From Louisiana, back to New Mexico

I am *really* far behind in my blogging! Conveniently, I can sum up this three day drive in one picture.


East of Dallas is beautiful. The highways are extremely broad with rolling green grass on both sides, and a gigantic swath in between Eastbound and Westbound lanes. Springtime is especially beautiful due to the wildflowers painting them also in blue and red.

West of Dallas looks like this:

We still kept the drive times down to around five or six hours. Took it easy, ate fairly well. If you're ever in Columbus, Texas... or anywhere near it, you should definitely go to Shobels' Restaurant. Easily the best American dinner buffet I've ever had. Green beans, mashed potatoes, etc. But incredibly good, everything seemed home cooked.

After overnighting in Columbus, we stayed the night at San Angelo state park. Great campground, nobody in sight, right by the lake. Clear nights out in the middle of nowhere give a great view of the stars.

Lake Brantley State Park is the closest place to Carlsbad Caverns to camp overnight. It's just outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Great primitive camp grounds, well sheltered from the wind and a stones throw from the lake itself.

While the scenery out here is dull and desolate, it makes for great weather. It's nice to get out of the humidity of the South, and enjoy balmy breezy days in the 80s and nights in the 40s and 50s. Really ideal outdoor camping weather for this time of year.