The check list is done, ready to hit the road again. Trip title National Park Tour – 2019.
We are packed and ready to take on another summer road trip. This adventure is titled the National Park Tour. There are 61 National Parks and to date we have hit 36. This trip will hit 9 more with repeat stops at Hot Springs and Grand Canyon plus two National Lake Shore Parks both in Michigan. Planning has already started to take on the other 16.
The actually planning for this trip started in January with the majority of the reservations in place by the end of March. For this trip, the plan is to shorten the average of the daily drives and stop and smell the roses more. This translates to 78 days on the road, leaving June 30 and getting back home mid-September. Beside the parks, there are other planned stops to meet up with friends and family along the way.
This first blog post ends with us leaving New Mexico and moving to Colorado at the end of 18 days. There has been limited internet access so getting this first blog update has been a challenge.
Our first stop is the David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Pleasant first two nights out where we ironed out the packing issues plus we were able to get in a little hiking and of course a great place to use the camera. The plan is to come back in the future and spend more time.
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First two nights in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee at the David Crockett State Park.[/caption]
The Crockett State Park has awesome stone work the result of the CCC. The umbrella adds some color.
Behind the rock wall and along the hiking trail is the Shoal Creek. This is the view from the back of the RV site.
The Shoal Creek Falls not large but worthy of a blog photo.
The next stop is Hot Springs National Park. On the way by we caught the Shiloh Military Park. Educational stop and learned more about the Civil War period. This was a timely stop as we have just finished the Ken Burns Documentary on the Civil War.
Shiloh National Military Park was a nice mid-morning stop. Met a man from California whose Great-Grandfather fought in the battle at Shiloh.
For Larry, Hot Springs is a welcome destination. Taking in the what the spas have to offer has been on the list since the last visit. We toured the old bath houses, did some shopping and hiked as many of the trails as time would allow. The park service has done a good job preserving the history. We enjoyed coming back.
Hot Springs National Park called us back.
Enjoyed a stop at Buckstaff Baths now run by the National Park Service. Soaking in the hot water and Massage was an early trip luxury. The facility dates back to the Hot Springs heyday for public spas.
Fun ceiling stained glass in the Park’s show place. Touring this historic building was a step back in time.
Main Street Hot Springs is exceedingly well kept with a large selection for shopping and eating. This shot just past Bathhouse Row.
The Promenade – This was in response to what they did at the European Spas. It was a work in progress to the 50s. Enjoyable place to walk and relax today, a far cry from the fashion era of the past.
The water coming out of the hot springs is 140 degrees. Over time this environment makes for photo opportunity. The bright green catches your eye.
The Gulpha Gorge Campground sites are on a first come basis. It worked for us to snag a river site which had a great green space. This made the stay super fun!
During the bathhouse era there was a wellness craze. Lots of exercise trails with doctor’s names from that period. We hiked as many as we could and some everyday. Climbing Hot Springs Mountain took some effort.
One nice thing to do in Hot Springs is to tour the Garven Gardens done by the University of Arkansas. The site also has an impressive Chapel. Good experience.
An unexpected find was the Garven Woodland Biotanical Gardens by the University of Arkansas. We have toured many biotanical gardens over the years and this one is definitely in the top 10% in our book.
It is truly amazing what was done in this garden. Very creative with lots of surprises around every corner.
This setting looks likes it has always been here. Very tranquil for sure.
Is this natural or man made. It was hard to tell.
Fun tree house…would you believe it cost over two million dollars. It took some time to explore all the nooks and crannies.
Anthony Chapel at Garven Gardens. Truly awesome, I took a lot of pictures of this very unique building. Very popular for weddings.
The drive to the next stop was rather long so we broke it up into two stops. The first was at a Corps of Engineer Park near Hugo, Oklahoma. We explored the area the two days we were there. The next stop was an overnight in Haskell, Texas. It seems every town has a story to tell.
On the way we stopped at the Corps of Engineers Park -Klamichi near Hugo Oklahoma. The weather was great with super sunsets every night.
Haskell City Park has free overnight parking. Arrived early and toured the town. Found an antique store that had a classic books I had been searching for…
Haskell is proud of their history. The old Harvey Hotel on the Santa Fe rail line has been turned into a museum. It was closed the day we were there, disappointing.
The first National Park was Carlsbad Caverns. The New Mexico Brantley Lake State Park was the base camp for our three nights stay. Talk about rustic in the middle of a desert!
For the Carlsbad Cavern National Park adventure we state a New Mexico State Park – Brantley Lake. It is in the middle of the desert with a Corps of Engineer’s made lake. It was a very different experience.
