2006 Southwest Hot Springs

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2006 Hot Springs of the Southwest DXpedition

January 9 - March 13, 2006

Day 1 Des Moines, Iowa and the Big Steer Steak House

Day 2 Martha guards the Airstream as we have lunch in the World Famous St. Joseph, Missouri Stock Yards

Jan. 10th 2006 lunch in the old Stock yard in St. Joseph, Missouri

Jan. 13th 1,000 year old Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Standin' on the Corner' Winslow, Arizona Jan. 14, 2006

Day 6 Petrified Forest, Arizona & Winslow, Arizona

Petrified Forest Painted Desert / Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Petraglyph's on the edge of an ancient Pueblo ...Martha wets her nose w/ humidity @ 5 percent

Day 3 Lamar, Colorado Elks Lodge

No salt on these roads as we caught a snow storm in the mountains w/ 25 degree temps on the way to Taos

Day 4, 5 Taos, New Mexico & Taos Pueblo

1,000 year Taos Pueblo w/ it's people dating back to the beginning of time ...20K years plus (this is the oldest active Pueblo in the USA)

The Airstream kept us warm as we woke up to 3 degree temps in mountains of Taos, New Mexico. The sun quickly warms things to the upper 50's.

Airstream bedroom window view, Elks Lodge Gallop, New Mexico ...Day 7, 8 Cottonwood & Jerome, Arizona, entering Sedona, Arizona from Flagstaff

sun rises over Dead Horse State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona. Jerome is on the Mountain

Taking the short cut to Quartzite over Jerome's mountain with the Airstream we encounter the usual warning signs, 40 foot limit, no large vehicles recommended.

Haunted Dinner Burgers in the mountain top Copper mine / Ghost town of Jerome, Arizona ...Kathleen likes Diamonds, Tequila & a View

Kathleen's Quote of the Day In discussing Why Quartzite? "If it is Hot & Free, that is where everyone goes," by the tens of thousands

Quartzite Jan 17 - 28 ...Airstream Amateur Radio Club West Coast Rally in the BLM 6 miles south of Quartzite, mm99 & look for the antennas.

cruising Quartzite, Quartzfest Link

...they are still setting up for the RV & Camp show 21-19, this weekend the place will be packed

sun bathing, desert style

"Kathleen" slipping into Silly Al's ...a Cowboy Bar / Pizza place!

Day 9 - 28 Jan. 17th arrive at Quartzite for the West Coast RV Amateur Radio Service Net pre Rally

Formal Rally is Jan. 22-28 ...This annual West Coast RV Service Net Ham Rally is much cooler than anticipated. Everyone grabs a slice of heaven, they all run on solar power and a cool Antenna is a must. Gordon West the Amateur Radio Guru will host a week of classes during the formal Rally.

Day 10, Generating Station ...Jan.18 and I installed my new / 3rd solar panel. A beauty, gives us an extra 85 watts kicks us up to 230 watts w/ 13.9 amps, (it's the Amps that Kill) SPARKS all over the desert. It is like riding in Flash Gordon's space ship

Day 12 ...Jan 19, a practice run through Quartzite to check things out the big camping show that starts this weekend. ...Notice anything unusual with the Proprietor at the Quartzite Book Reader Oasis !!! ...Quartzite like no other place on earth!

Day 12, 4WD to the base of the mountain west of our camp for Ham contact # 6 ...heading back to camp

Day 13, early morning Run in the BLM before heading to Quartzite for the big RV camping show

Day 15, At this Ham Rally, I can just yell out the door to the next RV to make a Ham contact.

attending Ham Radio class w/ Nationally recognized Gordon West aka Gordo, WB6NOA who wrote / writes the books and study tapes for Amateur Radio. I spent many hours of listening and reading Gordo's informative study tools to get my FCC Technician License, Technician License w/ Morse Code and finally the General License that gave me High Frequencies so I could keep in contact with other Airstreamers as I roam this beautiful country.

...Cow Boy Bar, Silly Al's in Quartzite ...0500hrs using my new head mounted flash light during pre dawn coffee & potty calls w/ Martha (Martha has to go but knows we are not alone in the desert night!

Day 16 -21 ...classes continue w/ Gordo WB6NOA in the outside classroom. It is 70 degrees but the desert wind lets you know who is the boss. It has not rained in Quartzite in 150 days or so. Thus a rain delay is unlikely.

