The Carson National Forest covers 1.5 million acres in northern New Mexico. Part of it is near the family cabin that we visit often. We’ve visited the area many times over the years. On this day we had a picnic (at Flechado Canyon) and then hiked about 4 miles up the Indian Lake Trail No. …
Category Archives: Travel
Bell Smith Springs – Shawnee National Forest (Ozark, Illinois)
Throwback 2017! During Thanksgiving, Hogdaddy took us on a hike around the nearby Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area (a national natural landmark) in the Shawnee National Forest. There were pools, sheer rock walls, some giant boulders, and a natural arch that we explored around. Young Max took control of the camera and shot most of …
Continue reading “Bell Smith Springs – Shawnee National Forest (Ozark, Illinois)”
Fort Union National Monument (in New Mexico)
While out in New Mexico we were “in the neighborhood” so we drove out into the middle of nowhere to Fort Union National Monument. In the neighborhood in New Mexico means “within a pretty long drive.” Fort Union was a fort along the Santa Fe Trail (near Watrous in Mora County). I couldn’t believe how …
Continue reading “Fort Union National Monument (in New Mexico)”
Canoeing (and Kayaking) The Caney Fork River
Throwback 2018 (and 2019)! Our family vacation took us up to Center Hill Lake and then onto the waters below the dam, the Caney Fork River. We went in 2018 and had such a fun day that we did another section of the river in 2019. Both days were very fun days. Both times I …
Continue reading “Canoeing (and Kayaking) The Caney Fork River”
Petroglyph National Monument and Pecos National Historical Park
We were headed to Albuquerque to drop Molly and Olivia off at the airport [sad face emoji]. The charge for their taxi service? I made them stop at Petroglyph National Monument (in Albuquerque, New Mexico) for a quick hike. We saw hundreds of petroglyphs carved into the stone. After a successful dropoff, Emily and I …
Continue reading “Petroglyph National Monument and Pecos National Historical Park”
Universal and Disney World (7 Parks In 7 Days / Spring Break 2018)
Throwback 2018! We’d been to Disney World several times. This was our first trip to Universal. We went with my sister’s family. We visited both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We also hit 2 parks in Disney World with them (Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom). After they went home we stayed a few more …
Continue reading “Universal and Disney World (7 Parks In 7 Days / Spring Break 2018)”
Bandelier National Monument – Cliff Dwellings, Scary Ladders, Alcove House + Shopping in Santa Fe
We visited the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument. This place is a pretty fascinating lost city of the past. We’d been here before a long time ago. We’ve never been up to Alcove House before, however. 4 very tall ladders (also very scary) later we reached the top (140 feet above the canyon floor). …
Ziplining in Mega Cavern (Louisville, Kentucky)
Throwback 2019! Like most 70-year-olds I know Hogdaddy wanted to go ziplining for his birthday?!? He did go too…and invited all of us to come along. We met in Louisville, KY at Mega Cavern. It is an old limestone mine and is actually classified as the largest ‘building’ in Kentucky. There are 17 miles of …
Continue reading “Ziplining in Mega Cavern (Louisville, Kentucky)”
Valles Caldera National Preserve + Meow Wolf + Santa Fe, NM
Emily and I got up early one morning and drove up from Santa Fe, NM to Valles Caldera National Preserve. We took a quick hike and drove through this massive volcano valley. It wasn’t a long hike but it was a beautiful one. The sunrise combined with the valley being filled with fog made the …
Continue reading “Valles Caldera National Preserve + Meow Wolf + Santa Fe, NM”
Tsankawi Ruins (Bandelier National Monument) + Manhattan Project Nat’l Historical Park (Los Alamos)
On our visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico we drove up to Los Alamos to visit the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. This was a bust! COVID had the operating schedule fouled up and we didn’t get to see a lot. We completely salvaged the day, however, when we stopped at our next stop, Tsankawi …
DeanoRolls (@deanoroll5) 