It's summer and time to haul the RV out of storage and continue our visits to the national parks in North America. The RV is currently stored in Dallas so we flew there via Winnipeg so we could celebrate dad's 93rd birthday.
Jim, Lorna, Dad and Sheila
Canada Geese foraging on the Red River at Winnipeg, Manitoba
July 5
A flight from Winnipeg to Chicago then to Dallas went off without a hitch and we arrived at the RV with all our luggage. The tires were still inflated and the engine started. This is always a good sign.
As usual there were lots of Great-tailed Grackles, Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers there to greet us.
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
July 6
A day at the Denton Camping World fixed a few minor problems such as the broken hot water heater and RV air conditioning unit. It is essential to keep the "home front" happy when heading into the 100 degree weather of the southern prairies.
July 7
We headed northwest through Wichita Falls and Amarillo to climb out of the 100 degree weather in Texas. Having been raised on the prairies I enjoy the sweltering summer heat. It's not summer until you are baked in sweat, laying under a cool shade tree, in a hammock.
Emma was raised in the mountains and doesn't see it that way. Thank goodness for air conditioning to maintain family harmony as we motored through the old Comanche lands of west Texas.
West Texas and surprisingly green
Red-winged Blackbird
July 8
As we drove into northeastern New Mexico the altitude topped 5,000 feet and the temperature dropped into the tolerable mid 80s.
Northeast New Mexico
Capulin Volcano
The ride up the volcano in the RV was worth the price of admission ... narrow road, sheer drop off, no guard rails ... lots of fun. The drop off into the void was on the passenger side so Emma had an exquisite view looking straight down on prairies below.
Prairie Below Capulin Volcano
Emma sitting on lava rock
Fledgling Western Kingbird
July 9
We had such fun driving up the Volcano yesterday that we did it again so we could begin the day with a hike around the top of this volcanic mountain.
Pronghorn Antelope at the base of Capulin Volcano
As usual Emma set a brisk pace around the mountain. I meandered along behind taking pictures and communing with nature then breaking into a jog to keep Emma in sight.
In addition to the beautiful landscape, there was quite a bit of wildlife on the mountain and surrounding prairie.
Mule Deer
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
In the afternoon, we carried on to the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge. The highlight was seeing a male Blue Grosbeck. This is a lifer for me but the bird didn't stick around for a picture.
Fort Union National Monument was our final stop for the day. This site was the largest fort in the American southwest in the 19th century. It was strategically located on the Santa Fe trail deep in Comanche territory.
Fort Union National Monument
Most of the foundations as well as some of the adobe walls are still present so you get a sense of the expansive size of this major fort.
Emma surveying the situation
July 10
We started the day with a walk around the Pecos National Historic Park. This was once a large village of pueblo dwelling farmers. As the Spanish conquistadors moved up from the south and the Comanches moved down from the north and the Americans came across the prairies from the east this community went through a series of upheavals.
Pecos National Historic Park
Emma figuring out the layout of the Pecos Ruins
Cane Cholla in Bloom
Emma exploring the interior of a traditional Kiva. These structures were rooms built underground to represent the lower worlds from which the local First Nations believed their ancestors came. These rooms were important community spaces for worship and honoring ancestors.
Adobe Ruin at Pecos
A short drive from Pecos and we arrived at the state capitol and old Spanish town of Santa Fe.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cathedral Basilica Saint Francis of Assisi
Santa Fe Town Square
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