2024 Traveling west trying to beat the snowy weather

 February 7th - 9th

Onondaga Cave State Park sunset

Onondaga at sunrise

Spring Creek camp in the Black Kettle National Grasslands

The sunsets are exquisitely beautiful here, getting more so every minute as the sun goes down.

2024 Bottomless Lakes State Park, New Mexico

 February 10th

              

Hiking trails above our campsite at Bottomless Lakes

This is our happy view when we awaken in the morning.

From Roswell, NM, to the Texas border, it is snowing.

Davis Mtns in Texas - sunshine (and javelinas)

2024 Boquillas Canyon in Big Bend NP

 February 12th - 13th

Looking east as we drive towards Boquillas Canyon, the sunset lights up the mountains

We see javelinas on the way to - and in the Rio Grande Village campground (Photo from the Big Bend website)

Boquillas Canyon and Rio Grande River

Caution: river hikers may get muddy

The Chisos Mountains

2024 Telephone Canyon Backcountry Camp in Big Bend NP

 February 13th - 16th

Telephone Canyon gets its name from military efforts during WWI to improve communication along the border. There are no longer telephones or wires or poles in the canyon. It's beautifully peaceful.

This fern conserves moisture by rolling its leaves close to the stem.

Mouse ears show Disney influence in the desert?

Backcountry hike to the old dam near Telephone Canyon

2024 Big Bend NP Mariscal Mine Camp

February 16th - 18th

Thirsty bees explore our kitchen sink faucet

Mariscal Mine (link to history)

Our campsite is perfect bike-riding distance to-from the ruins of the cinnabar mine. 

Rio Grande Desert Marigold

Two of the Talley backcountry campsites are right here on the Rio Grande.

 

    Our last night's camp in the wild backcountry 

    of Big Bend

2024 Cottonwood Camp in Big Bend NP and Davis Mtn Camp

 February 19-21

Our last camp in Big Bend National Park, Cottonwood Camp near Santa Elena Canyon

This friendly roadrunner followed Alex as he lined up the photo.

Davis Mtns Texas State Park

We camped here to wait out big wind, take warm showers, and to share ukulele music with Sean, who had the most amazingly designed camper-step-van.

2024 Five Points Vista, Guadalupe National Forest, New Mexico

 February 25th

Klondyke Gap

Possible trail head for the entrance to Cottonwood Cavern

2024 Hiking Last Chance Trail and the Trail to the Source of Sitting Bull Falls

February 23rd & 24th

Last Chance Trail

Leafless glade near trail head

Trail to the Source of Sitting Bull Falls

Sitting Bull Spring

 

This chilly pool feeds the giant Sitting Bull Falls

2024 Oliver Lee Campground in Alamogordo, NM

 February 28th

    Looking south into the Sacramento Mtns

Looking eastward into the Sacramento Mtns and Dog Canyon

Hiking Dog Canyon