Paddle Hard!

With so much recent talk about "Global Warming" and the effects it has already caused this planet it really is important to go out and experience nature up close while we still have it. Today, we decided to tango with what the Mexicans have named, "Rio Bravo del Norte" which loosely translates to "The Angry River of the North". This whole area that Rio Grande runs through, from Colorado down to Texas, was formed from "Rifts". What is a rift? It is where two tectonic plates have collided pushing the earth up into these tall mountains and then separated leaving behind this huge crack in the ground. These walls are still moving apart from each other today but at a very slow rate. There are several hot springs in the area that prove the process is still continuing. Water always follows the path of least resistance and naturally it started to flow down this crack eroding the walls of these canyons in the process. Much of the river is not navigable except for those brave enough to face the power of the angry river. In the early 70's children in New Mexico were told that the Rio Grande was a Pandora's box. The river was taking too many young lives. This myth was brought into the classrooms in hope of keeping children away from the river. They were told that if they went near the river, Pandora was going to take them and they would never be seen again. Pandora, it was thought, was a spirit in the river. Armed with this information we headed off to join others on an adventure of White Water Rafting!

The day starts off with everyone moving very sluggish and still trying to wake up. Papers have to be signed, next of kin posted and fitting into the necessary gear. Booties, helmet and life vest. We boarded a school bus that has seen much better days and set off towards Taos to where the rapids begin. Along the way different mountain ranges were pointed out, historical markers, history of the Navajo Casino's and of course the Rio Grande.

We arrived at our launching point and piled out of the bus, thankful that we had survived the drive out. You could see the excitement level had started to raise as voices became more excited and louder. The unknown was still lurking as we stood by the river bank watching this immense volume of water rush past us carrying pieces of wood downstream. The snow fall in Colorado was at record levels this past winter and now that snow is starting to melt and sending its volume down stream.

After a brief lecture of do's and don'ts of rafting we hugged our loved ones and jumped into our rafts. Our guides name was Billy and fortunately he was also the most experienced guide of the group. First thing he asked when we sat in the boat was if we wanted an exciting ride or calm ride. The vote was cast and we had all agreed that we wanted the hardest, wettest and scariest ride possible.

The first few rapids are small and easy to navigate but the shock of the 54 degree water hitting you in the face will quickly clear any cob webs that might be lingering around. The reality hits you that you are sitting in the front of this raft, across from your companion, floating down a river that doesn't hear any screams or feel any fear. There is no OFF button to hit.

As we drift further down stream the rapids become larger and faster. By the time we reached the last rapid called "South Hole" the crew on our boat had learned to work together. It would be needed because this was the biggest and meanest rapid in this section. We dropped into this avalanche of water with Billy still screaming directions from the rear of the boat. The front of the boat, where we were sitting, went down into this hole of water and all I could see was this wall of water quickly approaching. It must have been 6 feet tall of white brown angry water churning and ready to swallow us whole. I saw Pandora as she smiled down on us ready to claim a few more souls. The shock of the mountain of cold water slamming against your face and hitting your chest like you had just been kicked by one of my ancestors mules was real. I found myself sitting in the middle of the boat on top of Reta. We struggled to get to our positions because Billy was still screaming to paddle hard because we were getting ready to hit another rapid. The boat was completely filled with water. It looked like the seven of us were sitting in a small swimming pool. As we slowly started to realize that we had survived this intense moment of shear panic and exhilaration we all started to scream with excitement and slap each other on the backs as to say we had made it. We had looked Pandora in the face and paddled away with an experience like non other.

I took my camera along and managed to get a few shots. Keep in mind that I couldn't take any while we were going down the big rapids because I can still hear Billy screaming directions to paddle.

After another pleasant drive back we arrived at the rafting outfitters with an angry appetite. We were invited to join two guys that were on our boat for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. This place is known for their Margarita's and we quickly discovered why. We were pleasantly surprised when Mike picked up the check and told us to enjoy New Mexico because this was on him. Ron had picked up the first round of drinks at the bar, which was another surprise. If Ron and Mike are any representation of New Mexicans than this place is truly one of warm and friendly people that love to learn about where you came from and share their hospitality.

