Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Noah here! Not Forty Days and Forty Nights, but 2.28 inches in two days. That may not sound like much, but the average annual rainfall is 3 inches. That is like Rochester getting 70 inches of snow in two days. We were lucky because when it finally stopped we had a dry, well no standing water, way to the road. Most of the campground was submerged in standing water. There is no real drainage where there are no crops. As we learned the next day when we went to Cooperative Extension Service (or its local equivalent) for a tour the fields which are well drained. The Institute is located on a working farm. We were unable to have the tour because all of the access roads were either flooded or so deep in mud as to be impassable for ordinary four wheel drive vehicles. We will be returning for our tour of the irrigation system and the wetlands areas on Thursday.
We sat out the rains Monday onboard Goliath with books and computers and conversation. and no desire to venture out into the rain. As we learned, many roads were closed due to washes flowing over them and in areas that had been burned last fall the danger of mudslides was very great. Tuesday we went to the farm tour and after spending some time with the leader we stopped by an independent bookstore to restock our reading materials. We found a great selection of used paperbacks, rather I did, Carol was being pickier than me and did not fair as well. After returning to Goliath to stow the books and eat lunch, we set out into the Anzo Borriega State park area to see some sites we had noted as being worth trying to get to. There are two causes of uncertainty. In the best of conditions the roads are not the greatest in a conventional four door sedan and the rains might have made them even more treacherous.
Our primary goal, it turned out, was Fossil Canyon. This area is supposed to be quite laden with fossil shells. For that matter the road off of Old 80 (also called Imperial Highway) is called Shell Canyon road. We drove to the end of pavement and after determining from the map and the use of the GPS that the distance rest of the way was not more than a mile or so, we left the car and set out on foot. The hike was a lot of fun and we might have taken the car further in, but did not regret having left it. We reached the points we had set out to see and were a bit disappointed. The only shells we saw were hundreds of shell casing from target shooters of all kinds including shotgun shells from a bunch of skeet shooters who had littered the place with their clays and a collection of vinyl records that they must have used as targets. I am sad to report that these shooters were real pigs. Many places in California are desecrated by people with no sense of the environment. They don ‘t even clean up after themselves. I suppose I could extend that canard to the rest of the country, but I expect better from this state that has elected such a great new governor. Oh yes Gasoline out here is now $2.19 a gallon.
We returned from our trip to dinner on board and my attempting to destroy this computer. I set it down, closed, right in my path to the front compartment and then stepped on it in my stocking feet. The screen has a lovely crack in it and when I have done tonight’s writing and posting I will pack it into the box provided by IBM and return it to their repair facility for a new screen. I expect to be out of commission about 7 to 8 days. Carol and I will get to fighting over her Powerbook. She will win. It is hers!
Today we went off to Julian. This is an historic gold mining town in the mountains that rather than become a ghost town became the center of the apple industry here and it specializes in feeding tourists some of the best apple pie to be had. Every shop has its own apple pie and each claims to be the one that made Julian famous. There are plenty of nice shops with all kinds of things to look at and even some to buy. We traveled by route 2 which eventually parallels the old Butterfield Overland Stagecoach line. I have not provided a map as has been requested, because I haven’t figured out how to show you what we did. If you call up mapquest and look at the Julian, CA area you ought to be able to get a sense of the area. Julian has now had two major forest fires stop at the edge of town. Last fall the huge fire consumed 27,000 acres of a nearby national forest and left only 450 acres untouched. Many locals lost everything in these fires, the town is not in great economic shape and the loss of recreational opportunities is keeping away the tourist trade.
On the way there I wanted to stop at the highway pull off to see my favorite highway marker which reads “This is the desert, there is nothing here. Nothing” but when we got there the Border patrol had set up shop there to inspect all the passing traffic. I did not want to try their patience so I merely drove on. There are no pictures in this posting because I have not got anything that is really interesting in a photo. If you want to see the SoCal mountains with snow starting at 6000 feet, you really need to be here. It just does not photograph well to reduced to a size I can upload at 14.4. Likewise, from a roadside position it is nearly impossible to properly photograph the Blue Angels practicing overhead, as they do here daily.
I am going to quit here so I can post this and have time to eat some of that wonderful apple pie we brought back with us together with Cinnamon ice cream. We are delighted to here from any of you by email or phone. Both our cell phones are always on and we mostly have service. I’ll not post the numbers here as others can get to this blog, My assistant Kathy knows the numbers and how to reach us.
