Hi everyone,
  We have been in Las Cruces, New Mexico for the past week. We need some work done on the motorhome in El Paso. When parts are in we will return to El Paso for new covers being put on the sideouts.
  Las Cruces is about 30 miles from El Paso. We are staying at Hacienda RV Park which is located in the Mesilla area (Old Town). There are adobe buildings which contain shops, restaurants, around the square and the church.  also
 On Friday nights, in the downtown area of Las Cruces, the Museum of Art and other galleries open there doors for everyone to come and see the local artists, as well as other exhibits. There was a good crowd. There was even a band playing Dorsey brothers music for all to enjoy while wandering around. The local bank was even exhibiting a collection of quilts made by locals.
 We also took a ride out to White Sands National Monument. The park is located within the White Sands Missile Range. It is about 50 miles outside of Las Cruces. They do missile launchings, so you have to check the website to see if they will be open to the public. There is an 8-10 mile loop to drive through the white gypsum dunes. There are designated trails you can walk, as well as renting coasters and sliding down the dunes. The sand was nice and cool. Thumper loved running around in it.
  Unfortunately my computer crashed. As soon as I am able to get a new computer, I will send pictures.

 

We are in Anthony, Texas, which is about 1/2 mile from the New Mexico border. Also right on the border with Mexico. When we left Big Bend National Park, we headed to Alpine, Texas for a few days. We had planned to go to Fort Davis (McDonald Observatory is located) and to the town of Marfa, to see the so-called "Marfa lights".

Someone would like to get out of Texas

entering Alpine

La Casistas Rest in town

great burgers!

Well, we went over one night to Marfa to see the "Marfa lights". Well we did not see anything. We had been told there are nights when you can see nothing but black sky. Well that was our night. At least we had dinner at Mando's, which I think is the only restaurant open at night in Marfa.

The following night we drove up to the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Three nights during the week the observatory has what they call a "Star Party". For a nominal fee, you go to their outdoor amphitheater and a lecturer explains the stars and planets of out system. There was a half moon out the night we were there. Also bundle up. It is cold up there (5,300 feet). Afterwards, there are telescopes set up for you to view stars (Orion and Nebula). We also saw Jupiter clear as a bell (even clouds around Jupiter). Another telescope was focused on the moon and could see the many craters. It was awesome!!!! Skip and I really enjoyed it. There had to have been 100 or more there.

can see one of telescopes in background

Also Alpine is home to the Sul Ross State University, which has a Center for Animal Science. Put it this way, they have a retail store where to purchase meat. They were out of steaks, etc due to classes just starting up from the holiday break. We were able to purchase some pork chops (4 for $3.30). Let me tell you, they were delicious.

center of Alpine

On leaving Alpine we headed west on Rte 67/90 to Van Horn, Texas where we would get on I-10W heading to El Paso and all points west. After passing thru Marfa, there is a sign that states "no services for the next 74 miles". let me tell you, we saw nothing but a few farm ranches and lots and lots of land!!!!
We drove through the town of Valentine, Tex (pop 217). There was nothing there but a few homes and we saw a school bus crossing. I don't know how they get any services or fuel for their vehicles.

I keep saying Texas is one big state and it is!!!!!!

heading across west Texas

On reaching Van Horn, we got on I-10W heading towards Anthony, TX just outside El Paso. Camping World is located there and the American RV Park where we are staying. Driving thru El Paso was like driving though any other large city. Lots and lots of traffic. Where we are staying, we are 1/2 mile from the New Mexico border. We can see the mountains of New Mexico, and we can see Mexico. We are very close to the border.

Juarex, Mexico along I-10 thru El Paso

We are leaving Wednesday for Los Cruces, New Mexico. After over 2 months in Texas, we are finally moving on.

border fence between US and Mexico

cactus

view into a canyon

Here are some of the pictures of Big Bend National Park. We are outside El Paso, Texas. We will at the campground for a week. Having some work done on motor coach at Camping World. Thought I would post some of the views from this national park. There are a few main roads

Thumper and I

one of many mountain ranges

Skip and Thumper by Rio Grande
in Castelon area of park

one of the dirt trails 

view leaving Rio Grande Campground

for driving. Lots of trails for hiking.

container for food on sites at campgrounds
protection from animals

These pictures are a glimpse of an area created many millions of years ago.  The park is over 800,000 acres and is made up of dry desert, mountains, canyons, and the Rio Grande, along with animals that as you are told by rangers can "bite, sting, and scratch" so be careful. Hope you all enjoy!! We certainly did!!!!!  

