Blue Cloud Camping Area - BLM

Blue Cloud is located just five miles away from the small town of Parker, which has everything that a camper could need, so it's a popular spot. We snagged a private circle that overlooks a dry stream bed. It's pretty close to Route 62 with the expected traffic noise but since the dirt road continues for  a couple of miles it's possible to get far enough away that the noise is minimal. 

The road is in good condition. We walked/rolled about 3/4 of a mile- doable with assistance. Areas large enough for single vehicles and groups are located on either side of the road. Camping  34.16634, -114.36968

 

2025 RTRs

Another great gathering of nomads for the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous and Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous!  This is the six year that I've volunteered at the HOWA booth to answer questions, hand out stickers, and collect donations. The RTRs are geared towards new and soon to be new nomads so many of the people who come are new to the road and the daily seminars are very helpful for them. 

The free tables are always popular as nomads find items that they need and drop off  things that they thought they needed but are now just taking up space. 

Attendees can get clothing repaired for free at the sewing booth, play board games, listen to buskers, sign the 2025 plywood van, eat lunch at the food trucks, buy tickets for the sweepstakes of Bob Well's ambulance, donate to get a 2025 RTR name button, buy an RTR tee shirt or pick up a pre-ordered one, and get their picture taken with Bob Wells. Since Bob Wells' YouTube channel is where many nomads discover that this life is a possibility for them, meeting him is exciting. 

          

Volunteers are the vital force of the RTRs and every year we have a large group of wonderful people who willing give their time to make everything run smoothly from setup to break down. For all their work they get a pizza lunch, cupcakes, a 2025 patch, and HOWA's complete and total gratitude. 

We usually camp with some of the volunteers on BLM land. This year was exceptionally windy so few nightly campfires were held but we did have a chili potluck dinner organized by D. Rock and the traditional burning of the plywood van. Looking forward to next year!

Getting up early every day to volunteer does have some advantages. We got to watch the moon set! :) HOWA  33.676, -114.2102

Square Knot Camp BLM

I found this boondocking spot on iOverlander - a very helpful site especially for quick overnight locations. Route 9 which goes east and west in southern New Mexico is a little traveled route with patchy BLM land and few dirt roads for easy access so scouted locations are appreciated. This spot has been named Square Knot Camp by the original poster after the knotted rope used to hold the gate closed but it will be forever known by us as Dead Horse Camp (although they may have been cows). 

We parked just inside the gate because vegetation has taken over the road, and then walked/rolled to the suggested boondocking spot where we found a slight depression and the bleached bones and stiff hides of several large animals. Not a pleasant camping spot so we were happy to stay close to Route 9 and enjoy a quiet night.  Camp 31.96322, -108.677

Art in Uncommon Places

 A group of artists have turned abandoned and overlooked places into public art galleries. We had a chance to visit two of them. The walls of a roofless bowling alley are covered with murals inspired by the pop art craze of the 1960s and 70s. A short trip down the alley at rear of the bowling alley leads to more murals - some feature scenes from movie Giant and others are the artists' versions of famous paintings. 

The area is generally accessible but there are rough spots of pavement and uneven ground. Wheelchair users may need assistance. 

On street parking is all angle in. There's a parking lot across the street from the bowling alley with a very steep entrance driveway. The parking lot at the rear of the bowling alley is much better but the alley to get there is narrow. Art  31.45971, -100.43851

 

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site

Today the inn sits on the quiet outskirts of the small Texas town of Anderson but for several decades in the mid 1800s it was a bustling place at the intersection of two stage coach routes. Henry Fanthorp, an English immigrant, built a two room, dogtrot house in 1834 and added several large additions to provide food and lodging to the increasing number of travelers. The inn gained renown for its exceptional food and comfortable lodging.

Self guided tours of the inn are free but since there aren't many informative signs, the few dollars for a guided tour are well worth it. It was a slow day when we visited so we had the tour guide all to ourselves and were free to ask as many questions as we wanted. All were answered very satisfactorily. 

The inn recently underwent an extensive renovation and is in excellent condition. The rooms, furnished with historic pieces and items representing the time period, include a dining room, family bedroom, post office, store room, and guest rooms. The barn houses a stage coach. 

The first floor is accessible, The second floor is accessed by stairs only. Photographs of the second floor rooms are on display. The paths are hard packed dirt that is fairly easy to roll along. 

 

Any size vehicle will fit along the edge of  the parking lot road. Inn  30.48346, -95.98415

 

Sam Houston Memorial Museum

 Sam Houston, who was born in Virginia in 1793 and lived in Tennessee for over 20 years, moved to Texas territory in the 1830s as the conflict between recently independent Mexico and Texians (Anglo immigrants) began heating up. Texians wanted their own country, free of Mexican rule, and declared independence from Mexico in 1836 which lead to the siege of the Alamo by Mexican president Santa Anna. Two months later Sam Houston, now the highest-ranking officer of the Texian Army, led his men in battle against Santa Anna's army. Santa Anna was captured and Texas gained it's independence. Riding high on this victory Houston became the first president of Texas.  After Texas became a US state, he served as a senator then governor before being removed for refusing to succeed from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. 

 In 1847 Houston and his wife Margaret Lea moved into their Woodland Home in Huntsville Texas. This was their home for eight years although Houston was often in Washington DC when he was serving his senatorial terms. 

The Houston Museum consists of three sections: the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and a grouping of historic buildings, all located on 15 acres of the original 200 acre Huntsville farm owned by Houston and his family. 

The Education Center has a rotating exhibit gallery and a few permanent exhibits but the main reason to go there is to park in the large lot at the rear of the center. This is also the location of a trail and sidewalk that lead to the other sections of the museum. The accessible entrance is in the rear with an elevator to access the first floor exhibits.

A parking lot is adjacent to the Memorial Museum. The access road is narrow and the lot is small so it's better to park at the Education Center and walk/roll along the road and trail. Visitors using wheelchairs will probably need assistance due to slopes and rough surfaces. The accessible entrance is on the side of the museum with an elevator to the first floor. The museum which has an exceptional number of personal artifacts is accessible

 

The historic buildings include the Woodland Home, Houston's law office, the Steamboat House where Houston died. and several relocated buildings where demonstrations are occasionally held. Some of the buildings have ramps. None were open when we visited but we could peek in the windows.  

Check the map for paths and sidewalks. The roads are narrow and fine for cars but even small RVs are too big for easy access so park at the Education Center. Museum  30.71497, -95.55472