Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Wow, that dump truck bed is massive!
JohnTheLuck's Adventures Thread
- Thread starter JohnTheLuck
- Start date
JohnTheLuck
Member
Yes, and when it is coming in your way, it seems even bigger!!!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 40:
Start point: Las Cruces, NM
End point: Roswell, NM
Yesterday night, just before bedtime, I looked onto NPS web site to verify there wasn't any warnings or restriction to go to White Sands National Monument. Bad surprise, the US70 was scheduled to be closed in the morning since it crosses the White Sands Missile Range and some launch was schedule for this morning. The scenic loop of the park would be closed until 10h00. This means that we would have to either wait for the road opening and get to the entrance at maybe 11h00, or do the loop down to El Paso, then to Alamogordo, and finally the visitor center, a 2 to 3 hours loop I guess.
When we left the hotel, the sky was still overcast. As a former engineer, I though this was not an ideal launch condition since they would certainly be able to follow the missile with cameras. We decided to take a chance on the US70 to confirm if it was really closed. Great news, there was no closure and we arrived at White Sands a bit before 9h00. At the gate, the ranger confirmed the launch was postponed. Their web site was not updated, of course...
We proceeded onto the Scenic Drive. This is really an amazing view, feeling like home but it is sand instead of snow.
Our goal, since we already visited this park in an earlier trip, was to hike the Akali Flat Trail, a 5 miles loop in the sand dunes. the wind was blowing moderately so I was a bit worried about the camera. I was able to take some shots when protected by the wind by dunes.
Even in the sand, some vegetation can grow since they are adapted to these conditions.
We left the park near noon, and after a small lunch, we continued onto the US70. After Alamogrodo, the road climbs to above 7000 feet, and we saw some snow on the ground while the temperature dropped to the freezing point. No worry since the sky was still mostly clear. Later, we saw the majestic Sierra Blanca, capped with fresh snow.
After a while, we began to go down and the mountains became hills. While completing ascending a hill, at the top, the view changed completely. No more hills but an almost flat plateau. I guess this is what we will get until Texas tomorrow. I should have taken a picture.
We finally reached Roswell, hoping to saw hello to E.T.
Tomorrow morning, we head toward Texas, our first time ever. There will surely be a stop somewhere to hike a good part of the day since tomorrow is our last touring day of the trip before the long 3 to 4 days drive toward home, already.
.
Start point: Las Cruces, NM
End point: Roswell, NM
Yesterday night, just before bedtime, I looked onto NPS web site to verify there wasn't any warnings or restriction to go to White Sands National Monument. Bad surprise, the US70 was scheduled to be closed in the morning since it crosses the White Sands Missile Range and some launch was schedule for this morning. The scenic loop of the park would be closed until 10h00. This means that we would have to either wait for the road opening and get to the entrance at maybe 11h00, or do the loop down to El Paso, then to Alamogordo, and finally the visitor center, a 2 to 3 hours loop I guess.
When we left the hotel, the sky was still overcast. As a former engineer, I though this was not an ideal launch condition since they would certainly be able to follow the missile with cameras. We decided to take a chance on the US70 to confirm if it was really closed. Great news, there was no closure and we arrived at White Sands a bit before 9h00. At the gate, the ranger confirmed the launch was postponed. Their web site was not updated, of course...
We proceeded onto the Scenic Drive. This is really an amazing view, feeling like home but it is sand instead of snow.
Our goal, since we already visited this park in an earlier trip, was to hike the Akali Flat Trail, a 5 miles loop in the sand dunes. the wind was blowing moderately so I was a bit worried about the camera. I was able to take some shots when protected by the wind by dunes.
Even in the sand, some vegetation can grow since they are adapted to these conditions.
We left the park near noon, and after a small lunch, we continued onto the US70. After Alamogrodo, the road climbs to above 7000 feet, and we saw some snow on the ground while the temperature dropped to the freezing point. No worry since the sky was still mostly clear. Later, we saw the majestic Sierra Blanca, capped with fresh snow.
After a while, we began to go down and the mountains became hills. While completing ascending a hill, at the top, the view changed completely. No more hills but an almost flat plateau. I guess this is what we will get until Texas tomorrow. I should have taken a picture.
We finally reached Roswell, hoping to saw hello to E.T.
Tomorrow morning, we head toward Texas, our first time ever. There will surely be a stop somewhere to hike a good part of the day since tomorrow is our last touring day of the trip before the long 3 to 4 days drive toward home, already.
.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks! For your pleasure, I will continue to post until we arrive home.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 41:
Start point: Roswell, NM
End point: Quanah, TX
We left Roswell and New Mexico, heading east onto the straight line US70, almost 150 km without a turn, on a flat featureless land. A pure joy!
After countless Cottonwood Creek/Wash/Town/Road, we saw a nice variation of the subject with endless cotton fields. Many were already collected, but some weren't.
After a few hours, we arrived at our stop for the day, Caprock Canyon State Park in Texas. This park is located at the edge of the plateau we drove onto since yesterday. Red rock cliffs between 600 and 1000 feet separate it with another plateau below.
This park protects the landscape but also host a herd of wild bison and prairie dogs.
We wanted to hike a loop going in a canyon, then up onto a ridge, then back down into another canyon, but time was lacking. Instead, we opted to hike only the ridge trail, which goes up to an overlook 400 feet above the valley.
