Van now in USA (1 Viewer)

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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Los Alamos ,New Mexico 7 November


A day of contrast between man's understanding of his world six hundred years ago to seventy years ago.

This morning spent walking the ruins of Bandelier National Monument .You can explore the ancestral Pueblo dwellings in the steep canyon.Climbing ladders to reach the dug out rooms and view the wall paintings .

We jump from cave living to the Atomic Bomb Laboratory in Los Alamos only twenty minutes away in the afternoon.

We passed through security to enter town for the museum.Very interesting dealing with the historical aspects of the Manhattan Project to present day nuclear armaments and the role of the scientist's today.

Parked right in middle of town on some waste land and cheekely plan to overnight .Hope security does not knock in the night.If they do then plan B is to drive 50 mins to Sam's Club in Santa Fe.
 
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Isn't McDonald great for wifi
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OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Albuquerque ,New Mexico 8 November


All quite last night,no security.

One hour drive and we arrived in Santa Fe.A shock to be told by a parking attendant the cost for the day was 50 dollars ! or 35 for four hours.

I gave him my east London reply and drove out.

At the visitor centre we parked for free.

A nice small city more like a town .The State Capitol building is fairly new in a circular shape holding an extensive art collection throughout its three floors.Look carefully aye the Bison ,it's made from all sorts such as gas rings,plastic spoons,brushes,etc.
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Then a short walk in to the main plaza and visiting the oldest church in the USA.The San Miguel Mission was built in 1610 so older than our St Paul's in London,who would have thought it.The small house next door makes the same claim of oldest in the country.A well known building in the plaza itself called the Governors Palace,you guessed it, claims to be the oldest public used building in the country.Some excellent bronze statues for sale out of the many studios.

The St Francis Cathedral let's the side down being less than 200 years old.

Another warm,blue sky day for our exploration finishing with a one hour drive to Sam's Club in Albuquerque by sunset.

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OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Elephant Butte SP ,New Mexico 9/10/11November


On the 9th we drove south a few hours to take a break at Elephant Butte State Park.A nice clean private campsite outside the NP entrance wanted 40 dollars night whilst the pitch we had inside the park with views cost 8 dollars.Obviously in high season they take the overspill but they did have customers.

At last on the 10th we took the cycles out .So hard to find safe cycling it seems ages since we last used them.Unfortunatly the SP had limited tarmac roads,mostly dirt ,so we ventured out in to the very quiet town if you can call it a town.Mostly taken up with RV and boat storage.

There is a style of boat ,they call it a barge,that appeals to me.Basicly two metal tubes support a platform with outboard but loads of room for a family or friends use.I don't remember seeing such craft at home in the UK .

The NP surrounding a reservoir in a dry landscape feels just like a winter wild camp in Spain.

Our day of departure on Sunday , Veterans Day, was so hot and sunny we lounged and left at 2 pm.Went to the smart RV site mentioned earlier to use their laundry.

Whilst here we met a nice couple .He is a artist ,a very good one,and she writes various books.A good old chat over our mutual interest of travelling.

It's funny how friendly and open some people are and she insisted on giving us signed copies of two books she had written for Yellowstone Park.A children's book and a cookery book.

They live Montana and are snowbirds here till spring.If we wanted to house sit anytime or visit we are welcome.
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OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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2002
El Paso , Texas 12 November


Enroute today everyone had to pull through a checkpoint.We had visas checked and told to expect more checking as we are close to Mexico.Made our way across White Sands Missile Range where the famous Trinity test site is located for the first nuclear explosion.

The White Sands National Monument was like driving in a winter snow landscape.Not sand but gypsum desert.

On to the Space Museum in Alamogordo which due to renovation had less to display but still worth the visit.