We sat out the rains Monday onboard Goliath with books and computers and conversation. and no desire to venture out into the rain. As we learned, many roads were closed due to washes flowing over them and in areas that had been burned last fall the danger of mudslides was very great. Tuesday we went to the farm tour and after spending some time with the leader we stopped by an independent bookstore to restock our reading materials. We found a great selection of used paperbacks, rather I did, Carol was being pickier than me and did not fair as well. After returning to Goliath to stow the books and eat lunch, we set out into the Anzo Borriega State park area to see some sites we had noted as being worth trying to get to. There are two causes of uncertainty. In the best of conditions the roads are not the greatest in a conventional four door sedan and the rains might have made them even more treacherous.
Our primary goal, it turned out, was Fossil Canyon. This area is supposed to be quite laden with fossil shells. For that matter the road off of Old 80 (also called Imperial Highway) is called Shell Canyon road. We drove to the end of pavement and after determining from the map and the use of the GPS that the distance rest of the way was not more than a mile or so, we left the car and set out on foot. The hike was a lot of fun and we might have taken the car further in, but did not regret having left it. We reached the points we had set out to see and were a bit disappointed. The only shells we saw were hundreds of shell casing from target shooters of all kinds including shotgun shells from a bunch of skeet shooters who had littered the place with their clays and a collection of vinyl records that they must have used as targets. I am sad to report that these shooters were real pigs. Many places in California are desecrated by people with no sense of the environment. They don ‘t even clean up after themselves. I suppose I could extend that canard to the rest of the country, but I expect better from this state that has elected such a great new governor. Oh yes Gasoline out here is now $2.19 a gallon.
We returned from our trip to dinner on board and my attempting to destroy this computer. I set it down, closed, right in my path to the front compartment and then stepped on it in my stocking feet. The screen has a lovely crack in it and when I have done tonight’s writing and posting I will pack it into the box provided by IBM and return it to their repair facility for a new screen. I expect to be out of commission about 7 to 8 days. Carol and I will get to fighting over her Powerbook. She will win. It is hers!
Today we went off to Julian. This is an historic gold mining town in the mountains that rather than become a ghost town became the center of the apple industry here and it specializes in feeding tourists some of the best apple pie to be had. Every shop has its own apple pie and each claims to be the one that made Julian famous. There are plenty of nice shops with all kinds of things to look at and even some to buy. We traveled by route 2 which eventually parallels the old Butterfield Overland Stagecoach line. I have not provided a map as has been requested, because I haven’t figured out how to show you what we did. If you call up mapquest and look at the Julian, CA area you ought to be able to get a sense of the area. Julian has now had two major forest fires stop at the edge of town. Last fall the huge fire consumed 27,000 acres of a nearby national forest and left only 450 acres untouched. Many locals lost everything in these fires, the town is not in great economic shape and the loss of recreational opportunities is keeping away the tourist trade.
On the way there I wanted to stop at the highway pull off to see my favorite highway marker which reads “This is the desert, there is nothing here. Nothing” but when we got there the Border patrol had set up shop there to inspect all the passing traffic. I did not want to try their patience so I merely drove on. There are no pictures in this posting because I have not got anything that is really interesting in a photo. If you want to see the SoCal mountains with snow starting at 6000 feet, you really need to be here. It just does not photograph well to reduced to a size I can upload at 14.4. Likewise, from a roadside position it is nearly impossible to properly photograph the Blue Angels practicing overhead, as they do here daily.
I am going to quit here so I can post this and have time to eat some of that wonderful apple pie we brought back with us together with Cinnamon ice cream. We are delighted to here from any of you by email or phone. Both our cell phones are always on and we mostly have service. I’ll not post the numbers here as others can get to this blog, My assistant Kathy knows the numbers and how to reach us.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
We took a scenic route down Pacific Coast Highway to I-5 to CA 76 into the mountains then on to CA 79 through Julian, CA. This area was subject to massive fire damage in last summer’s fires, but the town itself survived. The fire appears to have burned right to the edge of the town. We continued on 79 to I-8 in the rain, and then a rainbow appeared,
and on to Rio Bend RV and Gold Resort outside of El Centro. This is primarily an agricultural area. There are vast corporate farms spreading over the entire area and the irrigation network defines the grid of roads that make up the transport in the area. Within an hours drive in any direction there are plenty of interesting areas to explore.
