I liked this photo because it shows the variety of vegetation in the desert

Mule Ears Point in Big Bend National Park-

We had a rare cloudy day for our visit to Big Bend National Park- the least visited of all the national parks, I read somewhere. It is a long, long way from anything!

Purple Sage...I think...near Dugout Wells in Big Bend National Park-

Big Bend National Park- Dugout Wells- An oasis

Big Bend National Park- Santa Elena Canyon

I completely passed over Big Bend Nat'l Park so will get that rectified ASAP.

Thanks to Karyn for this one: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND THINKING, "SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD?" WELL.... YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE!

I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT
WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICH
BORE HIS FULL NAME.

SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY
WITH THE SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME
40-ODD YEARS AGO. COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A
SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?

UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICK DISCARDED ANY SUCH
THOUGHT. THIS BALDING GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY
LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.
HMMM, OR COULD HE?

AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD
ATTENDED LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL.

"YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG', HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.

'WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?" I ASKED.

HE ANSWERED, "IN 1959. WHY DO YOU ASK?"


"YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!" I EXCLAIMED.


HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY. THEN, THAT UGLY, OLD, WRINKLED,
BALD-HEADED FART ASKED,

"WHAT DID YOU TEACH?".

Historic Fort Clark at For Clark Springs, Brackettville, Texas, Living History Today!

Historic Fort Clark at For Clark Springs, Brackettville, Texas, Living History Today!

The ampitheater formed by the harvesting of rock for many of the buildings on the base. The accoustics were tremendous.

Art by Twila Harville

Art by Twila Harville

Art by Twila Harville

Twila is an artist and I took pictures of several of her paintings. This one not only photographed well it was one of my favorites.

Butch with his cousin Twila and her husband Duane Harville

The 300 X 100 swimming pool.

The spring at Fort Clark Springs provides the water for the entire community. The flow rate is tremendous! In the background is a huge swimming pool from the spring with a constant 68 degree temperature.

A Live Oak at Ft Clark Springs near Brackettville TX. Fort Clark Springs is a private community owned by the people who live there. It warrants explanation because many people feel it is still an active base. It hasn't been since 1946! It is a secluded yet very active place. If the hustle and bustle of the Rio Grande Valley is becoming too much for you it would be a good place to consider for winter living. It is a shame more people do not utilize it.

We haven't had an Internet connection for 3 days so I will have some catching up to do but it probably will not happen tonight...

A Texas Wren

Deer at the Fort Clark Springs RV Park near Brackettville TX

Turkeys at the Fort Clark Springs RV Park near Brackettville TX

Some amazing formations happen in The City of Rocks

The City of Rocks

The City of Rocks is far below this overlook.

35 Million years ago a volcano erupted and spit out some huge rocks which have eroded through the centuries. This one made for a very handy seat.

We went to the City of Rocks north of Deming NM. The elevation is a bit higher thus the fall colors.

Birthday Calculator

This is a bit of fun...when you are finished with your birthday go on a little farther and see what your name means. Birthday Calculator

St Clair Winery

We toured the St.Clair Winery in Deming NM. We sampled 9, bought 5 plus 2 grape juice. A good time was had by all! 

Close up of latest project

Swedish weaving project number 8 ...I think! I piddled around with this one quite a while. It took too much concentration to suit me so I doubt if I do this pattern again. It is Avery Hill Patchwork Pattern done on Sage Monk's cloth using Red Heart Lt. Raspberry and Medium sage yarn.

Museum in Deming

We went to the museum in Deming NM yesterday and it is indeed worth the trip. We were there for two hours and we made a fairly speedy tour of all the exhibits so of course we did not see everything. I think it would take several trips to see it all. it lived up to its reputation to be sure. I forgot my camera and those who know me well will find that hard to believe!

Taken at a rest stop in eastern Arizona

We have moved on after spending three weeks in Arizona in various locations. We are now in Deming New Mexico staying at another SKP park( Dreamcatchers RV Park) right along I-10. We stay in Escapee parks because we are members and get quite a break on rates. Our rate per day here is $10 and that is hard to beat. The elevation here is higher and therefore we are experiencing cooler temperatures. Highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's. There are a few attractions we plan to see around this area. The local museum we hear is a good one and we have seen many so we are in a good position to judge. I will give you an honest assessment after I have seen it.;-) We will go north to see Silver City, another mining town in the mountains and I have hopes it is more than just another mining town but on the way we will stop at the City of Rocks. Eons ago a volcano dumped off a bunch of huge rocks and they happened to land in a somewhat orderly fashion and therefore resembles a city. We also plan to see the cliff dwellings that are nearby and last but not least there is a winery to visit. I have been to a winery years ago with Marlene and Bernard Kelley but Butch has never been to one.
From here we plan to go to a jumping off spot to visit Big Bend National Park. We have certainly made good use of our Golden Age Pass.

Courthouse and Museum at Tombstone AZ

Stagecoach at Tombstone Arizona

Leo and Keri have new kitties at their place

We have been to Tombstone and taken a stagecoach ride around town and then on to Bisbee AZ.

Open Pit Copper Mine- Bisbee AZ

Dragoon Mountains

Arizona Twilight

Yesterday we went to the Kartchner caverns and they are indeed spectacular. Not discovered until 1974 and kept secret for 4 years, even from the people who owned the land. The accompanying photo was taken near the location but photos are not allowed inside the caverns.

Kartchner Caverns State Park

I was hoping to show you some nice photos by going to this site but it looks like it is mostly informational. It is a spectacular place.
Kartchner Caverns State Park

We are staying in the Saguaro RV Park (an SKP Co-Op park) in Benson AZ and this lovely Cactus bloom photo was taken on our daily walk in the park. This park is a nice one and one that we may consider staying in long term sometime in the future.

Well folks we have moved a bit...we are still in Arizona but we moved to the Benson SKP park and we will be here for a week. There are so many things to see in this area...like Tombstone...Kratchner Caverns and Bisbee AZ for a few.

Eastern Arizona Sky-Benson AZ

Western Arizona Sky-Benson AZ

Arizona Sky- Casa Grande AZ

Arizona Sky- Casa Grande AZ

Cotton trucks go by here many times a day and today there was a bit of a cottony accident. The inset is 1 cotton boll.

Granddaughter Ann and her friend Jamie at Homecoming

Just thinking of you!

Butch was concerned that lil ol roadrunner would get inside the car because the windows are open but he did not.

Beep-Beep! Roadrunner looking for faster wheels

Breakfast at home

Have not needed to turn on the hot water heater. The water from the pipes is warm enough to shower in and no, it does not eventually get cold...ever! And in case you have not noticed, I change the weather banner at the top of the page to match our location. 99 degrees today.

A fruited Prickly Pear

Staghorn Cholla (Chaw-ya)

The Casa Grande Ruins of the Hohokam Indians