Sorry about your loss. The atomic bomb had the opposite effect on my family. It saved my father from going to war in Japan. He was a Marine on a boat headed for Japan. When the bomb was dropped his boat turned around.
A bit over 50 years ago, I was traveling with my father, a veteran of the war in the Pacific, and we heard on the radio that protestors were causing a fuss because of a display at the Smithsonian about the bombs dropped on Japan. He said, people have no idea how many lives would have lost on both sides had the U S forces fought a ground war in Japan. He went on too say that as terrible as the bombs were, it was the best thing that could have happened at the time.
My dad was a Navy Seabee during WWII and I sure looked up to him. That generation, with their abilities to make the best of life and get over any obstacle, may never be repeated.
Thanks! I really enjoy your videos. They display a great family oriented life, living simply but enjoying life to the fullest. I like all the different type of videos yu share - travel down the backroads, e-bike travel, travel trailer upgrades, roadside repairs, etc. keep up the god work, Bob
Hey..... I live in Ruidoso Downs, NM off Highway 70 E. @ Slowplay RV Park.... I use to work for NM State Parks, of course I'm retired now at 73... glad you're in the area...stop by love to meet you and Linda....! =) When I first started RVing... I took my Cargo Trailer to Valley of Fires & Oliver Lee State Park in Alamogordo, NM..! Could only stay for 14 days then had to leave, so I went between both Parks every 2 weeks...! Well.... I just say that you've already left my area so I guess ya won't be stopping by...I am south west of Socorro, NM.... but heading West...sorry I missed ya..! =)
Sorry we missed you too! We've been through NW NM many times, but enjoyed this trip through the central part of the state a lot and will be back someday.
Great video Rick. I enjoyed it very much. I am heading to Taos later this month. I regret your family's suffering from radiation. Safe travels and thanks for being on TH-cam.
Thoroughly enjoyed the educational information, fascinating. Learning about lava was delightful, seen a couple of houses for sale on the Big Island before but had no clue of the nuances of living in that landscape. Glad we we weren't talking in person because you both would be burnt with my questions after a couple of hours. 😂 thank you Rick and Dead Eye Lindy
Great video! You didn't mention it directly, but the VLA can be reconfigured fairly quickly. Those dishes are mobile on railroad tracks so that they can move them around depending on what they're trying to measure or detect. I think they only move at a walking pace so 'quick' is a relative term! I'm a ham radio operator and we had a presentation on the VLA the last time I went to QuartzFest at Quartzsite in 2020. I'm hoping to go again next January. The ham that gave the presentation used to work at the VLA and is also an amateur astronomer. Fun fact: he told us that space only looks black because the human eye has a maximum 'shutter speed' of 1/64th of a second. With his telescope and camera, and the ability to stack images, he told us that because of the gases in space it's actually orange! Who knew?
That's an interesting Fun Fact! In the photos from the James Webb telescope you can see all of the orange, but I never gave it any thought until you just mentioned it. I saw those railroad tracks but didn't think about them moving those dishes.
@@gonagain We had a couple guys that year who were seriously into amateur astronomy as well as ham radio. They were talking about telescopes and camera packages that started at $30,000. A little too rich for my blood! I do remember the first time I saw the Milky Way with the naked eye though. I was ~26 or so. I had tears in my eyes from the beauty of it all! You just never forget moments like that.
Rick & Linda, As always, thanks for taking us along. The lava lessons were as fascinating as they were informing. So sorry to hear of your father and brother's untimely passing Rick. We were very ignorant of the effects of radiation when it was a young technology. Gorgeous camp sites! The VLA was ashtonishing. Be Safe and Best Wishes!
Driving though the small towns and burgs the interstates go around is a lot more interesting and safer than rushing down the interstate too fast to see much.
You two must look a little shady to the security team, looking lost, as no particular place to go but happy to be so. Thank you lots of fun, ALL stay safe
Sorry to hear about your father and brother. Those time like your father were decated workers for our History in our USA. Memories always of those impacted our lives . Sending prayers 🙏 even now for them. God Bless you Linda and your children
Love New Mexico, our favorite burger place is Sparkys in Hatch, NM , there is a good place to boondock near the valley of fires, the Snowy River Recreation area, it's just outside of Captain New Mexico Smoky the bear was found there.
Great video! Loved how you and Linda described lava and your home in Hawaii! I have traveled these same roads for many years, never took the time to explore off road as you did. Thank You! Up close and personal to a place I know well. Socorro, motorcycle gangs etc.😂 Next time go on to Los Lunas, eat at the Luna Mansion. Better car wash😋. There is so much history here and Native American culture. You did it justice! Appreciate that you share your journey. If you come back go to Albuquerque and ride the Tram. You will love it. Look it up on line Sandia Tram. Hope you will come back again! You are always welcome.Blessings.
Linda and Rick again an awesome video..sorry Mr Rick about your Dad and brother. Hope you can visit NM again in your future travels..maybe a meet up! You two always impress with the way you have lived your lives!!! Love your old and new chapters!!! Keep the travel videos coming!!
