Merry Christmas to All

We are all set for a relaxing Christmas....have done all our shopping, wrapping presents, decorations....and other stuff....now its time to relax, have a “hot toddy”....and count our blessing and the family of friends we are fortunate to have...and  that includes all the wonderful Blogging friends I have made over the last several years.....so here is my Christmas greeting/card to all of you...Thanks for your Friendship...even though I have never met most of you, you are part of my circle of Friends....

An annual wrap will be posted shortly...Horst sends

Texas Santa......(c)2008 Horst Kelly Photography

Keep our troops in your Hearts....

Try it...You just might Enjoy it

Sometimes it good to just take a break, sit back and curl those lips upward....Happy Thanksgiving to All...Horst sends

A Salute to all The Veterans...Thank you for Your Service

The Fallen Will Never be Forgotten....

West Virginia Tribute to our Service Men and Women...past and present

Have a terrific Veterans Day Weekend.. Horst sends

A Quick Peek at Bisti Badlands......an unanticatpated dash to the Homefront

I could have stayed at Canyon de Chelly for another couple days...it was a very relaxing time and would have liked to do some more exploring in the area....But I was also looking foward to the Bisti Badlands.....I have never been there and it seemed to be a very unique place...

(c)2016HorstKelly Photography...Bisti Badlands

My plan was to drive to Farmington New Mexico, spend the night at the County Fair Grounds, stop at the BLM office, get info and maps and head to Bisti on Thursday...a short 35 or so miles south...most folks who visit Bisti overnight at Farmington and do day trips to the Bisti Area...I wanted to Boondock at the Park if possible...and it was. I arrived in Farmington early afternoon, found the Fairgrounds and got a spot...they have several hundred RV sites ...and I was it for the night.....and the park bumped up to the San Juan River...how many places have I been with the San Juan as my camp companion...I set up, found a HOT shower and then I was off to see the BLM folks...what a super group of people...professional, very friendly and extremely informative..gave me many suggestions, especially for photo ops and the various different hikes, distance, best time to see, etc...the law enforcement folks also came by and one of them gave me his cell number.  He said there has  never been a problem, but since I am camping and will probably be the only one overnighting, he thought it might be nice too have...I was very impressed and thanked them and off I went....I stopped for a few provisions, got back to the fair grounds, relaxed, grilled some chicken breasts and went down to the River to relax...another great day.

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer Bisti Badlands 

Since it was only 30 something miles I was in no rush to roll...especisally didn't want to arrive in the heat of the day.....left early afternoon...had some rather larges Mesa's to roll up and over, but arrived no worse for wear...the last 3 miles are washboard, but it was worth it...there is a gravel parking area and a couple more, kinda, sorta, areas to park...I parked in the main lot...another 30 ft RV there...and 2 cars...I unhitched and looked around the area to get orientated to which way was which...most hikes to the "Bisti's is at least a couple miles....

Around 330pm I decided to venture out...my plan was to get a lay of the land, figure out the best times to photograph and then starting tomorrow evening(which didn't happen)do some hikes and get photo's...I would do the same thing tomorrow morning and then spend another couple days trying to get some photos's.

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer....Bisti Badlands

First a little info on the area:
"The Bisti Badlands / De Na Zin Wilderness Area was once a coastal swamp of an inland sea, home to many large trees, reptiles, dinosaurs and primitive mammals. Today hikers find the preserved record of this swamp amidst a true desert wilderness.

Visit Bisti Badlands to hike, take photographs,camp and watch wildlife. The Bits/De-Na-Zen badlands support a small number of nesting golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and prairie falcons. There are two major geological formations found in the wilderness, the Fruitland Formation and the Kirtland Shale. The Fruitland Formation makes up most of what the visitor will see while in the badlands where weathering of the sandstone forms the many spires and hoodoos (sculpted rock) found throughout the area. The Kirtland Shale contains rock of various colors and dominates the eastern part of the wilderness. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness to protect the area’s naturalness, special features, and opportunities for solitude and primitive types of recreation. 

It is best to travel in the early morning and late afternoon. There are no marked trails in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness and it is easy to get confused or lost. A GPS or compass is helpful. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Take plenty of water, protective clothing and footwear appropriate for the season. No cell phone service is available." From the New Mexico Adventure Magazine.

