Sorry that there were not more photos in my last post, it takes some time to transfer photos from my phone to the computer, then upload them to the blog with slow connectivity. I can only do that with WiFi at the Ranger station, and I had a bunch of stuff to do online when I was there. One of those items was a proof of a feature article I wrote for the Escapees Magazine. I am now 3 for 3 submitting articles and having them published. I even get paid for it. Anyway, by the time I did that, dumped trash and recyclables, got cleaned up, got my permit, chatted up the park staff, I had been in the parking lot over a 1 & 1/2 hours, so no time to upload more than one photo.
Here are more pics of my time at Pila Montoya 3 campsite.
Answers to some questions.
1- Scott did a great job defining a two track road here is a photo of a very good section of 2 track.
2- I have 200 watts of solar on the roof.
3- I don’t carry a gun. I have a number of friends who believe I should, I am giving it serious thought but not for a place like BBNP or BBRSP, more for those occasions when I might be near a city. The backcountry is still a very safe place. First of all, there is no one out here. Except for the dozen people I have seen at the Ranger station, I have only seen 3 people in 6 days at my various camps, the mountain bikers I previously mentioned, and only 5 people hiking. As much as the media would have people believe the entire US Mexico border is the wild west, it's not really. The Border is dangerous near the major smuggling routes, but this wilderness area is not that. The country side is too mountainous and the desert is too vast.
4- I Don’t know why Scott or Mary couldn’t read the last post it was there, sometimes the link doesn’t land on the actual post and you have to go to it.
I finally remembered the Airdrop feature, and so now I can transfer the photos from my phone before I have WiFi.
I did learn some stuff that might be of interest to some of you. The park has a Bunk House which rents for $37 per person plus the park’s entrance fee. It is closed now due to Covid. The Bunk House has a huge kitchen and dining area for guests. The Ranch House is no longer for rent, and is closed indefinitely due to many needed repairs. The park has an airstrip, called Sprague Field. The airstrip is paved and is open to private planes. The staff told me that before Covid, folks would fly in with a reservation at the Bunkhouse and somebody would shuttle them back and forth to the airstrip. So, Sue and Jim, keep that in mind if you are ever flying around West Texas. Of course, without a car or mountain bikes, you’d be limited to wherever you could walk. There was a plane parked and tied down on the apron, but it was missing it’s prop. That must be West Texas security, can’t steal a plane without its prop. No Scott, it’s not a jet. :)
I wasn’t planning to take another day off, but by Noon on Wednesday it was 80 degrees and full sun, so I wimped out and didn’t do any hiking. It was very pleasant sitting in the shade, with a nice breeze and reading a book.
Wednesday night was spent at La Posta campsite. It was nice, but nothing like my prior two campsites. This only gets 2 stars. No Privy, no awesome view and not very level, hence the ramp up to five leveling blocks. The universe supplied the ramp; I built it with left behind firewood. My buddy Dave donated the yellow blocks a couple of years ago. Thanks Dave.
It has been extremely restful here at BBRSP. I haven’t read any news since Sunday and its been nice not knowing what’s going on out in the world. I neglected to mention that BBRSP is an international dark place, or whatever they call it. When I turn out the lights in Enzo, there is zero artificial light, so now that the moon isn’t rising as early and also heading towards a new moon, the stars have been incredible.
I decided that next winter, I’m bringing my mountain bike to BBRSP, it’s currently at CORA. I doubt that I will ride the single track trails with it, but the 4WD roads would be nice. BBRSP, was really setup as a mountain bike area. There are very few trails that go to peaks, most trails ramble though the desert, through washes and across ridge lines, so ideal for mountain bikes.
Friday, today, I leave the interior of the park and will camp at Upper Madera Campground on a small mesa next to the river. I’ll spend 2 nights there, without any form of connectivity, I passed the campground on the way here and checked. Then Sunday I’ll head home to hopefully watch Tom Brady get his 7th Super Bowl ring. So this will most likely be my last post. I’m not sure if I will stay home, or possible head back out to Guadalupe Mt National Park.
I did receive a text and email from the NM Dept of health saying they are distributing vaccines as quickly as possible, but demand outstrips supply, and I’ll be notified when they have a dose fo me. Oh well, I’ll get it when I can. In the mean time, I'll be anti-social, or is the correct term socially distant. LOL
Tight Lines and safe travels
Great blog posting! Appreciate you sharing! Thanks for the plane comment...😜 No prop is certainly a theft deterrent! Finally looking like winter around NH. Few more inches today, headed into Greeley Ponds Sunday. Should be a bit warmer than the single digits we had last weekend. Enjoy! Keep safe and healthy!
ReplyDeleteI was just gonna say "Get a Mac!" when I saw you mentioned Airdrop. YES! Now you're getting it, geek ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. How did you take that one from behind you? You're getting the hang of selfies!
When it comes to guns, don't get me started. Our friend Ted Simon traveled around the world TWICE to some of the most dangerous places in the world, on a motorcycle. Never once did he feel he was in enough danger to use a weapon. We had a great chat about this once when he stayed with us for a few days. When people asked if he carried a gun (usually Americans like Jim and I would be the ones to pose the question), he simply said to us "No. It attracts bad energy and you're asking for trouble by carrying one." We followed his lead and 100% agree after 14 years on the road. By the way, look him up, jupitalia.com, he's a fascinating old Brit, still riding at I think age 92. He's most known for his book, Jupiter's Travels, great read! You will love him.