Check out the slideshow and look for the sequence of our dive into the South Hole.

New Mexico Capital

We stayed up most of the night looking up into the sky but never saw anything that can be classified as a UFO. Must not be the right time of year for the visitors from other distant planets to make their visit. Maybe the high fuel prices have effected them as well.

The morning greeted us with perfect driving weather. Sunny with very little wind. We packed up and headed north to spend the weekend in the state capital of New Mexico. Santa Fe is positioned at the foot hills of the Rocky Mountains and along a chain of mountains called "Sangre de Cristo". The city claims to be the oldest capital city in the US.

The drive north was a changing landscape every mile. It started off as a flat dessert littered with scrub bush's. It seemed that every mile that would tick by on the odometer the elevation would increase. Finally we reached the peak on a smaller mountain and saw the white caps high above the dessert floor. The air is also getting cooler. We are no longer sitting in an oven.

Our campground is surrounded by these beautiful mountains and we are sitting at an altitude of about 7,000 feet above sea level. The high today was only 76. It really is amazing that only after 3 1/2 hours on the road you can be in a climate so different. After we unpacked and took an afternoon nap we decided to explore downtown. I was very excited to find what my ancestors have called "transportation" for many years.

Reta has planned out Saturday. We are going to get up early and head out with a group of people to jump into a very cold river and try some White Water Rafting. Not sure what river it is but I will have some pictures and hopefully some good stories to share with you tomorrow.

Close Encounter

As the strong winds came cascading down the mountains early this morning we rolled out of Carlsbad and headed north for an hour and three-quarter drive. We felt it only appropriate to head to this city after our day of exploring another world in the caverns. Thursday we would have another encounter but this one being from a different planet. Roswell, New Mexico has become famous for being the UFO Capital of the World! Once we arrived we quickly set up so that we could keep our meeting downtown. Not really sure of the exact location we decided to head out and see if we could find it on our own. We knew we were getting close when Reta spotted these distinct footsteps still fresh on the sidewalk.

We took off quickly following these odd marks but the track went cold and we had to stop and ask someone for directions. There, that guy up on the building. He's telling us to go in that direction.

We're getting close now because almost like a divine intervention I looked up and saw the heavenly sign shinning down on me and washing me in this white, clean light.

We have arrived at the UFO Museum and Research Center in downtown Roswell.

It was here that we were to have our encounter. After signing in with the front office and showing him our identification, which consisted of two bills with a picture of Abraham Lincoln, we proceeded into the Research Center. There we learned that Roswell became famous for the incident that occurred on July 4th, 1947 at 11:50 p.m. It was when Mac Brazel, a rancher, heard a loud noise outside that left him startled because it was like nothing he had heard before. The next day while inspecting his fields he discovered what looked like a crash site. It went on for 3/4 of a mile and 300 yards wide. Not knowing what it was he collected as much as he could into old sacks. The following day he took his find into town and shared his findings with the sheriff in Roswell. The next few days events have been tried to be covered up by the US government. The Research Center has filled in the missing timeline and events. At the site were discovered several alien bodies and a spaceship. In the slideshow pictures I have taken, it will show the evidence that the government has tried to cover it all up and pretend that it never happened. We all know the truth now.

After extensive research I was ready for my meeting. I have to admit that I was quite nervous but I knew that this encounter would be out of this world. First Squadron Leader Budra was already seated and had ordered us a couple of soda's.

How insightful Mr. Budra was. He made me feel at ease with his gentle demeanor and soft voice. It was another moment in this trip that I will never forget.

Carlsbad Caverns

Our journey underground started off early this morning. We awoke earlier than usual because our internal clocks are still in the Central Time Zone. After a short drive to the Park entrance we started our accent up this mountain to 4,406 feet. Twisting roads lead to fantastic views around every corner as the dessert shared with us its flowering cactus, rugged mountains and broad planes in the distance.

