Last day at Black Mesa State Park

Ready, set to go. In the morning, I need to unhook electric and water and pull in the slides, put Herbie in tow mode and then I am ready to hit the road. It was a nice day today here at the Park. Early this morning I walked down to the "low water crossing" just to make sure that the storm that dropped a bit on rain on us didn't have us socked in. It was enough rain to take the dust out of the air and drop cottonwood seeds on everything.

This morning I did get things moving to the breakdown, vacuumed (it never ends), shook the rugs, swept the lino, cleaned the bathroom and then did the fun thing. Pulled up and went to dump. When I finished, I decided to park in a pull thru with room for Herbie to sit behind me so I could get him hooked and be ready to flee early. All accomplished with time left over!

We had two campers come in today so far. One is a professional photographer who is in a 13' Casita Patriot. He has a neat setup and it works well for him. Has some great photos. Check out his site www.stevecreek.com. You will be impressed with his photos. He has the wildlife aura that means he will probably see the Mountain Lion. Remember I have been waiting on the cat for a week.

The other campers are from Dodge City, KS. They are just taking some down time 'out in the middle of nowhere'. He said this is about as far to nowhere as you can get from Dodge City in one days driving. They have been here many times. No surprises for them.

Went down to the Cliff Swallow nest site so I could do a third photo of where they are in the construction process. Just caught them as they came in and posted or is that pasted a bunch more mud on the walls or is it the doors? They were just sitting there, well not really some were sitting while others were fussing at them to please get out of the way, it's my turn to try it out!

This is such a neat photo.

While down there visiting with the Cliffies I saw this Yellow Warbler.

I also observed an Orchard Oriole, but the photo was less than satisfying.

However, this Rufous Crowned Sparrow was posed for a pretty shot.

On my early morning walk, I was greeted by this Canyon Towhee.

I am on my way to Limon, Colorado tomorrow. Hope to meet up with one of my AK traveling ladies. Then on North. 

Boise City, OK day trip

I decided that a trip to town was warranted. I did want some milk...yes, yes I have dry milk, but I wanted cheese for nachos too. So off I went to Boise City. Drive in was a little stressful for me because I was stressing over something I had no control of. Two sets of campers came in yesterday and spent the night and left without paying. They don't have anyone working to collect money when the ranger for the day leaves or has his days off. I was so ticked off. I mean the guy in the big Class A Allegro paid more for his gas for that 70 mile trip than the $18 camp fee. The guy driving the motorcycle, a big Harley towing a cart should have $10 for the tent site. Give me a break!! That makes me crazy and I was flying down the highway grumbling. Then I noticed the flowers on the side of the road. So neat and the little birds flying off the road. uuummmm need to check that out.

And you can see forever.

Aren't these nice?

So what are you looking at?

Okay go to town. Around the round about....long time since I have driven around one of those without nearly crashing.

Driving by the Love's gas cum Subway was a good thing as I saw the Pizza Hut. Woo Hoo, that is where I'll do lunch! The Love's is a very busy truck stop! Very busy. I then drove out to US287 on the east side of town figuring out how I would be able to go North when I am ready. Drove north of town about 5 miles on a fantastic highway. Brand spanking new concrete and no wap wap wap. I then turned around and drove back to town. I took business 287 into Boise City and passed the Cimarron Museum. What a neat building. Came back after lunch for that.

Lunch was a personal pan meat lovers pizza, salad and Dr. Pepper. This was absolutely the cleanest, nicest Pizza Hut I have eaten at in at least 15 years. I was the first customer in at 11:10 and was served very promptly. I left about 11:40, went by the grocery store, I thought. The milk date was 5/9. Cheese was way way old. So I asked a lady if there was a grocery store in town. Two blocks down the road. Okay, I go and get my groceries. Goodie. Will have nachos for dinner later. Then I went to the Museum.

Here is the museum information.

Here is a photo of me and Cimmy.

This is soooo coool!

Okay time is up and time to go home. So I am again flying home, when I see this black bird with white wings fly across the road in front of me! What's it? ID is two birds...red headed wood pecker or lark bunting. Well I can't tell you how many stops or U turns in the middle of the road that I made. But I found out what the bird was. See what you think.

Male breeding plumage Lark Bunting!

Another item I saw on the way home.

And then around the corner headed for the park. Those little bushes are cholla cactus. Forever.

The Cliff Swallows are building their homes for the summer.

Love those birds. So busy. Enjoy!