We made it back to the 4Runner a few minutes to spare before sunset.
Tomorrow, we leave Texas to start our three days trek toward Montreal. A lot of highway, and hopefully no rain or snow.
.
Start point: Roswell, NM
End point: Quanah, TX
We left Roswell and New Mexico, heading east onto the straight line US70, almost 150 km without a turn, on a flat featureless land. A pure joy!
After countless Cottonwood Creek/Wash/Town/Road, we saw a nice variation of the subject with endless cotton fields. Many were already collected, but some weren't.
After a few hours, we arrived at our stop for the day, Caprock Canyon State Park in Texas. This park is located at the edge of the plateau we drove onto since yesterday. Red rock cliffs between 600 and 1000 feet separate it with another plateau below.
This park protects the landscape but also host a herd of wild bison and prairie dogs.
We wanted to hike a loop going in a canyon, then up onto a ridge, then back down into another canyon, but time was lacking. Instead, we opted to hike only the ridge trail, which goes up to an overlook 400 feet above the valley.
We made it back to the 4Runner a few minutes to spare before sunset.
Tomorrow, we leave Texas to start our three days trek toward Montreal. A lot of highway, and hopefully no rain or snow.
.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Thanks!
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 42:
Start point: Quanah, TX
End point: St. Louis, MO
Today was purely a driving day toward home, mostly on the I-44. No picture taken, a no event day I would say.
Driving back home is a lot less fun than starting the trip. I envy those living near Utah, Arizona, or Colorado. Ten hours driven out of the 28 hours for the complete return. Tomorrow, we should be driving another ten hours, leaving us with a shorter days for the arrival.
Start point: Quanah, TX
End point: St. Louis, MO
Today was purely a driving day toward home, mostly on the I-44. No picture taken, a no event day I would say.
Driving back home is a lot less fun than starting the trip. I envy those living near Utah, Arizona, or Colorado. Ten hours driven out of the 28 hours for the complete return. Tomorrow, we should be driving another ten hours, leaving us with a shorter days for the arrival.
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JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 43:
Start point: St. Louis, MO
End point: Buffalo, NY
We left St. Louis early, with some frost on the 4Runner for its first time, ever. As the sun rose, some haze was present, giving a soft touch. What a good photographic opportunity, missed of course. In the distance, we say the great St. Louis Gateway Arch rising high above. We will stop one day to the park.
The clouds moved in later (or we moved into the clouds I should say...) and that was done for the sun. We had a few drops and some flurries, but nothing serious.
The only annoying thing, left lane slow drivers. During the trip, we didn't have to face this, but when going eastward, these began to be more frequent. We were even stucked behind an excessive width load passing a convoi of trucks, on an ascending hill, of course well below the speed limit...
We finally arrived in Buffalo for the night. Only six hours before arriving home.
.
Start point: St. Louis, MO
End point: Buffalo, NY
We left St. Louis early, with some frost on the 4Runner for its first time, ever. As the sun rose, some haze was present, giving a soft touch. What a good photographic opportunity, missed of course. In the distance, we say the great St. Louis Gateway Arch rising high above. We will stop one day to the park.
The clouds moved in later (or we moved into the clouds I should say...) and that was done for the sun. We had a few drops and some flurries, but nothing serious.
The only annoying thing, left lane slow drivers. During the trip, we didn't have to face this, but when going eastward, these began to be more frequent. We were even stucked behind an excessive width load passing a convoi of trucks, on an ascending hill, of course well below the speed limit...
We finally arrived in Buffalo for the night. Only six hours before arriving home.
.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Glad you made it home safely. I've really enjoyed following along through your posts and pics.
JohnTheLuck
Member
Day 44:
Start point: Buffalo, NY
End point: Montreal, QC
Home, sweet home!
It has been a fantastic trip, with many destinations that were since a long time on our to see list. We drove a total of 16809 km.
I will post a more concise conclusion of the trip in the next few days, with all trails we made, consumption, etc.
Thanks to all for following me. I really appreciated your comments. I sometime had the feeling we were a bunch together. Next time, I will try to announce the trail I will wheel if some want to join me.
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], your can remove the sticky on this thread since I will not post very often on this thread until my next 4Runner trip, which is planned for next summer for the solar eclipse in the Northwest. In the mean time, Hawaii is next, in less than 2 weeks!!! Sorry, but no 4runner on this trip, so no update here. You will surely understand.
My build thread should be more active early next year since I plan to progress more on this side.
.
Start point: Buffalo, NY
End point: Montreal, QC
Home, sweet home!
It has been a fantastic trip, with many destinations that were since a long time on our to see list. We drove a total of 16809 km.
I will post a more concise conclusion of the trip in the next few days, with all trails we made, consumption, etc.
Thanks to all for following me. I really appreciated your comments. I sometime had the feeling we were a bunch together. Next time, I will try to announce the trail I will wheel if some want to join me.
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], your can remove the sticky on this thread since I will not post very often on this thread until my next 4Runner trip, which is planned for next summer for the solar eclipse in the Northwest. In the mean time, Hawaii is next, in less than 2 weeks!!! Sorry, but no 4runner on this trip, so no update here. You will surely understand.
My build thread should be more active early next year since I plan to progress more on this side.
.
1engineer
Moderator
Great job John, we enjoyed the vicarious trip!
