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Old 11-04-2014, 12:09 AM   #1
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Trailer: Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
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Smile Panhandle-Plains & Central Texas Trek

Yep, LadyHawk & I made another trip into Texas. We had a really great time and had many laughs. Were able to see several new areas of Texas to us, and got to see some beautiful country. Didn't expect the Northern Hill Country with more Oaks than I'd realized Texas had. A bonus was getting to see a few great Sunsets & Sunrises. An Excellent Trip. A Fun Trip.

We left Wednesday, Oct 15, 2014 (a late start). We drove only to Carizozo, New Mexico & did an overnight at the BLM Valley of Fires Campground. $9 with Senior pass. Water & Electric site (Water system was out, no water, nor dump station, but the camp host brought water to the trailer & pumped in enough for an overnight.)

A 131 miles drive. Top off fuel at Walmart in Alamogordo. $2.99 per gallon.

Thursday, Oct 16: Drove to Fort Sumner & did a stop at the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner a NM State Monument. Fairly new building & still needs to have many of the displaces constructed. $3 each.

Quote: Fort Sumner was the center of a million-acre reservation known as the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation. The story of how the U.S. Army forcibly moved the Navajo and Mescalero Apache people from their traditional homelands to the land surrounding this lonely outpost is pivotal to the history of the American West.

During this tragic period of U.S. history, the Mescalero Apache were rounded up from their homes in the Sacramento Mountains and brought to Bosque Redondo in early 1863. The Navajo were starved into submission and also forced to march hundreds of miles to the Reservation. The Navajo call this journey the Long Walk, over 50 different groups made the trek over a period of nearly three years. Four different routes were used, based on the weather, water and rations available along the way.

Several hundred of the Navajo captives died during the walk and some were abducted by slave traders along the way. No housing was provided for them, the Navajo lived in pits covered by tree branches and hides, the Mescalero had teepees and wickiups. Food was almost always in short supply as the army had no real idea of how many Navajo to expect; only about 3000 had been anticipated.

Over 8,500 Navajo and nearly 500 Mescalero Apache were spread along the banks of the Pecos River within the Bosque Redondo. The Army put them to work, building the fort, planting cottonwood trees, digging ditches, plowing, and building a diversion dam. The intent was to teach the Indians how to farm so that they would be self-sufficient and be able to feed themselves. :Unquote.

The site Billy the Kid was killed by Pat Garrett is there. It was at a house built at the fort. It later burned or was destroyed by flooding (can't remember at this time). He was buried near by, but we did not go to the grave. We enjoyed our visit & got some walking done (walking the grounds). Not much of the old fort remains. Floods from the Pecos River destroyed most of it, as well as the grave yard were Billy was buried.

Drove to Oasis State Park near Clovis/Portales for an overnight. Not a bad overnight place. Water & Electric site. $4 with NM Park Pass. $14 without.

Drove 210 miles plus about 12 miles detour to see the Bosque Redondo Memorial (about 222 miles). Would have been 187 miles via Roswell & skipping Fort Sumner detour.

Friday, Oct 17: Drove to Palo Duro State Park in Texas. South of Amarillo. Campgrounds were all full. We stayed just our side the part at a private RV Park, right on the 'rim' of the canyon. We did do a couple of drives into the park, to see the sights. One of the roads was closed for a 'run'. Why so many sites were taken. $25 camping fee. Free into the state park with Texas Parks Pass.

118 mile drive. Top of fuel @ Loves in Clovis, $2.97 gal.

Saturday, Oct 18: Drove to Caprock Canyons State Pk, southeast of Amarillo/northeast of Lubbock near Quitaque (Kitty-Quay). Called on the way to see if they had 'room at the inn', all the campsites were full, but they did have an overflow area. Turns out we lucked out with the overflow site. It had water & electric & it had sewer as well. We were the only one there or any were near by. It was at one side of the Bison Pasture. Yep, Bison had been by the site & left their scat. Bison were crossing the road to the site on the way in & they spend most of their time out from the site. But we never saw any in the mowed overflow area. $10 & free entry with TX Parks Pass which only gets you into the park, not for the camping fee. (Had W, E & Sewer a bonus.)

