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Two Longhorn sheep graz by the side of the road
Kayaks on the Rio River gorge

Kayaking the Rio River Gorge in New Mexico

Whitewater kayaking in the Rio River Gorge in New Mexico is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors to the state. However, due to low water levels, the amount of “whitewater” is less each year. Still, it was among the most challenging and scenic kayaking I’ve ever done. I took a rambling early afternoon drive through the mountains along the Rio Grande Gorge. The 50-mile gorge runs from northwest to southeast of Taos, New Mexico. It is about 800 feet...

10 Things to Explore in Alpine and Marathon Texas

If you’ve ever visited Big Bend or drove through west Texas, you’ll come across Alpine, Texas. I spent a week there hiking and kayaking at Big Bend. While there, I explored a few other things. It’s a good place central to many different locations you’ll want to see while you’re in that part of the country. Alpine, Texas The city is one of a few small frontier towns remaining from the glory day of the western mining and expansive cattle...

two kayaks on the rio grande river in between two tall granite walls

Experiencing the Wonders of Big Bend National Park on land and water

Big Bend National Park stands alone in a nation of parks. Its remote desolation makes it one of the least visited parks in the United States. That also makes it one of the rarest experiences you can have in nature – solitude, you, and the Earth. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a red snake slither by, a roadrunner dash across your path, and a coyote prowl the landscape. Wild horses and free-roaming longhorn cattle might amble past. You’ll find cactus...

Roswell aliens sign

One Night Alone on a Hill in Roswell, New Mexico

As I drove up the hill in Roswell, New Mexico, its dirt was the color of red velvet cake. After I was done marveling at that I looked up. What I saw in front of me stopped me in my tracks. It had been raining as I drove from Carlsbad to Roswell, an impressive feat for New Mexico, which had been desperate for water. The roof vent in my van ceiling was leaking. Despite more than a month on the...

Terlingua wood sign

Road trip: Terlingua, the Texas Ghost Town by Big Bend

There are “ghost towns,” and then there is Terlingua ghost town. One is for tourists and the other is an abandoned old mining town filled with ghosts. You’ll notice the difference immediately. See, I’m a city girl, so you’ll understand when I tell you that I expected there to be cafes and gift shops in Terlingua. They call it a “ghost town,” but I’ve been to ghost towns before. They’re usually tourist traps. Tarted up little towns that attract people...

Get Your Hat We’re Hittin’ Up the Texas Rodeo

Texas rodeo is authentic western heritage at its finest, and this first-timer was glad to experience an event I’d heard so much about. Here’s what it was like. I drove to a little tucked-away spot just north of San Antonio in a corner called Bulverde. There, the Tejas Rodeo Company keeps Western heritage rodeo alive and kickin’. The sun was setting as I pulled into the rodeo grounds and parked on the grass in a field like we used to...

the author stands in a Cave with stalagmite and stalagtites

How to Explore the Famous Texas Cave Without a Name

There is a cave in the Texas Hill Country so pretty they couldn’t find a name good enough, so they didn’t name it. Now it’s called “Cave Without a Name.” Texas may not be great at naming caves, but they sure are great at having them. They report having over 7,000 caves throughout the state. You know Texas, go big or go home. I was skeptical but intrigued when I heard about the cave too pretty to name. Since it...

Frolicking in the Texas Flower Fields at Wildseed Farms

Have you seen pictures of the Instagram queens frolicking in vast fields of flowers? Many were probably at these Texas Flower Fields. At least they were when I went, and I’ll tell you, it’s a good idea. The most well-known Texas Flower Fields are at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas. They’ve been growing fields of flowers for over 35 years. They have over 200 acres of flower fields that they happily open to visitors and Instagram enthusiasts. So, of course,...

3 Reasons to Visit the Historic Pearl District in San Antonio

The historic Pearl District in San Antonio, Texas, reminded me of old-school warehouse districts in Detroit but more gentrified. I found it lively and well organized – two traits we can all support. On weekends they host the Pearl Farmer’s Market. There are no places in any city that are better for getting to know the people and the culture. At big farmer’s markets, you can truly mix with the local farmers, artisans and residents and learn what is unique...