dokodemo

The night before I left, Austin had a big rainstorm, and the temp dropped 15 degrees almost instantly. It ended up quite chilly.
Leaving austin, I saw a lot of snow in the hills. Started to experience "vanagon syndrome" for the first sustained time, which had me starting to worry.

This is a known flaw in the wasserboxer engine. The Air Flow Meter (?) becomes confused, and the engine starts to "highway hiccup". There is a slight electrical modification available to address this problem, but since I had never exeperienced it, I hadn't had the operation performed.

Lunch was a "Tabooli Toms Thai Falafel Wrap" which sound like a consolidation of all that I despise in the modern ethnic/health food boom. I have to say, however, that this is a great product and I would like to see it spread. A whole-wheat tortilla filled with falafel, vegetables, peanut sauce, and bean noodles... mmm. I had two of these in Austin and could use about 9 more.

Finally arrived at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, had a great campsite. However, in the morning, a ranger came to tell me that I was in a tenter spot, and my vehicle was a camper. He explained that this was actually peak season and the tenter parking spots are prime. He admitted that my judgement was fine, given that there was nobody else in the tenting zone at all, but wanted me to be sure I read the signs. I really didn't see the signs, I have no excuse. I have always used tent sites to camp in, it seems if anything I am saving resources (wear on the ground and tables etc) but I do realize it would be very unfair if someone wanted to tent and i was in their space, while I could be using the RV section (which at this site was a parking lot).

The ranger told me that I probably couldn't make White Sands if I also wanted to go to Carlsbad, but he told me about an excellent spot on the way. It was not an official campsite, but an are of national forest which allowed disperse camping, this is what I am all about.

Driving out, I came to the conclusion that the Guadalupe Mountains were phenomenal, and I regret not spending more time there.

The next day I did make it to Carlsbad Caverns, which was amazing. My photos didn't come out so well due to the low light in there. The main thing which struck me is that the cave is HUGE. Very, very large open spaces.