Monthly Archives: September 2018

Fort Stanton, New Mexico

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In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an Infantry and Cavalry Post in the East-Central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in that region. Later, the Fort was a Military Reservation.

Today, the Fort is known as Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) which was established in 2009; to protect, conserve and enhance the unique nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural and educational subterranean cave resources of Fort Stanton’s River Cave System.

The Cave spans over 31 miles and is the second longest cave in New Mexico. The 14th longest cave in the United States and the 62th longest cave in the world managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Additionally, Snowy River is a noteworthy water passage within the cave; approximately 15 miles of previously unknown passage have been mapped without reaching the end.

The Fort grounds contains two public 14-day campsites in different locations. Rob Jagger campground in Lincoln, NM is considered a developed camp area because it is graveled and includes five-parking sites with electric and water hookups; five additional sites only offer electric hookups. There are three shareable fire-rings, two picnic pavilions and 12-horse corrals to accommodate horse owners; corrals are used on a first-come first-served basis.

Payment for developed sites are based on the honor system as follows:
Water: $5.00 daily
Electric: 30 amp. $5.00 daily
Water only: $5.00 daily
Rv Dump Station: $15.00
The Group Shelter is $25.00. Contact Roswell Field Office to make reservations.
Note: Seniors pay half-price based on membership passes.

The second camp area is a smaller primitive campground near the entrance to Fort Stanton Cave which I never got the opportunity to visit. It is my understanding that the cave is closed due to a problem with bats residing in parts of the cave. As a result, I made Jagger campground my home from September 13-27.

Recreations: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, caving, cultural and historic sites, picnicking, wildlife observation, nature studies and photography.

I can’t end this article without sharing this: I met two awesome females. They were friendly, hardworking, conscientious women. Who were temporary Campground Hosts until a full-time host is hired. In the past, every campground, I have ever used or visited was manned by men.

I swear, watching these women rise early every morning to check, clean and restock bathrooms; shovel and remove horse manure; then use logs to level-out dirt in corrals and other areas. Pull trash from garbage cans throughout campgrounds and transport it to larger dumpers; use a nail gun to re-enforce a recently installed wooden fence, as well as, maintain and mow grounds. Yes, I really mean…Mow grounds.

Although both women were hard workers in every task I observed. One female’s job performance, creativity; use of tools and equipment – I’ve only seen men use was beyond reproach. There is no one skill category this woman falls under rather than jack-of-all-trades. I look forward to staying at another campground hosted by Frugal Rv Gal and her best friend, Kim in the future. Be Safe-RVing Sisters.

Custom Motorcycle Loader

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I am so excited. After months of searching it seems I’ve found the one and only custom builder for all types of loaders (i.e. rv’ s, pickup trucks, 18-wheelers, fifth-wheelers, vans, trikes, 2-wheel motorcycles, cars, etc.)

I spent two days with Jerry Piercy, the company’s owner, who is also the custom designer, welder, patent register, shipper and receptionist. As well as Mark, Jerry’s custom builder who is just as amazing in what he does.

These two guys can design and build anything which are shipped to customers all over the world or installed in/on customer vehicles on site.

It was amazing watching the building process for my motorcycle loader and breath-taking to see it load and unload my 1080-pound trike. Jerry’s design and build of my loader were beyond anything I could envision. The loader was custom built to load/unload a 2-wheel bike or 3-wheel trike.

This is a dream come true; no more struggles or pleads for help to get my motorcycle up and down a steep ramp. Now…All I do is push a button.

I recall a few RV’ing Women of my organization asking, “how and where to purchase loaders.” I hope this helps.

If you need a loader contact Jerry Piercey and tell him, Edith E Brown referred you.
Company: Mountain Master Truck Equipment L.L.C.
Website: www.mountainmaster.net
Phone: 888-686-6278

Motor Coach Resort, Chandler AZ

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Although my stay at this resort was 3-days as I poked-along for an Sept 10, appointment with Jerry Piercy in Phoenix AZ, who is a builder of custom motorcycle loaders.

