Red Rock Canyon Mar 2016

(just north or Mojave, CA)


This was a fun trip to meet up with the "Boys in da Hood" that I grew up with.  I haven't seen Bill for about some 20+ years and time before that in '67 SEA where the before photo was taken, so it was good to catch up on  everyone including the "Goon Squad" which was our High School days nickname for the group.  Funny to note, that it appears that many "found Gawd"... hmmm... might say something about our teen years.. dunno, don't care... whatever works...

Before:  Bien Hoa, VN (SEA) cira: 1967-68?



After:  Red Rock Canyon, CA Mar 2016

(I don't really notice any difference at all..  button down shirts vs T-shirts... about the only difference I see.. hehe Gawd, sigh getting old sucks big time)

Bill and Ted L have those VW Busses, but they have the special 4x4 "Syncro" ones and unfortunately to me that simply means they pretty much go anywhere off road.



We were originally going to meet at the Jumbo Rocks in Twentynine Palms.  As I was driving out of Las Vegas, a phone call changed it all to Red Rock Canyon dud to the 'Spring Breakers' taking up space, aka packed... Damn Students anyway.  It was an annual group ride and for the VW class busses and apx 12-15 showed up.
 
I've often driven by Red Rock Canyon but never really stopped to check it out.  Great cliff formations made out of something, clueless on what, looks like clay, tastes like clay too... so if it looks like a duck.......?

 

Camping, leveling was a little hard to do at their location so, chose a site right be low.  It was "Dry Camping" and Calif sure "Loves" there spots at $25 a night for dry.  Sorry, I hate Calif... heheh.



The game plan was just to explore the area and do  a campout.  While Bill and Ted were the only ones I saw that went out on the trails, the rest had a good time just 'Putzing' around, Tortoise Racing, seminar and  a hike to the top of the cliffs...  Apparently a few movies have been filmed at the canyon.  I can see why with the cliff formations.



It also has an extensive ORV area, sigh Ole Nellie/Nel , trail system and a free camping spot, Dove Springs? Whatever,  where you see the pics  of the VWs going up the sand banks.  Free camping, it would have been my choice, but with it goes the ORV crowd which isn't known for peace and quiet, so mixed benefits.




Dinners and then a campfire were the schedule for afternoons.  It was just nice sitting out in the warm arr, clear skies and catching up.

I was able to go along on several, aka the 'Only rides', and the 2nd one was to the top of some mountain, along with the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail.  I had always wanted to do PCT, but couldn't find any "reliable'" shipping sources to mail the 2 week supply packages.  It's always been on the list... heheh, and the fact that most started on Apr 1st is not missed on this 'Phool'... Coincidence? Perhaps... Maybe... but??? just say'n...heheh..



All in all, the trip was a good one and especially good to meet up with member's of the "Goon Squad" again and catch up on all the others.  The riding was fun, but as we all know... driving it is  "Mo'Funner"...  It would have been fun in "Li'l Nel"



Next stop is on the way to the coast.  heading towards Reno, NV for a stop at the VA there for Meds and then on to the Coast to start working my way up the coast.  I miss my Trees & Ocean.
One day at a time eh??
cheers..

 

Gallery Pics Here.

Valley Of Fire, NV Mar 2016

While on my way from NM, Ice Cave enroute to Jumbo Rock, Twentynine Palms, CA, I figure I will stay here until everyone meets up.



It was a surprise as out in the middle of No-Mann's land, these Red Rocks appear.



Immediate first thought was Wheeeerrrrssss Freddy and Wilma... and kept looking for Dino? (heheh, I sorta missed the whole Fred Flinstone dealy).



It was a great stop, looking at the rocks.  The wind kept following me around and caught up to me here.



Since no Buggy to get around and explore, I was able to just walk the local area.


Campsites back in the rocks are kinda kewl, would be a fun place for a small group.



No hook ups at this site, 1 of 2, but the other one did have hook ups,but not quite as nice and for $10+ a night, so passed.  No cell/Wifi connections, seems to be the norm now.  You can walk across the road a bit for a maybe? 1-bar connection



Anyway, nice place to stop for a a day or three, but wouldn't want to live there.



Onward and upward to Jumbo Rocks, but..... plans changed midway... Just outside of Las Vegas.

Gallery Pics Here..