The plan was to stop there for the night but with temperature to fall -7 in night the -3 in El Paso tempted us back on the road for the 1.5 HR drive.Arrived in dark to amazing sight of endless city lights .No high rise but a vast area lit up for as far as you could see.
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Mikey RV

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Mar 7, 2010
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Thanks for taking the time to tell about your travels and post pics. I find it really interesting. Would love to do it. (y)

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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Writing this on a tea break enroute east from El Paso after an eventfull morning.I decided to visit the Border Memorial Park promising nice walks.Did not realise it was next to the border bridge.Of course I take a wrong turn off the highway and find myself at the bridge with LEAVING USA sign.Pulled on to a tight spot quickly and walked to a check point.The park was actually next to us seen through a fence.Thankfully they were fine and stopped traffic for a U turn.Phew!

The bridge was packed with vehicle's coming from Mexico which I read this morning is one of the most dangerous urbanisation in the world.

Those pretty lights across the Rio Grande last night hide a dark history.

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makems

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Sep 23, 2011
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Quite a few years ago we were in an RV in Joshua Tree National Park and there is a border crossing there. We decided we would visit Mexico just to say we had been but because the insurance didn't cover Mexico we parked on the US side of the border and walked across. There was no barrier or fence in fact you wouldnt have known you were crossing the border if it wasnt for a small sign at the side of the road.
We walked for a couple of miles and saw nothing of interest and as it was Sunday the couple of stores we passed were shut. We turned round and walked back to the van.
ever since we have been to say “we went to Mexico once but it was shut”
 
OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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There was a time when vans could cross and return easily.Now though we have been told its high risk as a the border officer has final say if you can return .They now prefer a long stay away, possibly as much as six months equal to your six months visa in USA.
Stops a quick border crossing to gain a new six months visa.

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OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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A LONG DIARY ENTRY IF YOU WANT TO READ ,no pics poor wi-fi.

Great drive in to the low hills along super straight roads with virtually no traffic.Below freezing tonight but as we are 6,000 ft with clear skies we should have a lovely starry night.

Can't forget that film Texas Chainsaw Massacre about a van full of people in a lonely part of Texas !


Big Bend NP , Texas Nov 14 15
After a good overnight spot at a picnic site outside Fort Davis we visited the old fort. Apparently one of the best preserved in the country.Various buildings set around a large parade ground housing 400 men and officers along with stables to house 300 horses.Having now seen a number of forts ,none are like my boyhood memories derived from Hollywood of wooden palasade and soldiers on guard on the parapet.
Close by is the Fort Davis State Park.A small area but good views from the highpoint of skyline drive.A short walking trail up a steep hill was treacherous due to sliding on loose gravel ,it was described by a park ranger as easy.
Set off for the town of Marfa to view the famous Lights of Marfa.These mysterious intermittent lights have been witnessed since 1886 on the far horizon.No proven explaination to their origin brings in the tourists.Our particular night they did not appear but the wife is convinced she saw one white light floating down.Wild camping at the viewing area eight miles east of town allowed us to stay warm watching through our windows till midnight.Unlike the poor souls freezing outside with their blankets

The next day taken with driving south and then east along the Rio Grande river to Big Bend NP.
The river being the boundary with Mexico . Amusing to view Mexico for the next few hours across the river to our right.Sometimes there would be villages and a very easy crossing possible over the narrow river.No signs of border patrols along our fifty mile drive so no difficulty to enter the USA it seems.
Great scenery along this less travelled approach to the NP.So remote it is the least visited park in the park system.We have wild camped just outside the entrance as we want to visit the ghost town of first .


Big Bend NP , Texas 16 November

A visit to Terlingia town first for its ghost town.Did not really see much in the way of a ghost town ,more a spread of small , untidy hit like homes interspersed with old caravans all in use.Found the old church but the central feature being the original stores and theatre .The stores still a shop and the theatre is the bar and restaurant.Looks a promising location for a evening out with the locals.

Big Bend has great scenery and we managed to get on to a campsite that was not full for this Thanksgiving week (Thursday) ,the other two all booked up.Camped next to the Rio Grande for 14 dollars ,not bad.