I found this campground to be very different because the entire area was pretty much paved, except for gravel filled areas around a central located picnic area and utility connection sites for individual rv hookups.

The area appeared to be created for adults because I didn’t notice a playground for children. Also, occupants were scarce due to AZ’s 104-degree heat. As a result, the grounds were extremely noiseless; other than occasion traffic on a near-by roadway.

I wish I could have spent more time here to take advantage of rv services (i.e. power washing, roof check and application of sealant if needed.)

I found the manager and office staff to be friendly and helpful. In fact, when I arrived on Saturday I made reservations to stay one-day; thinking Saturday was Sunday, and Sunday would be Monday.

The manager laughed and extended my stay. It’s hard to remember days when you are changing locations every 3 to 14-days. I paid $86.00 for my three day stay.

San Antonio KOA – A Special Trip

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Not being comfortable driving a 30-feet mobile home around in San Antonio to access the neighborhood of a long-time dear friend, I parked my rv at a KOA Campground from Sept 5 to Sept 7.

Lillie Ammann, an editor and I became fast friends in 2002 while creating informational eBooks for an online group-owned venture. This was an exciting opportunity for me because I had never written or published online eBooks before this venture.

During this time, Lillie and I were constantly talking on the telephone about one thing or another and talked about meeting for the last 16-years. However, life issues and making a living always took center stage for both of us.

I supported her on the telephone during her husband, Jack’s illness and death. She supported me on the telephone during my son, Keithalon’ s death. As well as, edited my book, “No-Not Again” a memoir about Keithalon and his oldest brother Patrick.

Meanwhile, the desire for us to meet was always a fleeting plan. After purchasing my mobile home, the trip to visit Lillie was #1 on my list of things to do which occurred on Sept 6, when I called to inform her, “Lillie I am in your driveway.”

When she greeted me at her front door with a smile of excitement and disbelief; I laughed. At that point, all we could do was hug – which made me feel like I had won the lottery. Finally…I met my dearest, supportive, long-time telephone friend, who is now one of my dearest, closest friends by voice and physical form.

Neither of us knew how to take a selfie. So, I took many awful pictures. Finally, the one which showed both of our eyes closed was a winner because we know its us and the cheek-to-cheek is real friendship.

Life is short. Honor all your promises and make time for your friends. One day, they might not be present in your life.

Steele Creek Park Campground, Morgan Texas

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This campground is also managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and allows community residents, sight-seeing visitors and travelers passing though the State of Texas to live at the park 14-days for free. The entrance and roadways throughout this park are paved.

This is a huge twenty-site campground which is the largest property I have stayed at. Also, privacy space between campsites are large enough to accommodate three additional mobile homes and/or ten-primitive tents.

Otherwise, this property is like Soldiers Bluff Park Campground. Campers have access to city water faucets, public bathrooms, boat ramps, a beach, private fire-rings and covered picnic tables with benches but does not include grills. Argentina Ants have infested this park too, but not as vast as Cedar Hill State Park.

I love the quiet serenity and stunning views of this campground; seeing deer on and near campsites presents its own wow factor. I am sure, the sight of so many deer on this property have caused heart-burn for many hunters, because BLM property is federal land and hunting isn’t allowed.

Furthermore, the deer seems to know they’re protected from hunters and park visitors because they are everywhere and not fearful of humans or pets. For instance, I was visited my next-door neighbor, who owns Jacob, a hound dog mixed with blue-tick.

Two deer were slowly strolling by his campsite. Jacob starts to whine; barked several times then went into charge mode. The deer stopped; looked at Jacob as to say, “you’re on a lease – tied to a post. What are you going to do about us passing by?” These deer stood there looking at Jacob for a while then looked at each other. Finally, they continued their stroll to the lake. Jacob whined in disappointment as his owner and I laughed.

This campground is patrolled by the grounds’ host, police, a ranger and sheriff on a regular basis until security gates close at 10pm.