(c)2016HorsyKelly Photographer....Bisti Badlands

I hiked until the sun started dipping below the horizon...what a place..though I took some photo's they where usually at the wrong angle but I was in such awe that photos was not a priority....what a place...I couldn't wait for morning to come and adventure into this Maze of "Alice in Wonderland" I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and exchanging "adventure notes".....What a Grand Find.....

The next morning I did two more  hikes...and I was getting more excited with each new maze I entered...took a break that afternoon, getting ready for that magic evening light....I then got the call that there was a issue at Home....Bottom line by 430 pm I was hitched up and rolling south and east towards Texas....I drove until I felt it that my "judgement" was starting to get lax...stop and fell asleep...got up and did it all over again....after after what felt like forever, I finally got to Seminole Canyon and based on the situation at home getting better, decided to stay for a day or less....and rest...met a couple from Houston with a Casita...great fireside chat and morning chat...super folks.....so full of life and humor...I thought they where in the mid to late 60's.....turns out he is 81, she is 80...they became my new hero's!!!

(c)2016HorstKelly PhotogrA

Got home the next day....Bride is on the mend and feeling better...which makes me feel a whole lot happier.....More posts to follow about the trip in the next week or so.....safe travels....Horst sends
Been home for week and a half or so.

Great American History West of the Mississippi

Monday came early as I was leaving for Canyon de Chelly….I was looking forward to a stop there and to once again visit this interesting piece of history that travels back in time some 5000 years and travels forward with important events as recent as the 1800 to the early 1900..
The where five different “peoples” that pasted through this area starting with the the Archaic from 2500-200 BC  that lived here as season settlers….until the last group that where the Navajo that entered the Canyon about 400 years ago….in between where the the Basketmaker , Pueblo and Hopi that all left a mark in Canyon de Chelly…and there is the recent history of Kit Carson brutal campaign against the Navajo.

Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horst Kelly  Photographer

I left the banks of the San Juan River at  Bluff on 10 Oct heading towards Chinle NM…It was a pleasant enough drive, no real traffic and some great vistas, especially the last third of the trip …. had no pull overs that would accommodate a camper..so no photos. Arrived around 1pm and decided to stay at the Cottonwood CG which is next to the visitors center…My book on free campgrounds showed it was still a freebee, but that was not the case, a non-hookup site is now 14 dollars..go figure. sorta like Gooseneck which was free a couple years ago and is now 10 bucks, or the View CG at Monument Valley which was 20 dollars last year and I was told its 40  this year. I digress….I paid the 28 for two days, got a great site with some western sun for my solar and I was set…the CG only had a half dozen or so campers spread out…made for some nice solitude…

Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horstkelly photographer 

I took the south rim drive late afternoon and as usual was totally in awe by the views. I again got lost in time and put myself in each of the different era’s that occupied this space…its probably childish….I suppose I just enjoy getting  immersed  with the history….cloud cover didn’t make for great photo’s but that was ok….I was enjoying walking back in history. It was a great way to spend an afternoon…since I have been on the “in canyon” tour, I opted out of that.

Canyon de Chelly(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

The next morning I went on the North Rim for some viewing of the  cliff dwelling,  …another terrific ride and then off to see some of the surrounding area …The afternoon was spent doing some shopping, cleaning the camper and grilling a salmon fillet….then I sat outside and watched the sun set and the moon rise…

Now its off to see the Bisti Badlands and points south

...until next time Happy Trails…Horst sends

Sausage and Eggs instead of a sunrise

I think its been almost a week since I last wrote…the internet is been sparse at best and my smartphone GB’s  likewise…I have been to Canyonlands and  now back to Bluff for the 3 day weekend…

Monument Valley Area(c)2016Horst Kelly {Photographer

Photo opportunities seem to be getting slim  and my enthusiasm for chasing early morning and evening light has dwindled. When the temps are in the 30’s outside in the early morning my old bones just don’t want to deal with running all over the wilderness searching for the “best  light” Instead it wants to enjoy making a breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns and the like…and just sit outside watching the sun peak over the horizon stretching its rays for some warmth while having that last grilled sausage and strong cup of hot coffee… I suppose this camping lifestyle is just evolving as I continue to enjoy the “Back Roads” of America. I seem to savor the sights and sounds of my immediate  surroundings more than in the past, when I chose to click the shudder and have it on Kodachrome as a memory.