Big Bend NP , Texas 17 November

A nice lazy day driving the scenic road and taking short hikes on trails.The temperature hit 24 deg ! We have left the park to overnight outside the Terlingia bar to hopefully have a atmospheric night out in this strange place.The dusty car park is packed,maybe because of the live music on this Saturday night with a finish of 1 am, so we are parked just a little way out on wasteland.

Although a rustic place they charge 11 dollars for a Margarita so I'm shaking in my boots what a beer will cost !Watch this space.


SPACE


Well,it was something of a disappointment.The interior was certainly atmospheric but not the atmosphere I anticipated.

Once used as a theatre for the miners it had retained the old feel.We went in about 9 pm and it was virtually empty.All the customers had eaten their meals and scarpered.

The two musicians were good but not using the stage and the dance floor occupied with tables.

Had hoped for a noisy party night with locals.

The people living here are certainly leading different lifestyles to other area's.One lady got in to a long conversation after realising her English husband had lived near our UK residence.

She met him whilst a singer in Brixton and he was a group member of UK SUBS ,I thought the name familier?

They purchased 6 acres with a basic property for 6,000 dollars as ,in her words,this place is the closest you can get to the old West.Our experience would not disaggree.She explained law enforcement here is a casual affair with young offenders more often than not dragged to their parents for punishment rather than the courts.Many vehicles are not insured and mostly not road worthy !

Anyway,back in van by 11 pm not the planned 1 am.
 

miketdt

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Nov 12, 2018
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Good luck looking forward to following this thread, have looked into shipping from Southampton Docks but understood vehicle needed to be empty of everything right down to knives and forks. Would be interested where you took insurance out?
 
OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Good luck looking forward to following this thread, have looked into shipping from Southampton Docks but understood vehicle needed to be empty of everything right down to knives and forks. Would be interested where you took insurance out?

The broker was
sue@thuminsurance.com

The cover is Prime Insurance
rmd@primeis.com

These came through Seabridge .Not cheap,for six months 2800 dollars .The insurance company specialising in unusual risks.Tried vehicle insurance companies ,about four,did not even get a reply.

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thebriars

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Oct 20, 2018
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Just caught up with this topic. Brings back lots of memories, as we've been to many of the places you describe. We have been to the US and Canada a number of times, hiring motorhomes each time for between 4 and 8 weeks. Our last visit was a couple of years ago and we hired a brand new PVC which caused much interest among the locals. It was brilliant to drive in the US. In terms of costs, a 3000 mile trip in Canada and north west USA cost us just under £5000. This cost included air fares from our local airport, hire of the motorhome and all extras, all campground fees (we did not wild camp) and cost of fuel, and gas. Before each of these trips, I spend the autumn and winter researching a journey with a large map pinned to the notice board, and wrote up a detailed route plan. This last trip ended up with a 150 page route plan which I had spiral bound. By doing lots of research we were able to find all sorts of things to view rarely printed in travel guides. Some like following their noses, but we found we packed far more into the holiday by careful planning. It was almost like 2 holidays in one! Generally we did about 200 miles a day, with rest days built in. Nearly all the campgrounds were in national or state parks and cost $10 - $15 a night. They can usually be booked on line and you also choose your pitch. Some popular NPs such as Yosemite and Yellowstone must be booked in advance. Yosemite books out for the season within 15 minutes of the booking window opening.
 
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Hi thebriars
We see quite a few PVC when in NP or SP campsites often on Mercedes .You are certainly very organised compared to us.We do check out info on artivar to areas so think we catch anything of interest to us.We do miss the occasional town parade or festival through not planning ahead but have fallen upon two State Fairs.
One thing we are glad to have organised whilst here is to join the Texas Boomers RV club who meet each month.Good fun to socialise and we will be at their Xmas meet near Houston on 28 November.
 
