My Life & Artwork - August 2019

September 16, 2019 Teressa Jackson

After returning from my trip to Oregon that I reported on last month, I don’t seem to have done very much of anything exciting in August. I stayed busy with a lot of contract fundraising work, hid from the Arizona heat, and painted. The last day of August, we headed for Puerto Peñasco (a.k.a. Rocky Point), Mexico, for Labor Day weekend. I’ll report out on that trip in my September blog, and spend some extra time with my paintbrushes instead of doing it now.

I undertook an experiment to cure my own olives this month. On my morning walks, I had started noticing the olive trees producing fruit at a vacant office building. I figured they wouldn't mind if I made use of a few. The process involved soaking the olives in a lye water mixture for twelve hours, then soaking them in a water bath for the next five days (changing the water two to four times a day), brining them in salt water for a week, and then putting them in a final brine with spices. They turned out well and I’m enjoying snacking on the fruits of my labor when I’m craving something salty (which is often!).

I didn’t produce a large quantity of artwork in August (five in total), but I did create some paintings that were large in size and rather time consuming. I’m slowly building up inventory for my show in March-April 2019 at Agua Caliente Ranch House Gallery in Tucson, trying to hold back the larger pieces if I can. Most smaller pieces I am continuing to put in my online shop, as I do need to make a few dollars now, too. :-)

One special piece I created was a collaboration with friend and fellow artist, Ursula Schneider, for the upcoming show at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop. The final piece was titled “Nourishing Community” and featured my watercolor work paired with Ursula’s ink and poetry. I was really pleased with how it turned out, and it was a fun and interesting new approach!

Ursula’s poetry reads:

Nourishing Community
Tall, strong, piercing defenses
Offer shelter for the vulnerable
Ubiquitous needles thread disparate dogmas
The robust can patiently endure the minimal wounds
Inflicted by the fragile
In the hope of humanity’s solidarity

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“Date Night” 20x16” on Fabriano 300 lb. paper This piece is on hold for exhibition and sale at my solo show at Agua Caliente Ranch House Gallery in Tucson, AZ, from 3/21/2020 - 4/22/2020. — “Date Night”
20x16” on Fabriano 300 lb. paper
This piece is on hold for exhibition and sale at my solo show at Agua Caliente Ranch House Gallery in Tucson, AZ, from 3/21/2020 - 4/22/2020.

“Nourishing Community” by Ursula Schneider & Teressa Jackson 10x14” watercolor on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper Available for purchase at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop until 10/21/19. — “Nourishing Community”
by Ursula Schneider & Teressa Jackson
10x14” watercolor on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper
Available for purchase at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop until 10/21/19.

Work in process - this is what the piece looked like after I completed my portion and prior to Ursula’s additions

“Spirit Master” 20x20” on Arches 300 lb. paper This piece is on hold for exhibition and sale at my solo show at Agua Caliente Ranch House Gallery in Tucson, AZ, from 3/21/2020 - 4/22/2020. — “Spirit Master”
20x20” on Arches 300 lb. paper
This piece is on hold for exhibition and sale at my solo show at Agua Caliente Ranch House Gallery in Tucson, AZ, from 3/21/2020 - 4/22/2020.

“Pollinator Paradise” 6x4” watercolor on 300 lb. watercolor paper For sale as of this blog posting - visit my online shop to purchase. — “Pollinator Paradise”
6x4” watercolor on 300 lb. watercolor paper
For sale as of this blog posting - visit my online shop to purchase.

“Monstrosus” 5x7” watercolor on Arches 300 lb. watercolor paper For sale as of this blog posting - visit my online shop to purchase. — “Monstrosus”
5x7” watercolor on Arches 300 lb. watercolor paper
For sale as of this blog posting - visit my online shop to purchase.

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My Life & Artwork - December 2018

January 21, 2019 Teressa Jackson

Me at the reception for “Tesoros Pequeños”

I opened the month of December by attending the reception of “Tesoros Pequeños,” an art show I was accepted into at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery in Tucson. Because the theme was small and precious works of art, I made some “icons” featuring desert rarities, complete with copper halos. I wasn’t completely sure how successfully I thought that they turned out, but it was an attempt at something different, which I need to push myself to do more often. I ended up selling one of the pieces and I hope its new owner loves it - it was definitely my favorite of the three. The other two are now up for sale in my online shop.

