(Mid-Oct. to mid-Nov. 2019) This post is a brief summary of the end of our travel season for 2019. It seems we have been so preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic that we have put off many things – including blogging. Time now to try to catch up on the blog posts.

(May 25, 2020) First, a status update – Kim and I remain in good health and are sheltering in a campground in Iowa, near my sister and brother-in-law’s home – as noted in my recent post. Now, on to our 2019 Fall travels…

Leaving Iowa – Again…

As per my last blog post of 2019, Kim and I had spent more time with my sister, Shirley, and brother-in-law, Craig, while they came to grips with Craig’s recent cancer resurgence. At this point both were in good spirits and optimistic about Craig’s prognosis and treatment options. Kim and I felt more confident about saying our farewells and heading back toward California for the winter.

We decided to head south to our domicile in Livingston, Texas, to update our drivers licenses to the mandated Real ID cards. We chose a more scenic route that took us through Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana with two-night stays in each state, respectively. (Add three more stickers to the travel map!)

One unfortunate incident occurred on our first day on the road – Pepper tore a nail off her right front paw – causing her considerable pain. Poor puppy! I bandaged her paw but there was no local vet available on the weekend. Fortunately, we were able to get Pepper into the vet early Monday morning and got her fixed up before heading out to our next stop.

Around Livingston, Texas

Arriving in Livingston, we checked in to the Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park for a two-week stay to relax a bit, take care of our license renewals, as well as a few other things – including vehicle inspections, flu shots, and replacement of a cracked wheel rim on the fifth-wheel.

Just after our arrival in Livingston an early winter storm pushed through Iowa and was felt all the way south to Texas and the other Gulf States. We felt fortunate to have left the Midwest when we did and not have to deal with plunging temperatures, snow, and freezing rain.

Highlights of our stay in Livingston include hanging out with fellow Escapees, visits to nearby scenic Lake Livingston, and enjoying the local BBQ, Cajun, and Tex-Mex cuisine. Yum!

Crossing Texas – Waco and Points Beyond

Leaving Livingston we took a short side-trip to Waco, Texas, for a three-night stay. Kim and I both enjoy the Waco-based HG-TV show, “Fixer Upper”, with Chip and Joanna Gaines, and thought this would be a great opportunity to visit their Magnolia brand stores.

We especially enjoyed visiting the Magnolia Market at the Silos – browsing the home decor items (love the candles!), having lunch from the food trucks, and snagging a few cupcakes from the bakery. We even got to meet their friend and metal worker, Jimmy Don, at his nearby outlet shop.

Leaving Waco, we headed south and west towards Alamogordo, New Mexico. Along the way we stopped for two-night stays in Junction and Saragosa, Texas.

White Sands and Rock Art in New Mexico

Arriving in Alamogordo, New Mexico, we checked into the Boot Hill RV Park for a seven-night stay. Highlights of our stay include visits to White Sands National Monument; the BLM Three Rivers Petroglyph Site; the International Space Hall of Fame; and the historic mountain mining town of Cloudcroft.

While I had visited Alamogordo several times in the past, this was Kim’s first visit to the area. I think Kim most enjoyed the surreal landscape of White Sands, as well as all the interactive exhibits at the International Space Hall of Fame – and especially the opportunity to walk on the moon.

As for me, I especially enjoyed the opportunity to again photograph the fantastic rock art at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, as well as visiting Cloudcroft for the first time.

A Wonderland of Rocks in Arizona

Leaving Alamogordo, we traveled into Arizona for a four-night stay at the Willcox / Cochise KOA Holiday. This campground was about 35 miles from Chiricahua National Monument, a park I have long wanted to visit.

One day we packed a picnic lunch and took the scenic drive out to the park. We both enjoyed seeing the towering and fantastically eroded volcanic rock formations, as well as the historic remnants of Faraway Ranch.

I returned alone on several afternoons to photograph around the park at sunset and at night. This is truly a wonderland of rocks with seemingly boundless photo ops. I look forward to visiting here on other trips.

Around Tucson, Arizona

From Willcox we traveled just a short distance to Tucson, Arizona, for a four-night stay at the Desert Trails RV Park. The campground features some wonderful desert views and is conveniently close to Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park.

During our stay we had episodes of heavy rain and thunderstorms – indeed, we set up camp in the midst of an intense thunderstorm with wind and driving rain. While in the area we visited Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park and enjoyed a dinner at a local southwestern cafe.

I also attended an Archaeology Southwest event in Tucson, featuring a lecture and book release by Jonathan Bailey – a longtime online friend, rock art expert, and accomplished photographer. (Congrats on the book release and great lecture, Johnathan! Well done.)

On to Phoenix and Southern California

On the last leg of our trip we stopped for two-nights at an RV park in Goodyear, Arizona, on the western outskirts of Phoenix. We had a nice visit and evening out with Kim’s sister, Kari, and her husband, Jim, who live and work in the Phoenix area. (Kari & Jim – Great to see you, again! We enjoyed hanging out with you – see you on another trip.)

We spent one last day on the road driving to Southern California where we planned to overwinter. With a sigh of relief we checked into the Banning Stagecoach KOA – glad to have successfully completed another great travel season. Whew!

That’s all for now – stay safe – stay healthy – stay positive.