Time with the Countermines

Our time in Tennessee is always so special because we know we’re going to be spending time with friends, Terry and Sandy Countermine. This time was no exception. We even got to spend time with Barbara Smith, a storyteller and Terry’s sister Phyllis. 

Walks at Persimmon Hill, a quilt shop visit and a walk through Jonesborough, good food, snuggles with the dogs, and shared stories rounded out our time. 

A National Historic Site, then across Oklahoma into Arkansas.

We headed east on I-40 and stopped to visit Washita Battlefield National Historic Site. We learned that Peace Chief Black Kettle was attacked by Lt. Col. George Custer. This was a very controversial attack. At the time it was hailed as a significant victory but many Indians and whites labeled it a massacre. 

Windmills were a very useful tool for settlers. 

As we were driving East, we saw the newer windmill. They were all along I-40. The clouds were fluffy behind the windmill. 

The western towns’ “ skyscrapers” are either water towers or graineries. 

Tonight we’ll stay at a Corps of Engineers campground in Arkansas, a beautiful, restful place. 

There was a nice hike through the woods in the campground. 

The weather was perfect. We sat outside looking at the lake till about 9:30 (late for us!). 

Next morning, we visited Fort Smith. A lot of history started here with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. There were actually two Fort Smiths. As white men were moving into the native American territory, the first fort tried to keep peace between the Cherokees and the Osage in the Arkansas River Valley. This fort eventually fell into disrepair. 

About 10 years later, the second fort was built as a supply depot since the Arkansas River was there. Steamboats ran from St Louis and New Orleans with supples. After the Civil War, the fort was closed. 

Wagon to haul prisoners to court. 

The gallows. 

Continuing our travels, we headed for Tennessee. We spent the night in Murfreesboro at a Harvest Host Winery, Centurt Farm. After a wine tasting with generous pours, we bought 4 bottles!  

Up early, we visited one last battlefield, Stones River. I had not heard of this battlefield before but found it in my Passport to National Parks book. 

We learned this fierce 3-day battle provided a much needed boost to the North in the Civil War. 

When we woke up, we saw our first dew and fog in a month. 

On our way to visit Terry and Sandy Countermine, we also got to see some colorful leaves. 

Leaving New Mexico and heading East

It’s hard to leave New Mexico with the blue skies and interesting places to stay and cut, but we need to be back East for the Halloween weekend for a demolition derby that Ryan and Bo will be driving cars. 

As we were driving east on I-40, we were surprised to see fields of cotton. 

Tonight we will stay at Black Kettle Grasslands, a nature preserve of over 30,000 acres of grassland used for cattle grazing, hiking, camping and fishing. We boondocked at the Skip Out Campground, along a small lake, near Cheyenne, Oklahoma. 

Had a very peaceful, relaxing night. 

Tomorrow we’ll continue heading east. 

Santa Fe and Pecos Pueblo NP

Leaving Whites City, we headed north near Santa Fe. We stayed at the Cochiti Lake Campground, a Core of Engineers (COE) campground on the Cochiti Reservation. Beautiful spot overlooking the lake. 

We hiked a trail along the dam that the COE created as flood control for the Rio Grande. 

Then headed for Sante Fe to walk around the city window shopping at the beautiful SW colors of jewelry and pottery. 

We stopped at Burrito Alley for a beer and met some ladies from Wisconsin who told us about Pecos Pueblo National Park. So after I had my fill of all the beautiful turquoise jewelry and pottery, we headed a little more north to see what this National Park had to offer. 

We had not heard of this one. We were very pleasantly surprised to find a trail that wound around where the Pecos people had lived and prospered for many years. As you can see, dogs were allowed to walk with us so they got a hike and we learned more history. 

Sunset tonight was pretty. 

Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains

Left White Sands early Monday morning and drove up through the mountains and Canyons. Scenic drive for sure. The terrain changed several times from desert with no trees to trees and then back to desert. 

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Camped at Whites City Campground, 7 miles from the caverns

Ate an early dinner and headed to the caverns for the Bat Program. From April to October, about 500,000 Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats come swooping and swirling out of the caverns at dusk, go gather their food and return to the cavern just before sunrise. It was a great spectacle to see. Since we weren’t allowed to take photos, I bought a postcard so I could show you how they come out of the cave entrance. 

Next morning we headed back in to the caverns for a trip down in among all the stalactites and stalagmites. Huge cavern. We explored for over 2 hours. Once again, too many pictures but here are a few plus a video. 

Bill is standing next to a stalagmite to show how tall it is. 

Here’s a video as I was walking:

a walk down in the cavern

Found out that the town of Whites City is named from the explorer, Jim White. Can you imagine rappelling down into the cave and finding all that beauty!

After that, we drove down to the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, just about 45 miles south. 

Unfortunately, we couldn’t hike anywhere with the dogs but we did drive up the McKitrick Canyon. 

This is a plant that gets fluffy flowers, similar to the dandelion) Don’t know what it is but I like it’s delicate, fluffy fronds as they blow in the wind. 

Last night here at Whites City, waiting for the sun to set over the Guadalupe Mountains, the town and desert of White’s City. 

Day 2 Sunday in White Sands

Today we hiked over 4 miles up a d down the dunes. I think this has been my most interesting hike ever. We were in our bare feet, with the cool sand coming up between our toes. Lenny had a good time but he was tired when we were through. Had to put Banjo in the backpack so he didn’t eat sand.

Look at the tree roots that are exposed because the sand has shifted. 

Tomorrow we are headed to Carlsbad Caverns and Guadeloupe Mountains.