For the past 3 years we have been exploring New Mexico on our trips west and found it to be a gem! Thanks for showcasing some of its beauty in this video!
What a cliffhanger of an ending 😮😂 Hope they didn’t throw you guys into a dark room with a 2 sided mirror and interrogate you guys about the picture you took 🤭😱😜 Safe travels you guys 🙏🏼
Attended the New Mexico Star Party in 2001 where we camped out between the VLA and Socorro under some of the darkest skies I've ever seen. We had a behind the scenes tour of the VLA and facility from several folks that also were background folks in the movie "Contact". Great memories.
Cool video, thanks for the tutorial and personal stories. I watched a show on that very large array and I remember them saying they moved those large dishes around in different configurations and I bet you would enjoy seeing the piece of equipment they used to move them around with.
Been through The Valley of Fire many many times back in the day when all there was out there was lava and one convenience store where we would stop and get a chimichanga. But this was a real education on lava! Learned things I never knew about it. Real sorry about you Dad and brother.😢 I know there were many men who were exposed to the radiation from that test site as well as other sites in the Pacific. Just terrible! I'm really glad you got to go see those big dishes. I lived in NM over 20 years and never managed to go see them. Thanks for taking us to see them! Makes me a little homesick but Montana is my home of 24 years now and I'm staying put. Happy Trails!
Thanks, Wanda. I sure wish summer would arrive here in Montana! We get a day of nice weather, just to tease us, and then it gets cool and rainy again. We're about to hitch up and go camping anyway.
@@gonagain my understanding is this June is acting like the month use to be like back in the day. I've got a fire going as I write this. Have fun and stay warm!
Very interesting place. I'll definitely check that out next spring/summer when I head out there. Your audio was great. Thanks again for another history lesson!
You gave us an informative view of NM from the lava to VLA. Just like Montana you can see for many miles in every direction. Glad you were able to visit and hope you will come back to ride the Sandia Tram some time soon. ❤
23 years ago, partner and I took our first road trip. From Los Angeles to Texas to bring a friend a car. We went to Carlsbad Caverns and the VLA. One NM stop we found a butterfly stuck in the radiator. I felt sad about that, but what can ya do. Such a pretty state.
Sorry for your loss Rick😢 This was so interesting about the volcanoes and the National radio frequency place that was pretty interesting😮 safe travels 😊 keep up the good work on the videos❤
I'm glad you guys got to stay at Valley of Fires. Ain't that a neat spot. Billy the Juvinile Dilinquent's last stand was about 20 miles East of there and so is a well-preserved old ARMY Fort. And another BLM spot though not a very exciting one. I think it was intended for horse riding. I think there was a historic town Lincoln a few miles farther East. The VLA is pretty neat! They saw me coming and the Un-Welcome mat was put out. The joys of off-season travel. Fewer crowds, fewer things open. An employee warned me of the men in white trucks not taking to kindly to photographers and stopped vehicles. Sorry to hear about your father and brother. Take care you guys.
Interesting, this was Cool. Every subject I can relate to big time. I want to respond and touch on each item, but alas I'm such a long winded Blabbermouth, I will spare you both. But suffice to say You bring the best adventure in your YT show and we Thank You for that. Entertaining, Educational, Funny and Always Real. Thank You Rick and Linda.
I understand about the heat. I left Texas to avoid the heat and have been traveling staying in NPs. Arizona heating up so currently in Colorado at 10.8k alt. 40° to 80°
Looks like a great trip minus the hail. If you watch youtube the channel Physics Girl had done a video on the Very Large Array that explained it so I understood. I tried searching for the video but could not find it but it might just be me today. Hope your trip is going well, stay safe and healthy.
Really enjoyed your videos Rick, we were just in that area in early spring. we spent March down in Ajo, then headed up to attend our visit to Trinity Site on April 1. they open the base up to the public only twice a year for 6 hrs only,was a once in a lift time experience.
You guys do such an excellent job of explaining things and educating people. I never knew there were different types of lava. Rattle snakes, tarantulas, and scorpions = No Thanks
When I was little, my brother and I used to catch scorpions and tie a string to their "tail". We know they were poisonous but were always careful, God watched out for us, never got bit. ~~Linda
Shoot. Wish I would have known you were in the area. Would have liked to meet you both. I am from Montana too. Hardin to be exact. Staying in Ruidoso for the summer. Hope you guys have fun and stay safe.
Very cool. We have been at the Vally Of Fire campground several times. It looks like you got a calm day. When we have been by there it has always been very windy 20 -35 MPH. The difference must be the time of year. We are by there during the winter months. January - March. So glad you got better weather. Also we are going to have to stop at the Very Large Ariray. Is there any camping at or close to the Array. Enjoying your travels!
Here is info on Tram. Welcome to Sandia Peak Tramway! Please purchase your Tram tickets before arriving. The Tram is open Daily, 9am-8pm (last Tram up).
