Cliff Dwelling on the Past

We are heading to Mesa Verde next week, so we thought that this would be a good time to take a look back at some of the other outstanding ancient dwellings of the American Southwest… CONTINUE READING >>

We are heading to Mesa Verde next week, so we thought that this would be a good time to take a look back at some of the other outstanding ancient dwellings of the American Southwest… CONTINUE READING >>

Aerospace Cowboys

New Mexico has been on the cutting edge of the space age ever since there was such a thing as the space age. Here is a look back at our visit to New Mexico’s Spaceport America ten years ago….
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New Mexico has been on the cutting edge of the space age ever since there was such a thing as the space age. Here is a look back at our visit to New Mexico’s Spaceport America ten years ago….
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Picture This: The Petrified Forest


As we continue to seek out social distance friendly destinations the wide open spaces of Arizona offer an intriguing option… ancient, petrified trees!
When we heard forest, we expected large groups of upright trees. We felt kind of dumb. The petrified trees are all laying on the ground – alive with vibrant color – left there about 225 million years ago during the Late Triassic… CONTINUE READING >>


As we continue to seek out social distance friendly destinations the wide open spaces of Arizona offer an intriguing option… ancient, petrified trees!
When we heard forest, we expected large groups of upright trees. We felt kind of dumb. The petrified trees are all laying on the ground – alive with vibrant color – left there about 225 million years ago during the Late Triassic… CONTINUE READING >>

Picture This: White Sands National Monument

White Sands National Monument
Talk about social distancing!

White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is a blinding alien landscape with giant shifting dunes of pure white gypsum… CONTINUE READING >>

White Sands National Monument
Talk about social distancing!

White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is a blinding alien landscape with giant shifting dunes of pure white gypsum… CONTINUE READING >>

The Grand Canyon Three Ways: Mules, Helicopters and Bicycles

A staggering 90 percent of visitors to The Grand Canyon never venture beyond the South Rim.

Very much like the time we stopped by with our three kids (one still in diapers and the other two under six) on a crazy cross-country camping adventure. We took a peek over the rim, snapped a shot or two and then got back in the car and left. All in all a successful visit — not a single toddler toddled over the edge.

But now that our offspring are grown and on their own, we decided to take the canyon a little more seriously, and add some adventure beyond child catastrophe prevention… CONTINUE READING  >> 

A staggering 90 percent of visitors to The Grand Canyon never venture beyond the South Rim.

Very much like the time we stopped by with our three kids (one still in diapers and the other two under six) on a crazy cross-country camping adventure. We took a peek over the rim, snapped a shot or two and then got back in the car and left. All in all a successful visit — not a single toddler toddled over the edge.

But now that our offspring are grown and on their own, we decided to take the canyon a little more seriously, and add some adventure beyond child catastrophe prevention… CONTINUE READING  >> 

Why? Could it be the Cacti?

Everybody has to ask “Why?” from time to time. Our time came on the drive to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. On the northern edge of the park, along the only road going in, lies the miniscule town of Why, Arizona.

Wondering why, we figured we should ask around. The Why-Not Travel Store seemed a good place to inquire. Actually, it was the only place to inquire.

It seems there are two main stories as to how the town came to be named Why, one more likely true than the other.

Some folks say that… CONTINUE READING >>

Everybody has to ask “Why?” from time to time. Our time came on the drive to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. On the northern edge of the park, along the only road going in, lies the miniscule town of Why, Arizona.

Wondering why, we figured we should ask around. The Why-Not Travel Store seemed a good place to inquire. Actually, it was the only place to inquire.

It seems there are two main stories as to how the town came to be named Why, one more likely true than the other.

Some folks say that… CONTINUE READING >>