The New Camping /Photography Adventure Philosophy was a Success ...at least in my Mind....

I am back from my Big Bend adventure, and what a great adventure it was.  I tried to post twice, while at Big Bend,  and somehow the posts disappeared into a computer "Black hole"....Decided to forgo the blog until I returned Home, and here I am.

My last post I was at Seminole Canyon ...The next morning I got up...did a hike around the rim and then left for Big Bend...arriving I was again amazed at the number folks at the park...doing a informal survey of looking at license plates at the visitors center the majority where out of state plates...talking to the Ranger at the visitors Center, he indicated that it had been like this since the New Year. An interesting phenomenon. More on this in my wrap up post.

I decided to stay  at Cottonwood Campground the first night, which is on the West end of the park, close to Santa Elena Canyon. I also booked some dispersed campsites out in the hinterland of Big Bend Heaven...lastly I camped on the East end. Usually Cottonwood has one or two folks at CG...This trip, by 4pm the place was filled up...has about 24 sites.  Again most vehicle's when I was there where from out of State. That afternoon I went to the Canyon to see where a good spot was for an early morning shot...I wanted to try and get a panorama shot if that was possible...with my new shooting philosophy that was going to be my one photo for tomorrow...returning to the CG, I relaxed outside the camper reading a book on Terlinqua. Dinner consisted of a pork steak, coleslaw and German potato salad.

Next morning was  at the Canyon site at about 0545, still dark...found my spot and waited for the sun to sprinkle some magic light on the cliffs....and it did....not a cloud in the sky...I slowed down, set everything up and worked the panorama scene.  Here it is.

Santa Elena Canyon (c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

The rest of the day I hiked, relaxed, and hitched up and moved to my dispersed campsite...it was a mile and a half off the main road, little bumpy, but the end result was fantastic...what do you think.

Campsite (c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

Ah, this is when I really feel close to my Maker...solitude,  magnificent views(IMHO), great weather and some of the best creations God molded together. Speaking of weather, one of the things to be cognizant of is that depending on where you are in the park, the temps can be vastly different... due to the elevation gain/loss..anywhere from 1800 or so feet to close to 6000 feet at the Basin.

Dinner the second night consisted of Salmon, spinach salad and Texas Bean salad...sat outside and watched the sun set....and listened to the coyotes..it was a good day!

The next 3 days I picked out some photo ops and went either in the early morning or in the evening...I did cheat a little on my one shot per day and got some photos of the Mules Ears and the  back side of the  Windows.  I changed campsites again and went to Grapevine that has 4 or so boondocking sites...the problem with that is folks drive in  to view  Balanced Rock and a lot of them don't adhere to the speed limit and kick up  limestone dust...not good for the "respiratory concerns"...so after 3 days I moved on. Found another great spot on the East side. Also had a small hiccup, though at the time it appeared more than a hiccup...my "smart" phone decided not to be smart and thought being a "SMARTass" would be more fun...it had a blue screen and said it was downloading, though it wasn't. Long story short I drove to Alpine to a Verizon outlet(200 miles round trip)...and the irony it took the tech no more than 3 seconds to have it running...I ask her what the problem was and that explanation took 15 minutes and I still don't understand. So I ask for the "trick" to fix since I don't want to have another 200 drive...Since I had the digital camera with me, I decided to take some shots on the way back to camp.

Though it was difficult to stick to my one a day shooting and I was only there a couple weeks or so..and it was more crowded than I had anticipated....I can honestly say it is on top of the list as one of my favorite trips.....I relaxed more, read more, cooked more meals, especially breakfasts(which I have always maintained is my favorite camping meal) and enjoyed the area more. I will definably keep "tweaking" this type of photo/camping approach....

I think I have rambled on long enough,  I will do another  couple posts on some of my observations, my thoughts on using the  Mamiya camera and the results,  Big Bend, and other stuff.

All alone in the Fog (c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

I only posted a couple photos on purpose....the files are large, especially the panaromas and to reduce the size is a major headache for this NOT so techie Guy...so if you click below, it will take you to the 2017 Big Bend folder on my website.....I hope. :))

  2017 Big Bend Trip photo's

  Not all are loaded yet...so keep returning for the next 10 days or so...