The Brantley State Park had several hiking trails. All outlined with rocks. Found a new trail to experience everyday.
Brantley Lake Sunrise.
Brantley Lake sunset from our RV site…
Carlsbad Caverns National Park exceeded expectations. The park service has done a very nice job making the caves accessible and educational. This was a great adventure and highly recommend it if you get the chance.
First time stop at this National Park – Carlsbad Caverns.
Many switchbacks that descend the 750 FT to enter the cavern.
Taking photos in a cave was a new experience so bear with me.
So many interesting formations…it was hard to pick from the hundreds of shots.
This tour exceeded expectations!
Lets your imagination run wild…
Every stop was different. Learned a lot about the formations and how they grow over time.
Actually, this one was better in person. I really liked this space.
Tried to find a name for this one, what do you think it looks like?
After Carlsbad Caverns, the next park was Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A 70-mile drive from New Mexico to Texas. To enjoy this park, you need to get out on the trails. Again, we hiked as many as we could. Great experiences and great pictures. It was hot, over 100 almost every day. The strategy hike early and then find AC. By the end of our stay we were getting acclimated to the heat and anything under 90 was ok.
Second new National Park was Guadalupe Mountains.
Great trails at Guadalupe National Park. This was an easy one.
Many of the trails had great views plus the weather was very good. The strategy is to hike early before the 100 degree temps set in.
The Devil’s Hall hike is a must do. Although the trail sign has seen some abuse.
Much of the Devil’s Hall hike is in a wash. This translates to climbing over big rocks like this for several miles. Jan said uncle before the end. However, I made it…pictures to follow. Looks like fun, right?
Devil’s Hall, a reward at the end of a challenging climb.
This proves I was there. I found a fellow hiker to finish the hike.
This was just before the end of trail. It looked to me like stadium seating.
Another Guadalupe hike to a mountain lodge. This lodge was built in the 30s and used into the 60s. Note the slate roof. There is a barn and a building that housed the generator all built with the same materials. Very cool. Note Jan setting in the rocking chair on the porch.
Guadalupe has its El Capitan. Parting shot the day we left.
After Guadalupe the trip took us north to Santa Fe. In past travels we had spent two days in Santa Fe. It was a memorable experience. We decided to go back to experience the “real” Santa Fe by exploring off the beaten path.
The challenge here ended up being our two old generators both decided to take a time out. One was 20 years old and the other 12 so they had lived a good life and served us well. Since our travel plans included more desert stops and the repair turn around was weeks, we ordered new ones to be delivered along the way. Long story made short; this was a huge distraction that ended with us successfully waiting in a Home Depot parking lot anxiously watching for the UPS truck to make the delivery.
We return to Santa Fe once again. Fun city and enjoyed the return trip.
Lots of interesting area and little shops. Here Jan is checking out Donkey Alley.
Santa Fe color. Found this as we wandered the streets.
Found this market off the main drag.
Would you guess this the Santa Fe Art Museum?
Lots of churches to explore. Liked this one the best.
Another Harvey Hotel. This one is truly “Santa Fe”. It is still an operating hotel now called the La Fonda. The history has been preserved nicely.
We parked near the rail yard. Like this shot I took at the start of our city tour.
Santa Fe has very good craft beer breweries. This time the stop is at Second Street. Very good, I strongly recommend a stop.
The final stop on this leg of the journey was Taos, New Mexico. The trip up the mountain was very enjoyable. Taos had been on the list for a long time and we were never able to work it in. It is a fun place and we plan to return. Actually, we put it higher on the list than Santa Fe. The shopping, artistic climate and eclectic atmosphere calls us back. We decide we could almost live here.
Great ride from Santa Fe to Taos. This was our first trip up the mountain.
This view of Taos warranted a stop.
Jan loves the adobe look.
Blue Accent a Trade Mark in Taos
Plenty of little art shops like this. Yes, we used our credit card here!
One of the top things we told to do – check out the Rio Grande Bridge.
Here is the Rio Grande from a distance. The varied colors made this a worthwhile stop.
Our travel rule…never eat at a chain. This place was an excellent choice.
Taos not only does it have good art, it also has excellent beer. Had to sample it a couple of times.
This has been a good trip so far. The advanced planning is holding up and the weather has been excellent. It is good to be back on the road. Lots to come on this trip as we still have 60 more days.
Still trucking… This has been a great trip so far. More to come as we move into the mountains.
The next leg of this trip takes us into the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. As I post this, we are just finishing the mountain phase of the trip. Hoping to find better internet to post the next update a little more timely.
God Bless,
Larry and Jan