Tag: travel

Afternoon at Mesa Verde National Park

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 19.6mm, f/9, 1/100 sec, ISO800
 “Spruce Tree House” Mesa Verde N.P., 2021

We arrived at Mesa Verde National Park in the late afternoon, with just enough sunlight to do the motor-tour to the Spruce Tree House and the Mesa Top Loop. There was also a storm threatening so the skies were dark, but we were still able to enjoy the history of the people who inhabited the area from about AD 550 until about AD 1200.

The cliff dwellings were amazing (we were only able to view them from a distance) and we also enjoyed seeing the pit houses and kiva up close. I wish we had more time to do some hiking, but I’m glad we were able to see what we did.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/7.1, 1/100 sec, ISO800
 “Cliff Palace” Mesa Verde N.P., 2021
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/10, 1/950 sec, ISO640
 “Storms to the North” Mesa Verde N.P., 2021

After sunset, we hit the road again for the relatively short ride to Durango where we immediately went to the Steamworks Brewing Company for some burgers and beer. What a great way to end the day. 😀🍺🍔

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/30 sec, ISO800
 “Cold One” Durango, 2021

Start of Vacation – Texas to New Mexico

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/6.4, 1/1500 sec, ISO200
 “New Mexico Sign” Texico, 2021

Today was the start of our road-trip vacation to New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The first leg of the journey took us through north Texas (not quite up to the panhandle). We saw plenty of cotton fields and had to stop and take a few photos. The cotton was so clean and soft. Amazing!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 55mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO200
 “Cotton” Roscoe, 2021

After a short lunch (sushi!) in the town of Snyder, Texas, we made our way across the border and into New Mexico at the town of Texico. Of course we had to take a photo of the sign, which was not so pretty, as well as the water tower which was much more photogenic (first photo).

After that it was a long push towards Santa Fe, where we checked into our hotel and then headed to Café Castro for a yummy meal of New Mexican Steak and Carne Adovada. It was served with a side of sopapillas and honey. I asked the waiter how to eat them, and he said you can put honey on (or in) it and have as a dessert, or just eat as you would a tortilla with the meal. The sopapilla was really good and it was the first time that I had it not as a dessert. I highly recommend Café Castro. We left very satisfied.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/40 sec, ISO400
 “Dinner in New Mexico” Santa Fe, 2021

One of the cool things about the drive was that the sky was full of cloud activity, which is heaven for a cloud enthusiast like myself. 😀

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/5, 1/420 sec, ISO200
 “Clouds” New Mexico, 2021
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/5.6, 1/600 sec, ISO200
 “Clouds” New Mexico, 2021

I even set up the GoPro to get a Timewarp “drive-lapse” video. Enjoy!

Overnight at a Highway Rest Stop

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO320
 “New Mexico Rest” Deming, 2021

Today I am in the middle of a road trip from our home in Texas to my parents’ house in California. The trip will take two days of driving, but instead of staying at a hotel, I decided to save money and either find a free campsite or stay at a Walmart parking lot (yes, this is a thing!). The rest stop just east of Deming, New Mexico popped up in the map and the reviews were pretty good. I figured I’d check it out and, sure enough, it was pretty nice! I parked by one of the picnic tables and made it my home for the evening.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 18mm, f/5.6, 1/850 sec, ISO320
 “New Mexico Sunset” Deming, 2021

I think there were about 4 other groups doing the same thing, either in their RVs or passenger cars, and I felt very safe. I’m used to camping so this was pretty similar, although I just laid out my sleeping pad and sleeping bag in the back of my car instead of pitching my tent.

I’d say that this is not for everyone, but I’m simply on a long drive to get from point A to point B and not sightseeing. I honestly just wanted to get some sleep before continuing the drive. That being said, I did get to catch a wonderful sunset, and I was able to have dinner (a sandwich I made at home) while video chatting with family. So, it was a pretty good night. 😄

The Hike Down

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/5.6, 1/600 sec, ISO200
 “The Boot” Big Bend, 2020

Today I broke camp and headed down Colima Trail to the Boot Canyon Trail. I decided to return to the Chisos Basin via the Pinnacles Trail, which is the same trail we hiked in January, but just in the opposite direction.

Pinnacles Trail is pretty steep towards the top, with some fairly large steps. I remember when we hiked up it, my thighs were burning since we were carrying all of our water. I think my pack weighed 43 lbs (19.5 kg). This time, I was traveling down (a trekking pole is very helpful) with a lighter pack (32 lbs / 14.5 kg) since I drank almost all my water and I was thoroughly enjoying it. Ideally, you want to finish your hike with no water left in order to minimize weight, and I did pretty good in that I ended up back at the car with .5 liters remaining.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO200
 “Trailheads” Big Bend, 2020

On the way down, I passed a lot of hikers going up the hill, and a bunch of them were really suffering. I could fully empathize with them! On the first day, your pack will be the heaviest, but at least your legs are fresh. Anyways, I encouraged those hikers who looked most exhausted and kept on descending into the Chisos Basin. The trail went by quickly and after just ~2 hours I was back at the car.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/5.6, 1/200 sec, ISO200
 “Casa Grande” Big Bend, 2020

I really enjoy solo camping, and solo travel in general, and this trip to Big Bend National Park was a relatively safe way to satisfy my wanderlust during this COVID-19 pandemic. I’m so glad I went!