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it and especially enjoy reading your comments and thoughts.  Horst sends

First Road trip of 2017...Destination Big Bend

I can't believe I left this morning...but it all came together without any major "hiccups"...got most of the major stuff done around the house, had the house painted, not to much there as most of it is stone, Super Guys...Father and Son team from the local area....yard mowed, camper washed, yard fertilized and other odds and ends accomplished...this weekend I did most of the shopping and Monday and Tuesday packed the camper and by evening hitched it all up...

Tuesday morning I was in no rush, I decided to walk so I started at 0600, still dark but had a head lamp...walked for 90 minutes..came in cleaned up an by 0830 was on the road, heading West on US 90...Weather was good and the traffic was light.  My destination for the day is Seminole Canyon State Park...I have come to love the place...usually no one else there...though in recent years out of State folks have found the place in greater numbers.  I take the blame for having mentioned it back in 2009/10..  :)).

(c)2016 Horst Kelly Photography

The drive was smooth and uneventful...got to the Canyon about 130pm...got on top of the Hill, but this place is a zoo...about 80 % or more to capacity..usually up on the hill during the week I am the only camper here...sometimes one more...today there are only 3 spots left   and all but 2 are 35-45 ft rigs...I ask the Ranger whats going on and he said its been like this since Christmas...Boy I can only imagine whats awaits me in Big Bend....Oh well, I will enjoy!!!

Going to add water to the  fresh water tank while here..I also have  10 full one gallon jugs, so I think that should last for the duration.

This evenings menu is grilled salmon, cole slaw(I made), spinach salad and some french bread...and a glass of wine...

This will be short as I'm not sure I have enough internet capability to upload this...I don;t have any cell coverage...I will try to send one photo...take care...Happy Trails,,,Horst sends

Update and a Rekindled Relationship......

Its been a month or so,  I thought I would do a post and share some of my plans for this year...
As I had indicated in my last post...due to "stuff" at the Home Front, I have decided to forgo my usual long trip(s) to the North and Southwest.  Instead I will try and take several trips here in Texas...I am still trying to decide on what and where I would like go, see, feel, and touch....though I have decided to make Big Bend my first trip out of the gate... probably in a couple weeks, prior to Spring Break, the weather should be just about perfect and with any kind of luck, vegetation will be beginning to bud out.

(c)2017 Horst Kelly Photographer

I am also going to dive into a new approach on my photography....a little different then I have in the past...Back in 2005 or so I had bought a Mamiya m645-1000 medium format camera...I felt it would be a good teacher of photography, slow the process down and help teach me such things as metering, composition, lightening, etc....I bought it used, guessing it was a '70's vintage, got it on ebay at a steal...I worked with it a little bit, but always raced back to the new found format of digital...

Mamiya M645-1000 film camera

I guess I've come full circle now...A couple weeks ago I found that camera and the  hand held vintage analog Gossen light meter, along with a couple lens and 10 packs of film that had expired in 2007.  I took it apart, cleaned it up and decided to test a roll of film to see if it still functioned, also see if the light seals where still in tact, and if the meter and film could produce something akin to a photograph.  The film has 13 exposures on it and I wiped those puppies off in short order....the scene I shot was all the same, only with different exposure settings, etc.. I raced down to my film genius..but much to my dismay Lee doesn't do film processing anymore, nor enlargements etc...We chatted for a while about how the business of photography has evolved in the last 10 years, what he currently is doing in the business, etc...he told me there was only one place in town doing the full range of "film" work....

(c)2017 Horst Kelly Photographer

I went, they took, I  received....3 days later it was ready, a set of negatives and a scanned CD..... I was like my Grandson on his recent "first date"..bottom line the camera worked....kinda, sorta, expired film showed something...though very grainy. I am now testing another roll to try and underexpose the film. so I'm thinking all systems are a go......and I have rekindled an "old love".

My Light Meter

With this new love of my (photography) life, some changes are in order.   The most important one is how I go about shooting...I will slow down, I no longer will shoot a gazillion shots before the sun even breaks over the horizon....I won't be racing from one location to another before the "magic light" fades away...and then start all over in the evening.

My plan is to scout around, find an interesting "subject", whatever it may be...a mountain, waterfall, cave, building, etc..and spend some time seeing how to make a likable photograph...then come back at a good time and take one exposure of the scene...

(c)2017Horst Kelly Photographer

The bottom line is to enjoy where I am at, find simple images that aren't busy, or a loaded frame with Mountain, lake and fall foliage, etc...rather simple one dimensional scenes.