Ice Caves & Volcano Cone - Mar 2016

Ok, so after the "Bat Caves" headed out for the Ice Caves in the upper NW corner of New Mexico enroute to Valley of Fire NV.  i skipped the Grand Canyone and Vermillion rocks, whatever they're called, as camping sites were booked full through Apr.
This is one of those things you pas on the highways and wonder just what's there.  Not quite like the "Mystery Houses" where water runs uphill, but not as grand at the "Grand Canyon" I suppose... nice to see.

Off the beaten path to the little cabin resort?.  Small fee of around $8 to help keep it going which I'll happily pay as these are the unique stops that make it all interesting and Kudos to those that try to keep'er going.  It's sad when drivng though little towns with the boarded up buildings and thinking those were the "Hopes and Dreams" of someone and finally lost.  Makes me sad driving through those places... Almost Ghost Towns.

Inside the cabin there are various rocks/relics etc.

Outside the cabin, to the north is the path to the volcano rim.  Easy to walk up even for me.  Once there, you can look down to the bottom now filled with a tree or two.  Along the way you can see the volcanic lava flows and apparently this one has the longest, 13-mil in the US.. Somehow I thought the Ape Caves in WA were longer, but? I fergit.....

Coming back to the cabin, you take the "South Trail" to the Ice Cave, just one.  Along the easy trail, you'll see  the volcanic lava flows.

Inside the little holes you'll see "Ice Patches".  Apparently the Lava is an excellent insulator and the tribes used them to keep food fresh... well, fresher..

They also used the small caves, niches, to keep warm in the winter, you'll see some walls in front of them. Interesting...

I kept seeing some familiar trees and made a note to ask, when there was a sign, 'Ponderosa Pine' which answered the question.
Once at the cave, a fairly steep walk/step down.

The blue ice just looked like the floor...  What  a great place for an ice skating rink, small one, but??? Ok, what a great beer cooler... a big one but... ?? Hmmm, how kewl is that..

It was a good stop, fun to see and yes, I'm sure there are bigger/better/colder ones, but this was nice.  As I may have mentioned before, whenever I mention a kewl place/site/location It's always commented by others,
"Well, you should see.... blah-blah-blah..." heheh, so there's allways something bigger/faster/better, nicer, and I'll make note of it, but did appreciated what I actually saw...
Fun, Next stop, Valley of Fire, Nevada for a few days...
Cheers..

Mo Gallery Pics Here

Carlsbad Caverns, NM - Mar 2016

 The Caves



Good news, bad news
Entrance was free, Elevator was broke.



This was a bit of a disappointment or maybe I was expecting too much.

The "Cavern" is huge and amazing.  The disappointment came in the form of colors, or lack thereof, and lighting.  Obvious, a cave doesn't have lighting and the Parks Dept has done a great job of lighting it up, but I was expecting a little more light.

Colors were the biggest disappointment.  I had thought I had seen pictures with reds, greens, yellows and various rainbow colors down there, but it was pretty much cream/white/light cream/white.

(can't really get the size of it all with these pics, but big it is)

I was planning on taking my Nikon/tripod but at the last minute decided not to and just took the "Point N Shoot" (PnS Lumix) which usually does a good job.  Looking at the photos of the hike down, I figured the Nik/tri might be a little too much for this 'Ole Phool' on the way back... as it turns out I was right.

(Little did I know just how deep it was..heheh, easy going down, but up??)

Since the elevator was down for repairs, back up in "May"?, it was a hike down.  In my backpacking/hiking/climbing limited experience, it's Easy going down, but it usually means going Up-Hill on the way back. (Reverse for hiking)

(It's sooo deep.  How deep is it?? So deep that you have to look upward to see the Gate's of Hell)

The walkway was in excellent shape, hand rails and one way.  It felt a lot like a Disneyland Walk-a-bout.  Again, the cavern is HUGE, so long walking and it has several optional paths.



I did the "Big Room", I think anyway, never really said "Big room" just signs saying how far it was, .5 mi - .3 mi and then I guess it's supposed to be obvious.  Well, there are a lot of "Big Rooms" so not sure.  The walkways have one or two intersections pointing the way and since there's nowhere else to go, I assumed I was in it.



Photos:
Hard to get anything with the PnS and would advise taking a tripod for some 20-sec shots.  You would get some good pics to show the size of it, but again, no colors.

Recommendations:
Buy the post card, if not
Take the elevator, if not
Give the camera to a kid to take down.
Go when it's not crowded if at all possible.
Take camera and tripod if you're going to take pics.  While you can use a flash, to me, I don't like them as it washes out the soft colors.. heheh, but in this case, soft white? you make the call.

