New Mexico's Hidden Gems: Valley of Fires and the Very Large Array - S11E5

[@Ramphastos333]

Fun episode! I live in Pinetop-Lakeside, near Show Low, and you drove through my greater "hood." Been on 60 many times, and love the feeling of openness driving across the Plains of St. Augustin, exploring that entire area from Socorro to St. Johns, then down back home (for me). Hope you enjoy Petrified Forest and were able to get off the beaten path there. Selfishly I hope you pick the Show Low area or somewhere further in the White Mountains (which are stunning) for Pelicamp West! Also, some trivia: when you drove by Capitan, NM, the El Capitan mountains in the distance was where the original Smokey Bear was found as a cub in a wildfire, he lived out his days at the Washington Zoo as quite the celebrity. And as you approached Springerville, the large, bowl-shaped mountain was Escudilla Mountain, home to one of the last, probably two, grizzly bears left in Arizona, and a pivotal place where the concepts of wildlife management were changed forever by the experiences of Aldo Leopold, understanding why shooting a wolf may not have been the best thing for overall health of wildlife and habitat resources, fundamentally changing how wildlife management is approached even today. Safe travels!!!

[@robertcolpitts4534]

It's just the Capitan Mountains, not El Capitan, which is in the Guadalupe Moutains in West Texas.

[@tommyg.9069]

New Mexico is a beautiful State. I love Las Cruces!

[@johnrouss7719]

Hi Robert. Go to the valley of fire state park in Nevada. The valley of fires at the campground is different that the Valley of Fire state park in Nevada. Something you've got to see. It's a can't miss state park. Absolutely amazing. Do not miss

[@skaycgoldenridge]

johnrouss: Agree 100! I was there for the first time a couple of months ago. It truly is breathtaking :)

[@jjones5424]

Pie Town is famous among long distance hikers. The town is a re-supply point along the CDT or Continental Divide Trail. So, people hiking the trail pick up packages sent to them at the post office and of course a burger and pie!

[@StressLessCamping]

We still haven't been to Valley of Fire - there is so much of our home state that we still need to explore.

[@johnrouss7719]

Definitely do not miss. Plan on a hike or two. Spend the day

[@StressLessCamping]

@@johnrouss7719 What is this "hike" you refer to? Does it involve beer?

[@johnrouss7719]

There are a few amazing hikes within the valley of fire. The place is just amazing. If you live in the area you need to go check it out. Everyone gives it 5 stars. I don't know how anyone can give it any lower rating. Drink up

[@C-TOS]

What a sight, the lava field is something I didn't expected to see in the lower 48 part of the US.

[@robertcolpitts4534]

El Malpais National Monument south and east of Grants NM has similar lava flows but is much larger! Well worth a visit!

[@danielbertsch8291]

There are Hawaiian like lava fields in the 48 states! Lava Beds NM in CA, Newbery Volcanic Monument in Oregon, and Craters of the Moon NM in Idaho!

[@michelemcdanieltravels]

There is nothing like watching the landscape change with the passing miles. So. Many. Miles. Thank you for including such a great variety of locations, many of which I’ve never heard of before. Valley of Fires reminds me a lot of Craters of the Moon in Idaho. Great video!

[@ShawnPatterson402]

that was a very nice couple of travel days. No doubt there is some amazing scenery in New Mexico....continued safe travels.

[@garywillhoit]

Made the same drive 4 years ago, on our way to Petrified Forest. Kept seening small signs with VLA. Had no clue, until we saw it. Impressive.

[@CindyGer]

Enjoyed watching this video. Beautiful landscape. Thank you for sharing your travels with us.

[@robertcolpitts4534]

Great video, Roberto! We have traveled the highway from Carrizozo to Socorro and beyond many, many times, and it never loses its charm! As a geologist, I spent many years mapping the rocks north of US 380 just east of San Antonio (which, by the way, is properly known as "San Antonio en El Camino Real". It is also the birthplace of Conrad Hilton and the Green Chile Cheeseburger made famous by the Owl Bar and Cafe that you passed on the right at the flashing traffic light in San Antonio. The snow-capped mountain behind MiniTini 4 at The Valley of Fire State Park is Sierra Blanca, the highest peak in southern New Mexico. That was a money shot! Safe travels, my friend!

[@DG_ontheroad]

Thank you very much for so much information in this beautiful video, as always good work Robert.👏👏👍👍👍

[@danielbertsch8291]

Great episode! Long ago, we drove I-10 through El Paso and then on to Guadalupe Mountains NP. We didn’t do much in central New Mexico. Valley of Fires SP looks great. (There are other lava fields in California, Oregon, and Idaho!) I’ve wanted to see the VLA since it was built when I was a kid. It looks spectacular! On our next trip to the SW, we’re going to the Array rockin’ out to your “Driving West” song!

