TEXAS to NEW MEXICO to TEXAS to NEW MEXICO to ARIZONA

 

This was the park we stayed in before heading north into New Mexico.

 The State Parks in Texas were very nice but rather pricy compared 

to other states that we have stayed at...unless you live in Texas.   

 

 

 You don't think of this state being hilly and wet but you get that in N/W Texas

 

 

As we drove through northwest Texas and into New Mexico we were somewhat surprised to see so much oil exploration...which was different from when we went through that area of Texas only a few years ago.



Again staying at the Elks when ever it's convenient is a real plus!

 

When we pulled into the Elks Lodge #1558 in Carlsbad we had the idea of traveling in a big loop through a few towns before heading through the mountains into Arizona...That's before I shared our travel plans with an elderly gentleman at the Elks ...and because of the look on his face and the tone of his voice when he said...I Wouldn't Go Through There In An RV...so we decided to change our plans and direction.

After three nights at the Elks...a round of golf at the course across the street and a wonderful meal in there (for an Elks) upscale dining room...Another great place to spend a couple nights with some very nice people.

This the only rock formation {a sample} that you can touch in the cavern,

Stalactites...from the celling and Stalagmites (pictured) from the floor.





Our next stop was exploring the Carlsbad Cavern National Park. Quite a place...First traveling down in an elevator 750 feet to a self guided tour of the caverns which were the most specular of any we have seen around the country...mainly because of the size.

...It took over an hour just to walk through the Big Room...which was only one of four tours offered.

 

It didn't take long...traveling back south to be back in Texas and looking for a place to stay. That place was the beautiful Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a couple days at 5,734 feet.

 

 

 

 The park offers over 86 miles of trails and three different ecosystems to explore, an temperate climate, abundant sunshine year-around and several distinct life zones the park provides excellent habitat for butterflies; where more than 90 species have been reported.

While staying there we meet a group of volunteers from the Sierra Club, that came from all around the country to work on the trails throughout the mountain range. Armed with picks, shovels and rakes they worked long hard hours in very rugged taurine...with most of them well into there 70's.


Lots of history about that part of country came through these mountains (the highest in Texas) like the Stage Coach's that ran through the Guadalupe Pass and Piney Station at 5,534 feet on the famed Butterfield Overland Mail Route.

 

As we continued to travel through New Mexico and taking a new (to us) route 70 out of Lordsburg north into Arizona through a number of "blink and miss" small towns before reaching the Elks Lodge 1607 in the nice size town of Safford ...our first night in Arizona. Another nice place to stay with perfect timing...{Taco Tuesday} with free electric hook ups

This route cut off more than 75 miles from our usual way through Tucson on our way to Phoenix and we found a great place for an overnight...especially if its Tuesday! ...and as a bonus this road takes us through Apache Junction which we usually stay in two or three weeks when we are in the Phoenix area. 

This post took a little longer to put on line because of computer problems, a busy holiday schedule and a lazy author...it's amazing how time flies when you have little to do! 

HERES HOPING YOU HAVE A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!
         
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SanTony