Carlsbad Caverns

Bil and the cave signs warning of difficulty of the walk. we walked about 3 miles in the caves.

the cave and starlings - the bats are just starting to come back from Mexico.

the cave opening from the inside.

a look down the path and into the cave.

the dolls theater

the hall of giants

the green walls are cause from the minerals

the path down into the cave

From the top to the bottom- almost touching.

the map of the big room with the distance to each.

more formations and colors in the cave.


The Lions Tail, notice the popcorn type for the pompom of the tail.
One of the underground ponds in the painted grotto.
Another of the painted grotto.

One of the big ones.

A look into the big room.
One of the views into the Big Room.
A Ladder used by the original discoverers. It goes to the lower room a place we no longer can get to.
Into the Whales mouth.

Called The Rock of Ages as it is a very old formation.

Az - to New Mexico through Texas

Sometimes there are things bigger than you and you have to move over and give them a wide birth.
One of the city signs in Tatum TX. Rather novel signs for the town streets.
We had strong winds on the way to Arlington. The wind was behind us so we got very good mileage.
One must always check the hand brake before towing. It is rather hard on the tires. But you might be surprised at how many people wave to you in a short period of time. Two new/used tires and rims later we were on the road again. Another of lives lessons on the road.
We relieved the girls of cat duty and took her along this year. She found a place to travel by the door and has settled into the nomad life quite nicely.

An old hilltop stone house in Whites AZ just outside of Carlsbad Caverns.

An early Indian cave in the rocks that sheltered thier families, in the National Park
A trip through El Paso on the way to New Mexico.


A couple of views from our campground in Quartzite AZ. Starting our third year across country.

Rancho Jurupa and friends

Warren made friends with this goose the park calls Desi. The goose started following him around. When he & Mari left for Montana the goose adopted Bil. The two geese followed us around the lake when the four of us went for a walk. When the guys stopped the geese stopped and waited until the guys started walking again. They are rather entertaining.
Bil is feeding him cat food one of his favorite foods. Desi went from trying to nip our legs to coming to the door honking loudly for "Bil to come out and play." He stops the honking when Bil goes out to feed or water them.
Desi now follows Bil around and if he hears Bil in the coach he will come to the windows or door and honk loudly. Lucy his partner isn't to far away and now lets us feed her also.
A view across Rancho lake toward the campgrounds. Bil was fishing on the opposite side of the lake. the coach is at the top left backed toward the lake.
Another view of the lake. It is a nice campground and has two lakes for viewing or fishing.

Hoover Dam

This is a memorial to the mascot dog by the builders of the dam.
Overview of the dam and area below.
Sculpture of the workers of the dam.
Sign depicting the Native Nations.

New bridge over the Hoover Dam. Double click to get an idea of the height. Notice the start of the arching portion at the base of the cement pilings. The pilings stop at this point from into the ground and the steel arch forms the rest of the bridge. The pilings would be off the arch up to the roadbed.
Note the cable car used to transport the workers.
This is the steel arch that is being built across the water to form the lower portion and support of the bridge.
These are cranes being used to set the cement in place as it is built.
An overview of the dam and current road. The water is really low as shown by the white walls. Also the museum at lower right can be seen from the parking structure.

Valley of Fire NV one of the side trips

There were lots of petroglyph's in the park.
I climbed to the top to get some photos of them. Enlarge the photo and you can see them.
See how steep a climb it was. How do you suppose they wrote on the walls that high up.
Cabins built by CCC in 1935 for campers to use. They were constructed of native sandstone and were used for many years. About 9000 people visited the Valley of Fire State Park in 1936. As of today there are about 200,000 per yr.
This rock looks like a genie lamp.
Notice the color to the rocks. Click and make the photo larger.
This cave shows the start of wear on the back wall, see the small hole starting to form.
Looks like a Desert Tortoise doesn't it.
These Beehives were created by the relentless harsh winds, rain, heat and cold creating the many unusual formations in the Valley of Fire.

The rocks are hollowed out due to the weather creating Peek a boo holes as Bil is demonstrating.

Unable to withstand blasting of strong winds & slowly dissolving by rains the rock is weakened allowing an arch to form. Eventually it will be too large for its support & natures forces will cause it to crumble. You can already see a crack in the arch on the right side.

Winter in and out of California

A trip to Vegas and hotel stay for the race and seeing friends. This view is from our hotel. We left the coach to have new carpet installed.
Across Prado park - view from front yard. We have a very BIG front yard.

A nice visit from our Canadian friends warming themselves from the cold frozen north.

Miss Kitty is settling in quite nicely. She hides under a rug and attacks her mouse toy.
A neat tribute to our Alaskan trip was a present from our traveling companions. Dick made the frame and inserted several of the photos taken along the way. It sits nicely on the dash when we are in camp.