Art and Margaritas in Carlsbad, New Mexico

April 27, 2025

We took a quick stroll around Carlsbad, NM one evening in search of the town’s public artworks. They have an amazing plaza and arts center that has several murals and statues, but also a few murals around other parts of town. Even the police logo is artwork! Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner with margaritas!

Exploring Carlsbad Caverns: Underground Wonders

April 24, 2025

The main event for us while staying in Carlsbad was Carlsbad Caverns National Park .
Did you know that the Big Room in Carlsbad Caverns is the largest single cave chamber by volume. But this doesn’t make it the biggest cave system! That record goes to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky (longest cave system in the world!)

Little Free Libraries: Finding Book Magic on the Road

April 23, 2025

As a full-time RVer, we usually read our books on tablets but Kate always has to snap a shot of the Little Free Libraries wherever we go! Did you know that there are over 200,000 LFL worldwide?

Goodbye Texas hello New Mexico!

April 21, 2025

Travel day again! We have arrived in Carlsbad, NM! Total time in Texas was 3 months + 1 week.
Carlsbad is still in the Chihuahuan Desert , so the landscape is very similar to Terlingua, TX.

There is so much amazing hiking in the Big Bend area

April 19, 2025

There is so much amazing hiking in the Big Bend area! On one of our last days here, we hiked the Closed Canyon Trail , a trail in Big Bend Rank State Park, about 20 miles west of where we stayed.

Chisos Mountains: Desert to Forest in 4000 Feet

April 17, 2025

Our fourth trip to Big Bend during our stay in Terlingua, TX led us up the Chisos Mountains to a second visitor center. As you head up the mountain, you see the landscape change from desert to forest. It’s a slow change, but once you realize the change, you’re awestruck!

Peregrine Falcons of Big Bend: Nature's Fastest Hunters

April 16, 2025

While reading up on Big Bend, we found out that from February through May each year, parts of the park are closed to protect the nesting Peregrine falcons . These incredible birds were listed as an endangered species until 1999 and are still considered a threatened species in Texas.

Santa Elena Canyon: Big Bend's Toughest Trail

April 15, 2025

The Santa Elena Canyon hike itself is about two miles, but the first part of the hike is difficult to get to. We walked through a dry creek bed, then climbed up the 6’ tall sand walls of the creek bed to get to the trail. Once on the trail, it was a vertical climb up the north canyon wall with switchbacks in full sun and without much in the way of handrails!

Big Bend National Park Part IV

April 14, 2025

Back at Big Bend National Park again! Today we decided to take Maverick Road (unpaved and not maintained year round) down to Santa Elena Canyon for a hike. We stopped at several locations along the way to the canyon, including Luna’s Jacal . It’s amazing that this mud and ocotillo built structure is still standing, as its resident, Gilbert Jacal, passed away in 1947 at 108 years old!