Caprock Canyons SP is our favorite park we have visited for scenery. In many ways neater vistas than Palo Duro. Somewhat similar with a lot more of reds and erosion sculpted vistas, but Caprock Canyons seem to be brighter reds. Much vaster vistas for certain at Caprock. Seeing Bison is always neat.

91 mile drive. Topped off fuel in Canyon, $2.97 gal.

Sunday, Oct 19: Drove to Copper Breaks SP just south of Quanah & the Red River. An area very full of Texas History, Comanche History, Quanah Park Lore. Near the area where his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, was re-captured by the Texas Rangers after a battle on Pease River. $20

104 miles between Caprock Canyons SP & Copper Breaks SP. Stopped at Walmart in Childress for supplies & topped off fuel @ Pilot $2.73 gal. Extremely large/new Walmart. Ditto Pilot.

However, not a lot to do there in way of sightseeing. Fishing & some hiking, but not into those on this trip.

Our days had been somewhat cool on this trip. Lot of fall colors in many places. The nights have been fairly cold. Having electric & water hookups have been very nice. A/C when a little warm & warm electric heat when needed. By Sunday, it was getting a little warmer. But Monday, we woke early to a heavy dew (another camper mentioned it had been foggy early).

Monday, Oct 20: Drove to Fort Richardson SP in Jacksboro (one of our shorter drives). We toured the old fort, learned a lot more history and got some walking in there. We had a nice Monday there. Saw several deer in the area. Nice area. Very neat sunrise through the Oak trees. We had our loop all to ourselves. Very few camping at the time. $24 W & E camping fee. None camping on the Loop we were on.

127 mile drive. Bought a few supplies at Lowes Supermarket, should have gotten gas as well near by, better prices than closer to Glen Rose.

Tuesday, Oct 21: Drove to Dinosaur Valley SP near Glen Rose. Warm day, but we got to see some of the tracks in the Paluxy River limestone. Recent rains had left many covered with silt, so it could have been better viewing at a different time. Not much water now, which in a way allowed us to walk in the river bed better that it could have been. We enjoyed our time there, but somewhat disappointed with it never-the-less (I'd give it Four Stars out of Five). $25 camping fee.

88 miles - State Park to State Park.

Wednesday, Oct 22: Drove to Gun Barrel City, southeast of Dallas about 60 or so miles. Staying at a private campground. First time to have WiFi & to be able to take time to check email. Somewhat warm, but had full hookups. We were there to visit my sister & her hubby who lives in the area.

After setting up & having a late lunch, we had a nice visit with my sister & my brother-in-law. We stayed stayed 3 days and had a good mini family reunion.

We stayed at Lakeridge RV Park, a Passport America RV park. One night @ half price, 10% off the other nights. It worked well for our needs. Total $55.

From the State Park & Glen Rose to RV Park in Gun Barrel City was 116 miles. Bought gas as leaving Glen Rose. $2.78 per gal.

Bought gas @ Walmart in Gun Barrel as well as supplies

Saturday, Oct 25, Drove to Lake Whitney & stayed at Lofer East COE Campground. Only one campsite ready to move into & one soon to be open. $7 for W & E with Senior Pass.

A nice area, very pretty with a large lake and a large campground. We did a day trip to Meridian State Park, outside of Meridian, after getting parking the Lance. A nice smaller park & limited RV camping.

Meridian is a small town & the county seat of Bosque county. The Bosque County Courthouse is an extremely neat building with a neat look to it.

Meridian was having their annual National Championship Barbecue Cookoff, but didn't stop to see it. Should have.

A drive of 90 miles between Gun Barrel & Lofters Campsites. About 55 miles round trip between Lofters CG & Meridian State Park.

Bought gas @ Walmart in Gun Barrel upon leaving & topped off in Ennis at a better price $2.76.

Sunday, Oct 26: Drove to another COE Campground at Hordes Creek Lake (Friendship CG) near Coleman. It was billed as "one of Texas' most pretty little lakes. The lake is surrounded by beautiful oak trees and offers many activities to all those who enjoy the outdoors. There is a park on each side of the lake, each providing roughly 60 campsites, all standard with water and electricity. The lake also provides premium sites including those with screened-in picnic tables, sewer sites, double sites, and even 50 AMP breakers. The lake also provides shelters for those without travel trailers." It was a very pretty campground, but like many of Texas' lakes, it was very low. We saw several deer in the campground. We had our loop all to ourselves. Very few camping at the time. $8 W & E with Senior Pass. Very nice Sunset & Sunrise through oak trees.