The terrain here is not friendly if you dare venture off the beaten path. Hot temperatures soaring to the 100's lick a hot wind against your skin, like someone has opened a blast furnace without warning. The contrast of the southern slopes, that are barren from prolonged exposure to the hot sun, versus the northern slopes, that have a temporary reprieve and thus vegetation flourishes as much as it can for a dessert.


Immediately after getting your pass to descend into the cave the contrast of the two worlds become evident. Here you are looking for any form of shade to cool you off from the 100 degree sun yet you start to add on layers of clothing to keep you warm on your journey. You arrive at the mouth of this underworld. At night it becomes alive and begins to spew millions of Mexican Bats into the night sky but for now it swallows you up as you begin to traverse its twisty path downward.

As you get further down the path the smell of the Bat Cave, which is 200 feet below the surface, greets you with a nose tingling ammonia smell.

Finally, as you pass the bats that are hanging 140' above your head you start to find that your eyes are adjusting to the faint light around you. Dark obscure objects begin to reveal there beauty.

As you continue down a path that seems will never end you are met with amazing formations all around you. High above your head hang tons of rock formations that appear to be so fragile that a light breeze would knock them off.

At the depth of 754 feet below the surface you begin to feel the chill of the 58 degree air around you. Even at this depth if you stand still around small openings you can feel the wind rush past you as it circulates around the cave system. Warm air clashing with the cool air exiting the cave creates a vacuum that circulates fresh air into cave.

At a curtain point, in a tour that we took, the Park Rangers turn off all the lights. You sit there in absolute darkness not being able to tell if your eyes are open or closed. Sitting there quietly you begin to hear the heartbeat of the cave. Every so often you hear little drops of water hitting rock or puddles. The droplets deliver calcite to the formations and drop by drop, over millions of years these formations grow and begin to take unique shapes. Here gravity and chemistry work in complete darkness to create these masterpieces that we will never see completed in our lifetime.

About halfway through our journey we enter the "Big Room". After walking around its mile long perimeter encompassing 8.2 acres you can understand why it was named "Big Room". Ceilings as high as 300 feet and chambers that seem to never end. You can't help but put yourself into Jim White's shoes and imagine how he must have felt when he discovered this room back in 1896. With only a kerosene lamp to illuminate the area around him it must have felt like he had arrived in another world. Here at 830 feet underground you realize how small you really are in this vast planet. You begin to realize how the forces of nature work with each other. This planet is a living, breathing ball that is still growing and reshaping itself.

At last you reach the surface to find the harsh sunlight blinding your eyes. The once cozy layers of clothing now feel like they are constricting you and not allowing you to breath. The harsh contrast of the underworld meets the surface again. This experience was an incredible one that given the opportunity everyone should have. Words and pictures are not sufficient or worthy enough. This is where your 5 senses will work in harmony to envelope you in this experience.

I hope that I was able to give you a tiny glimpse into our day of sensations in the underworld.

Mountain Time Zone

We arrived in Carlsbad, New Mexico yesterday afternoon and aside from the normal setup around the RV we also had to set all the clocks back an additional hour. Road Hazard is parked in the Mountain Time Zone. Two hours behind the East coast. It took us a little under 6 hours to drive the 287 miles.

Along the way we noticed how the landscape was changing from a flat, dry, red dirt to hilly, brown dirt with more green vegetation.

It was interesting to watch dust devils start swirling out in the middle of the fields along the highway. It would rise up about a hundred feet and last for a few seconds then disappear.

We passed several of these huge salt flats and just thought it was amazing. Later, we inquired about the salt flats and learned something that we never would have imagined.

The flats are controlled by WIPP, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. They say it is where geology, environmental science and mining meet a half mile underground. WIPP "safely" isolates the nations defense related uranium nuclear waste inside a 2,000 foot think salt formation. Amazing that this location is the "landfill" of all our nuclear waste. I wonder if this whole area glows an ere green hue at night?

