Starting to head  east. Left Carlsbad, NM heading to Fort Stockton, TX on Route 285-S for a day or two. Driving through West Texas (Pecos), all we saw were oil rigs, and haulers pulling into rig sites to pick up oil or leaving refineries. It was an endless line.

One Texan we spoke to said years ago there were oil rigs here and there; now they are everywhere. Also spotty cell service. Sage brush and oil rigs for about a 3 hour drive.

  We are staying at the Fort Stockton RV Park right off Route 10. They have a big dog park so Thumper is happy. Our site is at the end of a row, so Thumper is able to hang around without being on the leash.

 We have been lucky with the weather. In the 70's during the day. Nights cool down a little. Biggest attraction in Fort Stockton is the Road Runner statue in center of town and the various representations of Texas at the Visitor's Center. 

Skip at Visitor's Center

Grocery shopping is at Walmart. Walmart has definitely covered the landscape of the U.S. They are all over the place!
  Happy Veteran's Day to all!!! We were up early and heading east to San Antonio.







With an 80 MPH speed limit, great landscape and no traffic jams,  we should be there in no time.

 

 

Forgot to post our favorite billboard located in Carlsbad, N.M. I can honestly say we have never seen a billboard like this anywhere we have traveled. Skip and I wondered how many diamonds were sold over the 3 day period to get their free hunting rifle.

Before leaving Carlsbad, we went to a local vineyard. Balzano Family Vineyard. The vineyard is part of a cooperative. Can't pass up a winery!

   In the morning, we packed up heading east into Texas. We are heading to Fort Stockton. We took S-283  which takes us south into Pecos, Texas.

All we saw were oil wells, trucks hauling fuel down highway, trucks pulling in and out of oil rigs, and lots of land.  Not my favorite part of the state!  Sorry!!

   Fort Stockton is still the same as when we stopped 3 years ago. Drove into town to the Visitor Center.

We are heading to San Antonio. Think Thumper will be a lot happier! Not much for a dog to do in Fort Stockton.

Left Roswell and headed south to Carlsbad, N.M. Short drive for Skip - approx. 70 miles south. We pulled into the Carlsbad KOA. Very nice campground.

In fact, we signed up for dinner that night at the campground. The staff cooks dinner - either have meal delivered to your campsite or can eat in the hall. We chose to eat at the hall. We both had the barbecue ribs - great. Our site is a good size with grass for Thumper. Their dog park is also nice. Thumper met few dogs there. Also had coyotes walk by one day. Dogs noticed the coyotes; coyotes didn't pay any attention to the dogs.

  The next day Skip and I headed over to the Caverns. It is about an hour drive. When we got there, we were greeted by a ranger explaining that the elevator was out of order and that you would not only have to walk into and down the cavern but also walk back up. This could take about 5-6 hours. Skip and I headed down. After about 1-1/2 hours we were still descending and we called it quits and turned around. We do not like to leave Thumper for over 6 hours. Unfortunately, we did not make it to bottom of caverns.

Another time. In fact, there were a few struggling on the way back up. Before we left Carlsbad a few days later, I called the Caverns but elevator was still not in operation.
  On our way back, we did stop to take a picture of the billboard on the main road.
   

  While in Carlsbad, we did go to the movies to see the new James Bond - Spectre. We enjoyed it. Daniel Craig is not hard to look at!!!   The seats were really comfortable and lots of room between rows.
  We also went to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens which is located on top of a mountain. Views were great. You follow the trail through gardens and the animals, some of which are in outdoor environs. It is about a 2 mile walk.

prairie dogs

javelina

Hosts at the KOA told us to go to the town of Artesia. It had cute shops, etc. All we saw were oil wells and refineries going through. We drove up for lunch.  Also wandered around looking at the larger than life sculptures that are around.

I think I was told there are 7 total. We also pulled into one of the refineries to see if we could get a tour. We were told to go to the Admin Building, but they were all out to lunch right now.Couldn't figure how they can close down the admin building and all be at lunch. We figured they just did not want us asking questions. We figure we'll see someone hanging around an oil well or refinery on our travels and pull in.

  Another day we drove out to the Sitting Bull State Park. It is located about 35 miles outside of Carlsbad and is part of the Lincoln National Park. As usual, views were great. Temperature had definitely cooled down.

view on way to Sitting Bull State Park

waterfall at Sitting Bull State Park

                 

                               

for your safety along the way!

 

We discovered Roswell to be a good size city. Besides the UFO theory that probably brings in the tourism, the city is diversified with dairy, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation, homeland defense training, film production, and art galleries. One gallery named The Gallery showcases local artists. Found interesting pieces there.

one of the local artists

Artists are also on the premises.
   We took a side trip one day to Ruidoso which is west of Roswell on the southern end of the Rocky Mountains. Another beautiful drive.

Most of its business is in the winter - plenty of places to stay for the skiers. There are also 2 casinos in town and a race trace - Ruidoso Downs - which is the only horse track in the U.S. that has a separate quarter horse straightaway and oval thoroughbred tracks. As you can see, the Billy the Kid Casino is located on the premises. Amazed at the number of casinos we come across as we travel around the United States.

On the way back, stopped at local antique market. Skip took Thumper for a stroll around the grounds while I strolled the shop.

lots of goodies here!!!

Last day in Santa Fe we went to the Santa Fe Farmer's Market at the Railyard. While there, a railway train came through.

Great market. Enjoyed walking all around. Market is indoors and outdoors. Since it was Halloween, many vendors were dressed in costumes. 

 While I picked up some veggies, Skip learned how to roast peppers from one of the vendors. While talking with vendor, a local was also giving Skip a recipe for adding chili peppers to mac and cheese telling him it will be the best mac and cheese he ever had. We all know Skip and spices. I don't think I'll be adding any chili peppers to his food.

    For lunch we went to Santa Fe Bites. The place was recommended by a camper we had met in Oklahoma City. More costumed people - waitresses and some customers. Halloween is big in Santa Fe. After lunch, we took a ride on Canyon Road. This road is noted for its art galleries.

We couldn't even find a place to park the car. People walking all over.

Back at campground, took some pictures of metal art that is around the campground. One of the shareholders in campground is artist.  

Heading out in the morning heading to Roswell and UFO's. We enjoyed our stay in Santa Fe. There is a lot to see. Also enjoyed staying at Santa Fe Skies RV Park. Would stay here again if we come back.

At Ski Basin

Another sunny day!!! Snow still on top of the mountains so we took a ride up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. From the campground it was about a 30 minute drive.  The route takes you from 6,000 ft to approximately 11,000+ to the base of the ski basin. Top of mountain is 12,000 feet. Road is mainly lots of switchbacks. Pulled over a little over half way at scenic overview. The ski season opens middle of November. We saw snow making machines around. While there 3 snowboarders were going to hike to top of mountain for snowboarding.

One of them said it would probably taken about 1-1/2 hours to hike to top from here at base. One is red jacket had a go pro. Wished them well. Hope they were able to have fun.

Afterwards we had lunch at Maria's. Restaurant has been in business for a very long time.

Good Mexican food! I had tacos, Skip had enchilada. Maria's is also known for their margaritas. In fact, they have a 4 page menu of just margaritas. Had the basic. It was great!
  Following day was overcast and rain showers. Good day to go to one of the casinos. Headed to Buffalo Thunder.  After getting or player's card, we each played on the $10.00 they gave us. High rollers we are! Ha Ha!!!  
                                                                    Had fun anyway. There are about 5 or 6 casinos in the area.

 On the way, we stopped by the Santa Fe Opera House. Massive renovations going on. Looks like outdoor stage.