LEAVING BIG BEND FOR COOLER PLACES

We had a change of plans. Had planned to visit Tucson AZ and Phoenix on our way to the Grand Canyon. With the exceptional heat, we have changed our plans and will begin to head North sooner to escape the heat.

Just East of El Paso TX, headed for somewhere cooler.

This was in Alpine TX. We stopped here to go to the grocery store. Nice little town that has a microbrewery and a good grocery store.

Inside of the Fort Davis drugstore/restaurant. We had breakfast there and it was very good. Notice the old fashioned soda fountain.

Fort Davis's claim to fame is the McDonald Observatory as well as the Fort Davis Historical Site. We visited both.

Went on a tour of the observatory. The original telescope was a joint venture with the University of Texas and The University of Chicago. Since then everything has been taken over by U of T. The observatory got a big boost from NASA when they were planning the moon landings. NASA used the newest telescope as well as paid for most of it.

Inside is a 35 million dollar telescope.

We got a very nice guided tour. All for $8 each.

The reason for the observatory located 16 miles from Ft. Davis is very low light pollution as well as 300 days a year of clear weather.

These guys were just outside the door of the visitor center. They were making a real mess.

They have a recommended driving tour of the Ft. Davis area, we spotted this wild turkey on our drive.

There are lots of places here with open range. No fences anywhere.

This is not from the era of the fort, but the building was donated to the Historical Society by a barber. Notice the hair curling hookups

We are on our way to Silver City NM. Elevation 6,000 FT. much cooler.

Passing thru El Paso TX. That is Juarez Mexico in the distance.

The weather in Silver City NM was great. We woke up to 54 degrees. This turned out to be a beautiful city with friendly people. It is not a destination we have heard of, but we would return because of it's surrounding beauty and the very nice people. The climate is a plus.

A car show going on in the downtown.

Turned out to be a really nice day.

Had to take a picture of the Bar in downtown Silver City.

Cool shops too.

I liked the sign in the window of the Buffalo Bar.

We had lunch at the micro brew bar. The beer was OK.

Our waitress was friendly and really fast on her feet.

Then we went to a Pro Rodeo that was in town for 4 days. A great show.

The Rodeo started with what they called Mutton Bustin. That is a little kid trying to ride a sheep, it was a hoot!

Rodeo announcer, he kept everyone entertained.

And of course, we need a rodeo clown.

Saddle bronc riding.

I have determined that bull riders are a little bit crazy, POCO LOCO.

On the road again, headed for Munds Park AZ. Just outside of Flagstaff.

It was a beautiful Sunday drive and much cooler temperatures.

This was in Winslow AZ, for our Ajijic friends, notice the name of  the hotel.

Here we are "TAKING IT EASY" in Winslow AZ.

Winslow AZ would not be much more than a spot on the map if it were not for the Eagles song, and of course the railroad has a major presence here. The town is well kept and we enjoyed our visit there when passing thru.

We checked into our RV park in Munds Park and headed out Monday morning to Phoenix to visit old friends of Belinda's. Belinda went to barber school with here friend Dee.

It didn't take long to get very hot once we left the flagstaff area. It was 109 degrees when we headed back up the mountain to Munds Park.

This beautiful plant was growing along side a street in Phoenix.

Belinda's friend Dee cutting her hair. Dee and here husband Harry own a hair salon in the Phoenix area.

Signs everywhere around Flagstaff telling us to watch for Elk, these are the only ones we have seen.

Where we are parked in Munds Park.

ON OUR WAY TO BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

This was our first night on the road after leaving McAllen Texas. We are in Del Rio TX.  across the highway from Amistad Reservoir . This was an OK , RV park, good for an overnight stay. We used our Passport America membership card and got  a very good price of $19.00 The electricity to run the air conditioners was appreciated.

A little part of the Amistad reservoir, you can see the water is way down.

Along the highway driving into Big Bend. Lots and lots of nothing.

Cactus outside of the visitor center at Big Bend.

We had  to pass through this tunnel to get to our RV spot in Big Bend NP.

The view from in front of our RV parked at Big Bend. When Belinda was doing the check in the attendant told her that the temperature in the shade was 112 degrees. I think he was correct. We are not sure that we have ever felt anything quite so hot.

These Buzzards were on one of the hookup posts a few spots from ours. Wonder if they knew something we didn't.

There were a lot of cactus in bloom, and others that were very colorful.

We went on a short hike to an overlook of the Rio Grande river. It was morning and tolerable temperature.

Roadrunners everywhere. BEEP BEEP

The Big Bend NP has a fire department, they were practicing.

Lots of different rock formations.

This one is called Mule Ears.

We don't think pictures do justice to the beauty of the mountains in the park.

A cut in the mountain that the Rio Grande flows through.

Another road thru the park where there was actually some green vegetation.

We found an oasis in this desert National Park. This was at the Big Bend Lodge. They had three different beers on tap from the Big Bend Brewing Co. in Alpine TX.

We drove out of the park on the West side and then drove back into the park. We were glad the AC was working good int the car. Another HOT day.

Our RV park was near the Rio Grande, on our last evening these wild pigs,  came walking out of the woods and across the parking lot.

I think they are called Javolina.

Lots of  Jackrabbits. 

I hiked so much that I had a blowout in my 2 year old Teva's

Our anniversary May 9th  out to a movie and dinner. It was 9 years.

Memorial Day at our RV park in Edinburg, TX. They have a tribute court there.

The Court Of Honor is well done.

There was a short ceremony that was put together by Stan, a Korean war Veteran. He asked me to take part in the ceremony. He really did a good job. Likely there was not a dry eye there.

Letters were read that were written by some of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial plaques purchased by residents.  Several of us went to the American Legion post in McAllen TX for their annual Memorial Day picnic. We had a great day.