I changed up my style and technique for some other pieces I created in December, too (specifically, “Sunset over Sombrero Peak” and “Sibling Rivalry”). I feel like I’m in a bit of a “searching” stage, trying to figure out what direction I would like my art to go next. I have a tendency to default to realism, and need to push myself to explore other approaches. I also feel I want to explore some different subject matter and color schemes.

My nephew posing on Christmas morning with the portrait of him I painted

Towards the end of the month, we had a holiday potluck for my art class. Larry Wollam, my drawing and painting instructor throughout 2018, hosts this event annually. It was a lot of fun to see people from my drawing class who I hadn’t seen since transitioning to Larry’s painting class. I’m missing Larry already as our classes are currently on hiatus until approximately March due to an impending surgery he was facing. I hope all goes well and he is on the mend quickly. He certainly taught me so much in 2018 and was a big part of making the year a success for me artistically. What luck that the classes were right around the corner from where we live.

I created some commissioned pieces for the holidays for my friend Heather, and I also created some pieces to give to my family for Christmas. These types of projects are especially difficult because of the expectations that come along with them, but they are also a good opportunity to challenge myself and be a part of someone’s special moment. I hope everyone loves their creations for years to come.

I also did some hiking in December, enjoying the beautiful, mostly mid-60’s weather in Tucson. This is definitely the time of year to live in the desert. I hiked the Finger Rock Trail on Christmas Day. It was a gorgeous way to spend the holiday and made me feel less lonely since Aaron ended up having to go to Mexicali for work. A couple of days later, I spent some time hiking along the international border at Ramsey Canyon Preserve and Coronado National Memorial with my new friend Ursula, who is also an artist and nature lover.

My friend Kalisha came down to visit from Tempe for New Year’s Eve, and we had a wonderful time catching up while painting pottery. Our pieces both turned out really fun, and it was so nice to see her. It had been far too long.

I’m looking forward to seeing where 2019 takes me and my art. As gorgeous as it is here, I’m definitely itching for some different scenery to help inspire and expand my artistic horizons. Happy New Year to you, wherever you are and whatever it holds for you. Make it great!

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“Sunset over Sombrero Peak” For sale as of this blog posting 5x7” — “Sunset over Sombrero Peak”
For sale as of this blog posting
5x7”

“Painted Desert²” On exhibit at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery until February 23, 2019 14x11” — “Painted Desert²”
On exhibit at Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery until February 23, 2019
14x11”

“The Source 1” Gifted to my mother 10x8” — “The Source 1”
Gifted to my mother
10x8”

“The Source 2” Gifted to my sister’s family 10x8” — “The Source 2”
Gifted to my sister’s family
10x8”

“Sibling Rivalry” For sale as of this blog posting 5x7” — “Sibling Rivalry”
For sale as of this blog posting
5x7”

“Baby Blue” SOLD (commission) 5x7” — “Baby Blue”
SOLD (commission)
5x7”

“Warm Fuzzies” SOLD (commission) 5x7” — “Warm Fuzzies”
SOLD (commission)
5x7”

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My Life & Artwork - May 2018

June 2, 2018 Teressa Jackson

I sound a bit like a broken record, but it's always hard to believe a month has gone by. I think that if I didn't set a goal to write one of these monthly, I might find that six months had passed before it occurred to me to sit down and record another. I certainly can't complain that time goes by slowly.

The first Saturday in May brought a visit from our good friends Kerri and Brian from our Louisville hometown. They spent five days with us in the desert, and it was so nice to catch up and host them. Kerri and Brian have so many exciting things going on (especially the impending arrival of their baby girl) and Aaron and I were very grateful that they took some time out to journey across the country to spend time with us.

