Goodale Creek Campground | BLM | California

This was a very scenic campground, snow dusting all the mountains.  Another nice BLM campground, but at least when I was there, not many campers. 

Snow was all over the mountain peaks, but down at land level, things were in bloom.

We had some windy days, but not too bad, so things were comfortable.  And the scenery was great.

 

Don't know if this was for a pet or what - but it was behind one of the campsites.

 

These little burros were hanging out on the road near the campground.

The town of Independence is nearby, but not very big.  It has a few impressive buildings like this old hotel which is now a B & B.

This was for sale, and looked very nice.

 

You'd think the town was massive, with this huge court house, but it's the county seat.

 

I took a drive up to the Ancient Bristlecone National Monument, but at 8,000 I was starting to get a bit of a headache because of the elevation. 

 

The scenery was great.

Gigantic trees - I think this is a Juniper.

 

 

I have never seen a lizard that was totally black and this one didn't really want to pose.

And a winding road all the way down.

 

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.......

 

 

 

 

City of Rocks State Park | New Mexico

 

Sometime way back about 40 million years ago, there was a volcanic eruption in area of the southwest corner of what is now New Mexico.  This was the first step in producing what is now called the City of Rocks.  New Mexico has made it a State Park, one of many wonderful parks in New Mexico. 

 

Following are more photos of these amazing rock formations.

 

Camping spots are nestled in among the rocks, creating private spots.

 

I love that "small" rock balanced on top.

 

Another good balancing act......

 

While I was there, someone in the visitor center told me about some Kit Foxes that have been hanging around the building, as well as the campground.  I had been waiting for them to show, and just as I was walking to my truck to leave, I saw this one come out of a drainage culvert.

 

I was so excited, I kept taking photos of her sitting in the sun, a few are shown below.

She got bored at one time, and then settled down for a nap.

The nap only lasted a few seconds. 

She didn't seem afraid of people, but got a little skittish if I moved close.