Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park - View outside the cavern entrance from afar

Weather once again killed any chance I had for hikes. The drive back from Tombstone to Benson switched between rain and sun depending which cloud was overhead at the time. It’s a flat drive with no danger like going up the mountains so I found it enjoyable to watch the drama unfold across the sky … Read more

Chiricahua National Monument – First Attempt 2019

Storm clouds forming over Chiricahua Mountains

Spent the night in Sierra Vista, Arizona hanging out with my Dad who was on his own mini motorcycle vacation. Headed out in the morning with intention of visiting Coronado National Monument but it was windy, drizzling, and threatening rain all morning. Instead I decided to spend most of the day driving east-northeast. Passed through … Read more

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument – Entrance sign

Rental car snafus blew apart my original plan but that’s okay – it pushed me to some places I probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise. First stop was Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, Arizona. This site was the first prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States and a sacred place to the … Read more

Joshua Tree National Park – Oasis Visitor Center

Joshua Tree - Oasis Visitor Center

Stopped at the Oasis Visitor Center many times during my stay.  Their parking lot was the nearest place I could get LTE service but also has some cool educational displays. And some more displays & dioramas detailing history of the park, geography, and wildlife.  Two main reasons for this post: first is to drop pins … Read more

City of Rocks State Park

City of Rocks State Park – Rock formations

Today was a bit more relaxed than typical.  Did laundry & packed up my hunting gear for shipment which kept me in Las Cruces all morning.  Headed out to Deming for lunch with Dad at Irma’s Restaurant which has some dynamite food (best chicken gorditas anywhere).  Plan for the day was to check out the … Read more

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Covered in Clouds

Against my best efforts today was a bit of a bust.  Yesterday I got caught in a speed trap in Carlsbad which requires a mandatory court appearance (seriously?!).  Delayed my morning and ruined any chance of a decent hike.  I’m not a fan of this town and don’t plan to return.  Back on the road … Read more

Death Valley – Furnace Creek

Death Valley National Park - Entrance Sign

Woke early today, picked up supplies at Walmart, and started driving west from Las Vegas towards Death Valley National Park.  Desert highways appeared to stretch into infinity, and because it was a Tuesday in the off-season I was often the only human for miles in any direction. Stepping out from the car to photograph the … Read more

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Effigy Mounds National Monument - View from Fire Point

After making a mistake with campsite reservations at Wyalusing (and a less than restful stay at the last motel available), I woke early and headed to the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry, Iowa.  I didn’t know much about this park, but it was on my list simply to check off another nationally-managed area. … Read more