Friday, February 25, 2011

Flashback Friday – Green River Lake, Wyoming – 2006

Think about what you would define as “God’s Country.”  We’ve been to multiple places that would fit that description during our seven-year rving escapade.  But, for sure, one spot in Wyoming is in our top five list. Green River Lake, at the edge of the Wind River Range of the Teton Mountains, near Pinedale, Wyoming, is one of the most beautiful temporary homes we’ve had. 

In early 2006 we were prospecting Green River Lake, Wyomingfor a volunteering job in the northwest part of the U.S. On the volunteer.gov website we learned of the positions available in the  Pinedale Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The location sounded good. And we liked the idea of experiencing the National Forest Service. However, we were hesitant to take a campground host slot as we had heard some not-so-great stories about camp hosting elsewhere.  But the Green River Lake Campground  sounded so tempting – 52 miles from the small town of Pinedale, Wyoming, 26 miles of that on a dirt forest road, next to a wilderness area. Doesn’t that make you want to be there? Spending a few months at the edge of the Bridger Wilderness could be invigorating.  We decided the location would keep our camping visitors to those who were serious hikers, fishermen, etc.  Besides, we were attracted to trying the remote experience for a few months, without hookups or cell phone.  Long-story-short, we took the spots as camp host and trailhead host, proceeded to Pinedale in mid-May for our training and had a super summer. 

There are so many experiences to describe here. This post could be a book.  I’m keeping my recollections to a minimum for now, but maybe this one will have to be continued. Our peek inside the NFS was positive and intriguing overall. The industry behind fighting the annual ravaging wild fires and hiring employees was enlightening. And, we encountered helpful and hard-working people in the Forest Service.

Our means of communication with the rangers was via a two-way radio, other than when someone stopped by weekly to check on us or we went to a meeting occasionally in Pinedale.  We were happy that our luck came through when we tried to setup our satellite dishes. Jerry was able to magically find a  small break in the thick forest cover to get the TV and Internet operating. We felt safe, yet removed. However, when a wild fire was within two miles and ashes were falling on us, we were somewhat concerned. The campground was closed and we were ready on a moment’s notice to evacuate.  Get the picture so far?

Fortunately, our predictions about the majority of the people who came to our campground and all of the people who hiked the 13-mile trail through the wilderness Ben hooked a trout.were correct. They were basically nature lovers who respected their surroundings. Working up towards the campground in the valley where the Green River flows is mouth-dropping. You follow the forest road with the Bridger Wilderness on the right and the Tetons on the left, while sometimes a moose or wolf crosses your path .  The scene at Green River Lake, just down the hill from our campsite, where Square Top Mountain stands watch, is out-of-this-world!  (See first photo in this post.)

Campfire at our spot at Green River Lake, WyomingAdd to all of this that we were able to bring our grandson, Ben, at eleven years old, to visit us for two weeks. He tried his hand at trout fishing in the ponds and streams even though the giant mosquitoes chose those two specific weeks to swarm in our locale. Yes, he did catch a few trout and they were scrumptious.

What a memorable summer! We haven’t had the chance to revisit the Pinedale, Wyoming area, but would definitely like to do so.

 

 

 


P.S. Fast forward to today………Our current home is still in Bushnell, Florida.  This is a new scenario for us - two months  (Jan-Feb 2010) in one location when we are not committed to volunteering. Seems as though there’s been a shift in our needs/outlook. We’ve been taking a good deal of time for pondering the future while in a friendly park with a nice climate.  Stay tuned for more developments.

Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Talk to you later.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Flashback Friday – Valley of the Fires, NM – 2004-2008

If you are ever traveling on US 380 east or west through New Mexico, watch out for the lava. All of a sudden the valley turns from the brushy desert to black frozen wavy shapes. The first time we came this way we were drawn into these formations and made a stop. Soon the Valley of the Fires became another of our favorite flashbacks. We’ve visited three or four times.  Why? Answer: Nice camping facilities. Beautiful views.  Interesting locale. 

The Valley of the Fires State Park and Recreation Area is Valley of the Fires State Park, Carrizozo, New Mexico 4 miles west of Carrizozo, New Mexico. The campsites there are on a hill, staggered so each one has a nice view overlooking the valley and surrounded by mountains in the distance.  Most have electrical hookups and a dump and water are available.  The park is small, 20 campsites, but we easily found a good spot each time we stopped. Just perching at our campsite, soaking up the 360 degree expanse and following the train circling through the valley was a satisfying attraction.

But we found much more. Add to the mix the established park trail that walks you through the lava field, providing information on the history of the valley and pointing out examples of nature along the way.  A part of what you learn on this short hike is that the lava field is 2-5 miles wide and 40 miles long and is thought to be 2000 years old.  IM000979Just a youngster as volcanic eruptions go.  The vegetation growing out of the lava is one of the fascinating features of this natural event.  Cacti, trees and wildflowers are popping up everywhere.  And there are lots of creatures flying and crawling around in their homes inside the black holes. 