Condolences over the radiation deaths. I had an uncle (Korean War era) whose unit was among the test subjects of nuclear tests. Though he was sickly from it, he lived to around age 70, unlike most of his friends in the unit. Many stories of trying to get the VA to deal with it, with widely varying results. The lack of a concerted effort or even an admission that it was a thing, was very frustrating to his wife, my mother's half sister. I enjoyed visiting the VLA in 2018. Very cool stuff. While I've been checked out by security (both the camo dudes in pickups, and troops in Pave Hawk helicopters) in places approaching Area 51 and viewpoints to it, I didn't encounter any in my visit to the VLA. I encountered similar when poking around taking photos of the terminal in Las Vegas that workers fly to Area 51 from. I did nothing but casually take a few photos from a public sidewalk in Las Vegas, using a small point/shoot camera. Soon I found a camo-dude type staking out each intersection I came to on my walk back to my hotel. They'd drive right up onto the sidewalk on the other side of the street, and give me the evil eye. I finally ducked into some condo/hotel parking lots while they were on the move ahead of me, and evaded them finally. At the VLA, I'd guess they're just looking to prevent vandalism and protect a very expensive asset, rather than worry about whether someone is spying, like regarding everything related to Area 51. Every now and then, some documentary maker (often from the UK) will actually follow an Area 51 worker home and knock on their door. They are trained to say nothing, and immediately report it to security. But they also look like they want to kill the reporter, because it is going to put them under a microscope regarding their own security clearance.
Curious as to what year you were a lava guide? 1972-75 I was an outer island tour guide and often took my tours through the volcano fields in Hawai’i. Our joke was how you tell pahoehoe from a’a? When crossing barefoot when on da a’a, you went say Ah Ah cause so sharp!
Rick flew volcano tours in the 90's and during that time I've guided others out on the lava field from Kalapana to where the lava was entering the ocean. We lived where we could see the fountaining of Kupaianaha at times.
rick when traveling on the rough roads lower the tire pressure down to smooth out the ride, if the tire take 50 psi , i would lower to 35 to 40 prefer 35psi, you can always raise it back up with the compressor . you mention the area with rattlesnakes in the area i little trip to have with you, i know your going think this is dumb, but i carry a length of manila rope 3/4" diameter place it around the truck and trailer , why? rattlesnakes hate that manila rope!, they start to slide over the rope and they dont like it so they go back and dont enter your area. one day i caught a little mouse in a cage and baited him to proof the point to a ranger friend of mine , the rattlesnake heard it running around but could not get to it because of the manila rope, the rope snags on the under belly of the snake and they dont like that , it makes them feel trapped. rick and linda thank god the satellite wasnt in a 90 deg looking at you, you would be walking away with a GLOW OR SILHOUETTE OF YOURSELF AND LINDA TOO? HAHA.
That's interesting about the manila rope. I've heard about using it all my life, but no one, to my knowledge, has ever tested it except for you. Very cool.
Definitely glad you made it through all the stupid weather. OH NO! Tarantulas are not cute! They are just giant creepy spiders to me Eww!!! 😂 Nice camp spot. We got to see some lava stuff in Idaho. Was the first I had seen. A weird, but almost pretty site to see. Oh I like that camp spot better than the last one. The dish talking thing is like the whispering arch in Union Station. You can hear someone whisper from the other side. I agree with Linda about needing them in the house! Jessie needs one too! LOL. Crazy about security. Surprised they even let people in at all. What an interesting place to visit. We need to get back to New Mexico. There's so much there we haven't had time to discover in our previous trips.
This was our first trip through that part of New Mexico and it really was nice. Nice enough that we intend to go back! You didn't want that little spider for a pet?
I've been wondering what happened to youze twoze! I searched for your site and had to resubscribe today. Unfortunately two months too late as we live just west of Datil, about 15 miles from the VLA. You coulda camped at our place, used my pressure washer and washer/dryer that work great! Did you have a Blake's Lotaburger in Socorro? Sorry i haven't "re-found you" before now. It would've been great to meet you.
My Dad was from Magdalena and my Mom is from Datil. I know the area well! 💙 Some of the locals think they put the VLA in due to UFO sightings. The ranchers had several cows dead without blood in them during that time 👽🛸
With your parents from Magdalena and Datil, they may have heard some UFO stories from folks in their area. While the Roswell story is well known, it is badly polluted by controversy, disinformation, and smear campaigns. But a similar incident right around the same time i 1947 west of Datil, is quite an interesting story with much less publicity and controversy. The book "Finding the UFO crash at San Augustin" by Art Campbell is a very dense and slightly disorganized book about one aspect of it, but despite its flaws, is probably the most detailed and interesting piece of UFO research I've ever read. Pretty much Campbell's life's work after retirement. Other perspectives on it can be found in books mentioning Barney Barnett, and in interviews of Gerald Anderson, some of which the National Archives have preserved into TH-cam videos, along with interviews of other residents of the area. Your username implies you're from Colorado, where actually there are more stories of livestock mutilations than in NM. Mysterious Valley by Christoper O'Brien is a pretty creepy book to read, some wild stuff in Colorado. When reading about UFOs, it gets hard to draw the line between what seems likely true and what is absolutely crazy or terrifying, and tempting to therefore call BS. Personally, I think the siting of the VLA was for the reasons stated. It's hard to throw a dart at a map of the USA and find a place without UFO history there, though NM does have more than their share.
