ON the ROAD AGAIN !!

❤  In Memory of The Foyes ❤

  May 12th: We departed Lonestar SKP Co-Op in Hondo, TX , inclement weather was anticipated so we skedaddled an hour ahead of our ETD (estimated time of departure) and were fortunate to stay ahead of the ugly stuff... headed west on I-90 we settled into a conservative 63mph pace (in spite of all the small 35mph hamlets upon the way) It was great to be "On the road again..."

Wall Art in Our RV - J. Barnes

after being sidelined since October with commitments at the Co-Op.

  After enjoying a very restful overnight at Canyons RV Park in Sanderson, TX we continued to our first stop at the SKP "The Ranch" RV Co-Op and a week stay to wait for our summer travel companions to catch up with us.  We caught up with some old acquaintances and meet some new people. 

Yucca Plants in Front of The Ranch Clubhouse

  The last time we were here was in February before the Covid debacle and we brought several inches of snow with us. We had been riding a string of snow events most of the winter months regardless of our travel latitudes. Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, Zapata Falls, The Ranch SKP, etc., etc...

World Famous Carlsbad Cavern

We had already done the Roswell and Carlsbad Cavern thing the last time we passed thru the area. 

Roswell UFO Museum

   May 23rd: Spending the Memorial weekend at the beautiful Riana-Abiquiu Lake ACE campground in Lower Canones, New Mexico.

  Riana Campground is located on a 150 ft. bluff overlooking the scenic Abiquiu Lake in northern New Mexico, just one hour northwest of charming Santa Fe. The lake sits at an elevation of 6,400 feet on the Rio Chama, a tributary of the legendary Rio Grande. 

Scenic Rio Chama River

  As with almost all ACE Campgrounds Riana Lake Campground is on the shores of a massive reservoir. Constructed in 1963 by the Army Corp of Engineers (ACE), covering 5,200 acres and boasts some of the finest fishing in Northern New Mexico.

  We have recently added 1200 watts of solar panels to the roof of the Phantom, which was fortuitous as we had to move to the 'dry camping' overflow area of the campground after our first two nights. This campground is the only game in town and is booked way in advance for all holiday weekends. It didn't help that only one loop of the facility has power and water service and only 15 sites at that... 

May 25th: A very happy Towel Day to all my "hoopy froods"

 >>>SOAPBOX NOTICE<<<

  I am going to climb up on my 'Pet Peeve' soapbox, if you will permit the aside... Three sites in the aforementioned powered loop, including the one we had occupied, remained unused over the weekend... it is unconscionable that someone would reserve sites and then 'No-Show" preventing others from enjoying the facilities. I am seeing that this has become an epidemic in several states and authorities need to gain control over the situation. 

  I comprehend the possibility of circumstances beyond the control of those no-shows...

  Rant concluded, I appreciate your kind indulgence and now return you to the riveting blog in progress. 

Rest assured you have not been charged for the preceding diatribe...

  The weather has been beautiful during our stay, daytime temperatures in the mid 60's to mid 70's with nighttime temps hovering around 45, a constant 'breeze' (read- gale, it is New Mexico after all) negates the need for air conditioning. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend the Riana Campground if you are in the area. 

  May 28th: Mesa Verde National Park - Departing Riana, we continued our travel northwest to the "Always in Season" state of Colorado. We are staying at Mesa Verde RV Resort, a private campground just off US-160 near Mancos, Colorado.  We had intended to stay at Morefield Campground inside Mesa Verde National Park but being a National Parks Services facility, we aren't allowed to leave Foxie in the RV whilst we explore the Scenic wonders that Mesa Verde has to offer.

  Mesa Verde National Park is a World Heritage site and an International Dark Sky Park. 

Spruce Tree House Dwelling 

Mesa Verde is a sacred ancestral site of the Pueblo peoples. For over 700 years the Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliff faces of Mesa Verde. Today the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 tribes and offers visitors a  spectacular window into the past.

 

Park Point from the Lower Parking Area

   Entering the Mesa Verde National Park (Make sure you have your America the Beautiful Senior pass) you climb thru nearly 2000' of elevation change over the next 20 miles of tight switch-back roads.  There are several scenic overlooks along the route, get a map from the Ranger at the booth, pay close attention to the road and posted speeds... 

Snow Capped Peaks Across the Canyon

   The pathways down to the dwellings on the self-guided tours are fairly steep and can be a bit of a physical challenge especially if you are unaccustomed to the high elevation. There are no services on the trails, take plenty of water.

  Pictures don't do the grandeur of the scenery justice, so I won't expand this post with a lot of pictures... suffice it to say this is a 'bucket-list' worthy trip and should not be missed!

Cedar Tree Tower

   Many of the "House" locations are guided tours only and require a tour ticket, several locations require tickets purchased at the Visitor and Research Center before the park entrance. Balcony House, Cliff Palace and Long House all require a guided tour. Spruce Tree House and Step House can be accessed as self-guided. Make sure to take the short detour off the main road to the Cedar Tree Tower. (Believed to be a stand-alone dwelling and 20' tower used as look-out / sentry location.

Remnants of the Long Mesa Fire - 2002

  The Mesa Verde National Park has been ravished by forest fires over the decades. (12 fires between 1943-2003) There are plaques along the road commemorating each occurrence, one of the most recent, the 'Long Mesa' fire (2002) burned over 2,600 acres inside the park before finally being extinguished, after burning for five days, by Monsoonal rains. All these fires have been attributed to dry conditions and lightning strikes.

  I will wrap up this addition on The Phantom Phaeton, wish you all safe travels this summer and hope you will choose to follow along on our continuing travels.

"May The Odds Be Forever In Your Favor..."

At Montezuma Valley Overlook