The Best of… (Part I)

We’ve seen a lot of parks and tourist activities. So much that we’ve started to forget the names of a few (which is a major reason for this blog).  I was going to do this at six months, but we’ve been full-timing for over seven months.  I’d thought I’d spend some time listing some of our best and favorite places along with a link to the page on it. 

Best beach – Mexico Beach - Padre Island may have beaten this if we hadn’t visited during a red tide session.  Mexico beach was relaxing without a large crowd.  The powder sand was wonderful.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-search-of-warmth.html

Best hike – Superstition Mountain – For a challenge, nothing beat this one.  We didn’t leave early enough or bring enough water to make it the full distance.  But what we saw was great.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2012/02/lost-dutchman-mine.html

Best cave – Carlsbad Caverns – Hands down the biggest and best.  I really enjoyed some of the smaller places we’ve been or places like Coronado Cave where you explore with a flashlight on your own.  But Carlsbad is just incredible with the amount and type of formations.  The added plus is touring on your own without a guide.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2012/03/carlsbad-caverns-ii.html

Best museum – The Osteology Museum – There is nothing like a room full of bones for a thrill.  The creepy factor helps, but it was educational and enlightening.  You see things a whole new way after visiting this one.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2012/03/bones.html

Best national park in spring – Organ Pipe National Park - We heard later that this park can be dangerous given border crossing activity.  We didn’t see any of that.  Instead we saw gorgeous spring flowers, heard birds singing, and smelled desert in the springtime.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2012/02/organ-pipe-national-monument.html

Best ruins – Fort Bowie – The places we like are out of the way.  The ruins were good, but the fact that so few people visited (10,000 a year) amazed us.  The 1-1/2 mile hike from the parking lot was very easy and filled with signs and things to see.  http://tandtrv.blogspot.com/2012/01/fort-bowie.html

More to follow.....