I highly recommend this Ham Rally. Thousands of RV's in the desert & most running only on solar power, making Ham Radio contacts all over the world and attending the week of classes relating to Emergency Response Teams. As stated by WB6NOA, in the closing. What a great asset this county to have Amateur Radio Disaster Responders traveling from Sea to Shining Sea in self contained RV's of all kinds producing their own electricity. With the capability to connect a city with world wide communication within hours of a disaster.

10am Jan.29th ...after 12 days at the Ham Rally in Quartzite, making dozens of new friends we pause to savor the great view we had from our Airstream front door and the wonderful time we had here. A chance of a Lifetime!

Jan. 29, 2006 Yuma VFW in the BLM

Day 21 ...Yuma VFW & the afternoon cowboy band & pops ...This is where Martha became "Swims the Colorado" in 2005 ...last winter there was record rains with swift moving waters that plastered the vegetation to the banks all the way to the top, this year there is a draught, no rain for many months. The river has no current and the banks are alive with vegetation.

Jan. 31, 2006 Hot Spring BLM w/o the Imperial Sand Dunes, California w/108 degree clear water

DXpedition Day 22 Surfs Up in the BLM @ Hot Spring, our one night visit has turned into 4

...Wash cloths, Groceries & filled up with 7 days of fresh water in Yuma and headed for Hot Spring BLM w/o Imperial Sand Dunes. 103 degree mineral water flowing threw this tank, down here on the Mexican Border the desert winds stopped & the temps shot into the 80's ( our new Springs of the Southwest Book just paid for itself ) We planned for a 1 night lay over here but will stay for 5. These Hot Spring Tubs are cleaned and maintained by the mostly Canadian Snow Birds who stay here in the BLM all winter. Services provided ...free land w/BLM permit, Garbage Dumpster on the Highway & unlimited hot water.

Feb. 1, 2006 Kathleen 4WD's 12 miles north to a BLM hot spring called Palms Oasis

DXpedition Day 24 ...a 4WD trip to this remote hot spring, very cool, the only problem was the 2 nude guys also enjoying the solitude! We moved on and will return on another trip.

DXpedition Day 25 SLABS, Calf. ...looking down on Salvation Mountain

Feb. 3, 2006 Slabs City, California ...the abandoned Tank Camp of General Patton's ...inside Salvation Mountain, a new addition since 2002

Glock 26 Automatic

Slabs Beach Club, this one is not listed in our Hot Springs of the Southwest Book.

Slabs City in the Background from Salvation Mountain ...Slabs Hot Spring, now this is a Beach!!!

Humming Birds in the Slabs

View of the Slabs from Salvation Mountain ...Martha checks out the Slabs Pet Cemetery

Tour of Slab City USA our 1st adventure here was in Feb. 2002, a noticeable change has taken place in this old tank training ground of General George Patton and one time USMC camp now abandoned. The numbers of the Snow Birds have increased and the full time Squatters has dwindled dramatically. These Very Colorful Characters to say the least are still around but in lesser numbers. Rumor has it the BLM is going to take over this abandoned Government land and probably next year the Colorful People of the Slabs will be gone and only the snow birds will remain and the cement Slabs will remain along with the adventure of coming to this very unique place.

...Take this " Tour " of Slab City

450 Marlin Lever Action

" This is why you buy an Airstream, " adventure, nothing else will do !

DXpedition Day 27 Canyon Road, Calf. 9 miles n/w of Mecca, Calf. ...4WD into a BLM Canyon, "VERY COOL," no park rangers here !

alone in the BLM ...Martha aka "Swims the Colorado" becomes cautious as dusk approaches

What's do you eat in a deserted Canyon? " Anything you want"

Hiking the Canyons off Canyon Road BLM, California, 9 miles n/o Mecca ...Glock 26 Automatic

No four letter words mentioned here in the BLM ..."WORK"

DXpedition Day 28 morning hike in a Box Canyon

February 4, 2006 Kathleen's on the Cell w/Jamie "Can you here me now?" ...we are 10 miles north of Mecca Calf. in the BLM off Canyon Road.

DXpedition Day 27 Super Bowl Sunday entertainment ...heading to a gold mine at the base of the mountain we took the Bradshaw Trail (old wagon train route) in the BLM 15 miles s/w Blythe, Calf. when the road washed out the truck sank in the. These pics are the beginning, I eventually buried the truck to the axles front and rear until we stacked enough rocks to drive out. Even 1st gear low transfer 4WD did not help in the bottomless soft sand in this area.