Today we set off for the Tumco Mine. This is one of the first gold mining areas in California. It dates back to 1849. We drove almost to Yuma, AZ on I-8, then north on Ogilby Road (you won’t find this on any map you are likely to have) to the Gold Mine area. A short drive over dirt brought us to a parking area and trailhead. This was in the midst of Hedges which was the mining town that served (or serviced) the area. We set off with water, cameras and the Magellan GPS to see what we could find. Almost nothing remains of Hedges and the most prominent remains are the old mine shafts a cistern and the remains of the cyanide treatment works, used to extract the gold. The current name, Tumco, is derived from the name of the company that acquired the area after WW I, The United Mine Company. They are still currently working part of the mine and extracting gold not far from where we were hiking.
The weather was wonderful, clear and sunny with temperatures in the high 60’s, perfect for hiking. The sun was ringed with a full circle rainbow most of the afternoon; I believe that is called a “sun dog.” They are wonderful to see and are seldom visible as full circles. We returned to the car after a couple of hours and had lunch, which we had packed in advance, well really Carol prepared the lunch, I carried it and ate it.
While we were at lunch a young man came down from the mine area and we started talking about the area. He is a ghost town enthusiast and had with him a book that described Hedges and the history of the area. He showed us pictures of the area when it was active and it was clear that although we were on a barren plane, there had been a thriving town that offered all the vices needed by the miners. We left the area satisfied that we had seen what was to be seen. The RVs boon-docking there have an exciting area to visit.
The drive over back roads back towards El Centro took us through the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. This area covers miles of dunes and is covered with off road vehicles of all sorts, from classic dune buggies to four seat dune buggies to SUVs and ATV’s and dirt bikes.
There is no part of the area that is not covered with tracks. Just across the road the sand is untouched. A quick look at the map revealed that that is a designated bombing practice area and there is good reason for the off roaders to stay out. I must say we could use more bombing practice areas, if that is the result. All those vehicles tearing up the landscape with gasoline at $2.19 a gallon really seems very wasteful of many different resources. I know I make my own contribution to the apparently needless recreational use of gasoline with Goliath, at those prices I may have to find more direct routes for Goliath and do more exploring in the tow’d.
We had word in the last couple of days of the death of an old and dear friend and mother to our friend Margie Lu Perlman, Sarah Elizabeth Goldblatt was a sweet person with a wonderful skill to bring drama to children and children to drama. While she was able she never seemed to rest and always had another project under way. When she retired from directing the drama programs at the Temple B’rith Kodesh school she became a leader of the TBKers, a group of temple members that meet regularly for lunch and speakers every week. Her absence has been noted for many years, but now Carol and I feel the absence more deeply yet. We extend condolences to Margie Lu and David.
We are experiencing rain on our roof as we sit there this evening. The forecast calls for steady rain for the night with a total accumulation of 2 to 3 tenths of an inch. Somehow I think we can go out in this rain and not get too wet.
and on to Rio Bend RV and Gold Resort outside of El Centro. This is primarily an agricultural area. There are vast corporate farms spreading over the entire area and the irrigation network defines the grid of roads that make up the transport in the area. Within an hours drive in any direction there are plenty of interesting areas to explore.
Today we set off for the Tumco Mine. This is one of the first gold mining areas in California. It dates back to 1849. We drove almost to Yuma, AZ on I-8, then north on Ogilby Road (you won’t find this on any map you are likely to have) to the Gold Mine area. A short drive over dirt brought us to a parking area and trailhead. This was in the midst of Hedges which was the mining town that served (or serviced) the area. We set off with water, cameras and the Magellan GPS to see what we could find. Almost nothing remains of Hedges and the most prominent remains are the old mine shafts a cistern and the remains of the cyanide treatment works, used to extract the gold. The current name, Tumco, is derived from the name of the company that acquired the area after WW I, The United Mine Company. They are still currently working part of the mine and extracting gold not far from where we were hiking.
The weather was wonderful, clear and sunny with temperatures in the high 60’s, perfect for hiking. The sun was ringed with a full circle rainbow most of the afternoon; I believe that is called a “sun dog.” They are wonderful to see and are seldom visible as full circles. We returned to the car after a couple of hours and had lunch, which we had packed in advance, well really Carol prepared the lunch, I carried it and ate it.
While we were at lunch a young man came down from the mine area and we started talking about the area. He is a ghost town enthusiast and had with him a book that described Hedges and the history of the area. He showed us pictures of the area when it was active and it was clear that although we were on a barren plane, there had been a thriving town that offered all the vices needed by the miners. We left the area satisfied that we had seen what was to be seen. The RVs boon-docking there have an exciting area to visit.
The drive over back roads back towards El Centro took us through the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. This area covers miles of dunes and is covered with off road vehicles of all sorts, from classic dune buggies to four seat dune buggies to SUVs and ATV’s and dirt bikes.