Moab Area(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

Another evolution I have noticed is the volume of  folk who have turned to experiencing the joys of Boondocking and appear to have continued to be chasing the perfect isolated campsite……the only problem is that as more are searching for perfect dispersed camping sites, the fewer of the places remain….It is amazing to see places like Horse Thief CG at Canyonlands being filled up…3 years ago you might share the CG with one other person, especially after Labor Day weekend,….what seems to also have changed is type of Rigs that now use these CG’s….to see a 40 ft RV back into a site at Horse Thief,  Sand Island or the like was nonexistent a few years ago, a nd this past week it seemed almost half at the CG where 30 ft plus….As the Bob Dylan song “The Times they are a Changing”….,

Off the Beaten Path(v)2016HorstKelly Photographer

Next on my list is to revisit Canyon de Chelly….its just down the road and the last time I was there it had rained and therefore couldn’t venture into the North end….from there its still open ended as I began my journey back to Texas…. Until next time Horst sends

Enjoying America....One Mile at a Time

Its now 1 Oct…..I did not go to either the North Rim or Bryce…stayed around Marble Canyon waiting  for some half way decent  weather..and the day I hitched up I still had hopes…one of the folks camping across stopped by and he was told there where no sites available..Mmmmm well decision time…

Vermillion Cliffs Sunrise(c)2016HorstKelly Photography

I decided to venture North…Made it to Sand Island and got a nice site…will stay here through the weekend and then head to Canyonlands and do/see some stuff I have not done before in that area….This morning I ventured up to Devils Canyon…did not realize they had a campground there…two loops, no elect…but looks promising.also went to Recapture Reservoir…and messed around looking for some Fall Foliage..not yet…

This evening I may drive towards Monument Valley for some evening shots and maybe read up on and hope to shoot the milky way…it was a terrific night sky last night…and numerous falling stars…I slept well!.

Abajo Mtns(c)2016Horst Kelly Photography

All systems are working perfectly…my solar combined with the new Converter and my MPPT controller is satisfying all my energy needs…I have had to crank up the genny only once and that was due to all the rain and overcast weather …and the new generator works very well…very quite….

Campsite sunrise(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographet

I’m off and running looking for some petrographs…I’ll try to post this tomorrow …somewhere…no “G’s” on my phone…Photo uploading very slow...Horst sends

Next Right for Some R&R...

Got up bright and early, made coffee and waited for there to be a little light..hitched up and then tried to get my last post to publish…kept knocking me off last night..I guessing too many folks on the internet getting info about the Debate….3rd try this morning(Tuesday) and away it flew…and reappeared in blogger land.

Vermillion Cliffs By CG...(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

About 0800 I started heading over to Konrads place….. arrived almost on the button at 0900…what a nice  Guy….If you are ever in the area, even if you don’t  need work done, he’d be happy to have you stop and chat a while and compare notes.
Spent a good 2+ hours chatting and working….as with Larry Gamble, Konrad had no problem with me watching and seeing how he does “stuff” and he explained as he went along…I also bought 3 of the short shelves….…he got in all put together, checked it and then came the moment of truth…Mmmm my frig did not go to  the electric current, AC would not start…perplexed…Konrad tested everything…nothing…just for grins I hooked up my extension for the 30amp line..it has a light that comes on when connected with shore power…nothing…this indicated that it must be  something with the outside connection, nothing wrong with the converter…sure enough, he had a blown fuse in his garage…Bingo we had live current…not so fast, now we had a problem with outlets and lights…looked like maybe the GFCI outlet went bad….no problem, I’ll get a knew one…it now works…

Storm Highway 89a(c)2016Horstkelly Photogapher

So finally, all was well with the world..I hitched up .said our goodbyes and I’m ready for my next adventure North…to the North Rim…plugged in my 7 prong connection to the Xterra…nothing comes on, no lights on the trailer, brake controller is dead, etc…By now I am sure this trip has been jinxed by some voodoo person sticking pins into a “Casita doll” …He did some checking on the plug, and no current running through…I look for a fuse..we open up both boxes and can’t find any for that function…I see 2 wires running directly to the battery with a inline fuse attached,,we check..dead..I have a large box of assortment of fuses, replace the dead one and bingo..all is finally right with the World again…By this time Konard says “go” before something else goes wrong…we both have a good laugh and I pull away….

