From That….to This

From that…To this…

When I left Ojo Caliente, NM I had plans to stop at Carlsbad Caverns, Gaudalupe Mountains National Park, and finally Big Bend National Park, TX. I figured they were south enough that it would be chilly but pleasant. And besides, I was in their neighborhoods. But then, the big freeze hit. I left Ojo in a freeze, (macerator frozen, refrigerator not behaving) but that was nothing really, compared to Guadalupe. I’ll let the pics say the 1000 words.

Icicles!  New Mexico

Guadalupe Mtns, Texas

Henderson Beach State Park, FL

It was chilly and rainy my first few days at Henderson Beach, but now it is sunny and beautiful. Just like they say, the  “Sunshine State”. Today I leave for the first part of my drive to Sarasota. I am headed to my first rally!

Smells...

I just returned from a walk along the boardwalk near the beach-Henderson State Park, Destin, FL. It is 8:30 pm and the air smells so wonderful. Spicy from the pines, moist from the gulf, fresh on the breeze. I think each state-or parts that I have been to- have a unique smell. New Orleans smells old, you have to admit that. It was a fresh mild day, so none of the gross summer smells. I camped outside of Baton Rouge and it had that same smell: old trees; earth composting; a life that had been around awhile. Texas--big, open, fresh, green, and dry. I am sure that had to do with the time of year I was there. Cotton fields were ready to be picked in early November and by the time I left after Thanksgiving, they were stripped bare. I wouldn't have known what had been there except for the fact that I had driven by earlier. But also there I was along the Gulf in Texas; moist air, fresh breeze but so different from Florida. There was no pine or spicy fragrance in the air, just ocean air with no earthiness connected to it. 

I was going to say this might be a December aroma for Florida, but I have been here in summer. Even though the wall of humidity that greets you as you walk off the plane is intense, it still has this earthy deep green smell. I think Hawaii does too. Some places you visit might smell of; food, fresh air, forest, dry heat, urine-what can I say-, spice of trees...For me it is the smells that help me remember the places and feelings I had while visiting.  Sniff, sniff!!!

For the folks in the BRRRRR weather

Galveston, Texas
It was fun to go in the grocery store to see how these people were dealing with 50 degree weather, it was chilly with the breeze, I admit that :-)  Everyone had on hats, scarfs, and totally buttoned up. But for those of you in the chill-here are some warm pictures.   Pretty beach, fun boardwalk, fancy hotels.  Maybe in September??

  

After this, I took a short ferry ride from Galveston Island to Port Bolivar, TX.

Guide Birds

 The guy in the car next to me fed the seagulls and blackbirds as were moving. They were pretty adept at grabbing the food with the wind and movement. Fun to watch! 

Thank you, Mister

Well, Blogger will not let me download the video, so imagine--this red car (photo to right) with LOTS of seagulls fighting the wind, caw caw cawing, diving and switching places to get the bits he held out. It was total entertainment. 

Stay warm, friends. I, myself , am headed even further south!

  

My thoughts as I practice on my new technology-iPad.

Get off the highways! Those small roads bring you to places you have no idea about. Sometimes it is little risky because of the unknown-single female safety, language challenges, and oh yeah, the nice slow route to enjoy the view. Take the risk, dip into the off interstate roads, you can go slower-enjoy the views more leisurely, let everyone pass you by. Nervous? An interstate is never far away.

I have found some great food stands, little farmers selling the freshest produce, and lots of people wanting to share stories. It can be a wonderful friendly place out there. Put on a smile and chat away.

Earthships and Bosques and Bears, Oh My!

Earthships outside Taos, New Mexico

You would never know these homes were made from old tires and packed dirt! They are beautiful, exotic, and completely green and off the grid. It was really cool to see a baby pineapple right there in the indoor garden. The bottles placed in the walls let light in to the inner rooms that is soothing and colorful. They build these anywhere all over the world. Where shall I put mine??

Let's get started!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jdIm7grCY



 


Bosque del Apache         Socorro, New Mexico

WOW! Thousands of snow geese, happily cooing away, flapping their wings, splashing around. It is truly an awesome sight. We took a tour of the bosque, the land is heavily managed to take of the geese, ducks and of course the sandhill cranes that come through. It was fun to hear them in Ojo Caliente and then see where they rest and fatten up for the rest of their migration. Truly a wondrous sight!

Everyone benefits from this bisque; birds, people and the land.
http://www.friendsofthebosque.org

Sandhill Crane family in the corn field

Adah, patiently awaiting our return
Michael and Mary Beth's greyhound

Snow geese

Smokey the Bear--Only YOU!
Capitan, New Mexico

Smokey!! The cutest little cub rescued from a fire in 1950. He became so famous they buried him in the dark of the night so his grave would remain secret and safe. This is a nice little museum with a beautiful garden explaining different growing zones and their plants.

More cool facts:
How rescued Smokey?
What mascot came first-the cartoon Smokey of the live bear?
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-smokeybear.html

What a busy weekend! All of us here are wiped out.