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Big Bend NP, Texas November 18

A drive back in to Big Bend NP this time on the road to the Rio Grande village .Only two roads approx 20 miles long in to the park with yesterday's road to Castolon.
Parked the van ok on the campsite and used the scooter to access the various tracks.
One of these leads to the official border crossing manned by park rangers. It's a walk across only site and on enquiry he said we would be ok with our UK passports with USA visa.
Problem was we did not have them on us and to collect and return would mean crossing at 2 pm with them closing at 5 pm.On top of that they were closed for the next two days.I could just imagine missing the 5 pm deadline and stuck for two days.We gave it a miss.
Surprising at the other trails on the river that the Mexicans were waiting on the opposite bank with canoe's.So easy to slip across .Also little trinkets left on this side from the Mexican's with a honesty box.
The scooter came good again as a trail to a hot spring was accessible only to 4x4 but our little 125 cc made easy work of it.
Typing this as we prepare for another 1hr hike up a sand dune from camp for a promised good sunset vista.

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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Uvalde,Texas 20 November

We left too late from Big Bend NP so that our destination of Del Rio was not possible before darkness.As the sun set we wild camped just outside the almost deserted town of Langtry.

Not till the next morning did I realise how close to the border of Rio Grande we were.

The town is known for its famous character Judge Roy Bean who proclaimed to be The Law west of the Pecos.

The proprietor of a bar who handed down his own brand of instant justice.

The well stocked visitor centre serves as a museum including his bar/courthouse .

We had more success in Langtry than in Del Rio.The planned winery visit could not accommodate our motorhome .Moved on to play at a golf course found on Google but approached a security gate to Laughlin Air Force Base .A military course only.

We left for Uvalde town and Walmart RV park to leave a short drive to San Antonio.
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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A few sights and signs enroute this morning.
Billboard - WIN A LIFETIMES SUPPLY OF BACON.
Sign- WARNING HITCHIKERS MAY BE ESCAPED CONVICTS.
Shop on highway - TAXIDERMIST .BRING YOUR HUNTS HERE.

On our phones a loud alarm and alert on the screens- CHILD ABDUCTION AT XX TIME,LOCATION.CAR MODEL ,REGISTRATION. This was 350 miles from us but every mobile phone in Texas gets the same alert.

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Apr 26, 2015
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Lets hope the child is found before any harm comes to them. We should have something similar here, it seems the public never hear about these things until several days later.
 
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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San Antonio, Texas 22 November

Having bicycles and scooter to get around on this trip has really paid off.Today we used the bikes for the 12 mile round trip on the river cycleway in to downtown.We usually leave our Walmart overnights for a local park with parking to access the closest location to a city centre.Locked them up outside the Alamo.The downtown river walk was very pleasant ,lots of bars and restaurants.

They have a lighting up festival tomorrow along with the boats.Debating to stay on another day for it but probably move on.Big crowds apparently,not my thing.

The Alamo was a must see and although there is virtually no original buildings left apart from the mission facade it's what it all represents that is interesting.

Although it's Thanksgiving today the crowds were ok.Lots of young military in uniform with parents visiting .

Mild temperatures today for visiting one of the best downtowns on this trip
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mojo
May 1, 2009
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Two hours drive south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Corpus Christ is a very large area on the coast which took all day checking out the various area's of interest on the coastline.We assume it felt quiet due to Black Friday.Driving on the through highway at 5 pm the car parks were still full at the shopping malls.This morning we have settled on a quiet coastline road near Rockport.Will cycle in and around town today.

Weather is cloudy but warm.

Still a lot of damage to repair after last year's hurricane.
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OP
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mojo
May 1, 2009
1,005
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Palacios,Texas 25 November

Just making progress today eastwards to Galveston on the Gulf . Checking put places as we went.Arriving at Indianola we came across a free camping beach.A first on our travels to see others wild camping.

Decided to stay for the afternoon and night but by 3pm it was blowing hard.Moved on a hour to a riverside public park in Palacios that will suffice for tonight.
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