Local Vendors

There are some very interesting locals selling jewelry, food, etc in the parking area on the east side of the highway 64 gorge bridge about 7 miles west of Taos.

Gorge Bridge Vendors

We bought a few things such as dried apple slices, cinnamon almonds, a necklace and a blown glass pendant.  The glass pieces were being sold by the rather interesting fellow in the photo below and were made by his sister.

Local Sales Outlet for Sara Chatfield Glass

The lady below was selling various spices for $5 a bag.  She has a web site www.riograndechile.com.  She informed us of a road just a few miles further west that will allow you to drive down into the gorge.  We are going to try it later.

Eske's Brew Pub

Some photos of us enjoying cool outdoor dining in the shade at Eske's Brew Pub.

Eske's also operates a hot air balloon ride service.  An interesting combination of businesses.

Balloons Over The Rio Grande Gorge

This morning there were two hot air balloons visible just west of our campsite.  The balloons are operated by local companies that offer rides into the Rio Grande Gorge.  Our neighbor here at Monte Bello took one of the rides with his wife.  At one point the balloon basket actually drags through the river for a short distance!  We were somewhat interested, until finding out that the cost is $220 per person for about a 45 minute ride.  You do get free champagne at the end of the ride though.

Balloons Over The Gorge

Taos, New Mexico

We pulled in to Monte Bello RV Park in Taos, NM just after 5 pm on Wednesday July 6th. The park is located about 2 miles west of town on Highway 64 which goes out to the Rio Grande Gorge.  It is a very nice clean park that we had always passed on the way out of town but never stayed at before.

The photos above were taken in the park just before sunrise on Thursday morning.  The highest mountain in the background is Taos Mountain.

We will stay here three more nights before moving on to Silverton, CO on Sunday.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

We are making the second stop on our 2011 summer vacation trip in Palo Duro Canyon State Park after spending three days in Wichita Falls visiting my folks.  The location is site 87 in the Mesquite Camping Area.  The weather is hot, but not quite as hot as Wichita Falls.

It appeared to have rained quite a bit Monday afternoon before we arrived as there was a lot of red dirt washed up on the water crossings and some standing water.  There were some clouds and a little thunder Tuesday afternoon, but no more rain.

After taking a partial hike to Lighthouse Peak on Tuesday we just stayed at the campsite and enjoyed the nice view from this part of the canyon.  We packed up and departed for Taos, NM on Wednesday morning.

San Antonio

We are in San Antonio for the Memorial Day weekend.  Saturday was a trip to the River Walk and Sunday we went over to the Market Square.  At the Market Square one of the musical groups playing was Wayanay Inka.  They are from South America and we have seen them here several times before. 

We took a drive today up to Canyon Lake.  On the way back we spotted a very cool place called the Shade Tree Saloon and had lunch there.

Quintana Beach

Here are some photos from our annual spring trip to Quintana Beach County Park.  It was cloudy most of the weekend and not much chance to test the new solar charging system.

Site No. 25

Several years ago an LNG processing plant was built in Quintana just across from the park much to the displeasure of the local residents.  Today an LNG tanker docked at the plant to unload its cargo.

Huge LNG Tanker Maneuvering into Position to Unload

We had never seen one of these tankers before.  Our neighbor at the camp said it takes them about three days to unload all of the LNG (liquified natural gas).  Once unloaded, the LNG is stored in tanks and converted from liquid back to gas by the plant for distribution in the Freeport area.

LNG Processing Plant

Here are some photos of the local hangout, Bridge Bait Ice House.  It is located under the big bridge going over the waterway to Surfside.

Bridge Bait Ice House

You can sit outside and have drinks and watch the traffic go by on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Patty at Bridge Bait

Boat Traveling the Intracoastal Waterway

We had lunch at Pirate's Alley in Surfside.  The surf was really up.

Beach View from Pirate's Alley Restaurant in Surfside

Original photos of this trip can be viewed at http://gallery.me.com/johntx#100321

Next scheduled adventure:  San Antonio, Memorial Day weekend 2011