Aliens Everywhere!

Childress, TX - Roswell NM
4/19/24 - 4/21/24

Miles Traveled    331
Trip Total          1939
Travel Time       6:05

States visited: FL, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX,  New Mexico

The trip from Childress to Roswell, was one of the best rides so far.  The views were incredible, the roads were good and very little traffic.  We saw more ranches, oil wells, and today lots of gullies, washes, and hills.  Dallas is about 450 feet above sea level and Roswell is about 3600 feet above sea level.  Most of the hills were gradual climbs, but there were a couple of steep ones. 

One thing we enjoyed, was we were on secondary roads rather than interstates. There is so much more to see on the secondary roads, and this trip is about seeing America.  What was interesting is even on the secondary roads the speed limit is 75MPH.  Because we were on a two lane highway,  the bad news for the drivers behind us is, we can not do 75.  Our sweet spot is between 62 and 64MPH. While I can get the RV up to 70MPH, the max speed for towing the Trailblazer is 70MPH, so I try to stay well below that. Luckily for the drivers behind us.  What was nice was there were passing lanes every two to three miles, and there were signs stating how far ahead the next passing lanes were.  

One tense moment we had was finding fuel.  We were trying to balance remaining fuel and fuel prices.  Leaving Dallas gas was $3.59 to $3.79, Gas Buddy was listing gas in Lubbock, TX as $3.09.  When your buying 60+ gallons fifty cents a gallon adds up.   We also have to find stations that we can get into, get to the pump, and get back out of.  What made it a little tense was we had less than 50 miles of fuel left, when we did get fuel.  We also ended up a a station that was a little to small, and the one pump we could to easily, the pump was broken.   We ended up going out of the lot, going the wrong way down a one way street, then back into the station.

We also had to stop at Camping World for a part for our toilet.  The supply line started leaking right after we left Dallas.  Of course in Dallas, Amazon would deliver the part next day, Childress or Roswell, four to five days.  This is one of the reasons we like having to bathrooms in the RV.  (Once I had the part it was a quick simple fix).

Instead of staying at a campground we spent the two nights at the local B.P.O.E (Elks Lodge).  Many Elks lodges across the county allow RV's to stay in their parking lots.  The only requirement is you must be and Elk to stay there.   Some of them also have hookup's of some type.  The Roswell lodge has 20 RV spots with water and electric.  The sites do not have sewer hookup's but they do have a dump station on site, which is an added bonus.  The best part is they are always less expensive than a campground.  This lodge, request a $25 a night donation.   I had called in advance to ask if Mark & Karen could stay there with us, they are not Elks.  The were very accommodating and said as long as I was there with them, they were welcome to stay. As an added bonus, the food was good and the drinks were cheap!

Roswell New Mexico, home of the aliens!  Funny thing is the 1947 "Spaceship Crash" was about 75 miles from Roswell.  But the entire town center around the UFO.  Including Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds.  The Dunkin Donuts sign is held up by a huge alien, and the McDonalds Playland is shaped like a flying saucer.   Surprisingly enough Roswell is the home of the International UFO Museum and Research Center.  We spent Saturday touring both that and the Roswell Museum.  

In addition to an excellent art exhibit, the Roswell Museum has an Robert Goddard Exhibit.  Robert Goddard is considered the father of US Space program.  Goddard resided in Roswell for 12 years where he launched 56 rockets, with 17 of them reaching over 1000 feet. His pioneering efforts helped establish many of the principals and procedures used in the early US Space Program.  One shining example of this, was the use of a parachute to return the capsule to earth.

The International UFO Museum was founded to inform the public about the 1947 Roswell Incident.  It contains news articles and eye witness accounts and statements from the "incident".  It also explores the history of UFO sightings.  It was well worth the $5 admission fee.  Since this happened well before my time, I am not sure what really happened, but I have added watching "Roswell: The UFO Coverup" to my todo list.

After the museums we headed out to Bottomless Lake State Park.  We spent some time wandering around the park and the lakes.  Even though it is called "Bottomless" the deepest lake is around 90 feet.  The lakes were formed from cenotes that collapsed.  We did not spend much time there but it was amazing to see.  Leaving Bottomless Lake State Park, there was a dirt road, that looked to have a RV camping on it.  Of course I had to go explore it.  It turned out to have several "campsite'' where anyone could just setup camp.  The dirt roads were well maintained, and label on Google Maps.  One thing that I saw on Google Maps was a label "W10".  We never made it that far, but I wish we had.  Once back at the RV I researched it, and it is was a Nike Missel Site W-10.  It is listed as a Historical Site, and I am not sure how much is left but it would have been fun to explore.    It was part of the Walker Air Force Base Defense Area, but it was never activated.

Tomorrow we leave Roswell and head to Carlsbad, NM.   Our plan is to explore the Carlsbad Caverns, and meet back up with Ken & Cheryl.