153 miles driving.

Monday, Oct 27: Drove to San Angelo, stopping to tour the Fort Concho National Historic Landmark (city of San Angelo own/operated) before going to the KOA. I'd mistakenly thought the San Angelo State Park was closed. But we did end up with WIFI & Cable. $29.95 W,E & Sewer.

Warmest day yet. Used most of the time just relaxing in the Lance. We did enjoy touring Fort Concho, which has more building still standing than any southwest forts I've seen. $2 each. No discounts.

A short drive of 80 miles. We bought gas near the KOA ($2.84), but the next day we passed a Walmart & a Sam's Club with much better prices.

Tuesday, Oct 28: Drove to Van Horn & overnighted at Desert Willow RV Park. New to being Passport America (not in the listing book). We were pleasantly surprised with it. Small, yes, and all gravel, but all pull throughs & a very clean restroom/shower. Didn't use them, but very clean. $12.50 with the PA discount.

We'd driven 286 miles. We bought gas at a Pilot before finding the campground. ($2.83)

Wednesday, Oct 29: Drove home via El Paso (used Loop 375 & Transmountain Road). A few miles more than staying on I-10, but as getting into EP a lighted sign read, "Accident 6 miles, Seek Alternative Route". We happened to be just getting to Americas Blvd. exit which is an exit one can use to get onto Loop 375. We drove 169 miles from the campground in Van Horn to our driveway in Las Cruces.

Filled up the F-150 at Sam's Club a couple days later. $2.60. I believe it was about $2.74 or so before we left.

Total Trip: 1,985 miles on the pickup. Averaged: 11.1 mpg.

Yep, LadyHawk & I, DesertHawk, made another trek into Texas. We had a really great time and had many laughs. Were able to see several new areas of Texas to us, and got to see some beautiful country. Didn't expect the Northern Hill Country with more Oaks than I'd realized Texas had. A bonus was getting to see a few great Sunsets & Sunrises. An Excellent Trip. A Fun Trip.

We left Wednesday, Oct 15, 2014 (a late start). We drove only to Carizozo, New Mexico & did an overnight at the BLM Valley of Fires Campground. $9 with Senior pass. Water & Electric site (Water system was out, no water, nor dump station, but the camp host brought water to the trailer & pumped in enough for an overnight.)

A 131 miles drive. Top off fuel at Walmart in Alamogordo. $2.99 per gallon.

Thursday, Oct 16: Drove to Fort Sumner & did a stop at the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner a NM State Monument. Fairly new building & still needs to have many of the displaces constructed. $3 each.

Quote: Fort Sumner was the center of a million-acre reservation known as the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation. The story of how the U.S. Army forcibly moved the Navajo and Mescalero Apache people from their traditional homelands to the land surrounding this lonely outpost is pivotal to the history of the American West.

During this tragic period of U.S. history, the Mescalero Apache were rounded up from their homes in the Sacramento Mountains and brought to Bosque Redondo in early 1863. The Navajo were starved into submission and also forced to march hundreds of miles to the Reservation. The Navajo call this journey the Long Walk, over 50 different groups made the trek over a period of nearly three years. Four different routes were used, based on the weather, water and rations available along the way.

Several hundred of the Navajo captives died during the walk and some were abducted by slave traders along the way. No housing was provided for them, the Navajo lived in pits covered by tree branches and hides, the Mescalero had teepees and wickiups. Food was almost always in short supply as the army had no real idea of how many Navajo to expect; only about 3000 had been anticipated.

Over 8,500 Navajo and nearly 500 Mescalero Apache were spread along the banks of the Pecos River within the Bosque Redondo. The Army put them to work, building the fort, planting cottonwood trees, digging ditches, plowing, and building a diversion dam. The intent was to teach the Indians how to farm so that they would be self-sufficient and be able to feed themselves. :Unquote.

The site Billy the Kid was killed by Pat Garrett is there. It was at a house built at the fort. It later burned or was destroyed by flooding (can't remember at this time). He was buried near by, but we did not go to the grave. We enjoyed our visit & got some walking done (walking the grounds). Not much of the old fort remains. Floods from the Pecos River destroyed most of it, as well as the grave yard were Billy was buried.