Once we arrived in the city of Carlsbad I had to laugh when we stopped at a light. Take a look at the bottom of the sign.

If you are one to vote for a short and bald person then here is your man. I guess politics is a little different in these parts. They address other issues.

This morning we are headed off to Carlsbad Caverns to explore the underworld. With the heat that followed us what better place to go then to get away from the sun. We arrived yesterday with the thermometer hitting 100 plus and they are calling for more of the same today.

New Mexico

Last night Reta and I did something that, when we sat down to think about, we last did with our friends Amir and Amanda. It had to be over 7 months ago. We went to the movies. The theater that we went to is in this small town called Canyon. The only theater in town and it only has one showing per day. There isn't even a parking lot for it. You just have to find somewhere to park along the street or in some closed business for the night. There is one girl working the ticket counter and one guy selling soda's and snacks. When you walk into the theater it's like stepping back into time. Tired seats that are staggered so that you can see past the person in front of you. Old red velvet curtains hanging from the walls that flap with the air rushing out of the exposed ducts in the ceiling. We paid $4 each to get in plus $9 for two soda's and snacks. When was the last time you paid that little? The movie we saw? IRON MAN. Okay, so its been out for awhile but we hadn't seen it yet. It turned out to be a great movie and the experience of the theater just added to the evening.

Today we are moving once again. Going WEST! After extensive research, mapping and hitting the buttons on the calculator we have decided to explore Carlsbad Caverns. Being the 8th wonder in the world it deserves our attention. The campground we chose is about 1/2 hour from the park but we think it is the nicest in that area.

Before we leave this morning I am going to climb into the engine compartment and pretend to know what I'm doing. Check the oil level, coolant level and make sure everything looks like it should. Being that we are going to be on the road for 6 1/2 hours and most of it looks like it will be through dessert. I've seen too many movies to know what happens when you break down in the dessert.

We'll blog'it when we get there!

Palo Duro Canyon

Amarillo, Texas is home to the Baby Grand Canyon. We decided to stay in the State park that required us to drive down a twisty road, as Reta described in an earlier blog. Aside from not having a full hook up (only water and electricity but no dump) we enjoyed our stay in "the hole". To walk out of Road Hazard and look 360 degrees around and see nothing but red and white layered rock soaring 800 feet up is nothing but amazing. The winds would kick up and swirl around the canyon sending the fine red dust in the air creating beautiful colors as the particles of dust collide with the suns rays. Birds are soaring above you surfing the thermal winds coming off the rock face. The sound of wind pushing through the spinney bushes let you know that you are far away from civilization. When you hike or bike the trails you are reminded that you are in someone else's home and you are out of your element. The heat is so intense here in the canyon. By mid afternoon the sun is at its hottest and the thermometer is pushing 114. You look for any type of shade where the temperature settles down to a cooling 95. The air is so dry that the back of your throat is always dry and chalky. You are hot but your sweat evaporates before it can settle on your skin to try and cool you. You throw some water on your head to cool off but within minutes you are bone dry again.
We quickly learned that we should adapt to the schedule that nature follows. Early morning is dedicated to any form of activity outside and you best be back in a cool area by 1 in the afternoon because by 5 the heat is at its hottest and the level on the thermometer will not start to drop until 9 that evening. Once you do venture out in the evening the other critters also come out. You can hear bats squeaking as they dance in the star lite sky eating up the loads of mosquito's that are also out in abundance. The ground also comes alive with rattlesnakes, bob cats, prairie dogs and lizards. You might be woken up around 2 in the morning by the wild pigs squealing as the temperature cools to 70 degrees. The morning greets you with birds eagerly singing that another hot day is on schedule.
What a fantastic time we had hiking, biking and watching nature all around us. It's hard to believe that you can be in a place so far away from everything and yet only a car ride away from civilization. This has to be one of the highlights of our trip thus far.
I hope the pictures can convey some of what I have described to you. Enjoy.