Learning on the Road

Besides all the fun while traveling we tend to learn a few new lessons along the way. Here's a recap of the things we never new about the Southwest.


Dust Storms also called Haboobs can be blinding while driving. From a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. We didn't experience this for ourselves but were alerted with lots of signage along the highways. They suggest pull over and turn off you lights so no one rear ends you. the only think we saw blowing across our path were some tumbleweeds and they just explode into millions of pieces when you hit them.



Pack Rats, no not hoarders, although I guess when you think of it, it's how this affliction got it's name. These desert creatures are curious collectors and like to chew on things. Campers, as we found out, try many different methods of dettering them from chewing and ruining a vehicle or RV. People put lights underneath vehicles and open up their hoods to cool off the engine. I guess Pack Rats come out at night and enjoy a little warmth. People shared tales of car wiring ruined while on their trip.


 Goat head thorns are common in the southwest. We picked up a few in our bicycle tires and they are long and strong enough to cause flat tires. We got three of them little buggers. That quickly ended biking and is taking off southern New Mexico as a future destination. We were warned and so should you be.

 Freezing temperatures weren't uncommon in the high desert.  We even had to head 2 hours south to avoid winter storm. We had to be diligent about watching the weather and watching our water hose. We now know if the water hose might be frozen turn off the connecting spigot before we go play for the day. We came back to a flood under out RV. When the hose thawed the water spilled out of the filter that had cracked from the freeze. Thankfully some passer by knew to turn off the water for us. Lesson learned go farther south in the winter.


NOTE: Please join me with my newest blog CShoreArtwork.blogspot.com. This blog follows my creative journey which is as much a part of my travels. Todays blog Back to the Drawing Board features my sketchs during our trip to the southwest.