I would NOT recommend the hike down unless you are in excellent shape, i.e. a hiker.  I ended up revisiting the old hiking '4-count' (One Chipmunk, two chipmunks....) on steps and a '10-Chipmunk count' at each switch back (2 turns) could be old age, outta shape...heheh, do ya think? but even so, it's not fun.

(I see the light... coming back up to the entrance)

While it was a good overall experience, I'm able to check it off the list and move on to the next thing. I would go back when the elevator is fixed and in a non-crowded time with camera/tripod and if? I happen to be in the area.

While the "Bats" normally are gone this time of year, they were there, I could hear a few. Ranger said they came back a little early. I would have stayed at the recommendation of a few friends, if I were camping at the entrance, but not going to make the long drive just to see some "Flying mice" come out of a Black whole.  Luckily, the Batman movie gave me the feel for it... next time...

The RV park right at the entrance, 7-mi from the actual cavern entrance, would be ok to stay at if not crowded.  From my site, Brantley Lake SP, it's about an hour so not too bad.

And finally, your mind can imagine all sorts of things looking at the 'Tites & Mites' from a Walrus to a Baleen Whale  and a lot of other things, so that was something to experience... fun...



And all this for some 'Bat Sh.. errr, Guano"  apparently 40' deep in some sections, heheh, don't trip....

On to the Ice Caves and then Grand Canyon.  Right now, caught in wind storm till late tomorrow, Wed,  so just sitt'n prudy... well, sitt'n anyway...


Interesting factoid:
The limestone rock that holds Carlsbad Cavern is full of ocean fossil plants and animals from a time before the dinosaurs when the southeastern corner of New Mexico was a coastline similar to the Florida Keys.

Gallery Photos here.

OTRA - From the "Q" to Carlsbad, NM

Whew, finally, I'm 'On The Road Again" (OTRA) left from Quartzsite, AZ (The "Q") and headed to the Bat Caves, Carlsbad Caverns, NM and with the typical timing I have, the "Bats" are on vacation to the southern parts of unknown, to me, locations, back in Apr or May.  Not going to 'Hang' (wink) around till then.



The "Q" was fun, spend over 90-days there, mainly focused on buggy riding, but due to the blood thing, stopped.  Then the focus was on a rock or a little bush or ?? Gawd knows what else there's to do there.   Also, snakes, aka rattle snakes, were starting to come out and so needed to get outta there quickly.



Left the "W" (that's "Q" misspelled) after getting my camper batteries swapped out. I kept running out of juice when running the TV morning and night for a few hours. Had 12v, grp 29 water filled, and got 2 6v. Had to take out the sliding tray and put in a watering top for access.  They are an improvement, but still need another set of 2 for a total of 4 6v batteries and then should be ok.  Also, another 160w solar panel for a total of 3 for 480watts.  Once batteries got installed, left for the Bat caves via back roads (see map below).



Nice drive and Garmin was able to run me right through traffic.  I try to take the back roads and not the main Interstate, to see the off beaten paths.  I was looking to  Over Night (ON) at Theodore Roosevelt Lake thinking, Kewl, trees... but it was a pretty barren high desert lake, jam packed with "Fisher Peeps" crowded, so drove on to Globe, Apache Gold Casino.. and stayed in the parking lot. Not bad at all and would do it again No Problem-O, they run a smooth operation.  Some might think staying at a casino is a nirvana, like going to Vegas, but I didn't even go into the casino, so don't know.  Last time I "did Vegas" was when the Circus Circus was just opening up and the "Five big Casinos" were there, heheh, I know, a few years ago eh?



Headed out for the Coolidge Dam.  I've often heard about it, but never saw it, so Dam the Torpedos, full steam ahead, on rough road, pot holed and wash boarded.
The Dam is pretty much off the beaten path and in fact I had to stop a Ranger going the other way to make sure I was on the right path.  Confirming that, "yes" I "Pressed on" as they say at the Laundry.



The dam was much like the roads, sort of forgotten and in disrepair.  Water was way low as is the case with most other places.



