{"id":10132,"date":"2019-12-01T08:18:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T13:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/?p=10132"},"modified":"2023-06-23T17:18:41","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T21:18:41","slug":"freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/10132","title":{"rendered":"Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

We love to boondock. Early in our fulltime RV life, we found a neat picnic area in New Mexico called Sitting Bull Falls. The National Park Service at that time (and still are apparently) was looking for workcampers at this site. It\u2019s a bit \u201cout there\u201d for us to consider spending a lot of time. There is no Internet, no cell signal, winds so high they provide chains to anchor your RV, and no good rockhounding. But for a couple of days, we are content to park in the desert and just chill.<\/p>\n

There is BLM land just outside of the National Forest and after some driving around we have found a spot that we are happy with. Can you find us?<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3243a\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The last time we were here was a more of a scouting mission so we did not walk up to see the falls. Today we are. After a basically sleepless night due to the wind storm that came through and our poor parking direction choice, and the fact that winds are still howling, we aren\u2019t sure this is the best idea. When has that ever stopped us?<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3208\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Some people say they are not impressed with the mountains and their lack of tree cover, but we feel there is a different kind of beauty to be appreciated in the colors and rock formations of the bare mountains.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3210\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The wind is still blowing and gusting up to 45 mph making the 50 to 60 degree weather feels more like winter temperatures in the 30s but the sun is bright and warm.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3179\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The picnic area is very nice with covered tables and cement walkways. I bet it is pretty busy here in the heat of the summer. Elevation and shade is the key to keeping cool in the Mid-west.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3182\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Do not scoff coastal dwellers, for the desert, this waterfall is a huge thing!<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3186\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is in a lovely cul-de-sac canyon. The wind coming into the canyon hitting the cul-de-sac wall and blowing back out makes a moaning sound. We tried to take a video of it, but all you can hear is just the wind blowing.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3183\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The bottom of the falls has a small pool that wouldn\u2019t be great for swimming but it does provide much needed water for desert animals, and it\u2019s pretty to look at.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3187\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the high winds and the threat of them blowing us off the mountain top, we decide to climb to the top of the falls. We are rewarded with a great view of the valley\u2014<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3189\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DSC_3195\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014and a quaint pool worthy of a garden area in the most prestigious of venues.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3192\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The trail continues on up the valley along the stream feeding the falls, but we are quite done with getting blown around by the strong gusts. Time to head back to the Jeep and do some exploring from inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3193\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In defiance of the harshness of the desert, many plants and cacti grow in all shapes, sizes and places.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3196\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we are descending we notice small trails leading off in a different direction to the picnic area. We both have the \u201cWhere does that go?\u201d mentality so we follow the trail. It leads us to another canyon wall with lots of pockets. Carlsbad is know for its high bat population. I wonder if there could be some hiding here?<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3203\"<\/a><\/p>\n

John is still looking for a place to shoot long range that is free of cattle and people, but hunting season still in and it seems a bit risky with the fear of a hidden hunter. The cows tend to be more obvious.<\/p>\n

We did find a nice area with a little stream, though.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3247\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I love prickly pear cacti and this rocky area has them in abundance.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3256\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s like an ancient coliseum, and all the prickly pears are watching you like people do.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3254\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Okay, now its getting creepy. Time to go.<\/p>\n

\"DSC_3258\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We love to boondock. Early in our fulltime RV life, we found a neat picnic area in New Mexico called Sitting Bull Falls. The National Park Service at that time (and still are apparently) was looking for workcampers at this site. It\u2019s a bit \u201cout there\u201d for us to consider spending a lot of time. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[957,4],"tags":[74,912,65,981,910],"class_list":["post-10132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boondocking","category-general","tag-carlsbad","tag-high-winds","tag-new-mexico","tag-sightseeing","tag-sitting-bull-falls"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/DSC_3208.jpg?fit=1024%2C685&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s3hvz5-freedom","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2317,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/2317","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":0},"title":"Brantley Lake State Park","author":"Wendy","date":"February 14, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"There isn\u2019t much to say about this state park. Basically it is here because there is a dam that created a lake that people can fish in and boat on. Brantley Wildlife area is part of the park as well. The park is very well maintained and quiet. BUT don\u2019t\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/IMG_0880_thumb.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/IMG_0880_thumb.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/IMG_0880_thumb.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10238,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/10238","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":1},"title":"Elephant Butte SP","author":"Wendy","date":"December 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"We have left our beautiful backyard in the wilds of Carlsbad and Sitting Bull Falls and are heading for Truth or Consequences. On the way we pass through one of our favorite \u201ctheme towns,\u201d Roswell, New Mexico. I love their way of decorating for the Christmas holiday. In no time,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/1206191433-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/1206191433-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/1206191433-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/1206191433-2.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4518,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/4518","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":2},"title":"Whistlers Gulch RV Park, SD","author":"Wendy","date":"October 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"We left Culbertson MT, Wednesday, October 15 around noon. Yes that is a lot later than we usually start a days journey but we were still trying to reset to being day-dwellers. With high winds expected all day Thursday we wanted to get as far as we could on Wednesday.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4293_thumb1.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4293_thumb1.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_4293_thumb1.jpg?fit=580%2C436&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2864,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/2864","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":3},"title":"Our Trip so Far.","author":"Wendy","date":"September 20, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Well\u2026.it is weird without Sophie. (*pause* moment of silence remembering her) Our first stop was an overnight in Hopewell, Virginia to visit with Wayne and Jayn, the couple who sold us the RV. They have many RV road stories to tell and we enjoy sharing ours as well. We spent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_1778_thumb.jpg?fit=574%2C384&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_1778_thumb.jpg?fit=574%2C384&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/IMG_1778_thumb.jpg?fit=574%2C384&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12594,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/12594","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":4},"title":"Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, Day 4","author":"Wendy","date":"July 18, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Rise and shine! We are feeling much better this morning, but we know we are going to have to be careful about our sun exposure and the heat after our misfortune at the Badlands. Today\u2019s activities include visiting Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. It\u2019s hard to imagine that there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_0938_thumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_0938_thumb.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_0938_thumb.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_0938_thumb.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13518,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/13518","url_meta":{"origin":10132,"position":5},"title":"Coming Home Mama","author":"Wendy","date":"August 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Alaska is awesome, no doubt about it, but we are glad to be back in the lower 48. We are staying at our actual \u201chome\u201d in South Dakota, The Red Barn RV Park. We are only going to be here for a couple of days before heading east. 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