New Mexico……You forgot to mention aliens along with the tarantula, rattlesnakes, etc. 👽👽. The state park was very nice and inexpensive and the free camping spot was good in that National Forest campground.
Louisiana has Kisatchie National Forest. They honor the America The Beautiful card. So camping is 1/2 price price . Louisiana State Parks honor the fact also
@gonagain not every States honor the card. It wouldn't hurt yall 2 check out which one's do. Even if yall just passing through. Take care. I'll be waiting on yalls next move
I grew up and live in Texas all my life, my greandfather and grandmother lived in New Mexico, I really like that state it is a beautiful place but I just do not care for thier politics so will stay in Texas except to visit, my grandfather was not of same politics of the current state there
Besides the LTVA areas, BLM also has campgrounds similar to the NF campgrounds with a vault toilet, picnic table and water. Those usually have a fee which with your Golden Age pass would cut that in half.
Sorry about your loss. The atomic bomb had the opposite effect on my family. It saved my father from going to war in Japan. He was a Marine on a boat headed for Japan. When the bomb was dropped his boat turned around.
Same with me, my dad had already made three landings and was worried that his luck was about to run out.
A bit over 50 years ago, I was traveling with my father, a veteran of the war in the Pacific, and we heard on the radio that protestors were causing a fuss because of a display at the Smithsonian about the bombs dropped on Japan. He said, people have no idea how many lives would have lost on both sides had the U S forces fought a ground war in Japan. He went on too say that as terrible as the bombs were, it was the best thing that could have happened at the time.
My dad was a Navy Seabee during WWII and I sure looked up to him. That generation, with their abilities to make the best of life and get over any obstacle, may never be repeated.
Just following orders sir!
Thanks! I really enjoy your videos. They display a great family oriented life, living simply but enjoying life to the fullest. I like all the different type of videos yu share - travel down the backroads, e-bike travel, travel trailer upgrades, roadside repairs, etc. keep up the god work, Bob
Thanks, Bob, we need the encouragement!
You guys have lived a very interesting life. We enjoy your videos very much. Thank you.
Our pleasure! We certainly are blessed with a roving spirit.
All of your videos are a history lesson, love it!
Wow, you never disappoint. That was so interesting!! Thank you for the time and effort you put in. Have a blessed weekend❤
Thank you! You too!
The Visitor's Center was closed in the Spring of 2022 when I arrived there. Thanks for the update!
It was neat to see the lava. I bet it felt like being home for a moment.
It did! The weather was warm and the scenery was a lot like the Big Island.
Hey..... I live in Ruidoso Downs, NM off Highway 70 E. @ Slowplay RV Park.... I use to work for NM State Parks, of course I'm retired now at 73... glad you're in the area...stop by love to meet you and Linda....! =) When I first started RVing... I took my Cargo Trailer to Valley of Fires & Oliver Lee State Park in Alamogordo, NM..! Could only stay for 14 days then had to leave, so I went between both Parks every 2 weeks...! Well.... I just say that you've already left my area so I guess ya won't be stopping by...I am south west of Socorro, NM.... but heading West...sorry I missed ya..! =)
Sorry we missed you too! We've been through NW NM many times, but enjoyed this trip through the central part of the state a lot and will be back someday.
Great video Rick. I enjoyed it very much. I am heading to Taos later this month. I regret your family's suffering from radiation. Safe travels and thanks for being on TH-cam.
Thanks, Dennis.
Thoroughly enjoyed the educational information, fascinating. Learning about lava was delightful, seen a couple of houses for sale on the Big Island before but had no clue of the nuances of living in that landscape. Glad we we weren't talking in person because you both would be burnt with my questions after a couple of hours. 😂 thank you Rick and Dead Eye Lindy
Hello Lindy, Hawaii is beautiful and is wonderful to visit, but living there got to be too expensive for us. We miss it though.
I envy you two so much. I love travelling with you; seeing places I'll never see.
Thanks for coming along, Carla.
Great video! You didn't mention it directly, but the VLA can be reconfigured fairly quickly. Those dishes are mobile on railroad tracks so that they can move them around depending on what they're trying to measure or detect. I think they only move at a walking pace so 'quick' is a relative term! I'm a ham radio operator and we had a presentation on the VLA the last time I went to QuartzFest at Quartzsite in 2020. I'm hoping to go again next January. The ham that gave the presentation used to work at the VLA and is also an amateur astronomer.
Fun fact: he told us that space only looks black because the human eye has a maximum 'shutter speed' of 1/64th of a second. With his telescope and camera, and the ability to stack images, he told us that because of the gases in space it's actually orange! Who knew?