……I  make it to the Flagstaff area and call it a day….straighten up the camper, grill some steaks, Have a Moose Drool or was it two? ..as I sit putting things in order, I read the invoice and notice I short changed Konrad by 85 cents…the final insult for the day…I do write him an email and let him know I just noticed my sin and will rectify post haste….

Camp site(c)2016Horstkelly Photographer

28 Sept….My destination today was North Rim…the weather was suspect, but I ventured on…It was drizzling at Flagstaff area when I left…but cleared up…toped off my propane tanks and off I went on US 89 north….nice drive, not too busy…looking forward to a little R&R….got off onto 89A and as I looked towards the direction of North Rim, it really looked ugly…so the weather folks used a good model this time…I kept going,  but it only got worse…so I decided to go to Marble Canyon…there is a no hookup campground right above the Colorado River…I had driven through there a couple years ago and kept it filed in my memory bank, plus the Vermillion Cliffs are there, Page is pretty close and the Rim is only 85 miles away…

Got here not many folks, I got a site overlooking the Colorado,,,you can hear it rushing down stream…R&R is about to start…somewhat overcast but my solar was still doing a good job and along with my new converter I was home free..temps low 80’s tonight mid 50’s..perfect…got out the Barbie, called the Bride…yup there is cell coverage….so far.

Colorado River Living(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

I am now signing off…will try to upload this tomorrow sometime  and more to follow in the coming days…Thanks for stopping By…Horst sends…..He-Ha….yippie-ki-ya!!!!

P.S,  I Big THANK YOU to Konrad for all the great  work an patience!!!

If You want to See The Country...You Need to Travel Down Country Roads

My stay at Rockhound State has come to an end…great visit..though the Last night(Saturday 26 th) the wind came whipping down the Mountain like a Tsunami hitting the shore….no the Casita did not “rock be into a slumber”…..I think the Markers Mark did that!

Sunrise at Roosevelt Lake(c)2016Horstkelly photographer

Sunday morning I rolled out of the Park at 0715….headed West for a while and then caught US70 north.  stayed on 70 for a few hours..its just a 2 lane for most of the way, and my 55mph weren’t making me too many friends…pulled over whenever possible. got to Globe Az and made a  couple loop de loops and stated heading north on Az 88/189.

Then I started gaining altitude and  dropping it into third gear . What a magnificent ride…I only wish there where places to pull over..no photos..   : (

Now I understand why I enjoy the Southwest…it keeps surprising me with knew  and terrific vistas. I entered the Tonto National Forest and knew there had to be some great boondocking campsites…and there was…toooooo many! and the cost per night was a 8 dollar pass…my fist choice was one right on the beach of Roosevelt Lake…I got down there found a open space and parked…opened the door and windows an sat just staring at the views and then it hit me…rotten fish,  now don’t get me wrong…I love fish, I cleaned them, scaled them, etc…but week old  dead fish rotting on the shore…not so much. oh well, there are plenty of other places and I found one..up on a high knoll overlooking the Lake, treed, pretty level spots and quite…I only saw one other camper…no hooks of course , but flush toilets and sink.

Roosevelt Lake campground(c)Horstkelly Photographer

 So I stayed there Sunday night…and got a super nights sleep. and was rolling the last 100 or so miles to Konrad's  Place…but it was a ride…mountains, mountains and more mountains….couple or more passes…..at least for me they where. But as I said magnificent scenery.
Found a place to spend the night  at Camp Verde, Let Konrad know I had arrived in one piece…Will see him at 0900 to put on a new converter(bottom half) on Tuesday and then its off to the races due North…

Where you say, The North Rim of the Grand Canyon…weather permitting of course…never have been there and I will make it this year…couple years ago I couldn’t due to landslide..

