Wandrin Blog

...is located right next to the Rose Valley RV park. Good way for me to get some exercise to look for epitaphs. Walking through the cemetery on Halloween seemed an appropriate thing to do.

The first thing found was a one sentence biography on the stone for the mother of Billy the Kid.



With few epitaphs to choose from, this one has an original thought.



Wandering around I came upon a plot of two graves within a fence. On top of this was poured concrete. It appeared that after it was poured some was removed, but most was still there. What was the reason for pouring cement over the graves. Whoever may have been buried there, someone wanted to make sure they stayed there.

It was only 72 miles from exit 63 on I-25 in New Mexico near Truth Or Consequences (locals call it T er C) to Silver City along New Mexico Highway 152. 72 miles should take something over an hour. When planning the route on a road atlas, I did note the number of curves on the highway. That should have been the clue to a slow drive. It turned out that the road was narrow, no shoulders and tight curves for 25 miles up to Emory Pass at 8200 feet and down the other side. 25 miles at an average speed of 15 miles per hour takes a little time. There was little traffic on the road during this off season. That was good. It made the drive a little easier without a half dozen cars behind Wandrin Wagon heading uphill at 15 miles an hour. There may have been six cars going the same direction.

When I finally arrived in Silver City, it was over two hours later. That included a stop to get the white out of the knuckles that were gripping the steering wheel. That curvy uphill (and downhill) drive caused me as much stress as traveling Austin's freeways. Needless to say, I will not do that highway again with Silver Slug and Wandrin Wagon.

Why Silver City. Never been here. The real reason was to see for myself that Boonie Explorer was actually hunkered down in an RV park. He is. Good choice as RV parks go. Large spaces here at the Rose Valley RV park with large lots and open fields right behind. Less than a mile and a half to downtown Silver City makes a perfect place to stay fit and satisfy an urban fantasy.

We chatted a good portion of the afternoon after my arrival. In the morning, with lots of catching up, we will head for a coffee (mine will be tea) and then off for a hike.

Along US Hwy 380 between Ruidoso and Socorro New Mexico, there is a landscape which reminded me of the big island of Hawaii. As the lava pushed forward it cooled into the rope like structure that I saw in Hawaii and that appears in the photo. The more recent lava flows of Hawaii have little or no vegetation. It takes a few thousand years to get something to grow on a volcanic lava flow. Geologists estimate that the nearby mountains spewed this lava about 1000 to 1500 years ago.

Several days ago when I left Austin heading along Highway 71, the tank was half empty which is when I start looking for a place to fill. I was passing $3.49. $3.37. $3.54. That was when I saw $3.07 for diesel. The screech of Silver Slug brakes was heard as I made the turn into the fuel station. When I parked at the pump, I was wondering what the fine print may say. Was this off road diesel? Don't want to put the dyed fuel in my tank. Accidentally did that once. Wonder. That was three years ago. Is the dye still visible in the fuel.

Picked up the nozzle to take a whiff. It was diesel. Usually the off-road diesel is at a separate pump on the back side of the lot. Didn't see another pump. This had to be over the road diesel. One more check of the price and I filled Silver Slugs thirsty tank. A half tank is about 20 gallons. That was a $6.00 savings. So where to spend the savings. Yeah. Like that is going to be a problem.

Personal philosophy.... If I don't like the neighborhood, it is time to hitch up and head down the road.

After visiting the Texas State Capitol in Austin, I headed back home to Wandrin Wagon. Happy to be there, I was even happier the next morning to hitch up and leave the big city. My original plans were to stay in Austin for several days. However, the big city, too many cars going too fast on too many wide roads became too stressful.

In the next couple of weeks, I will include a blog entry about my Capitol tour.

The Wildseed Farms would have provided natural colors in spring or summer, but I was here in autumn and took photos of the colors that were available. Actually, it was quite colorful. Since I was parked at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park in Fredericksburg, Barney joined me for this scenic journey.







On the way through the grounds, the stores and gift shops provided options to purchase from wine to canned goods to wild flower seeds to -- gifts. That is what you call stuff you buy for others which you would never buy for yourself. Of course, the giftee in turn has no idea what to do with the gift so it ends up at the next garage sale or the thrift store or is re-gifted. Okay so I am a cynic and I left the place without buying anything. Including wine.

When traveling, the best thing is to buy experiences. This day it was free. That was even better.

Buckhorn Lake Resort was the location for Rally 2008 of the New Horizons Owners Group. Now that the rally is over, as webmaster, summary words and photos have been posted at Rally 2008.

Buckhorn Lake Resort has large RV spaces and great facilities. The windmill centerpiece and barn provide for photos including one with New Horizons rigs in the scene.



On the day off from the schedules events for the rally, I explored local Kerrville. The abundance of natural rock has been a source for building material for over 100 years as in the example of this house and now museum.



