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Cheha Mountain

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On the road to Cheaha Mountain There is something about the open road that frees the spirit. The scene above was snapped while standing just outside the door of the Casita on the second morning of my vagabond though the Deep South. It was late in the evening, as I was driving east on Interstate 20, when  I noticed the exit sign for Cheaha State Park.  The wisdom of heading down an unknown backroad after sunset is questionable, but I could not resist the urge to explore.  After driving a wonderfully twisty-curvy road for about 20 minutes, I came to an overlook and decided to stop for the night. I fed Max and fixed a simple supper for myself, then sat outside in the cool night air watching the stars and the twinkling lights of a village far below. When I awoke the next morning, I was greeted by the scene you see above.  I wish that a photograph could convey the smell of wild honeysuckle and the sound of the birdsongs that accompanied my breakfast coffee a...

Fwd: Left RR at 6:30 this morning. made it to Mississip

(Trip to Huntsville, Alabama for Uncle Vernon's Service) Left RR at 6:30 this morning. made it to Mississippi by 6:30 this evening.  Can see that I will not make to Huntsville before midnight and having problems keeping my eyes open while I drive. Called Shelby Jean and left message not to expect me tonight. Turned up Natchez Trace Parkway and found a beautiful campsite by the water.  Set up camp, ate some Kung poa chicken I brought with me.  Took a few photos and turned in. I will grab a bit of rest, then get a very early start so I can be there early tomorrow. Woke at 2am.  Hitched up and headed for Huntsville.  Should arrive around 8am.  at Shelby Jean and Bill's. Got to Tuscaloosa at 6am.  Too early to call Ed and Betty Ann.  Would not have time for a visit anyway.  Gassed up and continued toward Huntsville.

Fwd: Forrest road 550 was where I left hwy 67. Slept we

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Forrest road 550 was where I left hwy 67. Slept well, warmer, either because I had the thermostat higher or because the blanket of snow that fell during the night help to insulate the Casita. It was 3 degrees outside this morning. Beautiful snow covering everything! Our camp the next morning! I climbed the boulders behind our camp to get this photo Sun shining through the trees Forest Road 550 looking back toward our camp

Fwd: Found a great campsite for tonight. We are somewhe

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(3rd Night On The Road) Williams Lake Frozen Solid Found a great campsite for tonight. We are somewhere off of hwy 67 north of Woodland Park and south of Deckers.  I unhitched the Casita and drove off to explore father down the forest road. Lots of snow and ice but I could see that others had passed so was not too worried. Never the less, having four wheel drive was a comfort. Ended up at Williams Lake, a pretty large body of water that was frozen solid. I would not want to go onto the ice - not that solid! Back to camp now and time to let Max out to explore, then feed him and myself. I may practice my ukulele a bit before turning in. It is only 5:53 Texas time. Much too early to hit the sack. I miss having internet big time. The coordinates for this campsite are: N 39.34488 and W 105.27187.  I can always get back if I don't loose them! Well just finished a delicious dinner of boiled frankfurter with mustard and a side of corn chips, followed by a dessert of drie...

20.9 degrees outside this morning.

(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.

Morning of the Second Day On The Road to Patrick's

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...

Second Night On The Road To Patrick's

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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...