Although the valley itself is enough reason to stop, we had fun doing our usual exploring in the vicinity also.  On our way west on 380 we had a good time in Lincoln revisiting the story of Billy the Kid and Pat Garret.  You can put yourself in the shoes of the outlaw at the courthouse that captures the jail cell  setting as well as the courtroom.  About 25 miles south on highway 54 from Carrizozo is Three Rivers Petroglyphs Recreation Site.  The thousands of pieces of prehistoric rock art at this site are amazing.  There are also the remains of the Mogollon village where the people who created the petroglyphs lived in 900 to 1400 AD.   Jerry and I inquired about the volunteer camp host at this park, considering that it would be another unique experience.  But that never worked into our schedule somehow.

Lastly, I have to mention the Four Winds Restaurant in Carrizozo, at the intersection of highways 380 and 54.  There’s room for rvs to park and they serve a tasty Mexican breakfast or lunch at a reasonable price.   We have stopped when we were camped down the road or as we were passing through with our 5th wheel and in Ferd. On another occasion Krissy and I were in the Jeep on our way to the petroglyphs on a mother/daughter trip.  She liked it too.

For now, I’ll end this recollection about Valley of the Fires. Even though I’ve left out some ingredients.  There’s a slide show below that gives samples of the area. Let me know if you were left hanging out there on a limb waiting for some tidbit of info. We are happy to share.

A thought on Flashback Friday: I’m finding these Flashback Friday posts bring back so many details from our years of wandering that I have trouble keeping the posts to a pleasantly-readable length.  Before starting this blog series I was concerned about how much I’d be able to recall.  Looks like the opposite will be my problem.  The process starts with Jerry and I talking about each of our memories on a certain place or event. Then I find a photo or two; and, sometimes, I Google a few details of the location or mileage.  Pretty soon the old brain is reeling with too much chatter.  I have to filter out what we most want to save from each RVing experience.  This is good for me.  Right?  I think so.  If nothing else, we’ll have these flashbacks when we lose that flashback capability. If you know what I mean.  Confused smile

Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Talk to you later.

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Latest News from Hurley Travels

Take a look at the new tab at the top left of our blog.  Yes, we’re proud to expand the blog Mt. McKinley slightly with new formatting.  But mostly, our new Alaska tab contains some special experiences,  a rundown on our trip this past summer. For instance, I’ve summarized our route and listed our camping spots, to name just two features.  We hope these details help others to enjoy themselves up north as much as we did.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us. You can comment below or email us. 

Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Talk to you later.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Flashback Friday - Del Rio, Texas, March 2004

This story illustrates why occasionally it is better being uninformed.  We often enjoy ourselves more when we cruise along taking things as they come, appreciating the beauty around us. 

In March of 2004 we were traveling west through Texas, enjoying our first trip through the Hill Country. We decided to drop down a little further south and take 90 West, in keeping with our goal to avoid interstates when possible.  IM000883We liked what we read about the National Park Service camping area at the Amistad National Recreation Area near Del Rio. So we stopped for a few nights.  The campground where we stayed was outside Del Rio about five miles or so, as memory serves me.  There were only about 50 campsites and we could see that the setting would mean we had those quiet nights with skies lit by zillions of stars.  A camp host was stationed at the entrance, so there wasn’t any concern about the scarcity of occupied spots. We settled into one of the sites on the outside where Jerry could position both our TV and internet satellite dishes. The Direcway Internet system was new to us, only about a week and two setups.  We were prouder each time we successfully found that “golf-ball-sized” satellite out beyond the clouds.  So anyway, we were comfortable. Other than a few partying teenagers at the end of the road late on a Saturday night, we were completely pleased with our home site.  The next two days we explored the town of Del Rio and spent some time at Lake Amistad.  A view from the bridge across the border from Del Rio, TX, to Cuidad Acuna, Mexico, March 2004.As you can see by the photo below, the scenery is nothing but peaceful and natural. We ventured down the road along Lake Amistad just a few miles and came upon the bridge and border crossing area into Mexico.  Ciudad Acuna, Mexico is just over the bridge.  We turned around, not having prepared to leave the country yet.

One evening as we relaxed on our patio in our chairs, just gazing out over the desert and contemplating our next day, we noticed a van pull off into the desert and stop just outside our campground.  The two people inside seemed to be waiting there for a while.  Then they got out and walked out into the desert until we lost sight of them.  About 30 minutes later they returned, got into the van and left.  Parking at the National Park Service campground near Del Rio, Texas.This seemed suspicious, but who knows? Perhaps they just needed some exercise. Winking smile

When we had our next destination plotted, we headed west again agreeing that this would be a campground we would recommend to others.  So we did just that.  The next time we setup the Direcway satellite and fired up the Internet, we emailed friends to let them know about the nice spot in Del Rio.  Before long a response came from a couple we had seen on another stop in Texas.  They wanted to let us know that they had read a report on the Internet that classified Del Rio as the second most dangerous camping area in the country due to the illegal border crossings and drug trafficking through that section near Lake Amistad.  We could only say that our experience was pleasant.