There is no part of the area that is not covered with tracks. Just across the road the sand is untouched. A quick look at the map revealed that that is a designated bombing practice area and there is good reason for the off roaders to stay out. I must say we could use more bombing practice areas, if that is the result. All those vehicles tearing up the landscape with gasoline at $2.19 a gallon really seems very wasteful of many different resources. I know I make my own contribution to the apparently needless recreational use of gasoline with Goliath, at those prices I may have to find more direct routes for Goliath and do more exploring in the tow’d.
We had word in the last couple of days of the death of an old and dear friend and mother to our friend Margie Lu Perlman, Sarah Elizabeth Goldblatt was a sweet person with a wonderful skill to bring drama to children and children to drama. While she was able she never seemed to rest and always had another project under way. When she retired from directing the drama programs at the Temple B’rith Kodesh school she became a leader of the TBKers, a group of temple members that meet regularly for lunch and speakers every week. Her absence has been noted for many years, but now Carol and I feel the absence more deeply yet. We extend condolences to Margie Lu and David.
We are experiencing rain on our roof as we sit there this evening. The forecast calls for steady rain for the night with a total accumulation of 2 to 3 tenths of an inch. Somehow I think we can go out in this rain and not get too wet.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
We have been to Atlanta and back, I am reminded why I prefer travel by RV. I like control of my own schedule, preferably no schedule, but control nonetheless. Our flights got off to an inauspicious start. A post back or so I mentioned that we bought a Bat Mitzvah gift in Brookstones. It was a radio, not a tool set. We elected to carry on with a minimum of clothes to avoid the hassle of waiting for luggage. The TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) people got wery curious about Carol’s bag. They ran it through the X-ray machine several times and then they removed the gift and x-rayed it separately. Then they approached us with an ah ha look on their faces. They proceeded to open the sealed boxed gift (not yet gift wrapped) and extracted a wrench, two inches long and stamped out of flat metal. “Tools are not allowed on a plane” was the announcement. They started to offer alternatives and I said “pitch it” I have no idea what purpose it serves and it is surely replaceable is needed.
I am not sure what menace is offered by such a tool, but the nation is safer because it was pitched.
The only remaining hitch was a one hour delay in our second flight due to weather in Atlanta, which together with a last minute terminal change at DFW was enough to get me medium riled. All was well and we had a grand time. The return trip seemed to fair much better until we got on the AA inter terminal train in DFW. The train stopped several feet short of the proper alignment with the doors and the entire AA tram system ground to a standstill until a live tech person could get to the scene and free us. Fie on antiquated automated systems that depend on relays and switches. Computers are better and live people even better.
The next day, today, was/is(?) Monday, (still is as I write). We got up early and were pushing miles under the tires by 8:50 AM, which is early for us. We bought lots of gasoline, about 40 gallons, twice and settled in to a roadside campground behind a Shell truck stop in Gila Bend AZ. This looked at bit weird at first, but the campground facilities are first class and the place is clean and well kept. It remains to be seen if the noise from the trucks will be a problem. They don’t sound too bad right now. 3 AM may be a different issue.
Tuesday found us moving right along again. As we watched Arizona passing under our tires we realized that we might make it to Long Beach a day early. Although this would be delightful for us, it might not have been so good for Miriam and Yechiel because he was just flying in from NYC that evening. Therefore we decided to look for an early stop that might be a bit interesting. As we entered the valley south of Joshua Tree National park (JTNP) we decided to look for a place near the western end of the valley, leaving us a couple or three hour drive the net day. The campground selection process was less than perfect this time. We could not find the park we were looking for and they had an answering machine with no useful information. We had passed several interesting looking parks in our search and we found a really wide spot in the road to swing the rig around in and retrace our tire tracks to Caliente Springs RV Resort. While this is not our normal kind of stop, we decided to splurge for the night. This was a good choice.
The campsite facilities were ordinary to good with all the services we need arranged conveniently. The central facility were we registered is a very large building that encompasses meeting rooms, kitchen and coffee shop and a grand assortment of pools at different temperatures and with different aeration, all filled with mineral waters from springs on the property. We took advantage of the pools both in the afternoon after our arrival and in the morning before checkout time. I think we may get back to this one after visiting the kids.
Visiting the kids! I think I will not provide all the details of this visit. We spent Thursday through Sunday afternoon with Miriam, Yechiel and their two kids and Sunday afternoon Malena, Dan and their three joined us. By the time they had joined us, we had moved Goliath from the street in front of Yechiel’s to Golden Shore RV Resort located just up the LA river from the Long Beach Harbor. We are right on the water in a nice slip. The campground is really an elaborate parking lot, but the location is great and we have all the facilities we need to extend our stay here as long as we choose.