Super Bowl Sunday, after three hours of digging we got out with big smile drove back about 300 feet & watched the Supper Bowl Entertainment & spent the night.

Airstream's National Hobo Rally, Blythe Calf.

DXpedition Day 29 - 35 Hobo Rally Blythe, Calf. ...this was our very first Airstream Rally in 2002, lots has happened since then including 70,000 miles on the Airstream

Hobo Parade ...what a treat for Kathleen !

Feb. 6-12th National Airstream Hobo Rally Blythe, California ( this was our very first Airstream Rally in 2002)

DXpedition Day 35 Tortilla Flats, Arizona

National Forest Camp at Tortilla Flats, Arizona in view of the Stage Coach Station Feb. 13, 2006

Tortilla Flats Stage Coach stop, Arizona ...cowboy band daily noon - 4pm

...the road leading west out of Tortilla Flats, Kathleen has her usual concerns. Like falling off the Cliff!

Tonto National Forest Camp @ Tortilla Flats

Day 36 Tortilla Flats, Arizona in the mountain above Apache Junction

DXpedition Day 35, 36 Tortilla Flats, Arizona in the mountain above Apache Junction

Casa Grande National Monument, Arizona

Ruins @ Casa Grande National Historic site, Arizona

DXpedition Day 37 Tucson, Arizona Saguaro National Park

deep underground in a Titan Missile silo @ the Titan Missile National Historic Site Sahuarita, Arizona Feb. 15, 2006

Kathleen prepares to launch a nuclear missile

DXpedition Day 38 site seeing n/o Nogales Mexico ...Tubac, Az. the oldest Spanish town in Arizona & down the road Tumacacori Mission National Historic Site

Tubac, Az. (oldest town Spanish town n Arizona) ...Tumacacori Mission National Historic Site, Arizona

then spend a night alone on the Mexican Boarder in Coronado National Forest.

Border Patrol crawling all over the place, on foot, 4WD & in the air but no camp ground host or campers!!! Feb. 15, 2006

on the road from Nogales Mexico to Tombstone Arizona

DXpedition Day 39 Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone, Arizona Feb. 16, 2006

Big Nose Kate's

DXpedition Day 40, Columbus, New Mexico / Palomas, Mexico & Poncho Villa State Park.

...Poncho Villa was the 1st Tourist in Columbus. The only issue he killed over a 100 residents his first night. Feb. 17, 2006

The Pink Room in Palomas, Mexico Kathleen heading back to the USA with her LOOT Feb. 16, 2006

Big Bend Back Country Tour Feb. 19 - 24, 2006

"time to kick it up a notch" w/ Chinati Hot Springs, Texas ...Southwest Hot Spring Tours continues

Before leaving the Black Top road for Chinati Hot Springs Kathleen stops for some Pops on the Rio Grand River

@ the Cantina in Ruidoso. An absolute must on any Tavern Tour

"the Red Rider"

Martha needs a stop while heading to Chinati Hot Springs 7 miles n/o Ruidoso on the Mexican Boarder Feb. 21, 2006

No Traffic Cops out here

Following the Rio Grand River 37 miles from Presidio to Ruidoso, Texas Airstream kickin' up the Dust

no 40 foot bus RV's heading for this place @ the 4 mile mark, 3 more miles on gravel road

entrance that leads down into the canyon ...time to put the camera away this will be 2nd gear, 4WD low transfer

looking back from across the canyon

Apprehension builds as Kathleen through down town Chinati for the Hot Springs

Time to Smile ...These semi-outdoor tubs were kind of weird @ first but they are drained after use and you refill & rinse out your tub before use with the 109 degree clear spring water & no chemicals.

...turn of the century Chinati Hot Springs n/o Ruidoso, Texas Feb. 19, 2006

Martha's many friends

"Cornpone," he would howl until the care taker came every time a new guest arrives

Downtown Chinati! hilltop pool

early morning hike

The weather changes quickly in the desert, Kathleen starts her hike with a chill in the air but the dry heat of the desert can sneak up on you

after a 2 hour hike, Kathleen heads back to the Hot Springs

Hike the Canyon, then back across the ridge

Hiking the Hot Desert Canyon, time to head back to the Hot Springs

DXpedition Day 42, 43 Chinati Hot Springs, Texas Feb. 19 - 21, 2006

Presidio, Lajitas & then settle into Terlingua, Texas on the west side of Big Bend N. P.

