Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah
September 2017
Island in the Sky National Park
Island in the Sky National Park with solar eclipse
On arrival we were astounded by the amount of busses with uncountable tourists. Numerous rangers granted the tourists to look through very dark sun glasses into the sun. Only then did we realise that today the solar eclipse hysteria ruled.
We enjoyed ourselves just watching the behaviour of the international tourists. Mostly lean Asians, of which some were loud Chinese and some more quiet Japanese. The local Americans of which the majority was not so lean and of which some women were wearing hot pants more suitable for elephants. After all the fuss was over the very busy tourists rushed off to the next highlight.
We were even more impressed by the amazing nature when it became quiet.
Lockhart, the barbeque capital of Texas
The restaurant Cross Market is described as one of the best barbeque venues in Texas. We were hungry and wanted to find out. Luckily, we did not visit during the main eating hours – apparently the queues of the hungry get very long then. Even before we got there Brigitte was laughing about me as she knows about my dislike for eating hot food with only the hands and no cutlery. I already have problems with the burgers here.
The really superbly prepared meat is served on a small piece of fat resistant paper and is charged by weight. No sauces, no cutlery, and so you sit as a little cannibal in front of a mountain of meat, not looking really appetizing. So, no restraint of fatty fingers – just enjoy.
The pieces of meat were really prepared perfectly. Nevertheless, for the next two days I stuck to the motto: nothing fatty anymore.
Luckenbach, a handful of houses
Due to the description in a travel companion we reached Luckenbach with much to high expectations.
In the evening there was supposedly be dancing, also with locals. Original meals were to be served and last but not least one could sleep over just next door.
We arrived early afternoon in great heat. Some American tourists enjoyed cold drinks in the shady beer garden and were entertained by a tipsy country singer. We marvelled at the original corny former post office and the bar loaded with junk just next to it.
To our question regarding camping spots the by then also highly tipsy shop owner told us that we could just stay right were we parked. The caravan right next to us was used for all the drunks to sober up. Long before nightfall we had left this oh so special place.
We found a vineyard nearby were we could get a good night’s sleep after a hearty meal without live music and dance.
General Store Luckenbach
Magnolia Pearl at Frederickburg Texas
The fabulous site with large, roofed terraces in the vicinity of Frederickburg convinced us to take a stop. We marvelled at the building that was constructed with recycled material. Here newly fabricated garments are sold looking old and used as if made from old material. “Vintage Style” at fantastic prices.
Fashion that makes happy - www.magnoliapearl.com
Magnolia Pearl, clothing and shoes
Moki Dugway and Muley Point in Utah
The steep Moki Dugway, a nature road with lots of serpentines and grand vistas, is closed for RV’s. Once on top one can find the Muley Point after a short ride. This view point offers truly spectacular views into Monument Valley.
Our big advantage is that we can call our vehicle either a truck camper or if needed a RV. We managed the joyfully and without any problems and were able to spend a few days with this wonderful panorama in front of our doorstep.
Ghosttowns
Paper is thankful, travel compagnions even more so. Twice we fell for praising descriptions of so-called ghost towns. The first one was still okay insofar as it at least served as location for a Western movie with famous actors. But what was affered was rather meagre. The second one was a complete disappointment. Chloride has had his fame as ghost town about thirty years ago. Everything is set in a desolate surrounding, neglected and shabby, nothing ghostly only really run-down.
Initially we planned on camping close by. On the Net we found a recent warning: If you want to be safe, stay clear from this place.
OFF-ROAD Hysteria
Thousands of quads or similar off-road vehicles are rented out in touristic places, especially in the mountains. Surprisingly for the normally very regulated America even kids are driving around with these not necessarily hazard-free vehicles.
Wrangler Jeeps are also very popular as rental vehicles. They are often used as spare vehicle and are even towed behind very long, over-dimensioned mobile homes. Many older Americans stay for weeks at the same spot with their motor homes and then need a second vehicle to get around. For (too) many it is impossible to drive with a quad or bike as they are simply too obese.
off-road hysteria
Photo Galerie
USA: September 2017
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2017 09 01 USA 001 oak alley plantation
Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana
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2017 09 01 USA 002 edy USA tourist
necklace or nimbus
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2017 09 01 USA 003 louisiana
Louisiana industry
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2017 09 01 USA 004 Luckenbach texas
Luckenbach, venue for music, Texas
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2017 09 01 USA 005 Luckenbach texas
General Store Luckenbach
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2017 09 01 USA 006 Luckenbach texas
Luckenbach
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2017 09 01 USA 007 Luckenbach texas
Luckenbach
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2017 09 01 USA 008 cypress with spanish moss
Cypress with Spanish Moose
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2017 09 01 USA 009 tabasco pepper sauce factory
Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory
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2017 09 01 USA 010 tabasco pepper sauce factory
Pepper mash is aged in white oak barrels for up to 3 years.
