Monday January 9th, I am up before Clifford, but have no time to walk in the rocks.
Last morning view of City of Rocks
Once Clifford is up, I finish packing the inside while he does the outside. We discover, unfortunately, that our rear-view camera is no longer working. That is a real drag, as it is an important safely feature. Someone looking for a space pulls into ours as we are pulling out. Popular place!
Smooth travel most of the way, but the wind picks up from Wilcox, Arizona, on. Sure glad to get off the interstate onto highway 191 south, which takes us to the small community of Sunsites, where we stop at the post office to pick up a package waiting for us – a research instrument that Clifford had ordered. From there we drive on out to Cochise Stronghold. It is late afternoon by time we get to the Stronghold and we are fortunate to find an available spot in this very small campground. We get set up, happy to be here. This place has a very special ambiance.
Cochise Stronghold is a small canyon within the Dragoon Mountains with a creek flowing through it, partially underground, and a thick stand of oak trees providing a home for many birds and wild animals.
Gentle wildlife at our campsite (photo by Clifford)Bear tracks in the sand in the dry creek bed near camp
In the very rugged mountains surrounding this natural sanctuary, the Apache chief, Cochise, kept his people hidden from soldiers who pursued them for several years.
Tuesday January 10th, I walk the nature trail twice this morning, once for photos and again to collect firewood and to use the cell phone to contact my girls. Cell phones don’t work well at the campsite, but are better up on the trail.
Dawn light on the cloud cover at Cochise StrongholdSunrise brings a golden glow to the mountain on the west side of the canyon
Jimi, the campground host whom we met here last year, comes out today to visit (she is not hosting here currently), as she and I became friends when we were before. We catch up on what’s new and have lunch at a campfire. So fun to see her again.
So fun to see Jimi again
Wednesday January 11th is errand day in Sunsites for us. Clifford has to take care of paypal issues for another instrument he has ordered. We first go to Marcia’s Garden, where Marcia makes and sells goat milk/essential oils soaps, lotions, creams, and salves. Besides browsing the delightful shop, it is fun is seeing the goats, who come right up to the fence to say hi. Then we go to a nearby friendly market for a few items. Nice to have this grocery store in a community as small as Sunsites. Clifford has taken care of his paypal business and we head back to camp, but too late to play cello outside, even though today would have been warm enough. The sun goes behind the mountains early here. Luckily, my laptop is charged enough that I can do some editing for Ang (Novels of Shannon epic fantasy/adventure series) and some photo editing for myself.
Thursday January 12th I hike beyond the nature trail this morning searching for firewood. I find some, but it sure is a long way back to camp with my load.
The morning light is irresistible to photograhersCrossing the creek on my way to gathering wood for a campfireZen rockwork at the creek crossing on my way back to camp – I know it wasn’t there on my way up.
In the afternoon Clifford and I hike a mile up the Cochise Trail to the spring. On the way back, we detour on the Middle March Trail looking for a place where we might go backpacking. Even though we consider a short backpack outing while we are here, the fact is that there are more hours of darkness than light in the canyon, which is not ideal for backpacking, as it makes for a very long night.
Boulders lean against each other forming an almost secret view into a lush creek bottomCrossing the creek on the Cochise TrailHiking with Clifford on the Cochise TrailResting at the spring on the Cochise TrailPatterns on the rocks along the Cochise TrailHikers seen hiking in the rocks on the Cochise Trail
Back at camp, it is already too shady and cool in the campground for cello. Hmmm… sure haven’t been making this cello thing work out recently. Perfect for a campfire, however, so I sit out and treat myself to a second cup of coffee while I write in my journal. Later, after the campfire dies down, we have dinner and then I do some editing for Ang and write the next blog. A fine busy day at Cochise Stronghold.
Friday January 6th, 2017 – There is a sprinkle of rain in the early morning, very welcome in the desert, here at City of Rocks State Park in southwestern New Mexico. Even though it is very windy, I go for a walk in the rocks, but I should have left sooner as there is not much time between dawn and sunrise.
