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Early trip home.

I woke up to the fact that I am a young person in an old body. I have had an iffy back for many years due mostly to being stupid and thinking I can do things I shouldn’t. So I woke up to limited movement, but I tried for another day, because I was so close to Death Valley.

Darwin

There is a great documentary on Darwin,CA on YouTube.

Post office and Dance hall

Art everywhere but no other services for miles.

My drive through of Death Valley is not much, all the good stuff picture wise is a hike I could not do.

First pull out

I spent the night just outside the park at the Pads on blm land. Lots of room but no signal.

Adding this for Solo Travelers. I live with my daughter, and I caused her a little anxiety by staying in a no-signal zone. The saving grace is that we use the 360 service on Google. She knew where I was, but was still worried since I hadn’t talked to her since the night before. I got in touch as soon as I got a signal, but I had caused her unnecessary worry. Most of the West has a lot of areas, especially in National Parks and Monuments, with no cell service. Be aware that your family will worry, so check in often if you fall Ill or hurt yourself as I did.

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Painted Rock Petroglyphs

This is a really nice place to rest for $8 a night. It is BLM, and camping fees go toward upkeep. No hookups, but nice clean pit toilets. The camp hosts do a great job. Must register via Recreation.gov; they accept no cash. Per hosts, if you have T-Mobile like me, there is no signal. When you exit I8 register with site pending, when you arrive, pick a site, and when you have signal, pay and done.

Special thanks to Glenn of the Cactus Atlas for his YouTube video of this site.

The petroglyphs are believed to be from the Oldham peoples. My pictures don’t do them justice.

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Triangles

After returning from my January trip I discovered a YouTube channel that is full of great videos of southwest ghost towns and neat places to explore. You have to check out Sidetrack Adventures https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sidetrack+adventures.

I found a video on the Triangles art installation in the middle of nowhere east of Deming NM.

It’s not just art but a portal to another universe if you believe.

For more information about this and other installations go to https://kcymaerxthaere.com/marker/triangles/

This was fun and another Sidetrack Adventure YouTube video is on the Nation Of Slowjamastan west of Yuma AZ. I am now a citizen.

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Columbus, New Mexico & Palomas, Old Mexico

Pancho Villa State Park has a great museum on the history of the area and 63 camping sites. 30 and 50 amp, E/W and water only and tent sites are available.

If you plan on spending time in New Mexico the state park pass is a bargain, out of state visitors pay $225 for a year and only $4 for e/w, $8 for full hook ups and $0 for boon-docking sites. You can stay up to 14 days. I have stayed at 2 parks so far this year and my pass is half paid for.

Campground

Coote’s Hill looking towards Columbus

The pioneer museum in the old depot admission is by donation and worth it.

Make sure you stop by the Patio Cafe for breakfast or lunch homemade food at its best.

This is what I found exploring.

highway art

forgotten shrine

I was anxious about going into Mexico by myself , so I reread a book that everyone, woman or man, who travels alone should read.

Fear Less vs Fearless The Journey of a Lifetime by Malia Miles Lane. Available on Amazon.

Palomas Mexico is 3 miles south of Columbus and the only 24hr border crossing in New Mexico. If you don’t want to drive in to Mexico there is a pay lot $5 or you can park at the Family Dollar like the locals do for free, a purchase would be a nice thing to do.

Pancho Villa
behind the Pink Store
more behind the Pink Store
in front of the Pink Store

I got a free eye exam and got new glasses ( no line Varilux) for under$150.

I walked around town and had lunch at the Pink Store and 2 hours later picked up my glasses.

a beautiful park
colorful stores

art in Dr.Garcia’s office.

I had a wonderful day in Mexico and plan on returning to Columbus.

Sunrise through my windsheild
Palomas from the campground at night.
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Alamosa Colorado

September 2018

While resting up in Blanca for a month, I visited www.volunteer.gov and put in my application to volunteer. And it looks like I will be going to White Sands in November but first I need to be fingerprinted, and that happens once a week in Alamosa. I arrived early and parked right in front of the police department when I got done I asked about parking and was told to leave it where it was. And that is how it is, friendly and accommodating and a great little town to take a walk.

Below is the artwork on the side of the building that houses the Museum.

 

Which sadly was closed the day I was in town.

You can enjoy art on every corner.

Downtown has shops and eats and a great thrift store.

And heading west out of town is all the big box and grocery stores you could ever want.

There are plenty of camping options in the area.

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Blanca Co part two

This charming town has a grocery/liquor store, homemade fudge, Ice cream parlor, Lou’s Restaurant with great food that serves beer, wine and liquor.

My first trip to the store

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of Pierogi and pickled vegetables.

This is my favorite way to have Pierogi.

Pierogi for one.

I have a 6″ enamel coated cast iron frying pan that is perfect of this kind of meal.

1/2 medium onion, sliced.

1 tbsp Butter

4 frozen Pierogi

1/4 water or broth

1/2 cup of frozen peas

Sour Cream and/or grated cheese to taste.

Saute the onion in the butter till it just begins to soften place the pierogi on the onion and add 1/4 water or broth. Cover and simmer on low for 5 mins. Add the peas and cover and simmer for another five to seven mins until the pierogi are tender.

I like a little grated cheddar and a dollop of sour cream. If you are using a pierogi with  a thick dough just adjust your first cooking time.

This method works well with frozen Chinese Dumplings. Just a little water and a low flame and a lid.

I have learned over the last 35 years of RVing how easy it is to prepare my favorite recipes with less water and less pans. At some point in the future I will publish a list of my essential cooking tools and pans.

Another highlight of Blanca is it’s Art Gallery.  Forest Tango Art Works owned by Joyce and Terry Henrie  go take a look at their amazing work.

http://www.foresttango.com

Joyce has many talents but her fiber art is where my heart is and she put me on to Sprang finger-weaving. Now I have another outlet for my mass amounts of yarn.

I have one more picture to share, this is what I found on one of my wanderings around town.

A fence of snow Skis.