Here is a group shot as we were getting ready to break up the party:
Carol and I have decided that when we move out on Friday we will take a scenic route to El Centro, CA. For those who have followed this journal for the past two years you will recognize this location. We hope to settle into Rio Bend RV Park just outside of El Centro and continue to explore the Anzo Borriega park and other things in the area. We admit to looking forward to Camachos Mexican restaurant and maybe even another trip into Mexico. Maybe we will do nothing for a couple of days. Still no idea of what will follow.
I am not sure what menace is offered by such a tool, but the nation is safer because it was pitched.
The only remaining hitch was a one hour delay in our second flight due to weather in Atlanta, which together with a last minute terminal change at DFW was enough to get me medium riled. All was well and we had a grand time. The return trip seemed to fair much better until we got on the AA inter terminal train in DFW. The train stopped several feet short of the proper alignment with the doors and the entire AA tram system ground to a standstill until a live tech person could get to the scene and free us. Fie on antiquated automated systems that depend on relays and switches. Computers are better and live people even better.
The next day, today, was/is(?) Monday, (still is as I write). We got up early and were pushing miles under the tires by 8:50 AM, which is early for us. We bought lots of gasoline, about 40 gallons, twice and settled in to a roadside campground behind a Shell truck stop in Gila Bend AZ. This looked at bit weird at first, but the campground facilities are first class and the place is clean and well kept. It remains to be seen if the noise from the trucks will be a problem. They don’t sound too bad right now. 3 AM may be a different issue.
Tuesday found us moving right along again. As we watched Arizona passing under our tires we realized that we might make it to Long Beach a day early. Although this would be delightful for us, it might not have been so good for Miriam and Yechiel because he was just flying in from NYC that evening. Therefore we decided to look for an early stop that might be a bit interesting. As we entered the valley south of Joshua Tree National park (JTNP) we decided to look for a place near the western end of the valley, leaving us a couple or three hour drive the net day. The campground selection process was less than perfect this time. We could not find the park we were looking for and they had an answering machine with no useful information. We had passed several interesting looking parks in our search and we found a really wide spot in the road to swing the rig around in and retrace our tire tracks to Caliente Springs RV Resort. While this is not our normal kind of stop, we decided to splurge for the night. This was a good choice.
The campsite facilities were ordinary to good with all the services we need arranged conveniently. The central facility were we registered is a very large building that encompasses meeting rooms, kitchen and coffee shop and a grand assortment of pools at different temperatures and with different aeration, all filled with mineral waters from springs on the property. We took advantage of the pools both in the afternoon after our arrival and in the morning before checkout time. I think we may get back to this one after visiting the kids.
Visiting the kids! I think I will not provide all the details of this visit. We spent Thursday through Sunday afternoon with Miriam, Yechiel and their two kids and Sunday afternoon Malena, Dan and their three joined us. By the time they had joined us, we had moved Goliath from the street in front of Yechiel’s to Golden Shore RV Resort located just up the LA river from the Long Beach Harbor. We are right on the water in a nice slip. The campground is really an elaborate parking lot, but the location is great and we have all the facilities we need to extend our stay here as long as we choose.
Here is a group shot as we were getting ready to break up the party:
Carol and I have decided that when we move out on Friday we will take a scenic route to El Centro, CA. For those who have followed this journal for the past two years you will recognize this location. We hope to settle into Rio Bend RV Park just outside of El Centro and continue to explore the Anzo Borriega park and other things in the area. We admit to looking forward to Camachos Mexican restaurant and maybe even another trip into Mexico. Maybe we will do nothing for a couple of days. Still no idea of what will follow.
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Wednesday was our first day in El Paso and we wanted to get some sense of the city and it inner environs. First we had to attend to some maintenance items. Since last summer we have had an intermittent electrical problem with the brake lights on the tow’d. the good news is mostly they have worked. The bad news is they stopped working again a couple of days ago and eeven though I have brake lights on Goliath it is much safer (and more legal) to have the brake lights on the Tow’d activate. I had done my usual look at the wiring and shake it and although it then was working when we left the campground at our next stop they were gone again. Here is where the service and repair facility associated with the campground came into play. They have applied a fix that ought to keep the brake lights on the Tow’d working. I can only hope that they are right. While we were sitting in goliath as the repair was being made, I started fiddling with the turn indicator stalk which was not permitted us to flash the brights since we left Rochester. I pulled off the cover, which is friction fit, and a coupling with some wires in it fell out of the little compartment. The stalk was now free to move in its prescribed directions and activate the brights as well as left and right turn signals. It took some more intense fiddling on my part to fit the coupling into a place that was meant for it and close the cover securely with everything working. My guess is that when the mechanic who fixed the cruise control was finished he just stuffed all the wiring in and never checked to see that the stalk would move freely.
