Petit Jean State Park Ar.

Spent several days exploring Petit Jean State Park in Ar.  Day one when I first arrived I stopped at the Cedar Falls overlook. Seeing that it was late summer not much in the way of water was flowing over the falls.

Day two Spencer and I took a long walk to the Pioneer Cabin, and did the Cedar Creek Trail. Still can not believe 9 ( nine ) kids were born/lived in the small cabin. The trail itself was not hard but was above easy. Big difference from doing a canyon hike in the desert. 

The third day did not go well, as far as hiking goes. Started out early planing on doing one of the longer trails, only to get caught in the rain. Had to turn around and go back to the rig, we both got soaked to the skin... LOL... Did find a lot of history lessons at this park..

Day four found us hiking to Bear cave, and around turtle rocks. Spencer was not real happy with walking along some of the cliffs, I think the sound of the wind in the trees and running water below made him nervous. 

Last day at the park I did a visit to the grave and overlook for Petit Jean.

Now ends my Petit Jean visit, I did learn a lot about some history... 

Travel without internet days.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Texas

Aug. 15, 2011

Moved east about 130 miles and decided to check out Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas. First off it was easy to find, just wish it was priced like New Mexico, costing me $55 for three nights using the discount from the park pass. Still to hot to not hook up to power to run the AC. Will be here until Thursday, then off to OK. Will wait until tomorrow to take a hike and get pictures, can not take Spencer because it will be a 10 mile round trip and that would be too much for the little guy.  Doing my update for the time here using Mac pages ( lot like word ) because I have no internet, phone, or television here.  Will bring everything up to date when I next have connection.

Just so you all do not have to look it up ( and I am bored ) ...Palo Duro is 120 miles long, 800 feet deep, and is the second largest canyon in the US. It has ten hiking trails ( if I do three in the next two days I will be happy. First on my list is the Lighthouse Trail, will attempt it in the morning when it is cooler. 

Aug. 16, 2011

       Started our hike at 07:01am hiked 10 miles round trip to the lighthouse formation along with two other sites, and back. Had planed to leave Spencer behind but at the last min decided to take him along, might not have been best idea. 

He did an excellent job going up and made it back the first 3 miles, but then with the sun overhead and no shade the poor guy just gave out.

 I ended up carrying him the last two miles or so on the way out.  Seeing how the temp was 75 at 0700 and 105 by noon I think he did good. This was not an easy hike, most of it was in direct sun. Did I mention I took 1.5 gallons of water with me, and still ran out 2 miles from getting back, must admit I was happy to see the trailhead and a water facet. I think doing three trails all in the same day even if they did cross was to much. Did the Lighthouse Trail, Capital peak, and Castle Peak. Made it back to camp around noon, turned on the AC and now waiting for the body temps to come back down. 

    Crazy.....  Outside temp is over 100f and my AC keeps overheating and shutting off. best I can do is to run the fan until nightfall and things start cooling off  ( I hope ) may move on tomorrow instead of Thursday.  A note to anyone that stays at this park at the Hackberry Camp area..... DO NOT stay at site #10 when it is hot, no shade from the time the sun comes up until it sets... Time to call it a day, 10:30pm and outside temp still at 92 Degrees F.  At least the AC is working again and we are cooling down...

Aug. 17, 2011

      Temp was still 82 F at 0700 this morning before sunrise. Do not think I can  stand another day with this heat. First things first, took my morning walk with Spencer got to see deer and turkeys. After the walk pulled out of camp and drove around a few of te places I could not walk to yesterday.  Left the Park at around 10am. 

Arrived at Lake McClellan National Park  at about noon, ( only about 60 miles down the road ) hope it is cooler here and we can rest up for next few days. Not in the mood to do any hiking today, may check  things out tomorrow morning if it is cool enough. ( at least it is below 100f at this time ) Must be my day to see deer, during evening walk saw some but had wrong lens for any good shots.  Still no TV or internet, can get phone service off and on.. 

Aug. 18, 2011

    Took our morning walk around the park before it got hot, lots of deer at this place. Also it looked like the lake has plenty of fish but not a soul out fishing. 

I only counted 9 campers here and that includes two at the host site. ( no sign of a host yesterday or today so far.  This would be a great place to stay for a week or two if and when the day time temps top out at 75 to 85 f...  Wish I had a small boat to take out on the lake and do some fishing.. Maybe some other time..  Feet still hurt from hiking the canyon Monday, so I think today will be a day of reading and napping.. 

    WOW place is filling up with weekenders, glad I am pulling out in the morning. Also time to start thinking about were I should spend the Labor day weekend.... Not that far away and sure places are filling up..