That's an interesting Fun Fact! In the photos from the James Webb telescope you can see all of the orange, but I never gave it any thought until you just mentioned it. I saw those railroad tracks but didn't think about them moving those dishes.
@@gonagain We had a couple guys that year who were seriously into amateur astronomy as well as ham radio. They were talking about telescopes and camera packages that started at $30,000. A little too rich for my blood! I do remember the first time I saw the Milky Way with the naked eye though. I was ~26 or so. I had tears in my eyes from the beauty of it all! You just never forget moments like that.
Rick & Linda, As always, thanks for taking us along. The
lava lessons were as fascinating as they were informing.
So sorry to hear of your father and brother's untimely
passing Rick. We were very ignorant of the effects of
radiation when it was a young technology. Gorgeous camp
sites! The VLA was ashtonishing. Be Safe and Best Wishes!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Driving though the small towns and burgs the interstates go around is a lot more interesting and safer than rushing down the interstate too fast to see much.
You two must look a little shady to the security team, looking lost, as no particular place to go but happy to be so. Thank you lots of fun, ALL stay safe
Sorry to hear about your father and brother. Those time like your father were decated workers for our History in our USA. Memories always of those impacted our lives . Sending prayers 🙏 even now for them. God Bless you Linda and your children
Thanks. Yeah, that generation was special.
Love New Mexico, our favorite burger place is Sparkys in Hatch, NM , there is a good place to boondock near the valley of fires, the Snowy River Recreation area, it's just outside of Captain New Mexico Smoky the bear was found there.
Thanks for that tip!
Great video! Loved how you and Linda described lava and your home in Hawaii! I have traveled these same roads for many years, never took the time to explore off road as you did. Thank You! Up close and personal to a place I know well. Socorro, motorcycle gangs etc.😂 Next time go on to Los Lunas, eat at the Luna Mansion. Better car wash😋. There is so much history here and Native American culture. You did it justice! Appreciate that you share your journey. If you come back go to Albuquerque and ride the Tram. You will love it. Look it up on line Sandia Tram. Hope you will come back again! You are always welcome.Blessings.
We really enjoyed New Mexico on this trip and saw areas that we definitely want to go back to. I'm looking up the places that you mentioned. ~ Rick
Linda and Rick again an awesome video..sorry Mr Rick about your Dad and brother. Hope you can visit NM again in your future travels..maybe a meet up! You two always impress with the way you have lived your lives!!! Love your old and new chapters!!! Keep the travel videos coming!!
We definitely want to visit NM again, there is so much more to see and soak in. It would be great to meet up with you!
I recently visited the nuclear science museum in Albuquerque. They have a full sized replica of the Trinity test tower
For the past 3 years we have been exploring New Mexico on our trips west and found it to be a gem! Thanks for showcasing some of its beauty in this video!
We plan on going back to explore more of NM.
What a cliffhanger of an ending 😮😂
Hope they didn’t throw you guys into a dark room with a 2 sided mirror and interrogate you guys about the picture you took 🤭😱😜
Safe travels you guys 🙏🏼
It was funny and not funny. But we're okay now! I got my picture and everything's fine. Thanks for watching, Jennifer. ~~Linda
@@gonagaindidn’t know what was in the trailer
Attended the New Mexico Star Party in 2001 where we camped out between the VLA and Socorro under some of the darkest skies I've ever seen. We had a behind the scenes tour of the VLA and facility from several folks that also were background folks in the movie "Contact". Great memories.
Beautiful country, thanks for sharing
Cool video, thanks for the tutorial and personal stories. I watched a show on that very large array and I remember them saying they moved those large dishes around in different configurations and I bet you would enjoy seeing the piece of equipment they used to move them around with.
Each of those dishes were sitting on rails. I can imagine the equipment used to move them would be pretty hefty! We were amazed at their size.
Water Canyon is beautiful! That road also is the access to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory!
Yes it was!
Been through The Valley of Fire many many times back in the day when all there was out there was lava and one convenience store where we would stop and get a chimichanga. But this was a real education on lava! Learned things I never knew about it. Real sorry about you Dad and brother.😢 I know there were many men who were exposed to the radiation from that test site as well as other sites in the Pacific. Just terrible! I'm really glad you got to go see those big dishes. I lived in NM over 20 years and never managed to go see them. Thanks for taking us to see them! Makes me a little homesick but Montana is my home of 24 years now and I'm staying put. Happy Trails!
Thanks, Wanda. I sure wish summer would arrive here in Montana! We get a day of nice weather, just to tease us, and then it gets cool and rainy again. We're about to hitch up and go camping anyway.
@@gonagain my understanding is this June is acting like the month use to be like back in the day. I've got a fire going as I write this. Have fun and stay warm!
That was a great video. Thank you!
Very interesting place. I'll definitely check that out next spring/summer when I head out there. Your audio was great. Thanks again for another history lesson!
Oh man, I had to work hard to pull that audio out from all the wind noise. Thanks to modern video editing features.
Nice tour thru the VLA...great trip west..
