Twisty, Curvy Roads

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...

(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.

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

(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...

(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...

Notes on visit to Jarret J. Ivy 's grave site. (Jarret J. Ivy was my great-great grandfather's brother. He migrated from the family home in Jackson County, Alabama to Texas. I am unclear on the exact dates but it was after Texas won it's independence from Mexico.) Andy Blake, photographer, arrived at my home in Round Rock around 9 am.  We hitched my little travel trailer to his pickup truck and headed for Caldwell, Texas which is near Providence Cemetery.  We were not certain of the address but had general idea. Turned too soon and spent an hour going in circles before realizing what we had done.  Found cemetery with no problem after that. Beautiful and historic old cemetery and church.  Uncle jarrett's grave is the first on the right as we entered the cemetery.  His wife and one son buried next to him.  Masonic emblem on tombstone.  Wif and sons stone have been replaced apparently by caretakers of the cemetery. Have good photos of the markers, the c...

Ended up spending two nights in arkansas.  Stopped at a camp on Lake Ouachita Friday night.  Right on the water but pretty crowded. Got up yesterday morning and drove to Mena, Arkansas.  Mena has a population of slightly over 5000.  Nice enough little town and seems to have all of the basics.  Highlight was a scenic drive along ridge of the mountains that stretch from Mena into Oklahoma.  Lots of pull offs with wonderful views. On the way back I took highway 63 which runs along the valley to the south of the skyline drive.  Very nice country.  I was surprised that there was almost no traffic.  I did not see more than a double handful of cars on the entire tour if I exclude those in the towns. I stopped at a Subway back in Mena and decided upon where to head next.  Spoke with Julie on the phone and she encouraged me to take an extra day or so before returning to Round Rock. Using my gps on my phone, I spotted a route that h...

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 dried apricot slices. Does it get any better than that? Actuall...

Walt Disney Circa 1946 I sometimes wake with stray thoughts running around inside of what seems to be my head.  I'm not certain why I think the thoughts are inside of my head - they could be running around in my stomach or my left leg, - but I have the definite impression that the elusive fragments are located behind my eyeballs and above my neck. Whatever! This morning the thought that was left over after I achieved that form of semi-consciousness that is generally describes as "awake", was "No thing can both be and not be". Now, you may or may not recognize that as a partial statement of the principle of non-contradiction . Most of us have at least an implicit acquaintance with this concept. For instance, the wisdom of, "You cannot have your cake and eat it too", is generally recognized and understood. Personally, being of a somewhat obtuse mental confirmation, I prefer a more explicit symbolic notation of the principle,  "~(p . ~p)",...

Note: This was written June 13, 2013 while on a visit to Huntsville, Alabama for my Uncles funeral. A beautiful morning! I am in a campsite on top of Montesano Mt. sitting outside the Casita having my morning coffee. Temperature is 77 with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. The hardwood forest is heavy here. I've seen nothing like it in Texas although I suspect that there may be similar forests in the southeast part of the state. It has been nice reconnecting with my cousins. It seems strange that the last generation is gone now that Uncle Vernon has passed away. I am wondering about creating some sort of online registry that would let us keep in touch and communicate easily. Maybe there is already an existing system that would work. I will check into that. It would have to be secure. Easy to use, have a messaging system, some sort of family tree, and personal as well as group messaging. I'll give it some thought. For now I have to decide what I will do today.....