Ozark National Scenic Riverways – Big Spring

Ozark National Scenic Riverway - Big Spring - Water flowing out to the Current River

I came into this spot blind last night just looking for a place to sleep. Randomly winding up at Big Spring in Missouri just searching for a campsite? Pretty fortunate. I broke camp and drove just a short distance outside the campground to find Big Spring but you could walk/hike the Slough Trail if you … Read more

Ozark National Scenic Riverway – Big Spring Campground

Ozark National Scenic Riverway – Big Spring Campground

Tonight’s campground was a happy accident – I didn’t intend to end up here, I was just driving north towards home and this was the best stopping point I could find. Truth be told I knew nothing about the site; it was a road sign that led me here as the daylight was fading. That … Read more

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument – Entrance Sign

Final full day of adventure and starting to make my way north towards home. I have crossed over from Arkansas to Oklahoma and now into Missouri, and the next stop at George Washington Carver National Monument has been on my list for quite some time as I find his life and accomplishments both impressive and … Read more

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Fort Smith National Historic Site - Visitor Center; Originally barracks, jail, and courthouse

I drove across all of Oklahoma yesterday without much stopping on account of hot weather. After camping southeast of Tulsa, I continued driving and left Oklahoma but only just across the border at the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The largest building on the site is the fort’s barracks, jail, and … Read more

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area – McBride Canyon

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area - McBride Canyon

From the entrance road to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument there is a plaque with details about the Canadian River and the road forks. Before leaving I decided to check out the other path which leads to the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area – McBride Canyon unit. Shortly after the entrance sign there is a … Read more

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument - Tipi outside visitor center

My trip agenda was wide open and I didn’t have clear direction where to go. In cases like this I generally stop worrying about what’s far ahead and try to find what is nearest to me and then just do that thing. Today that led to a drive in the remote and desolate Texas panhandle … Read more

Petroglyph National Monument – Boca Negra Canyon

Petroglyph National Monument - Boca Negra Canyon - Mesa Point Trail

Boca Negra Canyon is another site within Petroglyph National Monument and is easy to find just a few minutes drive north from the visitor center along Unser Blvd. The location is more developed as compared to Rinconada Canyon with a small restroom and some picnic sites. On a weekday early afternoon there is enough parking … Read more

Petroglyph National Monument – Rinconada Canyon Trail

Petroglyph National Monument - Rinconada Canyon Trail - Petroglyphs

Second attempt at the Rinconada Canyon Trail area of Petroglyph National Monument. First try was on the weekend, and the signs posted from the park service warning about thefts & break-ins plus the local crowd told me to move along; today on a Tuesday at noon I nearly had it to myself. Be sure to … Read more

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument – Quarai

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - View of the Quarai mission

The final destination for me completing my visit at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument was at the Quarai site, located just 10 minutes north of Mountainair, New Mexico on NM-55 in the small unincorporated community of Punta de Agua. The visitor center / museum is currently closed for remodeling. This is a smaller site and … Read more

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument – Gran Quivira

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira - View of mission walls

Two more sites to visit for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and both are a bit more remote. The next closest is a 30-minute drive south from Mountainair on rural State Road 55 (aka NM-55) to reach the Gran Quivira Unit. Again, the visitor center is closed today but that’s expected since it’s Monday in … Read more