We have good memories of the short time we explored around the Del Rio area.  Chances are that these seven years have made a difference and we would not feel as safe at that same location today. We haven’t returned and would hesitate to do so. But, maybe there are some circumstances when it turns out better not knowing everything.   

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Hurry!! Be A Part of This Important Survey

As we travel the highways and byways, we have come to appreciate the availability of our favorite wines. So when we recently learned of this survey, you can see how we wanted to participate. Please read on:Only the finest for those with discriminating taste.

Wal-Mart announced that, sometime in 2011 it will begin offering customers a new discount item...Wal-Mart's own brand of wine. (We know this already exists.  So there was some real concern on our part at first. But then we concluded that they were looking to perhaps expand. And the announcement continued.)

The world's largest retail chain is teaming up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of California to produce the wines at affordable prices in the $2 to $5 range.
Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of the Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts but, 'There is a market for inexpensive wine,' said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at University of Arkansas , Bentonville. "However, branding will be very important".
Customer surveys were conducted to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-Mart wine brands and varieties.
The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:
10. Chateau Traileur Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar
2. Grape Expectations
1. Nasti Spumante
The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with either white meat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel).
P.S. Don't bother posting a comment to tell me that this is a hoax. I know possum is not white meat.

P.S.S. We thank Krissy for forwarding this information to us.  I am gathering our own tally and will be delivering it to the nearest store to be sure they hear from far and wide on any future expansion.  I choose #9 and #5.  Let me know your two top choices.

Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Talk to you later.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Flashback Friday– Our Beginners’ Story, Jan 2004

      The Hurley Travels blog is still alive! The silence for a month or so is only temporary while we've been percolating some new ideas.  For now, how about "Flashback Friday?"Nancy and Jerry out for pizza with a group of rving friends in 2008.  This is an idea that came to us as we were looking back over these last seven years of fulltime rving. We have a million experiences in our personal RAM.  99% are fantastic memories.   Hopefully, our recollections will stand the test of time.  But we do know that those that we've shared on this blog over the past four years are handy when we want to refresh them. But that instant recall isn't available for the first three years. So....abracadabra! Flashback Friday was created.  We plan to post on Fridays about a place, a person or an event in those first three years. It will be fun revisiting.  Hope you enjoy going back with us.

     What would be best as the first Flashback Friday? Beginning at the beginning with a beginners' story seemed appropriate. Some of you have heard it, but we'll put it here for posterity anyway.

     We were on what we considered the trial run for the fulltime lifestyle.  Our agreement was that if this three to four-month period impressed us, we would return in the spring to our Indianapolis home and sell out and hit the road.  We had purchased our fifth-wheel and dually a few months earlier and planned to leave Indianapolis after the Christmas holidays.  Jerry even went through the winterizing process since the weather can be nasty in the December/January time frame. This winter is a vivid example of that. 

     We were already Escapees members and had become familiar with the parks and learned a lot online in the discussion forums.  We even had one Escapade (a gathering of hundreds of rvers to learn and share) under our belts from the previous September in Elkhart, Indiana.  But, neither one of us had a great deal of “rving” experience.  A total zero in that area would be a better description. Slide out But we had grown up in Indiana's sometimes zero temps.   So we felt confident in planning this winter getaway. We made a plan to go as far as the closest Escapees park in Heiskell, Tennessee, that first night in mid-January.  At that point it would be safe to  clear the anti-freeze out of the lines and be ready to proceed on to warmer winter climates.

     Although a snow storm did threaten to keep us in Indiana and the temps were in the teens, we got out of town that morning and were in our park and settled into a spot before dark.  Before too long the campground host came around to tell us that it could get unusually cold over night,  possibly in the 20s, and we should be sure to take precautions with the water hookup.  So, of course, we listened and did so.

     Remember that I mentioned we had both been attuned to freezing problems?  Well, when we got ready to pick up in the morning to continue our travels, there it was.  We had shut off the water for sure.  But....our hose was still attached to the spigot.  Neither one of us had thought to detach it.  Now we had a rock-hard frozen, totally unbendable hose to detach and store somewhere inside our rig before we could leave.  We were both quite embarrassed, but as soon as it warmed up we were laughing and have been ever since. 

     What's your silly, embarrassing or ridiculous rving story?  I know we aren’t the only ones who found themselves in a similar situation.  We would love to hear your “flashbacks.”

     Thanks for visiting Hurley Travels.  Talk to you later.