[@LeslinAdventures]

What a nice park valley of fire. Thank you for sharing Robert

[@Cdf-dz8er]

Another great video robert!

[@sandranynj7118]

I love the Lava Rocks and the scenery around this entire area. Glad to be back watching, got sidetracked during the pandemic but I am back!

[@laurafoote214]

Beautiful scenery!

[@patriciagoulter]

That was so interesting, wasn't the weather amazing, I would not have expected that, but that shows how little I know about your country, Thank you for showing me the out of way places. Loves the VLA, and the trains!

[@Yawndave]

Mornin', Robert...you sure put in a lot of miles in this episode! When I saw where you were starting out at Davis Mountain State Park I thought "Oh man, he is SO close to Balmorhea State Park!" -- One of my favorite swimming holes ever. If you liked Valley of Fires, check out El Malpais National Monument the next time you're in the area (and Acoma Pueblo while you're at it) Seeing the snowflakes falling brings back memories of when I drove that stretch of road a couple of years ago, it was about 28 degrees...brrr! I agree with you on the movie Contact, it's a great movie, and the DVD commentary tracks are excellent. Looking forward to your visit to Petrified Forest new week...until then, happy trails!

[@thehighlanders607]

"A gas station with a view", classic!

[@skaycgoldenridge]

You and your lovely wife are amazing travelers! Love the way you tape your footage and the music you put to your videos. Very, very talented. As always, thank you for sharing your adventures with us. Take care and do continue to be safe on your travels :)

[@ChesterABaker]

Thanks for showing us the Big Bend park. Your coverage was very informative. We really appreciate it. Thanks again ❤.

[@mikereid280]

Hi Robert. We really enjoyed the episode. *But you must go back to McDonald observatory! Even if the weather is not good for observing, please take the tour of the facility. The tour is amazing. You will love it and it is worth the drive back out there to get to take this once in a lifetime tour showing and explaining the telescopes and the visitor center is excellent also. I know it's way out there but this really is an amazing tour.

[@TexasPegP]

I ❤ when you travel to the West!!

[@elmandalorian6671]

Love observatories!

[@debbiewerner7124]

How cool was the VLA. 😮 excited to see what you find for your pelicamp west. ❤

[@kencarlson7222]

Have you considered going to the Nebraska star party? Ps like the occasional campfires. Thanks for the good content. We watch every Sunday.

[@sholinwright2229]

I love that drive from NM to AZ! Did it the other way a few years back: from Ajo AZ to Socorro NM. Alpine and Show Low were a whole different side of AZ. Also the upper Salt River Recreation Area had some nice views.

[@alrichardson7027]

Hello Traveling Robert, this was a wonderful trip to Holbrook. I have been to that area on the way to the Grand Canyon National Park. I'm looking for the next video. This was absolutely awesome. Thanks Traveling Robert.

[@doriparks2962]

1:04 Hi Robert. My husband and I have always been fans of yours, but today you really broke my heart. I love in El Paso TX, and you really dissed us in this video. Granted, there appears to be a lot of trash on the roads (probably because of wind) but you could have included a positive comment about El Paso as well. We really have a nice city and I believe you went through the city’s outskirts, not really representing ALL of El Paso. Ok that’s my vent. 😢

[@michaelmartinez3254]

He has an episode of El Paso from a few years ago. Watch it it shows El Paso in a good light.

[@doriparks2962]

@@michaelmartinez3254 Thank you! I will look for it. 🥰

[@EfficientRVer]

Nice episode. I have spent several days exploring the parts of NM you drove through, and I love several towns/areas within an hour or two of the general area of the VLA. The radio telescope dishes were always spread out much further when I was there. You were lucky to get to see them all clumped together like that! You missed a chance to get a green chili cheeseburger where they were invented, the Owl Cafe in San Antonio NM. It was fun eating there. You drove right past it. The legend is that during the Manhattan Project, nuclear scientists would go there for the burgers. In Socorro, there was a luncheon buffet at a Chinese restaurant that was extremely good and very inexpensive. I found it hard to drive through Socorro without eating there.

[@Marvel_Polaris]

@Traveling Robert Great Valley of 🔥lets ride shell we 🚙. Nice scenery it is 🏜🏞🌁🌦🌤.

[@gi169]

Thank you Mr. Robert. 👍🍻 Getting some awesome gold out of your wash BTW. 💰💰💰

[@christenabatiste]

Good morning Robert. Safe travels.

[@jimmoore7725]

I enjoyed today’s video. New Mexico is a fantastic place to visit. As a side note, in Greenbank WV there is another radio telescope observatory.