The outer “Village” at dawnSunlight in the rocks
Today my main project is getting bills, cards, and donor gifts ready to mail. The wind dies down in the mid-afternoon, enough so that I am able to play cello on the sunny side, which I haven’t been able to do so much here at the City. Talk to my daughter Becka as I walk in the rocks at sunset, and finish reading “Last Juror” after dinner.
Saturday January 7th – It is sunny, but only 25 degrees as I go for a morning walk in the rocks, taking photos and even doing a little video. It was suggested that I do that and post it on YouTube to show the interesting places we see. I think the shadows are too deep this early in the morning, so will try another video later in the day. I have a fun time capturing starbursts before the sun is too high in the sky.
Starburst at sunriseStarburst over the shoulder of a boulderStarburst illuminates a shrub in the rocksMorning light in the rocks
After breakfast we go to the Faywood post office to mail stuff and do a last check on mail we may have received. In the afternoon I do some editing for Ang (Novels of Shannon – a really great series for epic fantasy fans) as well as preparing and posting blogs on my website, blogsite, FB, and Twitter. I love seeing these interesting places, which are the basis of the blogs and photos, but what gives them meaning is being able to share with family, friends, and strangers who might not ever be able to travel to these scenic locations. In the evening, I go on another walk in the rocks near sundown; a video at this time of day turns out better.
West-facing rocks near sunsetWalking in the rocks at sunset
Sunday January 8th – As usual, I go for a walk in the rocks on this sunny and milder morning.
Warm light at sunriseMorning light illuminates grasses in the rocksGrasses in the rocks illuminated by a starburstSearching for starbursts at sunriseStarbursts at sunriseRock formations in the morning
I work on the CI email today and am very glad to get that out of the way. I post blogs and then we sit outside – the first day warm and calm enough for us to do that. I am even able to play cello outside on the shady side.
Even though the sunset colors are not great, I love walking in the rocks and meander about, happy to be there.
Across the basin – Cooke PeakEvening light on the grass
Evening light filtering through the rocksLast light of the dayRock ponds
I am sorry that today is our last day here, but it is time to move on.
Tuesday January 3rd – the sky is kind of skummy looking this morning, so I don’t go for a walk in the rocks, but make tea and write in my journal.
View of the rocks from our “front yard”
After breakfast, we go to the Faywood post office. Back at camp, I spend most of the day editing Princes of Purt, the next book in the Novels of Shannon series by Angela MacDonald (an excellent and exciting epic fantasy series, for anyone who is interested), editing photos for my next blog, and posting past blogs on my wordpress blog site. It is not quite warm enough to play cello outside, so spend the rest of the day reading “Last Juror.” Clifford continues his studies.
Wednesday January 4th – I make tea, put it in a to-go cup, and with journal in hand, I head to a picnic table in the rocks. Once I get to the rocks, instead of sitting and writing, I begin hiking around in a different section of the rocks. They are an endlessly fascinating labyrinth just waiting to be explored.
Starburst at sunriseA labyrinth waiting to be exploredA local resident of City of Rocks
Back at the campsite, after breakfast, I cut Clifford’s hair, as it is warm enough for us to do this outside. By time the temperature is warm enough for the cello, it is too windy out, so no playing cello today. Blogs and editing take up the rest of the day; I’m grateful for the electricity that allows hours on the laptop. I walk in the rocks at sunset, but don’t take many photos, as the sky is, unfortunately, is too streaked with jet trails. After dinner, I continue reading “Last Juror.” Although I might prefer to edit Princes of Purt, I don’t do good editing later in the day – too many little things slip by.
Thursday January 5th is a better day for photos as I walk in the rocks at sunrise. There is only a brief window of time to get photos with the special warm light of sunrise on the rocks and a bit longer window to play around with catching starbursts of the sun as it clears the rocks.
On the outskirts of the cityRays of the rising sun reach into the cityHighlights from the rising sunA walk in the rocks at sunriseCooke’s Peak seen from the City of RocksOn the outskirts of the City of Rocks
My organization project today is cleaning the fridge, which I do right after breakfast. More editing and blog writing, as well as checking email. Although it was calm in the early morning, it is super windy all day long, so no cello again today. Surprisingly, the wind calms down at sunset, so I have a pleasant walk in the rocks before dark.
