El Malpais to Aztec Ruins
After three days at El Malpais I decided it was time to head north to visit Aztec Ruins National Monument. From Highway 177 I connected again with Interstate 40 and headed for Grants to purchase some supplies...
El Malpais to Aztec Ruins | May 6, 2012
The MSR PocketRocket Stove
The MSR PocketRocket (sometimes spelled "Pocket Rocket") is a lightweight, compact device that was made for cooking outdoors. The device connects to a liquid pressurized gas (LPG) canister, the MSR premium blend LPG fuel. Before I connected the LPG canister, I checked all the seals and made sure the area around the threads were clean and free of debris. Assembly is a cinch, just inspect the seals, make sure the flame adjuster valve is closed and screw the device onto an LPG canister...
MSR PocketRocket Camping Stove | May 3, 2012
Camping at El Malpais National Monument
From the Arizona - New Mexico border, I continued east on Interstate 40 to exit 89, where I connected with Highway 117. There's a large, brown sign with mileage information posted at the exit...
Camping at El Malpais National Monument | April 29, 2012
Crossing the Arizona - New Mexico Border
From Petrified Forest National Park I headed northeast on the I40 to the New Mexico Border. The northeast corner of Arizona is Hopi and Navajo land. This land represents approximately 15% of the entire state...
Crossing the Arizona - New Mexico Border | April 29, 2012
The Painted Desert Inn
I've wanted to visit this park ever since I first saw the movie, "The Petrified Forest" (1936) starring Humphrey Bogart, Betty Davis and Leslie Howard. That was about 25 years ago. The movie is about a waitress, a hobo and a bank robber who get mixed up at a diner in the desert...
The Painted Desert Inn | April 23, 2012
What is a Lean-to?
In the news today was two young men (ages 19 and 21) who built booby traps along a Utah hiking trail, including a 20-pound, spiked swinging boulder. The traps were set at entrances to a dead-wood shelter. The men told authorities the traps were intended for wildlife but investigators don't believe the story...
What is a Lean-to? | April 23, 2012