You can see the Cement slowly scaling off, suspect it'll be decommission in the near future, but I'm no "Damn Expert", heheh, sorry, just had to work that in somewhere. The road some 40+ miles from the Hwy, was poor and about 10 miles in, a sign posted that at some 15mi there's a detour.  Hmmmm.... only one road in and out, so crossed my fingers an hoped "Detour" meant you can go around it, in a camper.  Past the dam, 2 more signs stating the same thing.. Like I'm going to turn around? WTF, over..... post the Detour sign when you come to it.  It was a little tricky, small bridges were out and they dropped the "Detour" down into the wash and back out. (pic - see bridge on the right side)



A little dusty, plenty of potholes and while speed limit was 25mph, I guess to make sure you catch them all, I ended up running at about 46mph which seemed a little better, driving, not so sure about the rig.



Next stop after casino was at the Dreamcatchers in Deming "Escapees" (RV group),  that have a few RV parks scattered around where members can stay, cheaper than others.  Without hook ups at all, it was $5 night. Nice clean facilities



Next day, up and at'em, taking the longer route through the mountains and finally saw my trees... ski resort and a village of sorts in the clouds.  Heading toward Carlsbad.  I thought Nevada was bad on long empty spaces, but New Mexico has them beat.  The White Sands Missile range is long...... Arizona has it's peaks and valleys, but much closer together.



The original game plan was to stay in the Whites City RV park, but due to bad reviews and limited space, I found a lake, much prettier to stay at.  Also, just passed another Escapees Ranch and was going to keep that as a backup.  Headed to the Brantley Lake SP, between Artesia and Carlsbad, NM.



As luck would have it, all the first come, first served spots were taken, only RSVP sites for one night only.  Tried to go online to RSVP, but not available at this time. Ranger help is a little sparse so I picked an RSVP site and hoped for the best.  Turns out, they're rebuilding it, so no hookups and can't RSVP online so here I am, paid by check for another 3 nights in case they come by and say "Nope"... no refunds... sigh, it's always sumpt'n eh?



So for now, game plan is to kick back here at the lake, then Monday hit the Caverns (avoid the crowds), leave Tuesday and take a look-see at the Escapees (aka SKP as pronounced sounds the same) "The Ranch" place just up the road.  Check it out.  I understand they have a great 'Quilting Class'... sigh he said, shaking his head...



Then, back towards the West, several stops like the Grand Canyon and Death Valley, just in time to watch all the fantastic flower blooms, best one in 10yrs, die out... Timing, it's just not my thing.

And then head to the coast and up along it.

Current buzz among RV'ers is doing Alaska... I try not to read too much about it and shy away from the discussion or I'll want to do it.  It's going to have to wait till next year, but it's at the top of the list.  That will be the "Mother of all Trips" as I'll loop back down through Canada and do the TransCanadian Hwy from coast to coast and THEN down through the lower 48 Eastern states to "Knock'em Off"... just need the "FFB's" (Fuel, Food n' Beer), heheh, the only thing holding me back.

Caverns, next stop with pics.

On a personal note:
I'm in a bit of a dilemma on what to do with myself since I'm no longer "Buggy Riding".  Anything from Cooking/photography/wood carving/banjo/piano.  The buggy riding was the main point of traveling around, going from one rally to next or with groups to explore areas.  It's the only reason I got the bigger truck and the flat bed to haul it around.  It was the main focus.  Now, poof !! gone...  I thought about Paragliding again, but too much time sitting around waiting with limited locations.
With some encouragement from a friend, I'll try cooking and Photo-ng again.....

While I'll get past it, it's just a PITA trying to plan things out recently so now I'm not going to count on anything.

Stay tuned... Happy trails,

Cheers...

Ps. Healthwise, I appear, heheh, to me anyway, to be fine.  On thinners, Xalrelto, for a year and then we'll see.  Otherwise, business as usual, but getting fatter... and as the lovely ladies are able to blame the 40lbs of extra weight on the new 8lb babies, I figue I can blame it on the meds...  it's all the med's fault... not me.... time for some ice cream and a beer.

Cheer-cheers.....

More pics here

Ooops....

An unexpected surprise, not looking to do again.
thank-you so 'nicely'.

Things can change quickly from a normal? routine.  Posting this not as a "Poor Francisco"  but as a heads up on warning signs for others. I certainly didn't have a clue and was extremely lucky, according to the Docs involve.  Most don't make it to the ER rooms.  Here's the short version, PM if you have the need for more

Night before:
Felt a little warm and achy and figured it was just a possible flu bug that was going around.  Riding tomorrow, will decide then.

Next day:
Woke up, Rt leg really swollen, +50%.
Tried to get dressed, out of breath just putting on shoes.
Concerned, went online and Googled 'Swollen leg and shortness of breath' just to see what popped up.
Everything from "fluids in leg, raise leg" to "you're gonna die, rush to ER"  not much help.  Didn't feel any pain, just the swollen leg and shortness of breath when doing something.