Balanced rock and tree silhouette near sunsetWest-facing rocks near sundownPathways carved by natureTree shadows at sunsetSelfie-shadow at sunset
Sunday January 1st is Day 87 of our winter journey. For the first time at City of Rocks, I have a morning campfire, as it seems an appropriate way to start the new year.
Campfire in the rain
The location is not ideal, but it is the intent that counts, so I sit by my little fire sipping hot tea until the rain drives me in. Now, I know how to have a good campfire in the rain, but in an RV park (which the electric sites are) surrounded by $100,000 giant 5th wheels and motor-homes, that is not the ideal place to have a good roaring campfire. And besides that, I can’t read or write in the rain.
I have only enough time for breakfast and then head to the Visitors Center for the planned New Year’s Day hike with a ranger. I join a very small group of hardy souls and off we go for a 2-mile hike in the rain. It was not a terrifically scenic hike, but it was fun.
Hiking in the rainLone tree on a rainy day
Back at camp, I see how many of my projects I can do with the limited bytes per day: send an edited chapter to Ang, post a blog/photos on my website with a link on FB, post an older blog to the blogsite and twitter. Got that done with less than my daily allotment – hooray.
Toward sunset, Clifford goes for a walk in the rocks with me; I stay longer to eke out the last of the sunlight for photos.
Sun nears the horizonLast lightLast light of the day lights up a shrub in the rocksLast light of the day casts a pinkish glow on the rocks facing westGoing downPretty cloud color in the east at sunset
We have nachos for dinner and I start reading a Tony Hillerman novel. A very good 1st day of 2017.
Monday January 2nd I am up in time to see very pretty sunrise colors.
Vivid colors at sunriseVivid colors at sunrise
As I walk in the rocks, I find several depressions in the rocks that have filled with water from the recent rains.
Rain water in the rocksMount Cooke from City of the RocksMount Cooke shrouded in clouds with a dusting of snow
Today is an errand day, so we head to Silver City as soon as possible. Adobe Cafe, the bank, and Walmart are the only stops, so we are back at camp in time to enjoy the afternoon. After putting groceries and sundries away, I pick up the book I started reading last night and read the rest of the day, nearly missing a very vibrant sunset.
Vibrant sunsetSunset at City of Rocks
After taking a few photos, I finish reading the Tony Hillerman novel and start reading “The Last Juror” by John Grisham. Kind of a lazy day for me.
View from the “City” of the electric sites, with the “village,” a smaller rock formation, beyond.
Thursday December 29th is an errand/shopping day. We head to Silver City, a 20-mile drive to the north. This is a section of New Mexico that is not very appealing to me in terms of the landscape and the run-down look of small nearly-abandoned towns along the route. Silver City is a bigger and much more active town. We go to breakfast at the Adobe Cafe, then to the laundromat, and finish up with buying propane, groceries, and sundries. It is nearing dark by time we get back to camp.
Last light on the rocks
We have a dinner after putting things away. Clifford had to get a new phone, so he spends time learning how to get his programs on it, while I check FB, always eager to hear some news from my kids.
Friday December 30th is so overcast in the morning that there is no sunrise color at all, but it is no longer dark, so the sun must have risen. Both of our hotspots are out; Clifford acquires monitoring software so we can keep better track of our bytes. I do some editing for Ang, post a blog, check email and Facebook, and am under my daily byte quota. Becka calls; she is back in Georgia after visiting Mike in Japan for the Christmas holiday. Clifford and I bike ride the loop around the “city”– probably a couple of miles, which is a lot for me.
Mount Cooke in the afternoon
At sunset, I walk in the rocks.
Sunset at City of Rocks
After dinner, I do more editing for Ang, as it is a darn good story and hard to put it down.
Saturday December 31st is the last day of 2016. There was rain in the night and it is raining when I head to the Visitor’s Center this morning. Back at camp, as I’m writing in the journal and sipping hot yerba matte tea, I glance out the window and see the most beautiful rainbow arching over the rocks. I grab a camera and dash outside for a few photos before it fades. It was a most joyful sight, a great way to end the year, which has been a difficult one for many of us.