Drove to Oasis State Park near Clovis/Portales for an overnight. Not a bad overnight place. Water & Electric site. $4 with NM Park Pass. $14 without.

Drove 210 miles plus about 12 miles detour to see the Bosque Redondo Memorial (about 222 miles). Would have been 187 miles via Roswell & skipping Fort Sumner detour.

Friday, Oct 17: Drove to Palo Duro State Park in Texas. South of Amarillo. Campgrounds were all full. We stayed just our side the part at a private RV Park, right on the 'rim' of the canyon. We did do a couple of drives into the park, to see the sights. One of the roads was closed for a 'run'. Why so many sites were taken. $25 camping fee. Free into the state park with Texas Parks Pass.

118 mile drive. Top of fuel @ Loves in Clovis, $2.97 gal.

Saturday, Oct 18: Drove to Caprock Canyons State Pk, southeast of Amarillo/northeast of Lubbock near Quitaque (Kitty-Quay). Called on the way to see if they had 'room at the inn', all the campsites were full, but they did have an overflow area. Turns out we lucked out with the overflow site. It had water & electric & it had sewer as well. We were the only one there or any were near by. It was at one side of the Bison Pasture. Yep, Bison had been by the site & left their scat. Bison were crossing the road to the site on the way in & they spend most of their time out from the site. But we never saw any in the mowed overflow area. $10 & free entry with TX Parks Pass which only gets you into the park, not for the camping fee. (Had W, E & Sewer a bonus.)

Caprock Canyons SP is our favorite park we have visited for scenery. In many ways neater vistas than Palo Duro. Somewhat similar with a lot more of reds and erosion sculpted vistas, but Caprock Canyons seem to be brighter reds. Much vaster vistas for certain at Caprock. Seeing Bison is always neat.

91 mile drive. Topped off fuel in Canyon, $2.97 gal.

Sunday, Oct 19: Drove to Copper Breaks SP just south of Quanah & the Red River. An area very full of Texas History, Comanche History, Quanah Park Lore. Near the area where his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker, was re-captured by the Texas Rangers after a battle on Pease River. $20

104 miles between Caprock Canyons SP & Copper Breaks SP. Stopped at Walmart in Childress for supplies & topped off fuel @ Pilot $2.73 gal. Extremely large/new Walmart. Ditto Pilot.

However, not a lot to do there in way of sightseeing. Fishing & some hiking, but not into those on this trip.

Our days had been somewhat cool on this trip. Lot of fall colors in many places. The nights have been fairly cold. Having electric & water hookups have been very nice. A/C when a little warm & warm electric heat when needed. By Sunday, it was getting a little warmer. But Monday, we woke early to a heavy dew (another camper mentioned it had been foggy early).

Monday, Oct 20: Drove to Fort Richardson SP in Jacksboro (one of our shorter drives). We toured the old fort, learned a lot more history and got some walking in there. We had a nice Monday there. Saw several deer in the area. Nice area. Very neat sunrise through the Oak trees. We had our loop all to ourselves. Very few camping at the time. $24 W & E camping fee. None camping on the Loop we were on.

127 mile drive. Bought a few supplies at Lowes Supermarket, should have gotten gas as well near by, better prices than closer to Glen Rose.

Tuesday, Oct 21: Drove to Dinosaur Valley SP near Glen Rose. Warm day, but we got to see some of the tracks in the Paluxy River limestone. Recent rains had left many covered with silt, so it could have been better viewing at a different time. Not much water now, which in a way allowed us to walk in the river bed better that it could have been. We enjoyed our time there, but somewhat disappointed with it never-the-less (I'd give it Four Stars out of Five). $25 camping fee.

88 miles - State Park to State Park.

Wednesday, Oct 22: Drove to Gun Barrel City, southeast of Dallas about 60 or so miles. Staying at a private campground. First time to have WiFi & to be able to take time to check email. Somewhat warm, but had full hookups. We were there to visit my sister & her hubby who lives in the area.

After setting up & having a late lunch, we had a nice visit with my sister & my brother-in-law. We stayed stayed 3 days and had a good mini family reunion.

We stayed at Lakeridge RV Park, a Passport America RV park. One night @ half price, 10% off the other nights. It worked well for our needs. Total $55.

From the State Park & Glen Rose to RV Park in Gun Barrel City was 116 miles. Bought gas as leaving Glen Rose. $2.78 per gal.