LOL "Yeah, this is crazy. We need to have these in the house..." Ain't that the tro0f! Thanks for another great vid from the gorgeous southwest!
Thanks for watching!
my condolences on ur father and brother..thanks for sharing, tho..cool stuff..thanks again rick..
So sorry to hear about your dad and especially your brother. That’s so sad.
always so interesting...thanks for sharing
Very cool adventures in the west! I ❤ the Big Island.
My father was a paniolo on the Parker Ranch, waaaay back in time. The good ole days....🤙
Nice video, thanks for sharing, 👍👍
You gave us an informative view of NM from the lava to VLA. Just like Montana you can see for many miles in every direction. Glad you were able to visit and hope you will come back to ride the Sandia Tram some time soon. ❤
We do want to return to NM and spend more time exploring there.
23 years ago, partner and I took our first road trip. From Los Angeles to Texas to bring a friend a car. We went to Carlsbad Caverns and the VLA. One NM stop we found a butterfly stuck in the radiator. I felt sad about that, but what can ya do. Such a pretty state.
I agree on those back road travels… we made it back to the farm from our COE trip … we will hang out here thru the holiday then see what goes…
We're going to stay a little closer to home for awhile, but luckily there's plenty to see. Enjoy the summer, Wayne!
That was really great, be safe always, and thanks for the video.
Another great episode. Many thanks. AJ
Glad you enjoyed it, AJ, thanks for watching!
Sorry for your loss Rick😢
This was so interesting about the volcanoes and the National radio frequency place that was pretty interesting😮
safe travels 😊 keep up the good work on the videos❤
Real nice campground valley of fire, I got electric site with senior discount 👍 great views! Thanks for your videos! Happy trails to y'all 🎉
Thank you guys for another great and informative video. Stay safe.
I was just watching live yesterday horrendous weather in NE New Mexico. Hail, tornadoes...ugh! I hope you've moved on by now.
You're very quick and attentive to your comment from us thank you
We try, because we've discovered what a nice bunch of folks our viewers are.
I have the Golden Age Pass, and got it the last few months available at the original cost. Best deal ever.
The VLA dishes can be configured with the dishes at different distances from the center. 22 mi is one config, but there are closer configs as well.
interesting trip! thank you.
I'm glad you guys got to stay at Valley of Fires. Ain't that a neat spot. Billy the Juvinile Dilinquent's last stand was about 20 miles East of there and so is a well-preserved old ARMY Fort. And another BLM spot though not a very exciting one. I think it was intended for horse riding. I think there was a historic town Lincoln a few miles farther East. The VLA is pretty neat! They saw me coming and the Un-Welcome mat was put out. The joys of off-season travel. Fewer crowds, fewer things open. An employee warned me of the men in white trucks not taking to kindly to photographers and stopped vehicles. Sorry to hear about your father and brother. Take care you guys.
We need to go back to that area for sure and it's on our list. Maybe next springs trip south. I think it was Linda who looked so suspicious.
Awesome video...thanks you guys for all the insight 😊
Interesting, this was Cool. Every subject I can relate to big time. I want to respond and touch on each item, but alas I'm such a long winded Blabbermouth, I will spare you both. But suffice to say You bring the best adventure in your YT show and we Thank You for that. Entertaining, Educational, Funny and Always Real. Thank You Rick and Linda.
Well said! (even though you are a "blabbermouth", haha.) We sure do appreciate and enjoy your comments, Vencenzo! Aloha to you ~~Linda
We were at Valley of Fires earlier this year. Can’t wait to go back!
We want to go back, too!
Green chili burgers in New Mexico can be delicious
Change that to are delicious! Green chili is a mandatory food group!
Okay... now I'm hungry!
Yall find the most interesting things.
There are a couple of car washes in Socorro... And a couple of decent restaurants there... Try El Camino... Armijos... El Sombrero... All pretty good.
Next time! Thanks for the info.
Very cool...!!!
I understand about the heat. I left Texas to avoid the heat and have been traveling staying in NPs. Arizona heating up so currently in Colorado at 10.8k alt. 40° to 80°
Now that's not bad! It's still too cool and wet here in Montana to get out much.
I enjoyed this fascinating episode 🎉
Thanks, Eric, glad you enjoyed it.
Looks like a great trip minus the hail. If you watch youtube the channel Physics Girl had done a video on the Very Large Array that explained it so I understood. I tried searching for the video but could not find it but it might just be me today. Hope your trip is going well, stay safe and healthy.
Oh, I like her videos and will try to look that one up. Thanks!
Dang I wish I wasn't working I would go see you all. I'm from New Mexico.
Really enjoyed your videos Rick, we were just in that area in early spring. we spent March down in Ajo, then headed up to attend our visit to Trinity Site on April 1. they open the base up to the public only twice a year for 6 hrs only,was a once in a lift time experience.
Maybe we can do that next spring, we love Ajo and spent several weeks there earlier this year. Thanks, Duane! ~Linda
Love you two your so funny
Seriously? Thanks for watching!
So tragic about your dad and brother. Had to be really tough for you. Sorry to hear.