Rainbow blessingRainbow at City of Rocks
I take time to edit and post the rainbow as a end-of-the-year blessing for my family and friends. Throughout the day, the clouds are marvelous, dominating the scenery.
Clouds dominate the scene at City of RocksClouds behind Table MountainClouds behind the CityClouds over Cooke’s PeakClouds behind the formation at the south end of City of Rocks
Today, instead of posting a blog on the website, I pick up the first blog of this journey to post on my blog site, which I have neglected for well over a year, and also post it on Twitter. I really like taking photos to show people the beauty of the world and to keep family updated on our travels, but if no one sees them, it doesn’t mean much. Hopefully, expanding to the blog site and Twitter will help out. A phone call from a dear friend is a welcome addition to the day. Walking in the rocks at sunset and dinner with Clifford rounds out the last day of the year for me.
Rocks and clouds near sunsetCity of Rocks and clouds at sunsetDramatic light at sunsetSilhouette at sunset
Monday December 26th is moving day, but since I am up before Clifford, I have time for tea and journal writing on this frosty morning.
Frosty last morning at Riverside
Once he is up, we finish packing up and are on our way after saying good-bye to people we have met here and at Percha Dam.
Last morning at Riverside
South on I25 to Hatch, then State Hwy 26 to Deming, stopping at Walmart for groceries. While we are there, we decide to go ahead and replace a worn tire on Terry. One axle is bent, causing one tire to wear faster than the others. Another 25 miles brings us to City of Rocks State Park. The Visitor’s Center is closed, but we head on over to the electric sites. The site on the end with a view all around is free, but then we see an OCCUPIED sign. My instinct is that the people are gone and just forgot to turn in the sign, but we can’t take a chance on someone coming in later and claiming the spot. Although I am grateful that there is another site available, I feel a bit disappointed that we didn’t get the one that seemed meant for us. We get set up and I am glad to see the rocks through the front window.
Setting up at City of Rocks
I go for a short walk in the rocks at sunset, glad to be here at this unique place.
Walk in the rocks at sunset
Tuesday December 27th I walk in the rocks at sunrise to take photos.
Sunrise in the City of Rocks
Sunlight reaching into the rocks
A tremendous volcano 35 million years ago created this interesting geological feature as it spewed out rock debris and molten lava that cooled and coalesced as it hit the ground. Millions of years of erosion followed the eruption, and now we have “City of Rocks” State Park – a giant labyrinth of nature-made pathways, with twists and turns every-which-way.
City of Rocks in the morning
It is sunny and warm enough that we are able to sit outside for breakfast; later we set up our chairs and small tables on the warm sunny side of Terry to read, study, and (me) play cello.
City of Rocks Cello
In the later afternoon, I hike in the rocks again, hoping for a colorful sunset. Even though the sunset was not exceptional, hiking in the rocks is always fun
Wednesday, December 28th the morning sky is overcast and the sunrise is modest, but I walk in the rocks, anyway, looking for more subtle photo opportunities.
Rocks in silhouette
Light coming into the rocks
Sunlight on grasses
Sun peaking through the rocks; Cooke Peak in the background
Morning light on the rocks
More rock formations
More self-talk on the need to not only be grateful, but to feel grateful. Easier said than done, but listing the positive aspects of a situation is a good way to start. Back at camp, after breakfast, I download my cameras and look at the new photos, which is always fun to do. Then we sit outside again and I play cello for awhile, but after the wind blows over the music stand a couple times, I decide the annoyance to Vata is not to be ignored and I head inside. Organization project for today is the closet, rearranging to make hats and gloves, which we are needing, more accessible. Photo editing and blog writing fill out the afternoon.
A walk in the rocks at sunset is a pleasant close of the daylight.
Friday December 23rd – fog coming up off the river covers the campground this morning. For me, this is photo opportunity time, so I pull on sweats over my pj’s, grab a coat and a camera, and out the door I go. I walk along the river, appreciating the visual effects created by the fog.