Campsite Roosevelt Lake....Its the memories

I may have hit  couple of “speed bumps”…but this trip has been enjoyable and taken me to places I have never seen and sure hadn’t planned on seeing them on this trip….but then that what these adventures are all about …to experience and enjoy the unexpected…..Ahhhh, that box of chocolates…  does have some super fillings…..Until next time Horst sends

4th Down and Punt...or go for a 1st Down

Last I posted it was 21 Sept…going to yet an undefined location…Not so fast There Horst…You seem to bounce back too quickly from these challenges…so lets try this one for size….It appears my converter bit the dust….I did all the testing to see if it’s a battery, bad wires or the converter…from my limited knowledge but using the schematics that the Casita Forum has laid out there, it looks like the converter…Plus its one of the  two “suspect” years…2009/10…mine is 09 and held out this long….In addition I have a new battery and it tested just fine……

Mountain Top Sunrise with some Fog(c)2016Horst Kelly Photography

So I sit in the middle of no where on top of a mountain thinking through all the options available to me…First priority, have a Moose Drool…it clears the cobwebs. At the end of the day I would need a new convertor, whether I went dragging…I mean my tail …I mean Casita, on home, feeling sorry for myself or tried to get it fixed on the road…I did realize that with my solar and a little sun I could kick the can till I got home. plus I have a inverter generator…I also knew that my technical knowledge on me changing it out was at best “wishful thinking” especially having to lay on my bad back for a couple hours..So I called around to see if anyone would do it…Yikes, it appears they wanted me to supplement their retirement fund.

I never tire of Rainbows...Mt Top CG(c)2016HorstKellyphotography

Then I remembered  Larry Gamble((Little House Customs) had partnered with a fella in Arizona…Konrad, I placed a call and he was available and agreed that it appeared my converter had stopped working…He was extremely helpful..another example of the terrific folks that are the Casita Family!…I thanked him and had decided maybe I would “abort” and head back home. I was looking at a map and appeared Konrad was not that far away..2 or so days…and I will be confident that the job is done right! I called Konrad again and long story long, I will be there on the 27th.
I left my Mountain top paradise and headed towards Deming NM…by noon it was decision time, City of the Rocks or Rockhound…since I was at the City of the Rocks last year I opted for Rockhound..I will stay here till Sunday and then start slowly meandering my way North to Konrad’s Little House Customs-West!



I’ll try to get this posted  somewhere tomorrow(24 Sept)…Until the next Installment of the “Misadventures Of Horst”…and remember, “life is like s box of chocolates”…Horst sends

Off the Beaten Path…But Great History

When I last wrote I was spending the weekend in Ft Stockton until I could see someone about my wheel bearings…I was there first light…Owner was very professional and straight forward…The kinda person you think about being a Texas Cow Hand(a straight shooter)…sorta like George Strait.  Bottom line there was a problem, that was going about to turn uglier in short order” …An hour half later and a couple “bucks” lighter I was on my way to New Mexico…
  

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer  Mural…Alpine Tx

 

(c)2016HorstKellyPhotographer

Headed north on US  285….not much in the way of scenery…Five years ago you couldn’t even find a “Road Kill” on that stretch of Highway…Now that Road has turned into Black Gold and made many “dirt poor” ranchers millionaires or close to it…and it continues to the south end of Carlsbad. The real problem is all the 18 wheelers carrying water/dirt and are trying to make as many loads as possible in a day…speed limit be damned…

(c)2016HorstkellyPhotography

When I got to the area it was still early so I decided not to go to Cloudcroft…instead I headed north to Roswell and then West on US 70…Just before Capitan I went South a few miles( Rt 220) to the Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area/Ft Stanton.  There is a BLM campground…has 5 electric sites 5 water only and another handful of dispersed sites…with a Golden Pass electric site is $2.50 per day…being lazy I took it instead of taking out and setting up the solar…It is primary  used as an Equestrian facility….but there wasn’t a sole there besides a “Host”..I guessing the weekend it fills up fast.



This area has two diamonds in the rough..and a special touch of “wonder”…I’ll try to keep it short…and let you Goggle the details..First is Lincoln(town)..It’s made Famous due to Billy the Kid hanging out here…most of the TV movies where of this time period…This is where he and a bunch of his Friends(gang) where made Regulators….and he was in the middle of the “Lincoln County War” , I think the town has done a good job of retaining a lot of the original important structures, it also has a museum, etc…you can walk the length of the town without much physical effort(even for an old man like me) …and it hasn’t become a Disney Land side show like Tombstone.
        
                                                          .