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2017 09 01 USA 011 tabasco pepper sauce factory
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2017 09 01 USA 012 tabasco pepper sauce factory
wall paint with a little bit of Tabasco Sauce!
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2017 09 01 USA 013 tabasco pepper sauce factory
Tabasco products
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2017 09 01 USA 014 famous louisiana bridge
steep bridges driveway and exits
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2017 09 01 USA 015 house transport usa
house moving on highway
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2017 09 01 USA 016 truck transporter
trucks piggy back
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2017 09 01 USA 017 Brazos bend state park
... with over 40 degrees and a lot of humidity
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2017 09 01 USA 018 pangolin
visitors at our camp site
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2017 09 01 USA 019 Brazos bend state park.
expanded feathers for drying
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2017 09 01 USA 020 Brazos bend state park.
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2017 09 01 USA 021 Lockhart barbeque
Barbecue lunch, Lockhardt
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2017 09 01 USA 022 Lockhart barbeque
Where is the cutlery?
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2017 09 01 USA 023 Lockhart barbeque
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2017 09 01 USA 024
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2017 09 01 USA 025 Lafayette farmers market
market with live music
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2017 09 01 USA 026 Lafayette farmers market
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2017 09 01 USA 027 Lafayette farmers market
beautiful???
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2017 09 01 USA 028 Lafayette farmers market beignets
Beignets, a Cajun speciality
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2017 09 01 USA 029 brigitte
sideways sun protection
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2017 09 01 USA 030 magnolia pearl
Magnolia Pearl, clothing and shoes
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2017 09 01 USA 031 magnolia pearl
marvelous
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2017 09 01 USA 032 magnolia pearl
antiquites everywhere
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2017 09 01 USA 033 magnolia pearl
bedstead with ropes
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2017 09 01 USA 034 magnolia pearl
Vintage Style
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2017 09 01 USA 035 waypoints camp site
camp site without neighbors
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2017 09 01 USA 036 carlsbad caverns national park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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2017 09 01 USA 037 carlsbad caverns national park
stalactites and stalagmites
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2017 09 01 USA 038 carlsbad caverns national park
glassy water
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2017 09 01 USA 039 carlsbad caverns national park
lime separation
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2017 09 01 USA 040 carlsbad caverns national park
marvelous formations
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2017 09 01 USA 041 lake holloman
Lake Holloman
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2017 09 01 USA 042 lake Holloman camp site
our camp site at Lake Holloman
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2017 09 01 USA 043 white sands National monument
White Sands National Monument
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2017 09 01 USA 044 white sands National monument
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2017 09 01 USA 045 white sands National monument
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2017 09 01 USA 046 big bend national park campground
our camp site at Big Bend National Park
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2017 09 01 USA 047 mesa verde national park
Mesa Verde National Park
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2017 09 01 USA 048 mesa verde national park
ruins from past residents
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2017 09 01 USA 049 million dollar highway colorado
View from the One Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
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2017 09 01 USA 051
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2017 09 01 USA 052 tree roots int the rocks
roots and rocks
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2017 09 01 USA 053 edy colorado river
Colorado River
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2017 09 01 USA 054 waypoints camp site colorado river moab
camp site near Moab
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2017 09 01 USA 055 arches national park
Arches National Park
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2017 09 01 USA 056 arches national park
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2017 09 01 USA 057 arches national park
art of nature
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2017 09 01 USA 058 arches national park
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2017 09 01 USA 059 island in the sky national park
Island in the Sky - Canyonlands National Park
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2017 09 01 USA 060 island in the sky national park
Grand View Point
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2017 09 01 USA 061 tourists abroad
tourists abroad
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2017 09 01 USA 062 island in the sky national park
moon shadow
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2017 09 01 USA 063 island in the sky national park
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2017 09 01 USA 064 island in the sky national park
rock formations
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2017 09 01 USA 065 island in the sky national park
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2017 09 01 USA 066 island in the sky national park
Mesa Arch
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2017 09 01 USA 067 Valley of the gods
Valley of Gods
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2017 09 01 USA 068 valley of the gods
"waypoints" on the way in the Valley of Gods
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2017 09 01 USA 069 moki dugway
Moki Dugway
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2017 09 01 USA 070 moki dugway
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2017 09 01 USA 071 moki dugway
challenging mountain road
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2017 09 01 USA 072 muley point overlook
view from Muley Point
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2017 09 01 USA 073 muley point overlook
overview
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2017 09 01 USA 074 muley point camp site
What a camp site with a view!
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2017 09 01 USA 075 edy muley point view
early in the morning at work
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2017 09 01 USA 076 muley point view
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2017 09 01 USA 077 muley point view
panoramic view