San Antonio, Texas
Scott and I have been to San Antonio many times for fun. We’ve seen the Alamo and have done the Riverwalk cruise. During our time in San Antonio we needed to find some other sites to see.
We decided that we would take the bike trail to the missions. The entire bike route is 19 miles but adds in the Alamo which we’ve already seen. We decided to take a shortened 12 mile version and see the other 4 missions.
The missions were a way for the Spanish, who were settling land in Texas, to convert the native Indians to Spanish citizens and indoctrinate them into Catholicism and Spanish culture.
The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower-restaurant. The tower was designed by San Antonio architect O’Neil Ford and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World’s Fair.
It was the tallest observation tower in the United States from 1968 until 1996, when the Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower was completed. It is the tallest building in San Antonio, and the 27th-tallest building in Texas.
There is also a lounge and revolving restaurant at the top of the tower that provides panoramic views of the city. We enjoyed a nice late lunch at the restaurant, then enjoyed the observation deck.
Carlsbad Cavern National Park
Carlsbad Caverns became a national monument in 1923 but was discovered in 1898 by 16 year old Jim White. White explored the cavern with his homemade wire ladder. He named many of the rooms, including the Big Room, Kings Palace, and Green Lake Room. He also named many of the cave’s more prominent formations, such as the Totem Pole, Giant Dome, Bottomless Pit, Fairyland, Iceberg Rock, and Rock of Ages.
You descend down several stories to a crystal maze that is in complete darkness except for minimal light on the trail which highlight geological features.
Our first visit to the park was on MLK Day. We were pleasantly surprised to find that admittance was free. Unfortunately, the park was full of kids, with the day off from school, and their parents. One of the guidelines while at Carlsbad is to speak in a whisper while enjoying the caverns. We didn’t feel that an echo chamber with lots of kids and crying babies would be fun, so we left and came back the next day.
While our visit was not free, I think it was more enjoyable due to the lack of bodies. The ranger told us that they had 2,500 guests during the holiday as opposed the average which is less than half that number.
It was 38 degrees outside, but a balmy and humid 56 degrees in the caves. A nice place to escape the cold and wind for the day.
White Sands National Monument (Park)
Update: We were here prior to this monument being designated a national park in December 2019.
We began the new year heading east with a few stops in New Mexico. The White Sands National Monument was our initial focus but we found a few other places of interest to occupy our time as well.
New Mexico to Mexico
Crossing from Deming, NM to Palomas, Mexico
The International Space Hall of Fame
Fun stop at the pistachio farms to taste pistachio wine and other sweet treats.
White Sands National Monument
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Spending time in Arizona
My dad flew in to travel with us while we visited a few cities in Arizona.
Prescott
Our first stop in our Arizona journey.
Roosevelt Lake
Theodore Roosevelt Lake (usually called Roosevelt Lake, sometimes Lake Roosevelt) is a large reservoir formed by Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in Arizona. Theodore Roosevelt is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.
Gold Canyon
We initially were going to stay here for a month, but liked it so much we stayed for two. The RV park we stayed at had a lot of activities and friendly people. The weather was very nice too.
My dad left before Thanksgiving, but we were still able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner.
Hieroglyphic Trail
The rocky washes and saguro-studded hills at the base of the Superstition Mountains have lured adventurers for nine thousand years.
A miner name Jacob Waltz ventured into these hills and brought back gold so pure that when he died in 1891, without revealing its source, a legend was born. For more than a century prospectors have returned to the Superstition looking for the “Dutchman’s” lost mine but to this day no one has found it (that includes Scott and me).
Full Moon Party
The RV park we stayed at had a full moon party with a band, bonfire and food. We had a prime spot on a hilltop to view the beautiful desert sunset and moon rise.
Silly Mountain
This is a fun trail that is easy to moderate with a variety of botanicals. There are several different trails that intermingle to provide a long or short hike.
Organ Pizza
This is unique place to visit – a combination restaurant and theater. The restaurant, Organ Pizza, has the largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world.
The actual specifications are extensive to say the least. Here are the numbers:
• 4 manuals – 61 keys each
• pedalboard – 32 keys
• 422 stoptabs (red denote reeds, amber for strings, ivory for flues)
• 113 combination action pistons and toe studs
• 5 expression pedals: Foundation, Main, Solo, General, and Crescendo
• 5 toe levers controlling traps and reversible stops
• 2 drawers housing 327 switches controlling various selective stops, sound effects, theatrical lighting and effects, and other console functions
While the pizza was fair, the musical show with changing lights is awesome. We attended during the holidays so most tunes were Christmas standards, however the kids requested Star Wars and it was amazing to hear on this fabulous and unique organ.
Flatiron via Siphon Draw
We have been looking at this mountain from our site every day and thinking how awesome the view must be from the top. Come to find out that there is a hike (rated difficult) that will get you there. Our neighbor completed the hike and advised it is aptly rated and you’ll be sore for days. Challenge accepted!!!!
This part of the Superstition Mountains is called The Flatiron as that is what it looks like. The hike is a 3 mile out and back (6 mi total for the math impaired) with an elevation gain of just under 3000 ft.
The first two miles are a nice walk to the basin with mild elevation gain and some good views.
Then you get to the Basin. This is where things get interesting
The “hike” turns in to a rock climb. This mile has an elevation gain of approximately 2000 ft. It’s no longer a trail as you are basically scaling the side of the mountain.
When you get to the top, there are some very nice views…
It took us so long climbing the mountain that on our way back down, the sun began to set. As we reached the Basin on the way back, the sun had completely set with us still having 2 miles to go. Luckily we had a flashlight. The trail was not well marked though and we veered off at one point and had to use the AllTrails app on our phone to figure out where we were and where the trail ran. Backtracked a bit and found the trail again. Using the flashlight and the app we finished the last two miles to get us back to the car. Not something we would recommend.
And yes, sore for days.
Are you ready for some football?!?
If you know Scott, you know he loves football. While in the Phoenix area we took in a Seattle vs Arizona game and also the Fiesta Bowl – Washington vs Penn State.
November 9, 2017
Seattle at Arizona
Scott was happy with a 22-16 victory for Seattle
December 30, 2017
Fiesta Bowl
Washington vs Penn State
As Scott and I are originally from Pennsylvania, we have a special fondness for Penn State. Although neither of us graduated from PSU, when we learned that they would be playing in a Bowl game near us, we needed to find a way to be a part of the fun.
First RV-ersary Q & A
Our one year full-time RV anniversary (or RV-ersary) was October 1st. We have had many questions about life on the road so we wanted to pause and answer some of them as a video message. This is our first attempt at a videography and we think it went fairly well.
[0:19]What do we do for Internet access?
Generally we use the wi-fi available at the parks we are staying. We also have a limited data plan, if our park has no or unreliable internet access. In rare cases, we have gone to Starbuck’s to get internet access.
[1:08]How do we get our mail?
We use a service from Escapees that provides us both a physical address in Texas (important for residency requirements) and collects our mail. Once a month, we request our mail from them to be sent to the campsite we are visiting. Escapees sorts our mail and sends us only Class A mail.
We pay all of our bills on-line, so there is very little “must have” mail that we receive.
[2:06]What is our favorite place visited?
We found this question impossible to answer. We really loved all the National Parks that we have visited so far. Gulf Shores was relaxing and the beach was wonderful. Boulder and Denver were great too. Texas is always appealing too, since we get to visit with friends.
[2:28] Buddy makes an appearance
[3:19]How do we plan our travels?
Follow the weather. Ideally, we want to be in shorts and sandals all year long. Beyond, that we pick one or two locations or events and commit to those. The rest of the year falls into place once we decide on our primary destination. For example, earlier this year, we wanted to experience the solar eclipse in it’s totality. After a lot of research, we decided on a small park in Idaho. We booked our space in Idaho in March while in Texas and from there we were able to plan our journey. Leaving from Texas in March and arriving in Idaho at the end of July, we had long stays in both New Mexico and Colorado.
[7:20]How do we get along with each other living in a small space? (How haven’t we killed each other yet?)
Living in an RV hasn’t changed how we get along. We have opportunities to do things apart or together just like we did prior to full-time RV’ing.
[9:06]Does Catharine drive the RV?
NO!!
[9:49]How has Buddy adapted to life on the road?
Buddy adjusted faster than we have. He is a good traveler and sits between our chairs as we drive. While we are camped he is comfortable in the RV whether we are with him in it or not. He takes us for frequent walks and likes smelling new smells as we move around the country. If the park has a dog park, he loves to play with his ball and meet new friends.
[11:07]Knowing what we know now, would we do it again?
ABSOLUTELY!!!
[12:39]How long are we planning to RV?
As long as we are still enjoying it, we want to keep doing it. This past year has gone by quickly and we have had an awesome time. As long as we feel that way, we will continue RV’ing.
[15:16]Where are we going next?
We are currently in Gold Canyon, Arizona. We are leaving here on January 1, 2018 and heading east towards Texas. Then, we plan to head towards New England and Cape Cod for the summer (with a stop in Pennsylvania to visit family).
Happy Holidays!!!