Twisty, Curvy Roads

(2nd Night On The Road) 20.9 degrees outside this morning. It was a comfortable for sleeping 57 degrees inside the Casita, then the furnace kicked in and quickly brought it up to a toasty 63.  I slept ok but not as well as the night before. I believe that I have a touch of altitude sickness, which I usually have the first night or two in the mountains. It will go away by tonight. Max is doing well. He likes getting out of the car and having some run around time. He started last night curled in his own bed, but when I woke he was beside me. I don't think it was for warmth, he just likes to be in physical contact. In the car, Max often climbs onto the lumpy console between the seats so he is close rather than on the soft pad I keep in the passenger seat. We do not have an agenda for today. I will feed Max and fix coffee then see what happens.

Awake at 5:20 am, very early for me. Had a good night's sleep. I had expected to hear tractor trailers coming and going during the night, but did not hear a sound. Temperature inside the Casita is a comfortable 55. Quiet comfortable for sleeping with my down bag and long johns! Outside it is 25, which would probably been ok as long as I stayed in my sleeping bag. I had a strange dream this morning. My mother and father were moving back into the house on Pratt Avenue, where I grew up. I was there helping them clean up the house. We were in the "workshop" in the backyard which was stacked to the ceiling with Dahl's half finished projects. I was explaining to Mom that Dahl needed a room of his own where he could just leave his stuff the way he wanted. Then I woke. The window coverings that I made worked well. The parking area is very well lit, but inside the trailer it is dark. If I have the lights on inside, the light does not escape, so I have privacy. Well, time to ma...

We are spending tonight in Hardscrable Canyon in the San Isabel National Forest. This is not a legit campsite. All of the regular campgrounds are closed for the season. We are stealth camping tonight. As a backpacker I always followed the "leave no trace" ethic, and that has carried over into my travels with the Casita. When we leave tomorrow morning there will be absolutely no trace that we were ever here. I have blackout shades on the windows, so even if I have the lights on in the Casita, no one can see them from outside the trailer. We are in plain sight of the road, but far enough back that no one will notice us unless they pull in. This spot is designated as a wildlife viewing spot, so someone may pull in, but I am not worried. If anyone gets close to the Casita, Max lets me know right away. The forecast for Pueblo, the nearest town, is for 17 tonight. We are at a higher elevation than Pueblo so I suspect we will see a pretty cold night. The furnace should keep the C...

Max and I are snug in our little Casita and done for the night. We are at a Texas rest stop north of Lubbock on hwy 87. My cellphone says this is Underwood, Texas and that the temperature is 39 degrees. It is predicting a low of 24 for tomorrow morning. I'm glad that I had the propane tanks filled! As soon as we stopped I got into the Casita and turned the furnace on. Then took Max for a short walk so he could take care of his necessary business. By the time we got back the Casita was toasty warm. I turned the thermostat down (maybe too much), fed Max and spread my sleeping bag. I do not unhitch when we are in a rest stop, but I do disconnect the electrical. I do not want to risk running down the truck battery overnight. I expect to make the Denver area by tomorrow night and find a place in a National forest. May be a problem finding an open campsite this time of year. I'll find out when we get there.

(Nov. 17, 2013) I am sitting in my comfortable camp chair gazing at Mansfield dam. I can't help but remember the first time I saw this dam and compare it to today. It was 1968 and I had drive fro Alabama to Austin for a conducting workshop at the University of Texas. I had a free afternoon and decided to spend it exploring the area. I drove from the University out a wonderfully winding and scenic little two-lane road, Ranch Road 2222, which is  a major arterial today.  I came to an intersection with ranch road 620.  Not knowing anything about the area and having no particular agenda, I turned left on a whim.  It was a wonderful drive through land that was pretty much as God intended it to be. I saw quite a it of wildlife, in particular white-tailed deer.  At that time, deer were rare back in Alabama and I was thrilled to see so much wildlife.  It was that drive that convinced me to become a Texan. Today, the dam is still the same, but the road that ran ac...

(November 16, 2013) Spent last night In a roadside park across the Pedernales from LBJ's ranch.  The lady who maintains the park stopped by and we spent an hour or two visiting.  She is an interesting person.  She is also an Elmer Kelton fan and we talked about his books and how they make Texas history come alive. Gave her my email and website address. Scott Bailey's wife called to let me know that Scott had passed yesterday around 3:15 pm.  I will put together a New Orleans funeral for Scott.  Lots of musicians want to play so we will send him off in style. It is a wonderful morning, pleasantly cool with a fairly stiff breeze from the west.  My New (to me) Toyota is just what I have always wanted. Pulls the casita as though it isn't even back there. It is a great feeling to know that I can turn in any direction and travel in comfort and with peace of mind.  Max and I are really enjoying this little trip. I will go back to Round Rock...

(November 15, 2013) I am camped in #15 at Colorado Bend state park. It's just Max and I tonight.  When I arrived there was only this spot that was not occupied or reserved.  It is the spot that I wanted anyway since it has a nice shady table and is also near the toilet. Beautiful drive up here. Very little traffic so I was surprised to find the campsites filled.  This park has a very isolated feel. But they have installed wireless since the last time I was here. It is not strong enough to reach my site reliably, but I can go down to the park office and get a good signal if need be. I am worried about my health.  I can only walk a short way and I am breathless. Numbness in both of my arms too.  I am ok as long as I do not exert myself but the slightest effort takes my breath away. It is only nine pm, too early for bed but not much too do.  I believe that I will read awhile before sleeping. I am re-reading an Elmer Kelton book about early texas pion...