Ride:
Figured I could still do the ride, just sitting, no exertion and see how it goes.  Can hit the local "Doc in a Box" on the way back.
During ride, getting chills, couldn't keep warm, after 2 hrs, broke off and headed to the local Urgent care.

(older pic, but you get the idea)

Doc In the Box:
Parked buggy at the Local Urgent Care in Quartzsite, walked in, explained, swollen leg and shortness of breath.  Doc overheard initial conversation, came out and said, "We can't help you, you NEED to get to ER ASAP, either Blythe, CA or Parker, AZ.  We can call an ambulance..."  I thought well Krap... this sucks.. I'd have to go back to campsite, prepare for departure and then drive 40 min to Parker, my choice... or? take a ride in the "Meat Wagon" to Parker.  figuring Insurance, even though I had just, 3-4 days prior - lessened coverage, would cover it.  Ambulance arrived in 5 min and strapped me in  to Parker, AZ ER.

Parker ER:
Arrived, told to stay lying down, level, X-rays, Cat Scans, and Ultra sounds found numerous blood clots, but 3 main ones, 1 in thigh and one in each lung, big ones, didn't want to dislodge it.  Needed treatment, but no room at the Inn here so Med Evac by Helicopter to the nearest Hospital over at Banner Del Web, in Sun City, just west of Phoenix.  45min flight, not a Cobra and no The Ride of the Valkyries music. Sigh, nothing is going right today, heheh. My phone was in buggy, Dave was able to bring over to Parker and I gave him the buggy keys, but battery was gone, no Hosp chargers.  When asked, they just looked like they did at my jokes.  Huh?

Banner Hosp:
Wheeled into the ICU area and "Plugged In" with tubes all over the place along with the 2 IVs.   heheh, my attempt to find humor in this was my comment, "...I am Borg, resistance is futile..." which no one even smiled at...  and I tried it about 7 different times, no trekkers there even though and yes, I do laugh at my own jokes, Roswell, NM was just the next state over.  Sigh, oh well, I laughed and I got it, ... several shots in the stomach, numerous 9-in one draw, blood draws and more chest X-rays or whatever they're called now.  They were putting it in one arm and taking it out in the other. Still no recharging plugs for dead phone.

Apx 3-4 days in ICU, then moved to less urgent area, expecting to be released, wondering about how to get home, back to the "Q" since I was evaced apx 125mi from home. Figure a Greyhound bus if nothing else.

Secondary issue:
So, my thinking of  ''I'm Outta here' was put on hold as they found a bacteria with 2 of the blood draws and don't know if it was exterior or interior (in blood) and have to let it incubate 24-48hr to ID it. Take new ones, incubate those, ID it, and then find the 'Fix'.  Thoughts of Steve McQueen in the movie Papillon (Butteryfly) started popping in my head.
Meanwhile IVs pumping in antibiotics 24/7.  Thinking MERSA? heheh or something like that, hopefully won't be reading about it in the news.

Finally got released and Hosp arranged Taxi, to campsite.
Fellow buggy rider, Dave, had picked up the buggy from initial urgent care and picked me up to get it, thanks Dave and all others that offered to help.  Not used to that, heheh.

Current Status:
Advised not to ride for 6+months due to possible accident causing internal bleeding which they can't stop. Blood thinner Xarelto is new and counter clotting agents not created yet.  So if I hit head/rib whatever causing internal bleeding, I would just "Wet my lips, and kiss ma arse Goo-by"
So, not riding and lowered camper due to height, step ladder risk.  I'm on blood thinner for apx 6 months then reevaluate and possibly back to normal routine.

Due to a massive,70+% income loss, I'll be letting the ACE go and find something else to focus on.  Sad, as I really like the idea of it, but... can't keep it going.  Just can't seem to hang onto the Buggies... so probably no more pics of the trails.

Planning on heading out as soon as the 'Buggy' issue is resolved or on track. Will try Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Sky bridge, Death Valley and head over and up the coast.  Miss the trees and ocean.

Probably more than you wanted to know, but posted to help others realize it can all "Go South" in one day without a clue.  Email me if you have questions.

So just Chill'n till I get back on track.
Sigh, like Gilligan, some 3 hour tour that 10-trip was. A real PITA it was.....

cheers..

(Older pic at Prineville Res, a Fav "Happy" place heheh)