Gnarly tree in the fog
Foggy reflections on the river
Trees in the fog
Grasses along the river
Mesa reflection
As the fog lifts, things begin to look normal again, so I head back to our campsite. Clifford is up and has a great idea: we should go Christmas shopping for me. Now, I am not so much into shopping for stuff for myself, but this is an opportunity not to be passed up. We go to T or C again and have breakfast out to celebrate our 17th anniversary today. Then over to Walmart (what else is there in T or C?) where Clifford buys me a long sweater and a pair of shoes. Fun for me, for sure!
Highway to Truth or Consequences
On the way back, we explore the nearby dispersed camping area. No one is there now, but it is probably popular some times of the year.
Exploring the dispersed camping area
We are back to our campground early enough for me to play cello outside; some guy comes by and stops to listen and then asks if he can take a photo of me playing my cello!
I walk up to the top of the dam and even though I am there too early for sunset photos, it is a nice vantage point.
View of the mesa from the top of the dam
Friday December 24th – a short errand today: post office at Arrey, our last chance to check for mail here, as we will be moving soon. I find the most protected side of Terry and play cello outside in spite of the wind. It was a really good session and I almost didn’t do it because of the wind. In the later afternoon, I walk about to find the best vantage point to get photos of the mesa at sunset.
Mesa at sunset
Back at camp, we have a special Christmas Eve dinner – not nearly as fancy as the dinners that my grandma used to make, but pretty darn good considering we are in a little camper!
Saturday December 25th – Christmas Day: I decide to have a campfire this morning, as it is the last chance to use up all that wood I have stashed here. It is a nice quiet time, sitting by the campfire, meditating on the meaning of Christmas in my life, and writing in my journal. Today would have been my mom’s 91st birthday. I sure miss being able to call her to wish her Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas.
Christmas morning campfire
Between phone, text, email, and FB, I connect with family and friends. After dinner, I begin packing up everything that can be packed ahead of time. Tomorrow is moving day and the more I do tonight, the easier it is in the morning.
Monday December 19th- it was so windy in the night here at Riverside Campground in southern New Mexico that I didn’t sleep well and am awake by 6:00 a.m. I make tea and have quiet time while Clifford sleeps. Today I write greeting cards to send to my kids and close friends. These are cards that I have made using my favorite photos over the years, each one unique. After a trip to the post office in Arrey, even though it is only 55 degrees and breezy, it is warm enough on the protected sunny side of Terry (our camper) that I am able to play cello outside for a while.
Near sunset, the last rays of the sun light up the mesa to the east.
Mesa to the east near sunset
Tuesday December 20th, I walk down to the river in the morning, as it feels good to be out in the cool freshness that time of day.
A walk to the river
Today is another day of editing and blog writing, as well as getting current with the bookwork. Today I reorganize the spices, and in the afternoon, the cello comes out again.
Riverside Cello
In the evening I meet the neighbors when they make a campfire, two women who have just started the road-trip lifestyle. Always fun to get to know the neighbors, since we can all learn from each others’ experiences.
Clifford has been studying for his next ham radio test and doing some testing with his portable visible-light spectrometer. No end of projects for both of us, it seems.
Wednesday December 21st is an errand and shopping day for us – a trip to Truth or Consequences. On the way back to camp, we explore the dispersed camping area along Caballo Lake. This is probably a popular spot certain times of the year.
Dispersed camping along Caballo Lake
After unloading and putting away groceries and sundries, I take the Blazer to a dead tree in the nearby day-use area and load up small branches and bark, at least enough for two or three campfires. It is too late to play cello outside, but I do make a campfire and a cup of good organic French Press coffee, a little late in the day for it, but the perfect fireside companion.
Campfire at Riverside Campground
After dinner, while I work on a blog, Clifford takes his night-vision goggles for a walk. Since he kind of a night-owl himself, this night-time stuff is fun for him,
Thursday December 22nd – it rained all night; good thing I covered my woodpile with a tarp. I walk down to the river in the gently falling rain, loving the feel of it.
A gnarly tree in the rain by the river
Raindrops on the river
The rain continues throughout the day, which is good for the land, the river, the trees.
