This morning was overcast but we did have wildlife to watch. Four deer walked down into the RV sites headed for the lake. They almost made it but someone was walking their dog and back up the hill they ran. The park is surrounded by cattle ranches and the drive out took us over several cattle guards. Along our way, we were slowed several times and stopped by moms with their calves. The calves were very curious and seemed a bit confused about the truck that was NOT delivering feed. We arrived at John Martin reservoir to our boondocking site. The site we picked is a large grass field on a peninsula on the lake. Quiet with no one for about a mile any direction. The plan is to stay two nights. In the evening, we watched a spectacular lightning show far to the west of the park.
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Today we hiked to the top of Black Mesa State Park which is the farthest point west in Oklahoma and includes the highest point in the state. Black Mesa gets its name from a layer of black lava rock covering the mesa. The trail is 8.5 miles round trip and took us up the side of the Mesa to the plateau on top. The highest point in Oklahoma is 4,973 feet above sea level. The hike up gave views of the mesa and the black lava boulders that were the size of a small car. The top of the mesa is flat and the winds were refreshing. The highest point is marked by a tall granite obelisk. The sides are marked North, South, East, and West. Carved in the each side was the distance to the next state. Colorado to the north 4.7 miles, Kansas to the ENE 53 miles, Texas to the south 31 miles, New Mexico to the West 1299 feet. Of course, seeing that the New Mexico state line was only 1200 feet to the west, we walked to the old fence that marked that line. After having lunch at the marker, we headed back to the trail head. We had both noticed small holes along the sides of the trail but not the animals that were making them. On the return hike we did. They are the Prairie Vole and feed on grasses, roots, seeds, bark and some insects. Predators include coyotes, hawks foxes and snakes. They remind me of guinea pigs and are about that size. We were hot and exhausted by the time we got back to the truck. It has been over a year since we had taken a real hike and maybe we should have picked a less difficult one to start back hiking.
Our trackers show we climbed the equivalent of 96 floors, Hiked 10.07 miles, and took 23,058 steps. On the road to and from the State park, we crossed the Santa Fe trail. The "hysterical" (sorry historical) marker gives information on the trail, which years it was used, and impact on the country and native tribes. The state park is very nice. The lake is small. RV sites are larger than normal and well maintained. Very quiet and dark enough to see lots of stars. There were some pretty views from above the lake. Tomorrow we go on a hike.
Things are opening up. Yea!
We have been itching to travel. State and Federal parks are starting to open up. Boondocking is allowed again. Time to move. We have a huge trip planned this summer. The plan is to leave here and travel up through Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona...Whew! That's the plan anyway. Of course there is the Plan, Backup Plan, Emergency Plan, and the Emergency Backup Plan. (At least). The goal is to see Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Badlands, Crazy Horse, Devils Tower (no close encounters 3rd kind or otherwise), Grand Tetons, Custer State park, Arches NP, Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, and back to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We pull out in the morning. One more New Mexico Sunset and our "pet" rabbit that hangs around the 5th wheel. I was working on an irrigation control in a ground box and did not see anything but... there was a scorpion. Yes I got struck and WOW it burns like your finger is in a fire. I will try to never to that again.
Shawna did a lot of work adding some color to the 5th wheel. The window "treatments" were very dark and some turquoise brightened everything up. She has more ideas so we may be making more changes. The hummingbirds are here in force. We have them flying around and fussing with each other this morning. Some like this one are very tiny. It was nice to get a few pictures of the birds around the 5th wheel.
Ok back to work. We have some soil to put in each box. The water system is installed and ready to get the plants healthy. We had to attach the green cool shade cloth to the metal fence. In the past, the metal reflexed the sun from the south and burned the plants.
We have a pair of mockingbirds building a nest right outside our window. The apple tree is only 4 feet from the window over our table. Two mockingbirds have been working hard to get the foundation of a nest started. After a lot of fussing on her part when the male would bring inadequate twigs they have a start to the nest. It has been very entertaining to watch their progress. The only safe time to take pictures is when they are away from the nest. In their last trips to the nest they were bringing soft material. I think we are getting close to time for the eggs to be laid. Mom's back for some finishing touches. Oh, May the 4th be with you.
The Ute Lake State park is now open with some limitations. The hours are 8am to 5pm but only the area near the dam and across from the park. We are "allowed" to launch a boat, go fishing, and hike the trails. Swimming from shore and camping are still not allowed.
The first day trucks pulling boats on trailers were waiting all the way to the corner of the highway. That is over 2,000 feet of waiting fishermen. The park was closed around 5pm and the entrance blocked. |
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January 2024
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