Our first stop on the way home was to see our friend Aaron. We caught up with him outside of Wickenburg, Arizona. Aaron is living his dream (3+ years) full time in his van. We planned to boondock here for 2 nights.
Fellow boondockersDining room, we set up on the side of the van to escape the wind
Together again: Castors, Whytes & Aaron. We covered a lot of backpacking miles together.
I have never seen stripes like this in the sky.No doubt, best sunset of the entire trip.
CATALINA STATE PARK, ARIZONA
I was sitting at the picnic table putting on my boots and there was a pack of coyotes howling behind our campsite.
BRIDLE TRAIL
We will return to this park, nice camping, scenery and miles of trails
CANYON LOOP & NATURE TRAIL
California PoppyWe got lucky again with more wildflowers blooming
I was a little clumsy on this creek crossing and got wet feet. Full disclosure, I have never been called graceful.
Alpenglow is produced by sunlight reflecting off airborne particulates in the lower atmosphere. It only appears before sunrise or after sunset.Flowering Barrel cactus
CITY OF ROCKS STATE PARK, NEW MEXICO
You can see how this park got it’s name.Leann looked for a good campsite when booking the reservation. Turns out she picked the same one we stayed in last timeSammy and I got into a staring contest. OK it was actually a contest on who could stay awake. Looks like he is about to doze off.We started this trail on our last visit but got stopped by rattlesnakes.Evening PrimroseView from the top
Unnamed trail though the center of the campground, this might be the best campground hike in the US.
The old man is still on guard. He just doesn’t relax, wonder where he gets it from? He’s exhausted by the time we get into the van for the night.
MONAHAN SANDHILLS STATE PARK, TEXAS
I was a little grumpy about stopping here for one night. I took this picture right after I told Leann she chose wisely and the campground was really nice.
SEMINOLE CANYON STATE PARK, TEXAS
This is a return visit to complete more of the hikes.
SEMINOLE CANYON RIM TRAIL
Sammy likes canyonsOcotillo
GUIDED HIKE
This hike was full last time we visited.
The Maker of Peace by Bill WorrellSeminole Canyon and visitor center (top right)
Pictographs: these paintings date back almost 7,000 years. The artists lived in small groups due to the limited resources in the area. They developed a style that is unique to this section of Texas.
It’s amazing the paintings have survived in good condition for so long.This area was under a shallow sea for millions of years.The paintings are in the sheltered area in the top right
CHOKE CANYON STATE PARK, TEXAS
This might be the best campsite ever. It was huge, private and even had a shelter over the picnic table.I laughed at this sign and understood why there were no lifeguards.This would be a good place to have the kayaks, the lake was empty. I also wished we had the bikes, plenty of empty roads.One of the few nice hiking trail sections.Vultures and Ibis waiting for the next bass boat.
We stopped in Pearland, Texas to visit family and had a great time catching up with everyone. Of course, Leann had to find a local wildlife refuge.
SAN BERNARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
The 45,730 acre refuge supports 320 species of birds, 95 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 450 species of butterflies and dragonflies.
Spider LillyHello there
POSTCARD DELIVERY
During our visit to the Galapagos we decided to partake in a mail delivery system started by visiting sailors in the 1800’s. Visitors drop a postcard in the barrel (AKA post office). When the next group arrives they go through the mail and take a card if they are going to the same area. If you take one you are obligated to deliver it. Sounded like fun so I picked one for Colleyville, Texas. We headed to Colleyville (near Dallas) to deliver the postcard. Nobody was home, bummer. I wrote a note and included my cell phone. Never heard from them, that did not work out the way I hoped.
MEADOWMERE PARK
Leann found a municipal park close by where we could spend the night.
CLARKCO STATE PARK, MISSISSIPPI
There is a first time for everything: outdoor laundry in a state park can be crossed off my life list.The park had an elaborate disk golf course, I did not know the game could be dangerous.Wild DaffodilDining room and kitchen
SOUTH CAROLINA
We decided to take the longer way home to see Leann’s sister in South Carolina. She is a great cook and made one of my favorite dishes: roast venison with mushroom gravy. It was awesome. I also drank good beer and argued politics with her husband, good times.
They live in the country so we went for a walk on the dirt roads surrounding their property. This shows how much the roads have eroded. I liked the colors and striations.
Drive time and miles from the trip, my buttocks is tired!
Maybe we covered too much ground but there isn’t anything I regret seeing. I won’t even pretend that we will slow down on our next trip, we will just keep travelling like maniacs. It’s what we do.