Feb. 21 Day 44, Tavern Tour leads us to the world famous Terlingua Porch, people have come to this famous general store porch every late afternoon since 1932. This evening some travels play some folk music. Notice the Base Fiddle in the middle, a Mexican waling stick, w/ a rope leading from it's middle of a wash tub & a leather work glove to protect your hand.

Feb. 22, 2006 True Tales from the Historic Terlingua Porch (not from the book but sold in the National Park)

by Warren R. Wilkosz, Sr.

DXpedition Day 45 Terlingua, Texas

The next evening we were back on the Porch in the Ghost Town of Terlingua to have dinner with our Texas Airstream friends. A different crowd on this night. About 20 local men ages 25 -70 drinking Lone Stars, talking tough. One man was the obvious self appointed King of the porch. We sat down on the end & took & listened to the talk of Terlingua.

But this porch is in the still wild west down on the Mexican Border in the Ghost town of Terlingua. Summer heat is over 120, no water and a different breed of man lives here. Tourist come and go but a different breed of man lives here. A large upscale motorhome pulls up and as the couple exits with their two small dogs. Before the couple could take 4 steps two white 85 pound pedigree Pit Bills, pets of a family staying in a hotel room ran from behind the General Store attacked the women and ate one of the women's white dog leaving the dogs internal organs on the warm Terlingua sand. As this heroic women struggled to save the second dog Sophie in her arms & still fighting off the Pit Bulls that were eating the badly mauled white dog on the ground. Kathleen ran to help & I ran to my truck for weapons to kill the dogs, none of the hero's on the porch even gave a thought of helping this woman screaming / pleading for Help. (we had been hiking with my hand gun in the mountains earlier and I left it in the Airstream not anticipating a shootout on this historic porch and dinner place the Starlight Dinner Theater. I had to settle for a 3 1/2 foot iron pipe from my tool kit. Kathleen helped with wrapping the wounded dog with exposed guts in a clean towel so these Michigan travelers could take their pet to the Vet in Alpine. These travelers from Michigan gave Kathleen the keys to the motorhome so we could watch after the second dog inside in that the Michigan Travelers had no idea where they were going or when they would return. Late that night the travelers returned & we assisted in getting them a place to camp for the night next to us down the road at La Kiva. It was dark & they could not see where they were at so I gave them instruction. Lock your door and don't open it till day brake. If you have a problem honk you horn. See you in the morning.

This is the wilderness, violence can start and stop within seconds, no one on the historic 1932 porch even attempted to help these travelers. The Sheriff refused to respond after 3 calls. Warning! Travelers need to have weapons, keep them close because violence can erupt with in seconds and your on your own in Texas. Very much on your own.

late afternoon on Terlingua Porch, Terlingua

We meet up with our Airstream Texas Rancher friends and head below ground in the La Kiva Rest. ...Very Cool

...we set up camp right out the front door of La Kiva, no long drive home from here

Great View out our front door looking back into the valley leading to Terlingua Ranch Resort (very Texas rustic)

After Pops @ this Rustic Ranch Resort, time for a T-Bone Steak Dinner Nice Solar Panels!

This Ranch that cover hundreds of square mile is section off into small ranches with the Ranches belonging to an association that operates Terlingua Ranch Resort which is more like rustic hunting lodges. A very weird place, but a must on the Big Bend Back Country Tour.

DXpedition Day 46 Terlingua Ranch, Texas Feb. 23, 2006

Terlingua Ranch, Texas ...Outside ...Inside

DXpedition Day 47 Stillwell Ranch, Camp, Store & Museum on the way to La Linda Crossings, Mexico & Heath Canyon Ranch, Texas Feb. 24, 2006

DXpedition Day 47 visit Health Canon Ranch @ La Linda Crossings, Mexico Feb. 25, 2006

...The La Linda Boarder Crossing closed years ago after DuPont's Silver Mine closed in 1991 ...road ends at the Mexican Boarder

La Linda, Mexico ...days earlier @ Terlingua Ranch the female Ranch Foreman (and well deserving of the title) warned me to "be careful at this place, hike, look around, do not cross the bridge over the Rio Grand into Mexico or wade or drive across into Mexico under any circumstances and that at any time you feel uncomfortable LEAVE!" I asked the female to explain. All she would say is you will know when you get there.

the abandoned Silver mines @ La Linda Crossings, Mexico Feb. 25, 2006

checking out the silver mine & La Linda Mexico across the Rio Grand

...After a few minutes a male Mexican is observed on the banks of the Rio Grand watching us.