Bought gas @ Walmart in Gun Barrel as well as supplies

Saturday, Oct 25, Drove to Lake Whitney & stayed at Lofer East COE Campground. Only one campsite ready to move into & one soon to be open. $7 for W & E with Senior Pass.

A nice area, very pretty with a large lake and a large campground. We did a day trip to Meridian State Park, outside of Meridian, after getting parking the Lance. A nice smaller park & limited RV camping.

Meridian is a small town & the county seat of Bosque county. The Bosque County Courthouse is an extremely neat building with a neat look to it.

Meridian was having their annual National Championship Barbecue Cookoff, but didn't stop to see it. Should have.

A drive of 90 miles between Gun Barrel & Lofters Campsites. About 55 miles round trip between Lofters CG & Meridian State Park.

Bought gas @ Walmart in Gun Barrel upon leaving & topped off in Ennis at a better price $2.76.

Sunday, Oct 26: Drove to another COE Campground at Hordes Creek Lake (Friendship CG) near Coleman. It was billed as "one of Texas' most pretty little lakes. The lake is surrounded by beautiful oak trees and offers many activities to all those who enjoy the outdoors. There is a park on each side of the lake, each providing roughly 60 campsites, all standard with water and electricity. The lake also provides premium sites including those with screened-in picnic tables, sewer sites, double sites, and even 50 AMP breakers. The lake also provides shelters for those without travel trailers." It was a very pretty campground, but like many of Texas' lakes, it was very low. We saw several deer in the campground. We had our loop all to ourselves. Very few camping at the time. $8 W & E with Senior Pass. Very nice Sunset & Sunrise through oak trees.

153 miles driving.

Monday, Oct 27: Drove to San Angelo, stopping to tour the Fort Concho National Historic Landmark (city of San Angelo own/operated) before going to the KOA. I'd mistakenly thought the San Angelo State Park was closed. But we did end up with WIFI & Cable. $29.95 W,E & Sewer.

Warmest day yet. Used most of the time just relaxing in the Lance. We did enjoy touring Fort Concho, which has more building still standing than any southwest forts I've seen. $2 each. No discounts.

A short drive of 80 miles. We bought gas near the KOA ($2.84), but the next day we passed a Walmart & a Sam's Club with much better prices.

Tuesday, Oct 28: Drove to Van Horn & overnighted at Desert Willow RV Park. New to being Passport America (not in the listing book). We were pleasantly surprised with it. Small, yes, and all gravel, but all pull throughs & a very clean restroom/shower. Didn't use them, but very clean. $12.50 with the PA discount.

We'd driven 286 miles. We bought gas at a Pilot before finding the campground. ($2.83)

Wednesday, Oct 29: Drove home via El Paso (used Loop 375 & Transmountain Road). A few miles more than staying on I-10, but as getting into EP a lighted sign read, "Accident 6 miles, Seek Alternative Route". We happened to be just getting to Americas Blvd. exit which is an exit one can use to get onto Loop 375. We drove 169 miles from the campground in Van Horn to our driveway in Las Cruces.

Filled up the F-150 at Sam's Club a couple days later. $2.60. I believe it was about $2.74 or so before we left.

Total Trip: 1,985 miles on the pickup. Averaged: 11.1 mpg.

Photos:
1. Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner
2. Palo Duro State Park Vista
3. Caprock Canyons S P Bison
4. Caprock Canyons Vista
5. Copper Breaks Campsite
6. Fort Richardson State Park Campsite
7. Dinosaur Valley State Park Campsite
8. Hordes State Park Campsite
9. San Angelo KOA
10. Desert Willow RV Park Van Horn
Attached Thumbnails
aaBillKid.JPG   aaaaPaloDurocn.JPG  

aaCapRBison.JPG   aaCaprock.JPG  

aaCopper Breaks SP Campsite.jpg   aaFtRichard.JPG  

aaDinoCG.JPG   aaHordes.JPG  

aaaKOA SA.JPG   aaVanHorn.JPG  

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DesertHawk- Las Cruces, NM USA
2015 Lance 1985 ~ Casita de Campo ~23' 4"
~Previously ~ 2005 16' Scamp
2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab Longbed ARE Topper
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Old 11-12-2014, 03:11 PM   #2
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