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

 

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

 

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

                                   The next attraction was a couple miles down the road called Fort Stanton….What a spectacular  history it has…with an assortment of different Missions throughout the years. It was established in 1855 as part of the campaign against the Mescalero Apaches. By 1896 troops where no longer required and it closed its doors. A lot of history between those two date.  One interesting footnote is that “Black Jack” Pershing began his Military Career there.
     

Parade Grounds (c)2016HorstKelly Photographer

Officers Quarters (c)2016HorstkellyPhotographer

n 1899 Pres. McKinley opened it as a tuberculosis Hospital …It was also used as a CCC Camp  for 200 Young Men. Part of it became an Internment Camp housing German Seaman(Mar 1941-Aug 1945)(331 sailors).

Catholic Church Ft. Stanton NM
In 1952 The Fort because owned by the State an opened as a facility for the care of the mentally challenged.that ceased operation in 1996. It was then used(until 1999) as a Women's State Corrections Facility…From 2000-2009 it operated as a drug rehabilitation Center.  In 2007 the Governor designated the Fort as a New Mexico State Monument and is now a Historic Site.


I spend about 90 minutes there and truly enjoyed myself.

Last my by no means least…is Smokey Bear…it was in these there Hills that the bear cub was found clinging to a burnet out tree….the year was 1950. He was rescued and the rest is History…He lived another 23 years….One note of interest..His name is Smokey Bear, not Smokey THE Bear as some have been known to call him.
  

(c)2016HorstKellyPhotographer

All in all it was a great two days and now I’m off on a new, yet undecided destination..need to find a place to post this..no WIFI nor and 4 or even 3 G on my  phone..though I do have cell coverage to place calls..Until next time…Happy Trails…Horst sends

The Gap in the Mnts is where he was found hanging onto a tree
(c)2016HorstkellyPhotographer

Day One is History....

Was  up at about 0530 this morning getting the last few chores accomplished before pulling out of the driveway...By 0800 had finished all the checking and rechecking..meds..yup, tire pressure...yup, food in the frig ..yup, walk around...and then relaxing with my Bride until 0840...and then it was "Hi Ho Silver Away".....well close enough...I am heading west, one of the few times I have been on the Interstate the entire day.....going 55-60 mph in a 80 mph speed zone..  :))

Campground Ft Stockton, Tx(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

After Junction, Tx things are few and far between..today the plan was somewhere between Ft Stockton, Tx....and Van Horn....but then I had a hiccup! l-10 went down to one lane going west...they had posted warnings, I slowed down to 40 and all of a sudden hit a dip(without any highway warning signs)..  :((    I believe it sent the camper airborne...ok maybe not, but it did bounce the rear of it plus the tires...I could only imagine what the inside looked like...first time I could pull over was about 50 miles down the road...checked the tongue...all ok, went inside...
no worse for the wear...I do tape up the cabinet doors with painters tape and that cuts down on the messes...checked the tires...oops...curbside wheel is showing "bearing grease splatter"...not a lot but enough...other wheel is ok...crawl underneath and there doesn't seem to be any splatter on the backside...good sign...However!

Soooo, the next town was Ft Stockton, and Van Horn just bit the dust...I am staying at the Ft Stockton RV Park......nice enough, all the amenities you could ever want or need...but it isn't dispersed camping...I will  stay till Monday and have a Trailer place in town check it out...I did break one of my rules.."Never travel on the weekend" with the Casita....things will be closed and you are stuck!.

Ft. Stockton CG (c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

The good news is there are worse places to bed down..Ft Stockton has history, I'll unhitch when it cools down and play tourist....though I have been here on several occasions...maybe a trip to Wally World is in the making...there is currently a severe weather warning until 10pm ...

Ft Stockton CG sunset (c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

Cloudcroft will have to wait until at least Monday.... I do have to keep telling myself that I am not on a schedule!

Miles driven:387
Dinner: a Rice cucumber pea salad(best there is...eat it cold) and ham and cheese sandwich...until next time Horst sends

I'm Ready for a Campfire and a Flat Iron Steak...and Maybe a Moose Drool

Yippie-ki-ya...or something like that....The final countdown has began, T-36...close enough.  I plan on launching Saturday morning at first light..heading due West....hopefully the storms will have "fizzled" by that time. First night Ft Stockton area....next night somewhere in the Cloudcroft NM area...depending on what Mother Nature is dishing out at the time...Then North to the Abiquiu Reservoir (CoE) CG...from there it depends on weather...would like to head to Bryce and all the great places in between...or maybe head north from Deming up the Million Dollar Highway....and of course spend time in Utah, New Mexico and Arizona...It will be fun to see how this trip unfolds...

