The Oregon Trail - Day 2

After finally getting the camp site broken down and a smattering of makeup put on this tired face by looking into a 2 inch square mirror, we got on the road to Amarillo.  We're still working on this camping thing.  As usual, we kind of fly by the seat of our pants when we travel and camp.  We do a little planning and make no reservations.  The chips just fall where they may.  This makes some members of our family very nervous.  We take back roads and usually have only a vague idea where we will end up at night fall. 

By late afternoon we had entered New Mexico at Farwell and the Oasis State Park near Clovis, New Mexico.  It was very small and the day was getting away from us just like yesterday.   So this seemed like the perfect place to spend the night.

We got all set up in record time - thanks to a stop at the Childress Wal-Mart and a new 12 volt air pump.  We would not sleep on the ground this night.  There was a small pond with noisy ducks this time.  I could only imagine our early morning wake-up call yet again.  We had a nice picnic and downloaded the pictures off our new Kodak Play Sport recorder.  The pictures from Caprock Canyon and Buffalo Park in Quitaque, Texas were really pretty.  The wildflowers were just beautiful and the Black Eyed Susans were spectacular. 

We didn't get to see any of the buffalo that were out there somewhere, but the countryside was so pretty and we enjoyed picnicing on the lake. 

As night quickly fell, so did the wind and the looming threat of rain.  If we had not pegged the tent down good, it probably would have taken off like a hot air balloon.  The flies were horrific.  We decided that it was because of all the cattle nearby.  We were in Texas, you know.  Thank goodness they just seemed to go away when the wind picked up and the temp dropped to about 57 degrees.  About 1:00 p.m. we woke to thunder and lightning and just knew we were in for a downpour.  Thankfully many prayers were answered and when morning dawned we were still dry.  Not a peep our of those pesky ducks! 

Marmalade's Side of the Story

Today was really good.  We went looking for buffalo.  I got to ride a pretend one and also play out in the desert.  The best thing we did today was sitting by the pond and watching the ducks.  The wind was blowing so hard it blew me right off the bench and almost knocked me into the water with the ducks.  I thought it was great fun, but Nonnie was yelling and running.  Funny, huh?  The thunder and lightning was VERY SCARRY!!!  I hid under Nonnie's very yellow blankie.

Can you find me in this picture?  We were in an old town that had lots of stone buildings and Nonnie and Bop thought it was a great place.  It was Quanah, Texas.  The sign I am sitting near is in the shape of the state of Texas, but the shrubs are about to cover it up.  Bop needed to do some pruning for them like he does at work everyday.  Can you find Texas' shape on the map?

Bop has been driving LOTS and is very tired and already making funny sounds in the bed.  Lights out til later.