Sojourner1208's Guestbook

Library
: ) I'd like to be able to say that I go to the library to read but truly I do so because they are the best and quietest source of free internet access. They also usually have tables to spread out my research material onto and plugs to plug in my laptop computer and charge my smartphone etc. Have fun in Malta......there's lots of history there.

Santa Fe
I like Santa Fe as well. I had to cut my last trip short and am planning on going back for the Christmas Holidays.

Rio Grande
Yes , the Rio Grande has a tuff time of it. I have literally been from the headwater of it in the Colorado Rockies to where it is just a bed of mud at the Gulf of Mexico. It is sucked dry for irrigation and industry. Nothing "Grande" about it. Still.....one has to be careful. I have been looking at a near dry riverbed and a very few minutes later a flash flood upstream had it flooding and washing people downstream......and also RV's.

back roads
Yes, I have turned up some very interesting discoveries by taking the road less traveled.

Camping and the "shutdown"
I wouldn’t sleep in the back of a truck either. I’d be trapped there if something happened. For instance a bear invaded my camp in Fort Davis, Texas and tried to get into the back of my truck where the food was. If I had been there I would have been trapped. I had to abandon my camp and come back the next morning for my stuff. When I sleep in my truck I let the driver’s seat of my truck down flat and sleep there with the key in the ignition. I park in such a way that I can just go forward to get out in a hurry if I have to. I am not fearful, I just take reasonable precautions. I would prefer a small RV but would probably have to get in debt to get one and I just can’t stand the thought of being in debt. I’m debt free and like it that way. Probably for what the cost of renting an RV is I could rent a budget hotel room and have the freedom and flexibility of driving my truck. With my truck and its 4 wheel drive I can go places no RV could. When I sleep in a truck it is comforting to me that I am saving the $58 to $65 that day that a hotel room would cost. In effect I get a “free” day. The government “shutdown” is having a bit of an effect on campers. They are closing the gates and locking them on most Forest Service campgrounds which is usually where I stay free or cheap. But I could still go “dispersed camping” if I wish which means just drive down a forest road in a National Forest or BLE land and find a good spot…Free…… and there is still SuperWalmart or Rest areas. It takes a bit of courage but I have an abundance of that. You can be sure the gate on the road to Yosemite or the Grand Canyon is locked. They always pick these “high visibility” sites when they play these games. It’s all smoke as far as the shutdown, Just politics. You can be sure no congressman’s salary will be affected. Some people may not get paid on time but they will be paid eventually. As for me I am going to do what I always do, which is to ignore all the nonsense and go about my business : > )

Rat Killing
: ) Rat killing is a Texas expression meaning taking care of details that need attending to before getting down to the task at hand. In this particular case eating, checking emails, getting gas, checking the fluids of the truck, and air pressure on the tires etc. before heading across the desert towards Aguirre Springs.

I thought it was you.
Yes. I thought it was you and wondered why it showed you as a non member as well. It just says Lynn Non Member. Cheers....Hope you are having a good time in Spain.

colorful in New Mexico
The balloon fest in Alamogordo was nice with 57 balloons launching on the second day. The one in Albuquerque dwarfs it at 700 balloons. I am looking at going there the second week in October. I am thankful that I have always been able to think for myself and not accept other peoples opinion of what I should believe. While I don't challenge other people's right to carry guns I do believe that reasonable and intelligent controls should be in effect. It is more trouble for a nut case to buy spray paint than a gun. And I don't accept that allowing the gunning down of innocent schoolchildren and the determined fight to allow nut cases the free access to the weapons to do it as acceptable. While I do have a couple of guns in my place in Texas it is more a result of them being given to me by others who were concerned for my safety than me buying them. As far as travelling with a gun in the US that would be stupidity. A gun will get you in more trouble than it would get you out of. If I ever used one even if I was totally within my rights I would be arrested and held, charges probably filed, and great expense including lawyers, bail, probation cost etc. etc. incurred. Better to bear the expense of a few bucks or some of my property being stolen than the thousands of dollars expense of defending myself in court or the indignity of arrest and body searches etc. even if I am totally within my "rights". Even lawyers don't know all the laws in this country and police and DA's can be very creative in coming up with charges to file. Bottom line is it is stupid to carry a gun. But enough of this. Your picture shows you are a non member. Do you have a blog? I have had other people's picture show them as a non member when in fact they did have a blog on travelblog. Enjoy your time in Boston. I haven't been there but have heard it is a fascinating city, and from there you could take side trips via train to other cities such as New York or Washington, DC.