Canyonlands (c)2014Horst Kelly Photographer  

I didn't accomplish  all that I had planned for the camper....I wanted to place the new generator on the tongue, reconfigure my battery bank to two 6 volt golf-cart batteries and place on the rear basket(where the Boliy Generator) was... just didn't have the time.....I tested the new Smarter Tools 2000iq invertor generator and it does run the AC. .. The solar panels are working great, that was a good investment...imho. Washed and waxed the camper..though I need to strip it to be bone. and make it look new again...maybe Springtime. All systems seem to be in order and I am ready for a new adventure(s).

If anyone has any suggestions on places to stop or things to do, photo ops, etc....I'm all "ears"....I'll keep this short...still have some packing to do and the usual last minute stuff....next post Launch Day, or there abouts...Horst sends

Kansas City Thanksgiving (c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Final Countdown...no more Piddling

Its been a while....Appears "piddling" got out of hand.   I had planned to leave for this years Autumn adventure NLT 6 Sept.....but I still have stuff around here that needs attention..My Daughter from Charleston just left after a super visit,plus a couple more Doctors to probe and prod. I have done some stuff with the Xterra and the Casita...

Glacier NP...(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

On the Xterra I decided to build a simple platform to double the space available for taking stuff...Its not that I will take more, but rather to keep it organized and not looking like a dump...with getting my solar panels and putting my spare Casita tire back there, its gotten somewhat unruly....So I got a piece of plywood had it ripped ....One board will be on the bottom with some sliders and a handle so I can pull it forward to reach whatever I need. The second piece of plywood is elevated 13 inches, screw in wooden legs used, for easy disassembling. ...The down side is when I go to hitch up I can't see the hitch and tongue of the camper any longer.... I didn't want to invest in a $100+ backup camera that I would only use for my trips...

Mesa Verde area...(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

As I was pondering that dilemma, I found a cheap way to use a tablet/smartphone as a remote device for my camera...several apps have come on the market that allows for you to change the settings remotely, as well as work the shutter...I tried several out and found one to my liking(Android app)  and it works pretty darn well. It beats paying 300 dollars for the "CamRanger" system of remote solutions and does about the same thing....at least at my amateur level of photography and is a 8 dollar app. If your camera doesn't have "in camera" WiFi capability you need to get a "on the go" USB cable...runs about 3-5 bucks.  that cable can be used for a multitude of different applications....and as I pondered I thought of my back up camera problem .

Montana(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

So I was thinking about this "on the go" cable and thought maybe it could work with a cheap old webcam ...I knew there were apps for a smartphone or tablet available ....long story short, I had a extra "stand alone" webcam that was still in the box, placed it on my bumper, attached a 8 foot long male/female USB cord to my "on the go" USB and attached that to my smart phone, opened the app, no other wires, cables or hookups...Bingo, it worked....I am not naive or vain enough to think I "invented " this...I am sure a million other folks thought of it before I did, I guess I need to check that out....but it sure works and my engineer friend keeps shaking his head in disbelief..  :)) A bonus about this setup is unlike "real ones", when you get out of reverse it turns off...this of  course doesn't...so if you want to check it every now and then to make sure all is secure back there, you can do that while driving down the road.

KC Zoo(c)HorstKelly Photographer

I also sold my Boily 3600 inverter generator. Since I have gotten a smaller air conditioner I didn't need that 80 lb genny...it served me well, never had a problem and ran any load I put on it.  I was about to get a Honda 2000 when I saw a Smarter Tools 2000IQ inverter for 599 at Costco..It came with good reviews and with Costco's generous "return policy" I figured I couldn't go wrong...So far so good, The noise level is advertised as 51Db at econ. setting, I'm Running the "break in" period....when that's completed I'll test the AC....keeping my fingers crossed..if it sputters, I'll return it and get the Honda.

