PICS OF INTERNATIONAL SPACE TRAVEL MUSEUM

This is huge and encompasses only historical data and information but simulations of capsule formation, simulated Landing of an aircraft, suits, photos of everyone who participated in or inspired the space program, even includes Galileo.

PiCS OF WHITE SANDS

Las Cruces - White Sands

Doing some real sightseeing today. Drove an hour East to the White Sands Preserve. It's like a park that you get charged to go into see. I took a couple of pictures a description but it's basically gypsum derived from eons of geological changes in that area. Its the largest gypsum deposit in the world I do believe. I must remark however that coming from the land of beaches It's Not Unusual to see large stretches of white sand. I have to wrap my head around the fact that this is gypsum not ocean beaches.
It's always inspiring to see the crystal blue skies, solo clouds hanging  suspended, independent of any other, and distant mountain ranges.  I also extended my drive and other 20 miles and went to a town called Alamogordo. Its nestled back against the mountains.  From a distance you can see a snow-covered Peak called Sierra Blanco. The locals nicknamed it Old Baldy. I visited a space museum with all the historical documentation of the space flight that America and Russia has taken over many years. We haven't had anybody traveling in space for a very long time since the 1970s. I'm at the point of debating whether to pack it up on Saturday and drive over to Roswell and tour the museums of UFO history.

DRIVING AND LANDING IN LAS CRUCES NEW MEXICO.

Yesterday I started driving from San Antonio with the intention of stopping midway between there and Las Cruces New Mexico. It was early and I decided to just go for it. It was a 650 mile trip but I managed it in about ten and a half hours. I was glad to get out of Texas because the Western end of I-10 is nothing but open space and a lot of wind. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the mountains from a distance and even the variation of weather patterns that were happening simultaneous to me passing through. You could see the rain along the Plains south of me and even north of me. Amazingly enough, I barely ran into any rain on my path. The wind however was another story. I am happy to say, though, that my camper trailer was not severely impacted by the gusting winds. That being said, it certainly did affect my gas mileage so. I was typically getting 15 to 16 miles per gallon and yesterday was barely able to maintain 11 to 12.  Somehow I knew I was ready to leave Texas and my good memories had been achieved and logged in my memories and blog. I was glad to get to New Mexico, as it is a different terrain, and a different style of culture. I like the Adobe looking colors and designs of the houses and buildings. Found a real comfortable and friendly RV Park. This is the most reasonable one so far and my next one and Albuquerque is also just as reasonable if not better. Anything at $20 a night or less is miraculous. That is something I'm learning about this journey. If I wasn't traveling alone I might consider parking in campgrounds or other out-of-the-way places that may not cost so much money but I am willing to pay the price for a little bit more security. I'm sure as I go along I will find a good comfort zone and knowledge of what works for me. Today I spent time doing some pragmatic errands and mapping out what I want to do while I'm here in the Las Cruces area. I am tempted to go to Roswell but it's quite a long drive. There's lots to see within a hundred-mile radius of Las Cruces and the White Sands certainly or high on that list. Tomorrow will be more about sightseeing and I'll have more to write about.

Pics OF SAN JOSE AND CONCEPCION MISSION'S IN SAN ANTONIO

LAST DAY IN SAN ANTONIO. MISSION VISITS

This blog entry should have been yesterday but I didn't do it. Yesterday I took some time in the morning to go visit two of the missions. I already been to the Alamo the day before. I started off the main one which is San Jose Mission and visited Concepción Mission all so. The main one, San Jose Mission, offered a short documentary in their small theater. It was actually quite interesting and the perspective of it was from a Mexican girl who is now a multi generational American. She was recounting all the small tribes that had existed several centuries ago.  Not an unusual story, there were multiple small tribes all over this Southern Texas area. They were Indian cultures but small and independent of each other. Historically, their Extinction and demise was focused around exposure to other tribes from warring areas north who had been exposed to Western culture, Spaniards etcetera. All these small tribes who have never been exposed to common diseases had no defense and we're basically eliminated by natural selection. There is also the warring tribes that were trying to take over the best hunting and Gathering areas. Needless to say, the Spaniards culture and Catholic Church sent priests to convert the Indian tribes to Christianity in the 1700s. Though they had a great impact and a lot of the tribe members embraced the life that was offered to them, they still held on to some of their cultural practices and which peyote and having Spirit Quests were part of it. I believe they're a total of 5 missions. They were built In areas for the small towns to congregate and practice their religion. They built small but lovely churches and compound surrounding it for workers, priests, and visitors to stay and work within the community. I can't help but see how someone else's desire imposed on another always causes consequences. There is always gains and losses but it perspective is always positive for the imposed. Present day affirms that Christianity is well embedded in this part of the United States and Mexico. I will Attach pictures to the next log entry.

PICS IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO

I forgot to mention in my previous post that I also stopped in at one of the churches on the Main Street down in San Antonio. It was a Catholic church with a congregation that is predominantly German. Though I am not a person who practices any specific religion my past history includes churches. Regardless of the denomination, I love to see the artistic structures  As I am a stained-glass Enthusiast i love to see the beauty that has been created

SOLO SIGHTSEEING IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO

Decided to go on Sunday morning down to the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio. Earlier morning is always best as most people are either sleeping in after a serious party night, or they're at church. Either way it seems to be the best time for less crowds.  It was a perfect morning down in San Antonio with temperatures probably in the mid-to-high 70s. I was here during a brief visit back in the nineties in this area but it's nothing like I remember. The development and growth and sophistication and artistic design is quite lovely. Though there are boat  rides with knowledgeable guides, I preferred​ to just stroll on my own. Eventually made my way up to street level and walked over to the Alamo. That too has changed significantly as the downtown has grown around it.  The changes seen to be thoughtful in order to preserve it for posterity. It's free to go inside the Alamo which is so unusual in this day and age of charging to see anything of antiquity or historical value. Can't help but reflect on the growth of our country and how this historical battle represents Texans winning that portion for United States and their territory versus the Mexicans trying to hold onto it for themselves. I suppose, depending on your perspective, may not be a memorable and positive recollection for everybody. Anyway, it was a very pleasant morning and I enjoyed just rolling around on my own. I'll include some pictures period staying an extra day tomorrow just to regroup and get ready for travel to Las Cruces New Mexico  That's not a one day trip for sure but I may decide to stay for a few days so I can do a little sightseeing on my own. There seems to be a lot to see in that area.

