McGaffs On The Fly

Ranger Gap State Park

After almost a week of living in splendor with a real roof over our head, Little Al beckoned us back to spend the rest of our trip enjoying what RV life has to offer. I haven’t told him yet that it may be full time, I guess I’ll break the news to him when I let Joanie know.

We made our way northwest to check out parts of CO we have never been to. Our current home address is Rifle Gap State Park, please feel free to stop by anytime but you may want to call first. If you can’t find the park on Google look up the Correction Facility, it’s right down the road…great neighbors so far.

Off the grid, we’ll see how long this last.

Home…for now.

My feet have never been so happy.

Question…who does it better? Answer…it isn’t me so who cares!

Avon Calling

The “Joanie Only Turns 60 Once World Tour” continued when we met at Jeff & Susan’s house in Avon, Colorado. We were joined by not one or two, but five beautiful ladies who all celebrated their 60th this past year. Little known to me but obviously a fact, if you celebrate a major birthday in a pandemic year it doesn’t count until the next…who knew?!

Our time in Avon was typical for a bunch of retirees who have nothing better to do; hiking, eating, and drinking were on the agenda every day. Highlight of each night was game night where our children would be proud of us for showing so much “spirit” and “fight”. Interpretations of rules and how we should change the rules were discussed openly…look for our better versions soon.

Birthday month is slowly coming to a close and we’re back on our own…don’t answer the door, it may be us!

Friendly Avon resident offering exercise advice.

Little Al resting in neighbors driveway.

Jeff & Susan’s house and wonderful view.

It’s my birthday…it’s my birthday…it’s my birthday.

Beer tasting, I know one of them won just can’t remember which.

Jeff the Jeep driver.

Jeep rider, “Have you been doing this long?”

Jeff the Jeep driver, “No, I’m actually a doctor.”

Jeep rider, “Oh that’s nice, how long before we get off Space Mountain?”

Enjoying a Tyrannosaurus leg.

Kids will be kids.

Home is Where The Heart Is (Heart = Airstream)

Well we did it, we officially became homeless when the crazy housing market demanded that we sell our River House and take to the open road. Joanie and I are just a little nervous about it but Little Al couldn’t be any more excited to hang with us on our new adventure. Keep in mind, though, Little Al is a trailer.

We left our house on August 12 and have been on the road since with plans to stay in Colorado for most of our trip. We recreated our previous northwestern adventure with a stop in Santa Fe along the way where the temperature made us ask again, “why do we live in 95+ heat if we have a choice?”

The highlight of leg 1 of our trip (no idea how many legs there will be) was celebrating Joanie’s 60th birthday in Pagosa Springs. We were able to convince eight of our closest friends and to join us for the event and Joanie couldn’t have been any happier. Our beautiful daughter Brett made a guest appearance to recreate her original birthday where she spent her first day in Humana Women’s Hospital with her JoJo. KayLane and Tom were more than gracious to offer their home as the party site, they were unable to attend but we very much appreciate their kindness.

It’s been over two weeks since we left, stay tuned for the “catch up” and updates.

Packing up and leaving one last time. Joanie had to kiss the owl goodbye because…I don’t know, it’s Joanie?!

Searching for “that lost shaker of salt” at an escape room…found it just in time, no help from yours truly.

Garner State Park and Done

Garner State Park was exactly what we expected it to be, another perfect location for Little Al and a hikers paradise. Just like a lot of the parks we have visited, the CCC developed this park and made it the perfect place that it is. It is actually split into two parts, the old section developed by the CCC and the new area developed by the new kids on the block. Old Marco and Joanie prefer the older version, no surprise here.

On our second night there, Wednesday night, there was a knock on the door and Ranger Jose let us know “there is a bad storm a brewing, feel free to get in the bathroom showers if you see any funnel clouds”.

Joanie, “Did he say funnel cloud?”

Marc, “Yes he did, but are we gonna be tough campers or are we gonna run at the first sign of a little rain?”

Long story short, we hooked up Little Al in record time and headed west to “the land of the mall” running full speed ahead of the bad weather. Just an hour behind us the storm tore up the park and every city along Highway 90 with high winds and hail…I am so glad I had the intuition to leave.

Hello Garner.

I love you Mr Tree.

BIG tree.

On the River.

CCC built, it’s not going anywhere soon.

Pretty clouds, but treacherous little suckers.

Look behind me and tell me that…

Hiding from the hail in the land of the malls…Northstar Mall.

Last Day At BB and Onward

We spent the last day at Big Bend enjoying our best hike yet, while here, clambering around Chisos Mountain. While keeping one eye trained on the close ledge, one eye on the path avoiding snakes, and the other two eyes scanning for bears or mountain lions we were able to get to the top in record time. Take away the constant stops for asthma breaks and low blood sugar readings I’m sure it had to be some sort of McGaff record!

Left today for quick stop in Del Rio then on to Gardner State Park to close out this adventure. What can go wrong in our remaining three nights…hang on for details?!

Un sello mas.

To the top…

Oh my.

“Follow me, I think it’s just around the corner.“

“I’m not tired, you’re tired!”

Lunch time.

She just had to go to the top.

Them’s some tired feetsies.

Use 1 calorie = Eat 1.5. Gotta stay ahead.

Gage Hotel in Marathon.