Schulenburg, Tx Church(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Schulenburg, Tx(c)Horst Kelly Photography

Schulenburg, Tx(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

I'm getting things organized in the Casita...I now have high hopes of a 13/14 Sept Launch.....heading towards New Mexico, then north to Colorado. I'm looking forward to this trip...will try to again have the mindset I had last year...its a camping and relaxing  trip with photo ops as a lesser priority.  I've not set any specific locations and will let "Mother Nature" dictate where I go. ...and maybe I'll run into some of you. That would be a treat..

I'll close for now...Wishing each of you a Relaxing Labor Day ... and hoping all you folks on the South and East Coast are doing fine(Hurricane)...next update will be just prior to Lift Off... Horst sends

2013 Tetons....My Pot of Gold(c)Horst Kelly Photographer

Tornadoes, Floods, now Drought...and Have a Awesome Independence Day.....

Seasons, Birthdays, Graduations, Anniversaries, have come and gone since my last post...and that just about sums it up for me. :))

We have been taking trips to Kansas City to help with stuff up there.  It appears that the list of Medical Specialties that I frequent keeps getting longer as well as the medications they prescribe......my pharmacy keeps calling me to pick them up...so I change pharmacies..  :))

When last I wrote I was out chasing Bluebonnets and Wineries in the Hill Country....as usual rain came with vengeance and cut my trip short..it was another awesome adventure and took me to parts of the State I had not stopped to take time to enjoy on previous outings....As short as the Spring Trips are, I truly enjoy them! There is something special about finding "treasures" in your own Back Yard!

Other than the trips to KC, I have excelled at "piddling"...doing some preventive maintenance around the House...one of the central  A/C units has been leaking Freon for a couple years, so we bit the bullet and replaced it...its the larger of the two units and the "workhorse"....since we where now in a buying/upgrading mood, we purchased a new dishwasher, microwave and stove/oven unit...and this fall or early spring will get the outside of the house painted....though most is stone, it still needs the trim, etc., painted....now we're talking about new carpets and/or tile....oh well its like us...things need to be "mended" now and again...

I have done some minor modifications on the "Albino Armadillo"....enhanced the solar wiring, changed some stuff in the bathroom and closet and redid the table(desk) in the rear...when I first purchased the camper, the bride said "its your gig", so I decided to sleep on the side(small dinette) area and use the back as my work area...place to put computer, printer, camera stuff, etc...I took the original table out, and made a birch plywood table that extended out and over the other bench seat...It was large, heavy, and caused some stress problems in the "well" where the tube legs went...Soooo, I decided to redo the table...since my back was hurting from sitting on the bench seat, and it was too heavy/large, and had become a "Sanford and Son  junk haven.... I cut it in half.  I still have it covering the other bench..however the new configuration allowed me to put in a comfortable, leather office chair between the two benches(photo) below...plus I used a different leg placement setup...it now gives an "allusion" of more defined areas...I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot more...for a one person arrangement and my needs, I think its pretty close to perfect...:)

g   cc 

When my  Casita A/C went on the blink,  I purchased a smaller unit and now don't require a large generator, I want to sell my Boliy inverter generator.....can now use a small 2000 watt honda or generac ...plus I am just about ready to replace my 12 volt battery and get two 6 volt golf cart batteries....I'm still looking at the best battery placement..since I have the rack on back, I may put them back there...we'll see....and while I'm at it upgrade my converter....

One of my least favorite things to do is download, sort, organize, delete, edit and place photo's on my website....well I think I got a start on it...I still need to add and subtract from what I posted...also Smugmug has revamped their  choices in creating sites, etc.... I am still wading through all the differences and need to come up with a better configuration or change from Smugmug to another keeper of the "Gold"...another thing I've just noticed is the difference in colors between my Apple and PC monitors..I mostly do any editing on my apple and when I bring photo's up on my PC it doesn't look as rich and the color is off....if anyone knows how to solve that, I'm all "ears".

If you are bored. below is the link to the 2016 galleries its the second link or if you want to see the entire site its right below.....enjoy...or not

Texas Reflections Photography website

2016 Gallery website

 I guessing I have rambled enough....Have a GREAT Independence Day and remember our Troops! ...... Horst sends

                                                          


(c)2016 Horst Kelly Photographer...all rights reserved.