floors of their homes. The bowls buried with them had holes in the bottom, maybe to release the dead's spirit. 

Local teacher Sherry Lorraine Witt created this authentic indian maiden. 

Main Street reflect Deming stores that existed in the first half of the last century. 

Paul poses next the Fire Chief's 1909 Model T.

This is a wonderful and very eclectic museum. These few photos represent only a small portion of the rich and wonderful local history displayed here.

365 days ago

Our Inner Child

We visited Tucson's Gadsden-Pacific ToyTrain Museum today. This is the best model train exhibit I have ever visited.

Train rides on the outside. 

Smaller trains on the inside. 

This amazing wooden model of the Fort Worth and Denver Locomotive 501 was carved using a pocket knife. 

Arlene and Phil enjoying the O gauge  trains

Duaine checking out the tiny N gauge.

Paul (l-r) Phil Duaine, and Linda discussing
this marvelous layout

The museum also has a nice collection of pre WWII tinplate trains. They do not restore them, only make them operational. 

364 days ago

On the Road Again

A new year and a new adventure begins. Friends and I are headed for Mardi Gras and then on to Florida for the winter.

Passing snowy peaks above Palm Springs

Heading east, Quartzsite on the horizon 

Free camping at Buckeye Hills Regional Park, AZ. (33.296399, -112.644519) Serenity waits below as I take a relaxing stroll. The recent rains have pumped green into the desert plants.

366 days ago