Thursday 11/30

Ho hum, leisurely start to the morning. Did general cleanup and investigated the toilet situation a little more deeply. I don’t have a mirror, so I’m going by a sense of plumber’s touch, but now I think, it is the valve that operates the toilet. If John has a mirror I’ll know more…..I shoot it with my camera and we all can figure it out.

I’m glad I didn’t push it yesterday because it takes me 3 hours to go 38 miles. Lots of “exhibits”. This road joins another park road and there are a trio of campground in the vicinity. First 15 site campground“White Tank” nothing longer than 25’, cruise thru and there are two or three decent potentials. Go to the other smaller campground. The sites are setup in like cul de sac. Nope. The large 122 site set up almost the same but WAY to busy. Back track to White Tank thinkin’ #13, the downside fronts 1/2 mile nature trail, the plus no close neighbor. Holy Doddle! While I was checking out the other campground, the best site in all three campground, old #14, had opened up! It has EVERYTHING, big rocks, shade, sun, privacy and the best spot for watching the sunset.

Spent the day walking around the area. Lots of LARGE rocks to crawl on/over. No way to get lost and no need to walk more than a mile from camp. Enjoyable day and really never did anything serious. I like leaning against hot rocks. Finished Cormac McCarthy “Cities of the Plains”. I really like 90% of what he writes, I’m just not going to read the last 50 pages anymore.

Super camera did not do as good of job as tonight’s sunset was. I am not necessarily a sunset guy. If I notice it while I’m doing something, great. This one was one of those sit down and watch kind. And because I had old #14 all I needed to do was shift my chair. Lots of people sitting way up on top of these rock formations watching.

I have seen a lot of really trick “off-road” camping units. Some vans, some range rover style. Carrying jacks and winches and shovels and axes and 15 gallons of gas and metal plates you throw on the ground to get you unstuck and solar panels and ladders. It’s the kind of rig I like seeing in the back country, ‘cause if I got a problem, he’s carrying the solution! But mostly I see them in the campgrounds.

Steak, fried potatoes and mushrooms for dinner. Tomorrow I’m heading to John’s.

Side Note: The coffin and letter. The pictures suck. I should of took a picture of the letter, at least from a distance. I should of took a picture of what was in the coffin but didn’t. My ability to handle the weird was sadly lacking in this case. And it WAS weird! I was packing and looked around a couple of times to make sure … well you know.

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