Don't know how this will work out, but I'm looking forward to using the new/old medium , and hoping at the end of the day I have a smile on my face.... :))  Horst sends

Oh ya...Shot.... from first roll of Mamiya:

Foggy Texas morning (c)2017 Horst Kelly Photographer

A New Year and a 2017 redirection....of sorts

NOTE:  I just noticed that my photo's where over saturated and some looked hazy...on my laptop they look fine on my large monitor they look out of "sorts"....I do have a new computer to replace my imac..new one is windows driven and the monitor is ISP type which may be the problem...any suggestions is appreciated...I will keep working on them...and my new photo software...Horst

Page Az...(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

....now I return you to regular scheduled programming and my lasted blog post.

A New Year arrived without any fanfare or renewing of "annual resolutions".... the only resolution was to make NO resolutions...maybe some minor shifts and tweaks here and there, but nothing more!

Vermilion Cliffs (c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

This past year was filled with mostly magnificent  memories....and a few not so magic....but still memories, or as my Father use to say "character building experiences"..

(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer 

Though I only took two trips, they where terrific adventures...My Bluebonnet Spring trip took me to several places I had not ventured before...Cherokee, Texas...great area for Bluebonnets and a great place to chow down...The Llano River got together with the sun and provided photographers some magnificent sunrise and sunset photo ops....I found two more super State Parks... the funky Colorado Bend State Park and the Pedernales Falls State Park...though there was the usual Spring storms with a chance or two of a tornado, it still was another great Spring experience..

Canyonland a photo experiment(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

Summer was spent trying to avoid the heat and do a little of this and a little of that around the house and with the camper....I did a few modifications in my traveling cocoon,  I reduced my table size, added new, lighter, window treatments, sold and got a new invertor generator...enhanced the solar system with a new controller, new placement of the controller, more robust  wiring and purchased a new battery(thanks to Jean of Borderbrae Blog for her knowledge and advice)....washed and waxed the albino armadillo and prepped for my trip...of course did some minor maintenance  around the house... Using Jerry C of Eggrolling word ...it was "piddling" nothing more, nothing less.

Colorado(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

The 17th Sept was launch date for my Southwest trip...I was really looking forward to this trip....new places, solitude, testing the solar and new generator and boondocking as much as possible...Yup this was going to be a "noteworthy" adventure....and it was....just in ways that weren't part of the "game plan"...First a wheel bearing problem...5 days later a converter problem, electric problem with the 7 pin connection(fuse), also no elect from shore power...weather plagued a trip to North Rim of the Grand Canyon...and the beat goes on.

Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

However, these hiccups brought a positive side that  proved to enhance the trip far more then the downside of the "hiccups".

Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

I met Konrad, a great Guy and Magician Casita fixer upper...I got to new places I would not have gone to if not for the hiccups: Tonto National Forest(East side), Roosevelt Lake area, Vermilion Flats, Marble Canyon, Bisti Badlands. Lincoln and Ft Stanton NM, see Smokey Bear birth place....and the list goes on...

Colorado...(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

The Trip was cut short due to a health problem with the Bride...but that is on the bend and keeps getting better....all is right with the World again!

(c)2016Tetons Horst Kelly Photographer

 All in all 2016 was another terrific year....  and as I look into the 2017 "crystal ball" I see a fork in the road....and I take it (I couldn't resist the old Yogi snippet)...Seriously, based on the current home front situation I am not planning any long 6 to 8 week trips this year, nor any far Western State trips.....instead I am looking at doing several Texas trips for 3 days to ten days...Texas has much to offer that I have not seen...I may look at trying to fix in on a subject(s), Texas Forts, Missions, Cattle Drives, State Parks, Rodeos, BBQ Smoking Competitions,  etc...there are many subjects...I will do some research and then pick a few...We'll see how this unfolds...it should satisfy my hitchitch, my camping desire, photography, yet be able to scrabble home within a day or less.

Tetons...(c)2016 Horst Kelly Photographer

So, if any of you have ideas, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Relax in the Hill Country(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

I thank all of you for taking the time to read and also to those that comment...I do enjoy and appreciate it....Wishing each of you a Magnificent Coming Year...keep making those magical Memories and as always, Safe Travels!!  Horst sends

Llano River Texas(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer

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.
        
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(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