Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Friday, March 11, 2011

It’s a long ways to anywhere in Texas

 Texas is So BIG! Haven’t I been driving through Texas for months?01 Hwy 97 E from Cotulla TX (1024x462)
Today it was Ranch country...


Thursday, March 10, 2011

SWF – What a difference a minute makes

01 Sunset from Lost Alaskan RV Park Alpine TX

I may have stayed a little longer than planned in Alpine, TX due to truck troubles, but the sunsets were sure nice. I took this one a minute before this one.

skywatch friday image

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

It must be spring!

01 TX Redbud Alpine TX (921x1024)

Texas Redbud

At least it seems like that in West Texas. Trees are budding, the temperatures in the 70s F, and the wind is blowing like crazy.

02 East of Alpine Hwy 90 TX

Left Alpine this morning after a wonderful visit with old friends from my Mount St. Helens Rangering days almost 20 years ago.

03 Roadcut along Hwy 90 E of Alpine TX

Looks like limestone on the bottom topped by shale and some conclomerate

I love roadcut geology.

04 Caracara bird by Doug J

By Doug J

Twice I saw a Caracara at road kill. (This image is from the web.) A lifer!

05 Pecos River

Pecos River

Started looking for an RV Park about 4pm near Eagle Pass. All full, mostly with oil workers. Drove another 125 miles until I found a place in Cotulla. Way too many hours for a day but does put me closer to my destination. A little over 200 more miles to go.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Truly Nolen At Colossal Cave?

01 Truly Nolen car parked at Colossal Cave Mountain Park Tucson AZ (1024x768)

Truly Nolen is a Tucson based pest and termite exterminator. Can’t find out why this car is parked at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. Wonder if they have a bug problem?

02 Truly Nolen car parked at Colossal Cave Mountain Park Tucson AZ (1024x768)

Monday, March 7, 2011

A. G. Services in Alpine Texas

This should stand for “A Good Services” because that’s what I got from Daniel, his wife Danielle and their 2-year old Danny. (Apologize if I spelt any names wrong.)

A.G. Services is where I was towed to by another nice couple, Rose and Luis, from Affordable Towing. Daniel replaced the burnt battery cable and fixed the electrical short on my truck this afternoon. And if the job couldn’t have been finished today they would have let me stay in my camper for the night, with an extension cord.

This marvelous young couple recently bought this motor repair business. I couldn’t even find them online or in the yellow pages. Sure glad Good Sam found them.

Danielle wants to paint some old mowers they bought in flashy colors with flames, and racing stripes and such.

01 Dead truckcamper at Lost Alaskan RV Park Alpine TX

So tonight I’m back at the Lost Alaskan RV Park and tomorrow I’m visiting with friends in town. Then back on the road again.

02 Sunset from Lost Alaskan RV Park Alpine TX

MWT - Colossal Cave Mountain Park



07 Stalactites Colossal Cave Mt Park Vail AZ (1024x768)
Colossal Cave Mountain Park provides an interesting tour through a 70F cave filled with formations & a long history including the CCC & movie making.  Read more...


Sunday, March 6, 2011

Road trip to Texas, or hell

Every thing has been wonderful, until Saturday. Before getting ready to roll in the morning from Little Vineyard RV Park in Deming, New Mexico I checked the oil. Full. Then started the truck and it made an unusual noise. I opened the hood to look around, not that it would do much good, and no parts flew out so I closed the hood and put her in gear.

01 Leaving Deming NM I10 E (1024x584)

Leaving Deming, New Mexico on I10 east

Good thing I was barely rolling. NO brakes. OK, I exaggerate a little. More like when your power brakes have no power. So I coasted to the park’s office, went in and asked if they knew a mechanic open on Saturdays. The lady behind the desk made a couple phone calls and, surprise, the local Ford dealer’s service department was open. (I won’t divulge the dealer’s name yet.) I described what happened and the mechanic said “it’s the vacuum pump, bring it in.” I carefully drove about 3 blocks to the dealer, they ordered the part, put it on and I was back on the road within 1.5 hours. Not bad, except for the huge hole left in my pocket. (No, I don’t need a bail out, but of course donations are always gladly accepted.)

About an hour down the road every bump, and there were many, would cause some gauge(s) to bounce or idiot light(s) to blink. Hmmm…. I said to myself, what does a vacuum pump for brakes have to do with dashboard electronics? I continued on down the road.

02 Welcome to Texas I10E (1024x1022)

Just out of El Paso the oil pressure gauge started bouncing on L(ow) erratically which made the engine light blink on and off. Now that could be a problem. So I pulled over and let the engine cool (no it was not running hot) to check the oil. Still full. Hmmmm….. Called Mike for a second opinion about screwed up dashboard and he concurred. So off I went again.

03 Flatland Texas Hwy 90 S (1024x714)

Spent Saturday night at KOA in Van Horn, Texas, which BTW, serves excellent catfish in their Kafe.

Sunday morning I again check the oil which was full.

04 Hwy 90 S TX (1024x768)

Then down the road I’m still watching the gauges bounce and lights blink but the truck is running great. This could drive me crazy.

05 Hwy 118 W TX (1024x768)

I am heading for Alpine, Texas for the night. Friends from long ago live there but must be gone for the weekend.

06 Woodward Ranch sign TX (1024x768)

I decide to take a little side trip to the Woodward Ranch where plume agate is found. It’s closed because Mr. Woodward died on Saturday. My condolences.

07 Rocks at Woodward Ranch TX (768x1024)

So I’m heading back to town to find an RV Park for the night when Slam and Wink, all the gauges peg somewheres and the brakes give out. I down shift and pull over slowing down with what little bit of brake is left.

08 Welcoming committee at Woodward Ranch TX (1024x768)

The welcoming dog at the ranch 

Everything electric is not working, so I don’t turn off the engine for fear it won’t start again. Look under the hood, nothing changed there, no smoke. Engine is still running strong and I’m only four hilly miles from town. Pumped the brakes and they worked.

09 Woodward Ranch rock shop TX (1024x768)

Rock shop

Plus two miles to the Lost Alaskan RV Park where I made it safely. When I finally got leveled and ready to turn off the truck it wouldn’t turn off. Disconnected both batteries and she ran on. Then a fellow camper pulled the plug on the alternator and she fell silent. I called Good Sam and they will send out a tow truck in the morning and take me to a mechanic.

10 Sunset from Lost Alaskan RV Park Alpine TX (1024x768)

Someone commented that my photos are looking dark. If anyone else notices this could you please let me know.

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