After repositioning Goliath and hooking up the utilities, we found our way to the convention and visitor center where we picked up some maps and other information. We visited the Art Museum and stopped at the Chamizal National Historic Memorial commemorating the peaceful settlement of a 100 year border dispute that was resolved by LBJ based on a lot of groundwork by John F. Kennedy. This was a very interesting and informative visit. I will leave you to satisfy your own curiosity at: http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm
On the way back to Goliath we stopped at a mall. We had spotted a Dillards and Carol is ready to get rid of the $11 special robe she picked up at WalMart during our first winter trip, two years ago. Wonder of wonder we found robes in a suitable quality and almost in her size. She bought two, on my insistence. In thirty years of shopping for her I have never found anything that would not fit two of her. We then found an appropriate Bat Mitzvah present for this coming weekend at Brookstones. We were able to head to Albertson’s for minimal groceries, we were out of ice cream, and then back for dinner with no outstanding errands on the list for once.
My next serious project is to help Carol set up her blog and get it going. Watch for the link, coming soon.
Thursday
Look to the left, you will see the link to Carol’s Blog, I will try to mention when she has updated it.
Today we went into Ciudad Juarez using a tourist “trolley” called “The Border Jumper” it was very convenient, if somewhat expensive, $12.50 a person includes ten stops, but the trolley only circulates every hour, most of the stops are good for 10 or 15 minutes. We did stay longer at Aluuja Restaurant where we had a fine Mexican lunch. The restaurant decor was wonderful with paper mache’ figures on stage sets throughout the building. In my search for great mole’ I found a really good one, with fine smooth chocolate and just the right amount of chili bite. We also did some bargaining and ended up buying some stuff we were not looking for. All in all good fun. We got back late afternoon and began preparing for our flight to Atlanta, GA tomorrow.
I do not expect to post anything more until next week.
After repositioning Goliath and hooking up the utilities, we found our way to the convention and visitor center where we picked up some maps and other information. We visited the Art Museum and stopped at the Chamizal National Historic Memorial commemorating the peaceful settlement of a 100 year border dispute that was resolved by LBJ based on a lot of groundwork by John F. Kennedy. This was a very interesting and informative visit. I will leave you to satisfy your own curiosity at: http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm
On the way back to Goliath we stopped at a mall. We had spotted a Dillards and Carol is ready to get rid of the $11 special robe she picked up at WalMart during our first winter trip, two years ago. Wonder of wonder we found robes in a suitable quality and almost in her size. She bought two, on my insistence. In thirty years of shopping for her I have never found anything that would not fit two of her. We then found an appropriate Bat Mitzvah present for this coming weekend at Brookstones. We were able to head to Albertson’s for minimal groceries, we were out of ice cream, and then back for dinner with no outstanding errands on the list for once.
My next serious project is to help Carol set up her blog and get it going. Watch for the link, coming soon.
Thursday
Look to the left, you will see the link to Carol’s Blog, I will try to mention when she has updated it.
Today we went into Ciudad Juarez using a tourist “trolley” called “The Border Jumper” it was very convenient, if somewhat expensive, $12.50 a person includes ten stops, but the trolley only circulates every hour, most of the stops are good for 10 or 15 minutes. We did stay longer at Aluuja Restaurant where we had a fine Mexican lunch. The restaurant decor was wonderful with paper mache’ figures on stage sets throughout the building. In my search for great mole’ I found a really good one, with fine smooth chocolate and just the right amount of chili bite. We also did some bargaining and ended up buying some stuff we were not looking for. All in all good fun. We got back late afternoon and began preparing for our flight to Atlanta, GA tomorrow.
I do not expect to post anything more until next week.