[@bradprince1854]

Robert, nice vocals added to one my favorite jams.

[@bobbrown6281]

Robert: it seems like more and more i hear you say that you are not happy with things around you. This is just life and you can't change Mother Nature or the landscape. HOPE YOUR DAY IS UP TO YOUR STANDARD. GOD BLESS.

[@stevegiblin270]

Baby it’s cold 🥶 out there! Stay Warm?🍀⚓️😝

[@stevegiblin270]

❤️ Love that song Driving To The WEST and of course Driving in my RV! Lol!🍺😎☘️🇺🇸

[@brendamountaingirl8354]

Good morning coming to you from Crestline Ca. 😊 enjoy watching your travels, your so blessed.

[@tragedytrousers1769]

That is one lonely desolate road on the way to the VLA. Not one car or building for miles and miles. Iremember taking the self guided tour of the VLA and also buying a pie at pietown. Man it was cold. Never knew it could get that cold in NM in winter. Valley of fire was a cool place to camp. Alot of nice hiking trails there.

[@javig5045]

Pelicamp West, oh what a grand idea, happy hunting amigo.....Javi G. Tucson

[@TheDaubSquad]

I love your animated maps. Any chance you’d do a tutorial video?

[@TravelingRobert]

kzbin.infoNmBNbNZYsKk?si=2PaJclVg7MOq5D2R

[@Sams68F100]

Now you need to come to WV to see the largest steerable telescope in the world. The Greenbank Telescope!!

[@dylanreynolds8264]

I hope you enjoyed going out west this spring

[@denmartell4287]

That type of precipitation is called graupel. It's a form of snow or soft hail in a more convective environment. Quite common in showers.

[@bertkelly7650]

Riding to the west into the sunset.

[@joehenderson9520]

I graduated from high school in Quemado NM.

[@stevegiblin270]

Big country out there? Awesome 😎

[@sgtkingking2228]

Good show.

[@pattiwhite9575]

You took my route up out of Big Bend. But I am so surprised you didn't got to McDonalds Observatory. It is excellent place to visit. An since you love NASA stuff so much you would have enjoyed some of the work going on there. And the views from up that mountain are so mystical and colorful I could sit and look out for hours. But, you messed up by not taking the route up to N.M through the huge rough mountain range of Guadalupe Mountains and seeing Carlsbad Caverns..

[@costitravel]

Amazing YT channel! New friend👍👍👍

[@shaundavidson2582]

The road to El Paso sounds like a new song

[@NH1938]

If the precipitation bounces off your hood, it was probably graupel. If the temps were above 32F/0C, the snow melted on the way down.

[@kenoday7562]

14:41 You just passed the original Owl Cafe in San Antonio. I was there in December of 2023 to see the Sandhill Cranes at the Bosque del Apache. If you do decide to get a green chili cheeseburger at the Owl, stick to the Albuquerque location!

[@TravelingRobert]

I was tempted to stop, but decided to continue

[@kenoday7562]

@@TravelingRobert You didn't miss much. But I do recommend the ABQ location.

[@dianabalto]

Very nice video of NM

[@MarvinGaskins]

Hey Robert love the channel

[@jubys5387]

I envy you and your beautiful travels. Keep safe!

[@pattiwhite9575]

Isn't land cheaper in NM??? I really love the places in NM so much more than rv Arizona

[@americanenglishcourse4076]

Are you raveling to the Wes?

[@daemocd]

Did I hear a new vocal? Anyways, very good video as usual!

[@kristinrusso9800]

The white stuff that was falling down is called grapple in New England. Looks like tiny styrofoam balls.

[@MarvinGaskins]

You are missing a TON of great country in El Paso ( Franklin Mountains) and how about Queens NM Ruidoso NM Cloudcroft NM Just saying😂 keep up the good work!!

[@cdlvj]

I would do the solar array if I lived in country. Get rid of that monthly fee.

[@admin23ad]

I wish go to new mexico i can't I cannot afford it but conservatorship 😢

[@Jurornumber5]

New Mexico looks like the perfect place to put all the immigrants. It could be like an unincorporated habitat.🤠

[@teresaforsyth6185]

Traveling Robert: once in a while, a Trump commercial comes on asking for money/donation. Can you do anything to stop that commercial?

[@TravelingRobert]

I have no saying in what commercials KZbin decides to insert

[@brianmiddleton2956]

Your surfshark ad, where did you get that Donkey 🫏 shirt from?

[@TravelingRobert]

Boquillas del Carmen

[@brianmiddleton2956]

@TravelingRobert that's was when you took that short trip to Mexico on your big bend trip? I'm a donkey fanatic so I had to ask.