Love this video.
Linda, you're funny!
Wonderful information about the Lava flows. And about the nuclear bomb results there in NM. Thanks
You guys do such an excellent job of explaining things and educating people. I never knew there were different types of lava. Rattle snakes, tarantulas, and scorpions = No Thanks
When I was little, my brother and I used to catch scorpions and tie a string to their "tail". We know they were poisonous but were always careful, God watched out for us, never got bit. ~~Linda
Very cool.. definitely need to explore NM. I've been to SF, Taos and 4 Corners/NW New Mexico. 😁👍
This was our first trip that far south in NM and we really liked it.
Shoot. Wish I would have known you were in the area. Would have liked to meet you both. I am from Montana too. Hardin to be exact. Staying in Ruidoso for the summer. Hope you guys have fun and stay safe.
Would have liked to meet you too! Where do you stay during winter? Maybe our paths will cross somewhere, sometime. ~~Linda
Not a cute little SPIDER . Thank you for showing the local wildlife.
Lol!
Very cool. We have been at the Vally Of Fire campground several times. It looks like you got a calm day. When we have been by there it has always been very windy 20 -35 MPH. The difference must be the time of year. We are by there during the winter months. January - March. So glad you got better weather. Also we are going to have to stop at the Very Large Ariray. Is there any camping at or close to the Array. Enjoying your travels!
We had some violent weather while we are there, with high winds, heavy rain and lightning, but it was mainly in the evenings.
Here is info on Tram.
Welcome to Sandia Peak Tramway! Please purchase your Tram tickets before arriving. The Tram is open Daily, 9am-8pm (last Tram up).
Condolences over the radiation deaths. I had an uncle (Korean War era) whose unit was among the test subjects of nuclear tests. Though he was sickly from it, he lived to around age 70, unlike most of his friends in the unit. Many stories of trying to get the VA to deal with it, with widely varying results. The lack of a concerted effort or even an admission that it was a thing, was very frustrating to his wife, my mother's half sister.
I enjoyed visiting the VLA in 2018. Very cool stuff. While I've been checked out by security (both the camo dudes in pickups, and troops in Pave Hawk helicopters) in places approaching Area 51 and viewpoints to it, I didn't encounter any in my visit to the VLA. I encountered similar when poking around taking photos of the terminal in Las Vegas that workers fly to Area 51 from. I did nothing but casually take a few photos from a public sidewalk in Las Vegas, using a small point/shoot camera. Soon I found a camo-dude type staking out each intersection I came to on my walk back to my hotel. They'd drive right up onto the sidewalk on the other side of the street, and give me the evil eye. I finally ducked into some condo/hotel parking lots while they were on the move ahead of me, and evaded them finally.
At the VLA, I'd guess they're just looking to prevent vandalism and protect a very expensive asset, rather than worry about whether someone is spying, like regarding everything related to Area 51. Every now and then, some documentary maker (often from the UK) will actually follow an Area 51 worker home and knock on their door. They are trained to say nothing, and immediately report it to security. But they also look like they want to kill the reporter, because it is going to put them under a microscope regarding their own security clearance.
I found your comment to be really interesting! I think you're right about the VLA security being concerned about all that expensive equipment.
Curious as to what year you were a lava guide? 1972-75 I was an outer island tour guide and often took my tours through the volcano fields in Hawai’i. Our joke was how you tell pahoehoe from a’a? When crossing barefoot when on da a’a, you went say Ah Ah cause so sharp!
Rick flew volcano tours in the 90's and during that time I've guided others out on the lava field from Kalapana to where the lava was entering the ocean. We lived where we could see the fountaining of Kupaianaha at times.
Funny as now this island girl had been following the Cascade volcanos on the mainland! Heading towards Mt St Helen’s tomorrow!
rick when traveling on the rough roads lower the tire pressure down to smooth out the ride, if the tire take 50 psi , i would lower to 35 to 40 prefer 35psi, you can always raise it back up with the compressor . you mention the area with rattlesnakes in the area i little trip to have with you, i know your going think this is dumb, but i carry a length of manila rope 3/4" diameter place it around the truck and trailer , why? rattlesnakes hate that manila rope!, they start to slide over the rope and they dont like it so they go back and dont enter your area. one day i caught a little mouse in a cage and baited him to proof the point to a ranger friend of mine , the rattlesnake heard it running around but could not get to it because of the manila rope, the rope snags on the under belly of the snake and they dont like that , it makes them feel trapped. rick and linda thank god the satellite wasnt in a 90 deg looking at you, you would be walking away with a GLOW OR SILHOUETTE OF YOURSELF AND LINDA TOO? HAHA.
That's interesting about the manila rope. I've heard about using it all my life, but no one, to my knowledge, has ever tested it except for you. Very cool.
