Having fun in the desert

[Snafu]

I have loads of adventure pictures so I'm thinking I'll cram them all in here. I've been very busy discovering my new home (+/- 1.5 years) and I have now officially seen more of the Southwest than 90% of the people I know here who have lived their whole lives in this place!

First off...I recently got a new to me Olympus DSLR and am very excited to start learning all over again...

I went out last night to take some night pictures with a full moon in the Chihuahua desert. These could have been better if I had a tripod though. I had to use the roof of my truck, the tool box, the tail gate, and even my knee as I sat in the cold sand trying to breath as shallow as possible!

So tripod is now topping the wish list....

I'm all about the truck pics...I just like her so much :drool:

I'm still learning...This was only with a slower shutter speed and different aperture. I'm hoping to learn more and get this better.

 

[Snafu]

Next is a trip to the lava fields in southern New Mexico...I started out off of Rt 9 where you're right next to the border and then there's some dirt roads heading north...I had no idea there were so many dirt trails out there and ended up traveling about 100 miles on nothing but dirt. At one point I had the Border Patrol following me to check me out...makes you a lil nervous to say the least but I don't blame them for doing their jobs!

New Mexico has too many roads that make you wanna speed...

Climbing up up up...

...to the first stop

What was behind me

First of the "holes" that I think were once volcano's that exploded...I think

It hasn't rained in well over two months if you can tell...This wasn't even the dustiest area!

Had me thinking of Robert Frost...

There's more roads leading out to this, so I have a reason to go back :sombrero:

This was the "big hole." I think this one is actually called Kilbourne Hole on google maps

The trusty steed on this particular trip...

The sand was getting very deep and soft...that's bad when you don't have an air compressor yet for airing down!!

I found a real road after miles of iffy ones....this one follows the railroad and one of my companies 345kV transmission lines so I knew now where I was and how to get home.

345 000 volts over your head is quite....cool? I have a huge respect for lineman now

***Turn down the volume unless you reeeeaaaaally like The Clash!!***
This was the nicer road before the FUN road :victory: Click on the image to watch the video

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Last weekend I did another big trip out into this general area but on horseback...unfortunately I forgot the camera and my phone. BUT, it wouldn't have mattered because I was waaaaaaay too busy going at ludicrous speed through the dusty trails and having as much fun as the horse was...

Exploring on horseback is the ultimate experience...I think this goes back to my obsession as a kid with all the spaghetti westerns that would come on tv

 

[Snafu]

Colorado in early September...was a wee bit cold at night but I didn't mind. I miss being cold in winter and fall. Out here in West Texas the weather is always the same...sunny and hot.

This was where I drove a few miles to after waking up. I pulled over here for a nice view while I finished packing things back up and getting ready. I had slept in the back seat of the truck the night before since I'm cheap and adventurous like that.

I pulled over just outside Santa Fe about 6 or 7 hrs later and decided it was time for the tried and true bologna and cheese sandwich...I really am cheap but damn they do taste good!

Northern New Mexico

Pagosa Springs, CO!!! I was actually working on living here at one time....

It's official by now...I'm in love with Colorado

Grass is now an amazing thing...even though I hated it most of my life

Several switch backs as I climbed up this mountain road...awesome views

 

[Snafu]

Time to set up camp...was my first time with the new tent. Worked out very well. When I woke up the next morning I was surrounded by cows. I set up the portable stove and cooked up some spam and the whole time they kept watching me....made me really feel at home since I used to work with them a lot on a ranch in Kentucky.

Next morning...I climbed up Devil Mountain...not a single truck went up this trail, only ATV's. I soon found out its a bit rocky and VERY narrow at the top. I actually felt a bit like the drivers on IRT

Durango, CO....beautiful place

So long Colorado...Hello Northern New Mexico again...a ways out from Farmington

 

[4x4abc]

get a $10 upright (the ones with a T-handle) bicycle pump as your compressor
they produce more volume of air than most compressors - and they are faster - AND you stay in shape

get a tripod for your "dark" pictures

here is full moon with a tripod (Nikon D60)

 

[Snafu]

get a $10 upright (the ones with a T-handle) bicycle pump as your compressor
they produce more volume of air than most compressors - and they are faster - AND you stay in shape

get a tripod for your "dark" pictures

here is full moon with a tripod (Nikon D60)

I'm liking all that! I'm thinking of carrying a big one around and running it off the future inverter...maybe for long trips...that way I can use it in the future garage too

I'm using an Olympus E-520 so it's not as fancy but I'm sure I could get close!

 

[KSJeep]

Hey Snau,
Was just out at Killborne Hole last weekend, really cool place.

Second pic is on top of the rock pile by the mountains you showed.

Take Care
Kev

 

[Snafu]

Hey Snau,
Was just out at Killborne Hole last weekend, really cool place.

Second pic is on top of the rock pile by the mountains you showed.


Take Care
Kev

Awesome! Yeah I spent a while driving around that big one...I'd love to hike out to the center where the grassy spot is. The trails wrapping around and leading up on top of the North East corner of the hole got a lil too treacherous for me being by myself.

Ever made it to the Aden crater and lava flow? I was trying to get there but then lost my way...It's kind of North West of Kilbourne.

That Jeep sure looks interesting. We've got two at work with ARB bumpers and winches that have me itching for the keys!

 

[KSJeep]

Awesome! Yeah I spent a while driving around that big one...I'd love to hike out to the center where the grassy spot is. The trails wrapping around and leading up on top of the North East corner of the hole got a lil too treacherous for me being by myself.

Ever made it to the Aden crater and lava flow? I was trying to get there but then lost my way...It's kind of North West of Kilbourne.

That Jeep sure looks interesting. We've got two at work with ARB bumpers and winches that have me itching for the keys!

Didn't make it out to the lava flow, didn't have a map. But there sure are lots of roads to explore.

 

[tanglefoot]

haha--I use a bike pump as a compressor too! Great pics--I remember those hot spring pools in Pagosa. :snorkel: