Palo Duro Canyon State Park | Texas

Palo Duro Canyon has been compared to the Grand Canyon by some people.  The big difference is that you're down among the rock formations, instead of standing on the rim.  There isn't really a rim. 

 

The spire in the photo above is at the very end of the formation in the first photo, but it doesn't show on the first photo because it's so massive.

 

Unfortunately, it was mostly very overcast the day I went, so the photos don't seem to be as striking as they usually are.  Light quality does make a difference!

 

 

Toward the late afternoon, the sunny skies appeared, finally.

 

 

 

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was here in the 1930s and helped build the roads through the park.  This chimney is a remnant of the village where the workers lived.

 

 

In the visitor center, a room is set aside for exhibits on the CCC, this jukebox got my attention!

 

Since this is Texas, they do things in a big way.  These flood gauges were all through the park.  It must have rained quite a bit the previous day, because I had to drive through some wet spots in the road.  This area is all red rock and soil, so the standing water was all reddish.  Unfortunately, it got on the truck and caked on before I got a chance to hose it down.  It took me well over an hour to get all the mud of.  The wheel wells were the worst and I was a bit soggy when I finished.

 

 

Jack Sizemore | RV Museum | Amarillo | Texas

 

This is the RV that was in the Robin Williams' movie "RV" and it was made in 1948 it's called a Flxible.  And that's the way the spelled it on the sign.

 

 

Probably the oldest one in the collection is this car camper - the back opens up as you'll see in the photo following.

 

 

Family Motor Coach of 1976.

 

 

Jack is the man who purchased these vehicles and restored them.  His business is, of course, selling RVs and parts.  I got a few parts from him and the price wasn't outrageous like some places are.

 

 

Whoever owned this rig certainly did lots of traveling - in many areas of the world. 

 

From 1936.

 

They had pop-ups back in the 1930s.

 

VW vans really got some camping experience.

 

Truck campers are quite popular now, and this is one of the last of these made in 1970.

 

I have seen something similar to this next one - the entire top half of the trailer slides down (see the wheel in the front) so it's half the height while traveling.

I didn't get inside this one, but they say it's the oldest Airstream, called the Torpedo, from the 1930s.

 

A cute little trailer, and they're starting the make new "retro" ones similar to this.

 

Everyone knows airstream.

 

 

 

For the bike enthusiast, there were some shiny models of all kinds and ages.

 

 

 

 

 

Including this one from the early 1900s - with a sidecar on the left side.  The sign says it's one of two that were known to exist, so obviously quite rare.

 

 

Harley Davidson from 1942, used in World War II.

 

 

Just for fun, they had some nostalgia items that weren't RV related.

 

 

 

 

Ute Lake State Park | New Mexico

 

Reeds and cattails are growing in this section of the lake.

 

 

This is not a very good photo of my campsite, but it shows how LONG it is - my truck is at the back, and I could put at least one more big truck back there.  It's great for people who bring in boats on trailers, as well as a huge Class A towing a huge trailer.  It's a shame not to have a boat here.

 

 

These people found their own private peninsula for their camping.

 

The park has about 5 entrances, some quite far from the main one, as the lake is 13 miles long.  Only two of the campgrounds have electric hookups.  These are some scenes from the south entrances. 

 

The lake has a very convoluted shoreline and there are many coves to visit - to see the entire lake would require a boat and lots of time.

 

 

When I came here, I had no idea you could get campsites right on the water.

 

The little town has it's own draw, they have some old abandoned buildings, like most of these towns do.  There is a decent little grocery store and other establishments.

 

The area is filled with marine places, storage and supplies - this is just the most eye-catching.

 

 

After the monsoon season was almost over, we did have a couple of nice sunsets.  This was after a couple of days with no storms.......