Moments later another "Senor" appears on the old Boarder Crossing bridge right in front of us. Then a third lookout appears on the hill above us on the USA, this lookout is flying the Stars and Stripes. The warnings of the Ranch Foreman are coming true. "Be careful at this place, hike, look around, do not cross the bridge over the Rio Grand into Mexico or wade or drive across into Mexico under any circumstances and that at any time you feel uncomfortable LEAVE!" But not just yet.

A few hundred yards away is Heath Canyon Ranch, described as Funky place. ...so up the hill we go

We meet with the elderly owner of Heath Canyon Ranch, a motel / campground & now closed restaurant & cafe. He gave a tour of his to say the least, "Very FUNKY Place." He offered a camp site, lodging and told his story of how he moved here in 1968 and worked for DuPont at the Silver mine. The boarder was open then and La Linda was a booming town. He pointed out the white still beautiful Catholic church that he and all the residents of La Linda built by hand. He told of the good times and how he eventually bought this Funky Ranch.

I asked who the lookouts were. He replied that the Mexicans our waiting for a load of cattle. I doubt that, more likely guards for a drug operations. He added that the man on the hill with the trailer & Stars & Stripes is a Vietnam Veteran and he watches out of this elderly man & his wife protecting them from harm.

..."Way to Funky" so we head back for Big Bend National Park for the night

End of the Big Bend Back Country Tour Feb. 25, 2006

Rio Grand Camp sunset #1in Big Bend N. P.

Big Bend National Park ...Roadrunner

temps drop with the high elevation Chiso Mountain Lodge,

4WD & hike the Ghost Town of Glen Springs at Black Gap Road w/ Airstreamers Jim & Margaret Kraner

90 degrees air temp, 109 degrees water temp as the Big Bend Hot Spring Tour continues @ Big Bend on the Rio Grand River

Tour guide "Kathleen" sharing past experiences

the closed since 911 Boquillas, Mexico boarder crossing

"the TWO Highlights of the day"

...Freshly perked coffee goes at 0500 hrs, 1000 hrs Zulu ...Pops at 1600hrs 2100 hrs Zulu

"everything else is in between"

looking for a WiFi connection & a Lone Star @ Chiso Mountain Lodge

4WD w/ Jim and Margaret Kraner to the Ghost town of Glen Springs on Black Gap Road

1900's Mexican cemetery @ Glen Springs

...we be Hikein' ...Glen Springs Ghost town @ Black Gap Road

Sunrise walk w/ Martha @ on the Rio Grand

...Boquillas Canyon ...Outfitters floating down from Terlingua on a 3 day adventure on the Rio Grand

Mexicans across the board walk back in forth selling their goods.

Airstreamer Jim barters with the Senor for the perfect walking stick

Here comes my Buddy's the Javelina's @ Rio Grand Camp in Big Bend

the palace guard see two cages dogs in the back of this pick up and try to eat them, like chicken in a basket, no fries

"Life in High Definition on the Rio Grande over a hundred miles from a US town"

DXpedition Day 48 - 52 Big Bend National Park, Texas Feb. 19 - 24, 2006

...DXpedition Chow ...desert flowers

DXpedition Day 53 spend the night at a 20,000 year old native American camp @ Seminole State Park, Texas

Langtry with Judge Roy Bean

...the morning after our Bandera Cowboy Tavern Tour. These places are packed with ranchers starting at 4pm

DXpedition Day 54 historic Bandera, Texas oldest Polish Community in Texas

Bandera, Oldest Polish community in Texas

We head for Sea Wall State Park for a night of camping on the Gulf of Mexico Beach. It is late afternoon & we pull into Port Arthur on the Texas / Louisiana border out in the Salt Water Marsh's of the Gulf of Mexico. We did not realize it was in the path of 2005's Hurricanes. Roads are blocked every 5th home has a FEMA trailer parked next to it. After driving out into the Marsh we find the State Park Closed because of hurricane damage. We talk the resident Ranger into letting up spend the night at the Marsh boat launch. Very Cool. The Ranger warns it will be dark soon so get in your trailer because the mosquitoes will come by the millions. He was right, you could hear a buzz in the air as they came.