Big Bend National Park
  We were told about this national park from a fellow Texan while camping in San Antonio. Skip and I had never heard of this national park. The park in over 800,000 acres of desert, mountains, canyons and the Rio Grande. We spent a couple of days in Turlinga, TX (outside the park). Turlinga was an old mining town; now has a few galleries, restaurants. There is also horse backing riding right down the road from our campsite. This area is mountainous desert all around.  

me and Candy

campsite in Terlingua, TX

how far Lasistas, TX is from urban cities

We took a ride to the town of Lasitas which is on the Rio Grande. As you can see the Rio Grande is not so grandee in parts.

Skip in front of Rio Grande. Mexico behind him

view of Rio Rio Grande

 After a few days we left for the Rio GrandeVillage RV Resort which is located within the national park. The park contains coyotes, javelinas (wild pigs), roadrunners, mountain lions, bears, snakes and scorpions. Due to winter weather, snakes and scorpions were hibernating. We did not see any mountain lions or bears, but did see coyotes, roadrunner, and javelinas.

Reminder

coyote - must like the aroma of my cooking

 

Roadrunner

After being out of cell phone range and having some internet, we are back. It is hard to believe how much we depend on cell phones and quick internet service. Spent a few days in Fort Stockton due to snow storm (their second biggest 4-6 inches). Since the town has no snow plows, you carefully drove on I-10 and into town. Went to the Visitor's Center where you are greeted by these metal sculptures depicting the Indians and   cavalry from the 1800's.  You also get to meet the town mascot - Paisano Pete - the largest roadrunner in the world.

Paisano Pete

Sculptures 

The Annie Riggs Museum in town (used to be a hotel/rooming house in 1899) was fun to go through giving you  a glimpse of the early years in Pecos County. Walk through the entrance the first thing you see in the old desk that belonged to the sheriff until his murder in 1894.

Sheriff's desk

kitchen of rooming house

good Mexican food

Thumper staying warm

There is another museum called the Grey Mule Saloon which is now a wine tasting room. Muscato wine is made in Texas so Skip was delighted.

campground from I-10

  After a few days and the weather cleared we are heading to Big Bend National Park. From Fort Stockton, it is about 120 miles southwest.

riding along I-10W

dog needs a break

warming up after playing in snow

We stopped in Fort Stockton, TX for the night. The trip across I-10W was pleasant and easy for Skip to drive. The scenery is definitely different from eastern Texas.

Mesa along I-10

  In fact, as we pulled into the Fort Stockton RV Park it started snowing. No joke!!! Skip kept saying on the drive west, that it felt like snow. By Friday morning, 6 inches fell. Since there are no snow plows you make your own path on the roads or wait for snow to melt. Have to make sure Thumper stays on leash. With regards to animals, per the locals, too cold for snakes or coyotes, but there are wild pigs (boars) that will go after animals.  In fact, one of the guys here at campground saw a wild pig early in the morning.

What we woke up to!!!

Decided to stay a few days before heading to Big Bend National Park

Thought we were back north

Happy New Year to everyone!!!!
    Spent New Year's Eve at campground. It was rainy and cold. We could see the fireworks from Hemisphere Park in San Antonio. Watching the celebration from New York and waiting an hour for New Year's to arrive in central time zone was strange. Anyway, before we left, we were downtown and took some photos before we left.

front of The Alamo

Christmas Tree in Alamo Plaza

 With the Alamo Bowl game, there were plenty of tourists and fans around town. The Texas Longhorns beat the Oregon Beavers. In fact, according to the news, the Bowl game brought in around $39,000,000.00 in revenue. We saw lots of fans on both sides walking around the downtown area. Skip and I took a walk up to the Cathedral from River Walk.

Skip with Crockett, Bowie, Travis

Altar in cathedral

  Afterwards, we headed back and stopped for drinks before leaving San Antonio the next day. A good margarita is a must at the end of the day!!!!!!!

We are leaving San Antonio and heading to Big Bend National Park. Will stop overnight somewhere. This area of Texas is approximately 410 miles heading southwest from San Antonio.