A Day to Explore in Las Vegas, New Mexico

We enjoyed our adventures today in Las Vegas, New Mexico. We are here with some family who have been RV for years. They have met a few ladies who have been in their RV since November. They have so many stories to tell around the camp fire.

After a walk of the camp ground this morning, we ventured to the downtown area of Las Vegas, New Mexico. The downtown area has interesting building structures that are originals from the early 1900. The architecture of the building made us think of old western movies. We quickly learned the town is used a lot for movies and TV shows like The longest Yard, Due Date and Walker Texas Ranger. Oh and the old movie theater. Can you name what film it was in back in the 80's?

We stopped for a slice of pizza and a cold beer at CJ;s New York Pizza Department. A great place and it even had three bowling lanes. We loved the food and it offered a variety for family fun.

We had a great meal and watched a fabulous sunset with a few new friends and family. Our motto is Live, Laugh, Love! We are truly living even moment!   

New Mexico Adventure

Last night was an adventure. A storm came in over Palo Duro Canyon but missed us! Enjoy the video.

Our adventure took us to New Mexico. It is very hot but we are looking for warm temperatures. 

We took at turn to the famous Route 66 and found a few places of interest. 

We found a places in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Stormie Lake State Park is were we landed. We loved the view of the lake and Mia and Craig loved cooling off in the water. The sunset was awesome for Norma as well! 

Palo Duro Canyon Bike Trails Adventure

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. We reflected a bit about our years together, laughed, and decided we would start this year with a hike. Today's hike was on a sections of the Comanche Trail. It is a great biking trail but with a climb. We were only up for hiking today. The trail was full of rocks and bounders. It was calling mountain bikers with all its curves, switch backs and hills. We do wonder how someone can ride without crashing looking at all the beautiful views.

For more information on the mountain trails at Palo Duro Canyon click here. 

Creek Hiking at Palo Duro Canyon

Good Morning! Our campsite in Hackberry has numerous hiking trails and we our goal is to hike every morning so off we went on the Paseo Rio Trail but soon we decided to following the creek. The creek had running water. Can you believe it! We often just stopped and pondered on the view above us. These area was full of water billion of years ago. 

 

To our amazement, the creek was running. A slow pace but Norma enjoyed the rambling sounds of water.  We are both water people and glad to find some today. 

Life at the creek side was full of life with butterflies and different types of lizards.

We love having Mia along with us. She loves to explore but is on guard all the time. 

We were surprised and amazed to discover the caves in the canyon. Each one was a place for creations to hide and keep cool during the hot summer days.  If you are wondering Mia did not have any instinct to investigate the caves which made Norma very happy! 

We are beginning to finally decompress from our busy life's at home and loving the shade on this hike! 

Landscaping at the site at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Each camping site at the park is laid out like normal but we look at a creek which is empty during this time of year. Each site has a picnic table, a tent setup area and a fire pit. Some sites have a wood structure over the picnic table for shade. Our site has numerous trees and appreciate with the temperature in the mid 90's. 

Norma is enjoying the insects, butterflies and a turkey today! Finally, the moon rise over the mountain is a beautiful site and glad Norma captured. 

Hiking the Givens, Spicer and Lowry Trail at Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers well maintained trails for hikers, bikers, and horses. We chose the Givens, Spicer and Lowry Trail today.

In June, you must start your hike early to beat the afternoon heat and prepare with water to keep hydrated.

The Givens, Spicer and Lowry Trail is difficult because it is 3.08 miles one way and meets up with two other trails. We liked the ups and downs as it weaved us through the canyon. The views were awesome and appreciated the trail being well maintained.

For more information about the trails at Palo Duro click here.

On the Road Again!

We are excited to begin our next adventure. We are packed up and ready to go.

 The Olson's are eager to begin!

We enjoyed a fabulous sunset on our first evening on the road. 

If you are wondering about Mia? She is enjoying being on the road again and is on guard 

when we leave the RV for a little breakfast. 

The second largest canyon in the USA is Palo Duro Canyon. It is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment located in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo. Palo Duro Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of Texas. 

We decided to stay at the State Park and enjoyed getting settled in today. We relaxed and checked out the facilities. We are looking forward to early hikes because in the canyon, the temperature can reach 100 but at night it cools down in the upper 60's. I am amazed at the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls which are similar to those in the Grand Canyon. 

We took a walk around the camping area and I fell in love with this Texas Star!

Doesn't the jeep belong? She is ready for some off road trails but will have to wait until Colorado!