Any tourist draw that includes the word "western" in its name implies (for me) the mythological west of cowboys. That is what drew me to the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville. Shown in the museum is art related to the many facets of the west including the settlers, cowboys, Indians and the scenery. The stone wall courtyard at the entrance to the building is a natural world at its best.

Actually, it has been two days ago. As I backed into my assigned space at the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, I see some guy in my rear view mirror assisting me in parking. Since I always like to see where I am going I got out of Silver Slug and headed back to be greeted by Barney of Old Fat Man fame.

With economical camping and golf right next door, Barney is hunkered down and saving dollars this winter.

Once parked, we chatted, shared more at social hour and later headed off to a great Mexican restaurant in Fredericksburg for more chatting -- and as Barney would say -- toooo much fun.

(Note: For more words about some shared exploring of Fredericksburg, see Barney's blog.)

A scene from this last summer in Colorado's mountains...

In a blog entry posted a few days ago, I made comment that I was "feeling a need for roots". Now that I've parked and set down "roots" for the NHOG Rally 2008 and meeting up with long time friends and road acquaintances, that feeling has passed. The excitement of travel and exploring has returned once again -- only one day after parking.

Reviewing the recent past, it may be explainable. Over the past 15 days, I traveled far too many miles on mostly freeways. That was frustrating enough. Perhaps the real problem started at my 50th high school reunion when I repeated the same story several times about being a full time nomadic explorer. Most times I enjoy the opportunity to relate my life. However, since I did it so often that evening, I am wondering if that may have been where this whole "scary" thought started.

The one positive about setting down roots is that once history is discussed, in subsequent visits the talk and exploring is about today. Likewise, meeting up with long time friends and road acquaintances, there is no need for the history. The conversations can continue from the last time we met.

The thought to set down roots had nothing to do with the economy. It isn't a financial issue. It isn't medical. It isn't the price of diesel fuel. Nothing like that. Perhaps it was more like going into Cheers "where everyone knows your name."

Accepting life as it is including the economic and political situation is all I can do. There is no point in hoping for something different or getting depressed or complaining. None of that is positive. So with that I will head down the road and try to...

Keep the balance...

For some travelers doing 1500 miles in fifteen days doesn't seem like a big deal. However, based on my last years travels, it was 81 miles between stops and exploring. Needless to say at that average, I would never have been able do 1500 miles in 15 days. Although I made extended stops on this journey, they were more to rest my frazzled brain from all the freeway driving. That is another thing I rarely do. If I do drive freeways, it is not for these extended long days.

Enough of looking back. Maybe not quite. My path to Kerrville was along I-35 which passes through Salado Texas. Dee lives in Salado when she isn't wintering in San Diego -- where we met. My original plan was to park on nearby Lake Belton at a Corps of Engineer park. However, due to summer flooding, the campgrounds are closed at least until next year perhaps longer. No high paid lobbyists are involved to speed up the process of getting these repairs completed.

Since I couldn't camp at the COE, I called Dee to wonder about the size of her driveway. No problem. After circling in a landing pattern in her neighborhood, I finally found her driveway.

After parking Wandrin Wagon, we enjoyed much time catching up about family and mutual San Diego friends. While sitting at Dee's dining table, we could watch Dee's deer herd. This is only a small sample of the herd.



A feral cat also scrounges fine dining on her patio. Must be one smart cat to have survived the coyotes. I recall that at one time a fox may also have been treated to her generosity (or was that her son.) However, Dee does draw the line at raccoons. No handouts for those guys.

Too much stress in the recent past weeks. Time to rest. It's called balance.

Here are a few reviews from some of the books recently read:

I See By My Get-Up by Ron Querry

This a laugh out loud collection of stories from a one time English professor. Querry's life takes on many turns including marrying a lady with a ranch. The ranch life stories are especially poignant as the author relates the ranching experiences from the loves, laughters and the reality of disappointments.

Used book stores have old books. This book's copyright is 1987.


Danziger's Travels by Nick Danziger

Another old book also with a copyright of 1987.

Traveling in the mid 1980s, it was a different world along the Silk Road. Not a freeway -- let alone a real road. Traveling disguised and through subterfuge, Danziger makes his way along the route of the old Silk Road with detours due to border restrictions. Eventually he makes it to China to complete the journey. Never taking "no" for the answer, Danziger manages to accomplish a journey visiting and seeing a world rarely seen by a western observer.

The friendliness and generosity of the common people is forever noted in his travels. Rarely had he found anything remotely friendly or accommodating in the government representatives.

A great read about the peoples who live along the old Silk Road.



North of South by Shiva Naipaul

This book is even older with a copyright of 1978.

