Flagstaff Farewell
The phone rang at 9 pm. It was the front desk at the campground. The night attendant explained that we were in the wrong camping spot. We would need to move immediately. We looked outside at the pitch blackness and
Overland: Envy or Overload?
Often the most rewarding camping experiences over the years have been unplanned and unplugged. Last week Roxie bumped her way down a dirt road at El Malpais, as far as her suspension (and Eric) would allow. If only we knew
Finding Flow in Flagstaff
If you say you’re going to Arizona, 9 out of 10 people gush, telling you that you HAVE to go to Sedona. It’s the darling of the state with a reputation for spiritual enrichment of the body and soul. We’re
Lucky Break?
Construction delay signs and Walnut Canyon National Monument signs appeared at the same time en route from Petrified Forest to Flagstaff. Since we have the National Park Pass ($80 for unlimited access to every installation in the NPS) and Google
Petrified to Hike
Another day, another National Park sticker. That is a terrible attitude to have when exploring one of America’s Crown Jewels. It takes an Act of Congress to designate a NP, and everyone knows they rarely agree on anything. On our
Go with the Lava Flow
There’s a gravel road that cuts through El Malpais National Monument where searchers strap on backpacks and blow-up sleeping pads to hike 2700 miles from New Mexico to Canada on the Continental Divide. Barefoot and his wife who hasn’t picked
It’s the Flux Capacitor, Marty
How do you make camping in Elephant Butte, watching bad TV and lamenting a stopover in the town of Truth or Consequences worse? Here’s an idea. Have parts in your roof top air conditioner explode. It will delight your senses
Hello there! Truth or Consequences has been waiting for you.
There is a small town in New Mexico nestled alongside the Rio Grande river where hot mineral geothermal springs naturally flow up from the ground. North of the town, a damn holds back the river and forms a large lake
Hatching a Plan
Fire evacuation banners run on the bottom of every over-the-air TV station in New Mexico. Statewide burn bans have yellow caution tape covering every fire ring and charcoal grill at the campgrounds. Calf Canyon is epicenter of the burn, 300
Party like a Thunderbird
Birthday 2022 is 55/60 for Sheri and Eric and 75 for the United States Air Force. Unlike us, they seem excited about getting older, throwing themselves a blowout on the ramp this weekend with some serious American Airpower on display.