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Southwest Family Adventure Trip Report

Day 0
550.4 miles
So it is finally here! Time for our long awaited 2 week driving camping adventure vacation to the southwest. Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands,White Rim Trail, Arches and beyond. Lets get started!
I was able to get off work at noon on Friday so we decide to leave that afternoon instead of the next morning. It was a nice head start on an amazing trip.

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All packed up!

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And on the road!

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Well I'm going out west
Where the wind blows tall

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We stopped in Mt. Pleasant Texas for dinner at Outlaw's BBQ. Nice place, friendly people and good food. Beware, the hot BBQ sauce is HOT!!!

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We stopped at a motel in Weatherford Texas for the night. Not a very exciting 1st post, but it is how the trip started. With an early start in the morning we will be 700 feet underground shortly after lunch! We will be getting to the good stuff tomorrow!

More to follow soon...

Dang, you're like 10 miles from me if you're in Weatherford! It's a LOOOOoooonnnngggg drive west from here! Hope you have a great trip!

Day 1
521.7 miles

After leaving early from Weatherford we soon discovered west Texas is empty, except for oil wells. After a long drive and lunch at a taco shack in Hobbs, NM we made it to our 1st NP of the trip, Carlsbad Caverns. The drive in to the visitor center is very nice and scenic. And the caverns are amazing

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Local plant life
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Viewing area for the bat flight

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Natural entrance

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Natural entrance and switchbacks from inside

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Natural entrance from way down deep

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The Painted Grotto

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My pictures did not do so well in the caverns. I should have brought some extra light. Our daughter could not have been more excited and impressed with Carlsbad, her 1st national park.

After leaving we drove to Brantley Lake SP to camp. As soon as we started setting up the RTT the wind started blowing about 30mph. With a little nudging from the wife we packed up and headed to Artesia, NM. This was the 1st of several nights we ended up in a hotel instead of our planned camping, but it help keep the wife happy. We stayed at The Hotel Artesia. Very nice place and reasonable rates.

Day 2 to follow soon...

I did an out west trip from Michigan last year just about this time. 28 days and 6600 miles so much fun!!

Looking forward to seeing your pics! Have fun!! 👍👍

Day 2
403 miles

Our ride from Artesia to Alamagordo took us through the beautiful Lincoln NF.

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A stop at White Sands National Monument

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Some exploring

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My girls

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legal graffiti

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And we had a nice picnic lunch.

After leaving WSNM we drove to the Santa Fe NF near Pecos looking for a camp ground I stayed in with my family the only other time I have been in New Mexico, in the early 80's.

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We found this campground instead. It is very nice, clean, and quiet. And we did not see or hear any ghosts.

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Camp for the girls for the night.

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I decided to hang out by this little creek. What a great nights sleep. And the stars were amazing.

Day 3 to follow soon

Day 3
335 miles

After a great night sleep in the hammock, and a pancake breakfast in Holy Ghost Campground, we were off

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As soon as we got in the jeep to leave, these 3 mule deer came into the campground.

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We stopped in old town Santa Fe for the wife, so she could do some shopping.

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We also visited The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. I believe it was built in the mid to late 1800's. Then we had lunch at The Plaza Café before hitting the road.

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Hello Colorado. Just passing through this time. After reaching Cortez, CO, we were still looking at 45 min to an hour to get to camping spot. After just over 1800 miles driving in the past 4 days, I called for a hotel stay in Cortez. Tomorrow we hit Moab!!!!

Day 4 to follow soon...

Day 4
259 miles

This was a great day. Our fewest miles driving and lots to see. State # 7 today, Utah!

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UTAH!!!

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Getting close to Moab!

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Wilson Arch

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From inside Wilson Arch

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Headed to Canyonlands Visitor Center to get our permit for the White Rim Trail .

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The view from across the road from the visitor center

With our permit for the next day all squared away we drove to Upheaval Dome for a picnic lunch and a hike.

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Picnic area at Upheaval Dome

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On the hike

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Upheval Dome. What an amazing looking place.

Day 4 to be continued...

Quote:

Originally Posted by QPJEEP420 (Post 4343173)

...

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This guy waited a long time for "the shot"...

It pays to be an early riser for Mesa Arch ...

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Enjoying your posts; thanks for sharing!