The Final Frontier....before I land back Home

When I last was blogging I was about to head south in New Mexico...I decided to go to Rock Hound State Park....and what a great decision that was...it is a small park, close to the border...maybe 10 miles or so east of Deming, New Mexico...has both RV and tent camping...backs up to some mountains...it reminds me in part to the Superstitions and that Park...its not as large....

Rock Hound ST Pk CG..View from Camper...(c)2014Horst Kelly photographer

I got  there from Elephant Butte by early afternoon, found a nice spot on the hill...only one other camper there besides the "Vol Host"....relaxed, hiked around, did not find any precious stones...you are allowed to carry out 15 lbs....I think its there way of getting folks to help clear the land... :).... grilled some chicken and fresh corn on the cob for dinner and hit the sack...


Mother Nature keeps giving me a pot of Gold...Rock Hound St Pk...(c)2014Horst Kelly

The next morning I took some photos of the mountain range and was going to go to Deming...I noticed my side walls on  one tire were starting to peel...Mmmm..I searched the internet for a Discount Tire outlet, found one in Las Cruces...about an hour away and headed there to see what they have to say.....They where not that concerned about the sidewall, but noticed the inside tread was in the red zone...bottom line, I got two new tires....I didn't want to take a chance driving in the Barren land of West Texas and something go wrong...plus I have dealt with Discount Tire stores for a number of years and trust their judgment...so it was buy now or buy later...either way it was going to be dealt with by Discount Tire....

Rock Hound St Pk....(c)2014Horst Kelly

By the time I got back...the sun was starting to set, so got out the camera...there was cloud cover and it was raining to the northeast...hence, another opportunity for a rainbow...and wow what a photo op...I took about ten photo's...and of course have to share one with you folks....what a great sunset, especially the color the cloud cover turned....nice way to end the day...

I decided to leave Friday and head East toward home...its been six weeks and I miss my Bride....I let her know I would be backing into the driveway around mid week....My destination for the day was Van Horn, Texas....Arrived mid afternoon...had been raining..I was here last in the Fall of 2012...and it was pretty run down...just an overnight stop....as I pulled in it was like a new town...fresh coat of paint on most of the Buildings...Old Time(gas ) street lamps all along one side of the Main Street....new Businesses...wow...even had a new RV park...it took Passport America..15 dollars, gravel, full hookup sites, very clean Rest room, with shower and a laundry...I was here for the night.

Last evening at Abiquiu  Dam (c)2014Horst Kelly

When I got up Saturday and getting ready to head to Seminole Canyon, I read the weather report which said "rain" in that area for the day....so why travel there if its going to be lousy weather...I decided to extend my stay in Van Horn for a day and do some site-seeing....north of Van Horn is the Guadalupe  Mountains National Park...I have never been there...it is on my list of places to go....highest Mountain peak in Texas, does have a campground, etc.....well lets take a drive and see what hidden treasures we stumble across...

...and what a treasure we found...its called Hwy 54 and travels north...in fact goes to Carlsbad NM....but the Texas portion is one of the great "road finds"....its cuts through the Baylor and Delaware Mountains on its way to Guadalupe...I most have stopped a half dozen times....virtually no traffic.

Guadalupe Mt...(c)2014Horst Kelly

Though it was overcast and the "light" was spotty,  I still enjoyed stopping, exploring and taking photo's....its a place I will return when returning from Western adventures...and I plan to camp at the National Park next Spring...the Cg has a primitive tent only area and a "parking lot" RV area.....that's ok...the exploring will make up for any "parking lot ambiance"...

My extending a day was sure worth it....Sunday morning I hitched up right at the crack of dawn, did some last minute chores, gassed up, and by 0805 was on the road heading south on US 90...the trip was around 265 miles or so...arrived at Seminole State Park early afternoon, asked for my usual spot, "E029"...no problem, only one other camper at the park....and they where about 3 down from me....


On Hwy. 54...(c)2014Horst Kelly

Made a run to Del Rio for some provisions, when I got back I met my neighbors....long story short, they know Barney...aka OFM...what a small world..though they are not full-timers, they stay out for 4 to 5 months at a time....She told me they were pushing 85(age)...they looked and acted(physically) like young 60 year olds   They where returning from one of their adventures and doing the same thing I do at Seminole...down time before backing into their"driveway"...

Guadalupe Mt...(c)2014Horst Kelly

I plan on some hiking while here and then making the final 250 or so miles home and touch down NLT mid week....its been a GRAND Adventure....."unstructured" is the way to go....I changed directions more times than a crazy ant, and it always seemed to provide a awesome experience...I found new places that I hope to return to in the future...I definably need to get a solar panel...I enjoyed the dry camping so much more than being at  a full hookup CG....and there are some great "hidden gems' out there....I barely scratched the surface!

Seminole Canyon sunrise(c)2014Horst Kelly

I'll do an after action summary post within the next week...to include some "stats"....like I said...its been a magnificent journey to some wonderful parts of the Country.....until then...Happy Trails to You...and thanks for taking the time to visit and comment....Horst sends