Definitely glad you made it through all the stupid weather. OH NO! Tarantulas are not cute! They are just giant creepy spiders to me Eww!!! 😂 Nice camp spot. We got to see some lava stuff in Idaho. Was the first I had seen. A weird, but almost pretty site to see. Oh I like that camp spot better than the last one. The dish talking thing is like the whispering arch in Union Station. You can hear someone whisper from the other side. I agree with Linda about needing them in the house! Jessie needs one too! LOL. Crazy about security. Surprised they even let people in at all. What an interesting place to visit. We need to get back to New Mexico. There's so much there we haven't had time to discover in our previous trips.
This was our first trip through that part of New Mexico and it really was nice. Nice enough that we intend to go back! You didn't want that little spider for a pet?
@@gonagain LOL no pet spiders
I've been wondering what happened to youze twoze! I searched for your site and had to resubscribe today.
Unfortunately two months too late as we live just west of Datil, about 15 miles from the VLA. You coulda camped at our place, used my pressure washer and washer/dryer that work great! Did you have a Blake's Lotaburger in Socorro?
Sorry i haven't "re-found you" before now. It would've been great to meet you.
Hello Bob, we missed you! We sure did have a Lotaburger, or two.
The rope lave resembles cow pies more than rope.
My Dad was from Magdalena and my Mom is from Datil. I know the area well! 💙
Some of the locals think they put the VLA in due to UFO sightings. The ranchers had several cows dead without blood in them during that time 👽🛸
Now that's interesting. We wouldn't doubt the word of the ranchers as we've seen some "interesting" things ourselves.
With your parents from Magdalena and Datil, they may have heard some UFO stories from folks in their area. While the Roswell story is well known, it is badly polluted by controversy, disinformation, and smear campaigns. But a similar incident right around the same time i 1947 west of Datil, is quite an interesting story with much less publicity and controversy. The book "Finding the UFO crash at San Augustin" by Art Campbell is a very dense and slightly disorganized book about one aspect of it, but despite its flaws, is probably the most detailed and interesting piece of UFO research I've ever read. Pretty much Campbell's life's work after retirement.
Other perspectives on it can be found in books mentioning Barney Barnett, and in interviews of Gerald Anderson, some of which the National Archives have preserved into TH-cam videos, along with interviews of other residents of the area.
Your username implies you're from Colorado, where actually there are more stories of livestock mutilations than in NM. Mysterious Valley by Christoper O'Brien is a pretty creepy book to read, some wild stuff in Colorado. When reading about UFOs, it gets hard to draw the line between what seems likely true and what is absolutely crazy or terrifying, and tempting to therefore call BS.
Personally, I think the siting of the VLA was for the reasons stated. It's hard to throw a dart at a map of the USA and find a place without UFO history there, though NM does have more than their share.
New Mexico……You forgot to mention aliens along with the tarantula, rattlesnakes, etc. 👽👽. The state park was very nice and inexpensive and the free camping spot was good in that National Forest campground.
We're so used to the aliens that I didn't bother to mention them. Well, the ufos anyway!
Good touring video, my father was witness to nuclear testing and it also didn't turn out well for him.
Sorry about that, it happened to so many.
The plains of Augustine
The Plains of Saint Augustine.
@@Gail-gf7km sorry I haven't been there in 48 years next time I'll remember
Louisiana has Kisatchie National Forest. They honor the America The Beautiful card. So camping is 1/2 price price . Louisiana State Parks honor the fact also
I didn't know that and not very many state parks will honor that pass. Thanks for informing us.
@gonagain not every States honor the card. It wouldn't hurt yall 2 check out which one's do. Even if yall just passing through. Take care. I'll be waiting on yalls next move
Have you ever visited Lake City Colorado?
No, we haven't.
Is the dishes part of seti?
I don't think they are.
Did you stop in Pietown?
Stay tuned, Bryan.
👍
Thanks, Patrick.
Did you go to Pie Town?
Stand by for Pie Town!
Be sure to go see the dinosaur footprints by the damn.
Next time!
Golden Age pass???
Where do I apply for them??
It's the National Parks senior pass $80 good for lifetime. Must be 62 to apply
If you travel and camp, it pays for itself in no time at all.
I have a pass for being retired veteran.
Is that the same thing. Mine is for national parks.
Do you know of anything for State parks
My dad was in the Hitler Youth in Belgrade Yugoslavia until they were liberated ...
Glad he made it through.
🙀 creature comfort 🐍 🕷 🦂
You do look pretty suspicious! :)
It was Linda!!!
The VLA is civilian.. Not military..
I grew up and live in Texas all my life, my greandfather and grandmother lived in New Mexico, I really like that state it is a beautiful place but I just do not care for thier politics so will stay in Texas except to visit, my grandfather was not of same politics of the current state there
Better to Avoid 😢😮
I didn't know BLM had electric, water, tables.. and a fee unless camping for six months. Glad i have my senior pass.
Besides the LTVA areas, BLM also has campgrounds similar to the NF campgrounds with a vault toilet, picnic table and water. Those usually have a fee which with your Golden Age pass would cut that in half.
central Fla. is my old stomping grounds. it's good place to be From
We left just as it was starting to get hot and buggy. Without AC we couldn't stay.