Big Bend

When I was reading up on road trips after retirement I happened upon an article that showed a road trip over 12 months that kept you at under 65 degrees all year. That seemed like a great plan, I would never be in temperature above 80 again!

Au Contraire.

Since we arrived late in the afternoon we didn’t get the memo from Mother Nature about the heat wave in Big Bend. She reminded us about it when we were half way through our hike with a smothering 96 degree slap in the face. It…is…hot…and…dusty.

We have been in Big Bend for two days with hikes along the Rio Grande River and into the beautiful, but hot and dusty, mountains. The Park is massive in size and takes hours to get from one location to the next. Did I mention that it was hot?

Before Boquilles Canyon.

Marc, “If I see a bear out here I’ll kiss your bu##.”

Joanie, “pucker up Big Boy.”

Stop, I see stuff to take pictures of.

Stuff…to buy.

Lunch in Mexico, no passports needed.

Ranger Jane looking at Joan’s new hat, “Ah, you have mule ears.”

Joan in her ever pleasant tone, “Excuse me, I have what?”

RJ, “Your hat logo, it’s the Mule Ears Peaks.”

Joan to Marc, “Just one word, I dare you.”

Marfa

We spent all day yesterday in Marfa, more than enough time to take in and enjoy the whole city. What we thought Truth or Consequences was…Marfa is…an artsy fartsy town with plenty to enjoy. If you plan to buy anything you may want to bring your checkbook, and credit card, and cash, and a second mortgage…mucho dinero.

To cap off our city view, last night we ventured east of town to the observation site for the “Marfa Lights”. When we arrived around 8:30pm, the place was full of RVs, cars, and people all facing south to see if they could be the first to see the lights. When we left around 9:15 neither one of us, nor the older gentlemen bedside us who mentioned “that was a f*#@ing waste of time”, felt like we had seen them. Another older couple beside us, from Louisiana, was beyond thrilled they had seen them. I’m convinced they saw several trucks with headlights coming over the hill, but I wasn’t going to be the one to ruin their thrill.

On to Big Bend today but first stop in Alpine to buy a new water hose…it’s always the small things.

We’re here.

Great food and Giant memorabilia.

Best burrito in town.

The looking glass.

At the laundromat.

So fine.

At the observation site.

“Follow me, I think it’s colder and windier over here.”

The story.

West Texas sky.

Davis Mountains

After another long drive we ended up at Davis Mountains State Park, we were able to get the last spot available. Without a doubt we both agree that the best spots and pricing are state and national parks. The views and space that they provide cannot be matched by the KOA or Good Sam Boys, we just have to plan accordingly to guarantee our spots. Therefore and henceforth looks like more KOA’s in our future…blah, blah, blah.

Since we have arrived in the area, the winds have greeted us with a standing ovation of a cyclone speed breeze. It really seems to mess with Joanie’s do but it doesn’t bother mine at all, go figure. We just came from an hour long session with the sweet lady at the Visitor Center, we had a hard time getting her to open up, she guarantees that the wind will settle down tonight…we’ll see. Two nights in Marfa, hope to have a “Giant” of a time.

There’s no place like home.

Forrest Gump just passed us.

Davis Mountains State Park.

Hey Little Al, we’re up here.

FYI…no label for the huge doves because they are big bullies.

Bullying is never OK!

No revenge today, just purty girls.

Can’t get enough hikes in.

Yep, that’s us.

Joanie again.

A very serious Ranger Bob stamping Joanie’s passbook.

Because we had to.

Good news, the front door won’t open!

That’s what we call West Texas Art Bubba.

Only one more.

Little Al is so excited, an exclusive Airstream Camp.

Little Al actually started crying, he is so emotional.

My kind of club.

This guy couldn’t get in.

Hiking Back To Texas

We left our gracious hosts and are starting our trip back to Texas with many stops along the way, we will be back in Spring Branch on the 29th. Just as we knew it would be, making last minute reservations for RV parking on weekends creates an “opportunity” to stay at places we may have never considered…so far so good though.

We stopped south of Sedona for a couple of nights to view the sights there, beautiful area apparently but not a hidden gem, seems everyone in Arizona was there. We are now just southeast of Tucson at one of those RV stops we may have passed by…it’s, uh, ok.

Stop in Sedona.

Can’t get enough hikes in, and apparently no one can keep a secret.

Catch up Marc, you’re slowing me down.

Just give me a second, I want to build a 3’ cairn.

Let’s take some of their money before we leave…maybe next time.

Did someone say pie?!

Marc, “I think I’ve had enough pie!”

It’s Dorothy heading home, home, home.

It’s a one way 45 minute drive to see a lot of cactus…a…lot.

A lot…and big too.

No Joanie, I am not climbing that.

Home for the night, we’ve decided to pass on Tombstone, Clark.

Zion

Spectacular is the only way to describe the views at Zion. Since we were unable to actually go into the Canyon, the first tram tickets available were August, we took a nice hike to the overlook. Although a short mile plus hike, we were still able to see the beautiful cliffs and enjoy the near death experience of falling off one.

Since that was not enough of a hike for our guest hosts, we drove the short distance from their home to Snow Canyon State Park and took another short hike around the lava covered land. That short hike turned into a 4+ mike hike when yours truly complained about trudging through the soft sand and the detour added the extra miles. Think that will keep me from complaining…think again.

Heading back south, 5+ hour trip to Sedona before deciding on next stop before Marfa on the 20th.