Wednesday was our first day in El Paso and we wanted to get some sense of the city and it inner environs. First we had to attend to some maintenance items. Since last summer we have had an intermittent electrical problem with the brake lights on the tow’d. the good news is mostly they have worked. The bad news is they stopped working again a couple of days ago and eeven though I have brake lights on Goliath it is much safer (and more legal) to have the brake lights on the Tow’d activate. I had done my usual look at the wiring and shake it and although it then was working when we left the campground at our next stop they were gone again. Here is where the service and repair facility associated with the campground came into play. They have applied a fix that ought to keep the brake lights on the Tow’d working. I can only hope that they are right. While we were sitting in goliath as the repair was being made, I started fiddling with the turn indicator stalk which was not permitted us to flash the brights since we left Rochester. I pulled off the cover, which is friction fit, and a coupling with some wires in it fell out of the little compartment. The stalk was now free to move in its prescribed directions and activate the brights as well as left and right turn signals. It took some more intense fiddling on my part to fit the coupling into a place that was meant for it and close the cover securely with everything working. My guess is that when the mechanic who fixed the cruise control was finished he just stuffed all the wiring in and never checked to see that the stalk would move freely.
After repositioning Goliath and hooking up the utilities, we found our way to the convention and visitor center where we picked up some maps and other information. We visited the Art Museum and stopped at the Chamizal National Historic Memorial commemorating the peaceful settlement of a 100 year border dispute that was resolved by LBJ based on a lot of groundwork by John F. Kennedy. This was a very interesting and informative visit. I will leave you to satisfy your own curiosity at: http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm
On the way back to Goliath we stopped at a mall. We had spotted a Dillards and Carol is ready to get rid of the $11 special robe she picked up at WalMart during our first winter trip, two years ago. Wonder of wonder we found robes in a suitable quality and almost in her size. She bought two, on my insistence. In thirty years of shopping for her I have never found anything that would not fit two of her. We then found an appropriate Bat Mitzvah present for this coming weekend at Brookstones. We were able to head to Albertson’s for minimal groceries, we were out of ice cream, and then back for dinner with no outstanding errands on the list for once.
My next serious project is to help Carol set up her blog and get it going. Watch for the link, coming soon.
Thursday
Look to the left, you will see the link to Carol’s Blog, I will try to mention when she has updated it.
Today we went into Ciudad Juarez using a tourist “trolley” called “The Border Jumper” it was very convenient, if somewhat expensive, $12.50 a person includes ten stops, but the trolley only circulates every hour, most of the stops are good for 10 or 15 minutes. We did stay longer at Aluuja Restaurant where we had a fine Mexican lunch. The restaurant decor was wonderful with paper mache’ figures on stage sets throughout the building. In my search for great mole’ I found a really good one, with fine smooth chocolate and just the right amount of chili bite. We also did some bargaining and ended up buying some stuff we were not looking for. All in all good fun. We got back late afternoon and began preparing for our flight to Atlanta, GA tomorrow.
I do not expect to post anything more until next week.
After repositioning Goliath and hooking up the utilities, we found our way to the convention and visitor center where we picked up some maps and other information. We visited the Art Museum and stopped at the Chamizal National Historic Memorial commemorating the peaceful settlement of a 100 year border dispute that was resolved by LBJ based on a lot of groundwork by John F. Kennedy. This was a very interesting and informative visit. I will leave you to satisfy your own curiosity at: http://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm
On the way back to Goliath we stopped at a mall. We had spotted a Dillards and Carol is ready to get rid of the $11 special robe she picked up at WalMart during our first winter trip, two years ago. Wonder of wonder we found robes in a suitable quality and almost in her size. She bought two, on my insistence. In thirty years of shopping for her I have never found anything that would not fit two of her. We then found an appropriate Bat Mitzvah present for this coming weekend at Brookstones. We were able to head to Albertson’s for minimal groceries, we were out of ice cream, and then back for dinner with no outstanding errands on the list for once.
My next serious project is to help Carol set up her blog and get it going. Watch for the link, coming soon.
Thursday
Look to the left, you will see the link to Carol’s Blog, I will try to mention when she has updated it.
Today we went into Ciudad Juarez using a tourist “trolley” called “The Border Jumper” it was very convenient, if somewhat expensive, $12.50 a person includes ten stops, but the trolley only circulates every hour, most of the stops are good for 10 or 15 minutes. We did stay longer at Aluuja Restaurant where we had a fine Mexican lunch. The restaurant decor was wonderful with paper mache’ figures on stage sets throughout the building. In my search for great mole’ I found a really good one, with fine smooth chocolate and just the right amount of chili bite. We also did some bargaining and ended up buying some stuff we were not looking for. All in all good fun. We got back late afternoon and began preparing for our flight to Atlanta, GA tomorrow.