I back up my photos and documents to an external drive, as Clifford is going to do some fussing around with my laptop to get the internet card either reset or replaced. A backup is a wise thing to do in any case. Because of the rain, it is an inside day – editing, blog writing, and some research on the BLM long-term places in Arizona. They might be warmer than here, but other than that, they don’t appeal to me much – but I should wait to see them before I make such a judgment. My experience-less opinion comes from seeing photos of the area. Some people want to go to a new place every trip; me – I like going to familiar places that I know that I like, but I can see the value in trying new places, also.
It is just a short distance from Percha Dam over to the Riverside portion of Caballo State Park on the other side of I-25, but even so, everything has to be packed properly for safe travel. The site on the end of the loop is not available, so we take another with a cool old gnarly tree by the picnic table. Walk down to the river to check it out.
Rio Grande at Riverside Caballo State Park
Since we have neighbors on both sides, I am not as comfortable playing cello outside, but it is windy enough, I figure they can’t hear me anyway.
I hear from some of my kids and brother Rollie: it is cold and snowy in Montana.
Friday December 16th, I am up in time to take photos of a very colorful sunrise, which was much appreciated by my hungry photographer’s soul.
Terry and Blazer at Riverside
Colorful sunrise
Nourishment for a photographer’s soul
Even though the temperatures are relatively mild, it is too windy to sit outside. Other than a bike ride around the campground (the restroom is on the far side from where we are parked), activities are inside: write in journal, post blog of our one-night stay at Angel Peak, and backtrack our trip from the Hamfest in Quartzsite in mid-January to figure out when we have to leave here and where we will be staying on the way. I stay up late reading; Clifford stays up late trying out his night-vision goggles, as well as his usual studying and ham radio activities.
Rain in the distance
Saturday December 17th is a chilly day, even though the wind is from the southwest. Looks like rain in the distance.
We go to Arrey to pick up mail at the post office and then treat ourselves to breakfast at the Arrey Cafe. We seldom eat out, but it is nice now and then not to have to prepare and clean up after a meal. Back at camp, we go through the mail, taking care of business, and more editing, but no playing cello, as it is too chilly and windy outside today. Most of the US is much colder; we are fortunate not to have had to deal with the extreme weather.
Sunday December 18th, I walk down to the river first thing this morning to take photos.
Clear and calm at the river in the morning
Although the day starts out clear and calm, it changes to overcast and windy, so activities are inside projects – making soup, editing, and preparing the next blog. Clifford continues with his studies. In the evening, we watch the first segment of the series “Roots,” which Clifford has on DVD.
Sunday December 11th, 32 degrees this morning and calm – perfect for a campfire. By mid-day the temperature is in the low 70’s, a lovely day and very pleasant to be outside.
Evening light on the mesa to the east
Monday December 12th, about the same temps as yesterday, but windy.
Morning light
Today we go to Truth or Consequences for groceries and sundries, then stop at the Arrey post office to pick up our mail. Clifford has received a monster-size book “The Principles of Internal Medicine,” which will become part of his reference library. Not sure where we are going to store a book of that size in Terry.
Moon rising near sunset
Tuesday December 13th is laundry day. Of course, photography comes first.
Almost sunrise, glowing through the woods
The machines at the nearest laundromat are not commercial size, so it takes a LONG time to get our laundry washed and dried, and I even end up hanging some things on our clothes line when we we finally get back to camp. We needed to get this chore done, but I certainly didn’t expect it to take up so much of the day.
Wednesday December 14th is our last day here. I enjoy having a campfire first thing this morning and take photos of the brilliant sunrise and the more subtle setting of the moon.
Brilliant sunrise at Percha Dam
The more subtle setting of the moon
After breakfast, Clifford and I go for a bike ride around the lower campground – the less developed area. Play cello outside, even though it is a bit windy, as the temperature has reached the low 70’s by afternoon.
Campsite at Percha Dam
The usual editing and blog writing takes up the evening hours, along with packing up as much stuff as I can to get a head start on the morning. Moving is always a big deal, easier this time because it is only a few miles away, but even so, everything has to be securely in place before we pull out.