As an Asian Indian from the West Indies, Naipaul travels the eastern coast of Africa to South Africa. He experiences and sees first hand the tensions of a continent trying to find its future. The cynical author seems to view the tribal and ethnic makeup of the population will forever limit a positive future.

Having read other more recent travel visits to the continent as well as today's headlines, it is obvious that nothing has changed in 30 years.


Frost on My Moustache by Tim Moore

The author retraces the explorations of a 19th century aristocrat's voyages around the Arctic ocean from Iceland (author rides bike across) to remote islands in the middle of ice floes from the Arctic and ending in villages along the coast of Norway. The aristocrat's diaries are the source of much humor along with the authors. The book drags on occasion. Some paragraphs could have been left out. With good humor, the author managed to keep me reading to the end.


Going Back To Bisbee by Richard Shelton

A journey from Tucson to Bisbee, Arizona, the book is a nostalgia story for the author. Following the back roads, the author describes the beautiful natural world of the Southwest deserts with its cactus and grasslands. With personal history and local histories of the regions, Shelton creates an interesting, poetic and very readable book.

Recently, I read the book The Adventurist by Robert Young Pelton

The book is memoir and travel excerpts from the author's life alternately describing his spirited and obsessive traveling with no fear. He doesn't try to explain it. He just tells the stories of his dysfunctional youth interspersed with his exploring the wild and dangerous places of the world.

When I read the book there was a one liner (which I didn't mark right then) where he denigrates the arm chair traveler. Not sure who he thought his reading audience might be. Regardless, this book makes me want to read more of his books.

A place to return to... In the closing paragraph Pelton touched some personal thoughts: "... I don't tell them that my greatest fear is not having a place to return to."

After over seven years of this nomadic living on the road and staying no longer than two months (rare times) at any one place, I am feeling a need to have "roots". Perhaps that may be why many full timers travel a large portion of the year followed by many months of "rooted" living. That may be my solution to this unsettled feeling (no pun intended).

Handling this dilemma is more difficult. Of the several places to stop temporarily, one is Portland. Tucson is another choice. Six months each place. Interesting thoughts. Right now they are only thoughts.

Driving to Branson and on my drives around the Branson area, there are billboards with lots of white teeth. Actually, the white is so stark that I forget that the billboard advertises the many shows that are available in the area. The cynic in me says that all that advertising means the show may not be that good.

If there ever was a billboard promoting the Sons of The Pioneers, I must have missed it.



If I am going to have to spend hard gotten (perhaps even harder considering the current financial times) dollars, it will be spent on something I love. So I came to Branson to see my all time favorite group. With the mythology of the Old West within me, the Sons Of The Pioneers are pure nostalgia and songs with real lyrics and melodies. Their show was great as they played their standards along with some new material. With good music and real comedy, I will leave Branson with fond memories.

For me that Western Myth was cultured on radio -- before television. Playing Good Cowboy and Bad Cowboy was not unusual for cousins visits. One relative had a gravel quarry. Its canyons and dry surfaces became the Old West for us as we ran around and hid behind rocks and enacted frequent gun fights. Violence on the farm!

And as long as I am on the subject... Not sure why Country and Western are part of the same music genre. They aren't. I tolerate Country, but I really enjoy Western. To me Western music is acceptance of the life being lived. Country always seems like some kind of lament.

Driving to Branson from Springfield, the repetitive nature of the billboards hawking one "fantastic" show after another got really old. It also interferes with viewing of the scenery. With lots of hills and valleys to the landscape (although covered with trees) there is beauty here as the leaves take on autumnal colors.

Whenever I find a Bass Pro Shop in my travels, it becomes a destination to check out all the results of taxidermists with the wide range of animals and birds. Considering the number of the stores and the number of specimens in the stores, this is better than going to the zoos in the hope of seeing the animals as they hide out in their dens.

Here it seems one bull elk is wondering to the other what all the racket is about. Maybe he didn't hear about the rutting season.



The tropical Butterfly Palace environment provides an atmosphere for orchids, butterflies and moths. The atmosphere has the effect of producing perspiration without much effort. It helped to recall memories of a hike I took in Australia's rain forest. Taking photos of butterflies is not easy. Flitting as a butterfly would do, the resulting photo many times ended up without a butterfly.





Since my last visit, Branson Landing has been created. If you build it, they will come. On Lake Taneycomo a huge hotel has been built including conference center. Right next door is a street of high end shopping where you can buy stuff that you could buy in any large city across the country. The outdoor mall of shops followed a brick pathway that centered on a fountain area where these drummers entertained for tips. These guys were good -- considering the low tech drums.



From that entertaining low-tech world, move to the high tech.... The centerpiece and the big draw to Branson Landing are the fountains. Synchronizing water fountains and fire to music at the top of every hour is the high tech show. High tech doesn't do much for me. Too impersonal.



And so on I go searching for balance...