I do not expect to post anything more until next week.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Ok so it was just over 300 miles to Seminole Canyon State park. Wow (again) we camped just short of the Pecos river and from the visitors center we were able to look down into the canyon and to see the jump were buffalo were driven off the cliff to provide food and hides for the tribe. There are wonderful cave drawings to see, but they are viewable only with a strenuous hike under guided conditions. We won’t be able to do that this trip. After arriving at about 3:30 we did take a 3 ½ mile hike and get a sense of the terrain. There is nothing that I am able to show in a photo, This land is very bleak, the flowers that are budding are shocking in the little dabs of color they provide. The landscape is very moving, the canyons are seen only in the abruptness of the far side that we can see looking across them. We have not been able to stand on the lip of one, they are too far off.
This is the first night we have not had internet service. For that matter phone service is pretty sketchy too.
After breaking camp and taking our turn at the dump station we pulled out of the camp ground only to stop short at the bridge over the Pecos River. This river was a major obstacle to the covered wagon trains moving west and later to the railroads as they tried to span the West. It is hard to imagine the pioneers lowering their wagons down the canyon side to float them across the river only to have to haul them up the other side. I will try to post an image in my next post, too tired tonight.
We continued on across Texas, if you have a map trace the Rio Grande from Brownsville to the apex before the Big Bend begins, then pick up US 90 and you have out route. We decided to take TX 118 through Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains, right past McDonald Observatory. This is not a particularly efficient route, but it is gorgeous. This is another place we need to come when we are not on a schedule. After we got up onto I 10 I relinquished the wheel to Carol as I was tired and wanted a nap. She brought us the rest of the way to El Paso and the Road Runner RV Park, a gravel parking lot with services and a parts and repair facility. We will be here, or Goliath will be here, 6 nights. Carol and I will be flying to Atlanta for a Bat Mitzvah over the weekend.
Out neighbors, Bob and Pat from Calgary, Alberta invited us over for a glass of wine and a schmooze. We had a delightful 90 minutes and are now doing our chores.
This is the first night we have not had internet service. For that matter phone service is pretty sketchy too.
After breaking camp and taking our turn at the dump station we pulled out of the camp ground only to stop short at the bridge over the Pecos River. This river was a major obstacle to the covered wagon trains moving west and later to the railroads as they tried to span the West. It is hard to imagine the pioneers lowering their wagons down the canyon side to float them across the river only to have to haul them up the other side. I will try to post an image in my next post, too tired tonight.
We continued on across Texas, if you have a map trace the Rio Grande from Brownsville to the apex before the Big Bend begins, then pick up US 90 and you have out route. We decided to take TX 118 through Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains, right past McDonald Observatory. This is not a particularly efficient route, but it is gorgeous. This is another place we need to come when we are not on a schedule. After we got up onto I 10 I relinquished the wheel to Carol as I was tired and wanted a nap. She brought us the rest of the way to El Paso and the Road Runner RV Park, a gravel parking lot with services and a parts and repair facility. We will be here, or Goliath will be here, 6 nights. Carol and I will be flying to Atlanta for a Bat Mitzvah over the weekend.
Out neighbors, Bob and Pat from Calgary, Alberta invited us over for a glass of wine and a schmooze. We had a delightful 90 minutes and are now doing our chores.
Well so far I have been wrong about the internet service. We continue to have excellent service even as we sit here in Falcon State Park with a view of the Falcon Reservoir and the Falcon Dam which provides a free bridge to Mexico. We are somewhere between no place and I haven’t an idea in the Rio Grand Valley. As had been the case in each of the Texas State parks we have camped in this is a superb facility. There is camping for all kinds equipment. The tent facilities look wonderful and the RV facilities are quite good with spacious sites and adequate hookups. The people, as we find in most camp grounds are very friendly and helpful. The views are spectacular and the birding is fantastic. I will not bore the non birders among you with a complete list, but we have seen Greater Road Runners all over the place, Green Jays, Vermillion Fly Catchers and . . . I promised I wouldn’t so I won’t, those were just a few of the many birds that are present here. While taking a walk on the nature trail we encountered a small pack of Javelinas, small furry pig like creatures and as I am writing the coyotes are howling. We will return to this park when we have more time to spend in the Rio Grand Valley.
Tomorrow we plan to cover close to 450 miles and make camp at Seminole Canyon State Park. It really is a shame this state doesn’t take as much pride in its secondary education system as it does in its parks. If it did, no state could begin to compete and their taxes would be much higher. We are fans of the park system, but our friends tell us that they are in a race with Mississippi for worst schools and may be winning.
Tomorrow we plan to cover close to 450 miles and make camp at Seminole Canyon State Park. It really is a shame this state doesn’t take as much pride in its secondary education system as it does in its parks. If it did, no state could begin to compete and their taxes would be much higher. We are fans of the park system, but our friends tell us that they are in a race with Mississippi for worst schools and may be winning.