PICS OF NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS

SIGHTSEEING DAY IN SAN ANTONIO AREA

I had such a busy day yesterday I was too tired even to write anything. It was fun packed, that is for sure. Jennifer and the boys and I went to the Natural Bridge Caverns. That was quite an experience. I have been to Caverns many many years ago but this one was a very freshing new opportunity. Do you know the difference between stalagmites and stalactites?  The stalagmites "might"reach the ceiling some day. In other words they are being formed from bottom up and the others are coming down from the gentle dripping of water and combining with minerals. It's an amazingly fragile environment though it is perpetual in that it's been there for hundreds of thousands of years. I believe they said it took 100 years for a cubic inch of build-up to occur. There are others in this state that I may go to visit but we'll see. I was also taken down to The Pearl District of San Antonio. A very beautiful renovated area that used to be Factory buildings that have been renivated into a fancy hotel and shops.  it still has a rustic feel with outdoor peaceful visitation settings. We had a little bit of a walk around part of the Riverwalk at that end. It's a lovely area and I would highly recommend it.  we also went to an ice cream store called Lick.  The store only uses natural products and locally grown produce and produces various and Sundry flavors that are unique to say the least. Some made with beets and fennel and goat cheese and cilantro as well as creamy chocolate and nutty flavors. It can be vegan also. Very delicious!  Topped off my evening with dinner at their home. Husband Josh has been off doing some camping instructing for the Boy Scouts. Hope to see him tomorrow. Stayed with the kids and watched the movie Moana. Reminiscent of days with the grandchildren just hanging out and sharing the fun of animation. All in all a completely satisfying day sprinkled with a lot of love and affection, fun conversations, and sincere connection with my dear friend Jennifer. Couldn't ask for better. More tomorrow.

SAN ANTONIO FIRST FULL DAY.

First full day in San Antonio is pretty laid back. I made time to go have coffee with Jenny's husband Josh in this cool coffee house called Local Coffee near the University. The atmosphere is very reminiscent of University towns, California-esque, Oregon-esque.  You know that nice, relaxed, eclectic aura. I had planned to go to the Riverwalk but changed directions and did a lot more pragmatic today. Even though I'm traveling I still have to do laundry and clean my dwelling. LOL.

• Late afternoon I've had the opportunity to stroll around this lovely park and chat with some of the Rveers staying here. There is such a variety of rigs and people too converse with or just observe. Inadvertently, I realize that I am future shopping. I am thinking about what would work for me that might be a little bit bigger. It's fun to talk to people who share the enthusiasm for the road that I do. One man Is traveling for a year with his wife and two young children. They have quite a sizable pop out trailer and have been all over the country in the last six months. The kids only agreed to a year because they miss their home and their friends. They are from Missoula Montana. He can work from anywhere because of the internet so he has a lot of freedom and the children are being homeschooled this year. There are also two ladies one is 73 and one is 82 and they are traveling in a older 20 foot trailer. They have traveled together for some time. One is a widow and one has a husband who doesn't like to do anything mobile and adventurous. They are very Lively and friendly. They gave me some tips about traveling and some places they had been. There was another couple I met we have the two of the cutest little tiny tiny dogs. Really trying to resist the urge to get one to travel with me. They were pretty cute though. People like my camper trailer and want to look at it because they've never seen many of these. I'm starting to get the hang of this travel community and the friendly spirit that comes with most of them. Tomorrow Jenny and the boys and I are going to the caverns  into the lower area and see all the rock formations.  I'm not sure if I can take a picture inside the caverns but if I can I will.

ARRIVED IN SAN ANTONIO TX

Had another smooth ride from Houston to San Antonio today. It was noticeably windier heading this way. I landed in a KOA Park not but about 5 or 6 miles from the Riverwalk area. Had a wonderful visit with friend Jenny and her two sons Kingston and Orion. Husband Josh is off working this evening. Making a plan for Saturday to go with her and the boys to the Natural Bridge Caverns about twenty miles from here. It's one of those really cool tours of the underground caves,  stalagmites and other rock formations. That site also offers a fun day of zip-line rides, mazes, and multiple types of cave tours depending on how rugged and daring you are. I'm not too daring but the maze sounds fun as well as one of the walking underground tours.  Tomorrow I'm going to head over to the Riverwalk and also check out some of the local historic sites. I have been to the Alamo before so I'm not sure if that will be on my agenda this visit. Looking forward to it. San Antonio seems a lot greener too  Houston was a marked improvement from the Dallas area which was dry, Dusty and full of new construction. The weather is pleasant but definitely Breezy. Looking forward to tomorrow.

LAST NIGHT IN HOUSTON AREA

I am a very fortunate person. Not only do I have the time, the health and the inspiration to venture forth and travel, but also the interest and desire to re-encounter old friends and make them new ones again.  Leslye and I haven't seen each other since the early 1970s. Yet, we still have that warmth and comfort that comes with recognizing the real person from the inside out. It was a great visit and I was glad that I had the opportunity to come down her way. Until we meet again.