The weather has been nearly 100% fantastic in Tucson since we settled here in October, and May brought a few days of 100+ heat. I guess it can't be perfect all the time. In response, I took the opportunity to visit Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains just south of the city. The elevation means cooler temps and a different landscape. These mountains are one of 27 Madrean Sky Islands in the U.S. Their higher elevation and more plentiful precipitation make for more abundant greenery and lots of wildlife.

Silly me thought that the wildlife in the hot desert would hide from the heat like most humans do. I was wrong! During May, there were several interesting sightings near our apartment, including large troupes of coyotes, even more hummingbirds than in winter, a western diamondback rattlesnake, and a desert king snake (a "good" snake that eats rattlesnakes).

I enjoyed a lot of time with friends in May. In addition to Kerri and Brian's visit, I spent time with my friend Kalisha in Tempe and Heather in Tucson. I also wrapped up May with a visit to Colorado with Jenny, who was once my college roommate at Bellarmine University. She kindly informed people along the way that we were celebrating 20 years since we graduated from that institution of higher learning. What did I say about time?

Jenny and my trip was a bit of an impromptu idea. She wanted to go somewhere I'd never been, and those options seemed a bit slim. She'd also never visited a major national park. So, I suggested Colorado, and we spent the last few days of May in Estes Park, Colorado Springs, and Denver. It was as gorgeous as I expected, and I look forward to painting some of the scenes I encountered there. Highlights of our trip were Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of the Gods, the city of Manitou Springs, the Denver Mint (where our pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters originate), and the Denver Botanic Gardens.

Work in progress from my watercolor class

I began taking a watercolor painting class from my drawing instructor. While I have a Bachelor's Degree in painting, I trained in college using acrylic paint, a completely different medium than the watercolor and gouache I've been using the past couple of years. I've never really received instruction in watercolor, and I feel the class has already helped me a lot. I plan to continue with both classes for the foreseeable future, both because they help me improve my artwork and because I really enjoy my instructor and classmates.

Sadly, I think this might have been the least productive month I've had since embarking on my artistic journey in 2016. I completed just two paintings, but I do have two more underway and also wrapped up two drawings in class. Of course, I did take a vacation and host house guests, which I wouldn't trade for anything.

June is looking to be a hot one, with triple-digits in the forecast as far as the eye can see. I'll be taking a trip to Phoenix and then heading to the beach in Mexico mid-month, but right now, I think I need to wrap up this update and get out the paints! Thanks for following along. :-)

Shameless plug alert! In case you're wondering, I have a few more paintings available for sale in my online shop than I often do. Also, I'm open to selling any of my drawings - feel free to make an offer or ask about pricing. Shop now ›

Photo from which I painted Sunny (compiled from two separate photos)

Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson, Arizona: 4/24/18, 9:06:56

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My Artwork - March 2018

April 3, 2018 Teressa Jackson

March was a beautiful month here in Tucson. I tried to enjoy the fantastic weather (70's and 80's) as much as possible before the summer heat's impending onslaught. As a matter of fact, we've already crossed over into the 90's a few times.

Having lived here about six months now, I have to say I have no right to complain about the heat when we have had months on end with almost entirely fantastic weather. I don't think a week (and rarely a day) has passed during which I did not have my windows open for at least a little while. Gosh I love fresh air and chirping birdies!

The warmer temps have made the wildlife happy, too. Hummingbirds seem to be literally everywhere, and the sunset hour is now filled with tiny bats fluttering about. The lizards are back in full force, doing pushups in the sun outside my window. Walking through the desert, there is movement everywhere on the periphery as ground squirrels have come out of hibernation. Believe it or not, they've been pretty much holed up since early last fall when I arrived. These cute furry friends remind me of little prairie dogs.

I tried some different approaches with my art this month, employing new subject matter, media, and sizes. My trip to the Grand Canyon with my mother was commemorated in an 8x10" painting from Hermit's Rest. I used my usual gouache and watercolor paint in this piece, but also accentuated it with watercolor pencil. The pencil provided texture that I found to be so fitting to the canyon's layers. I was really happy with the result.

Blooming ocotillo in Tucson Mountain Park

In addition to walking around the neighborhood, I also visited the San Xavier del Bac mission south of Tucson, went on a tour of historic adobe homes in the Old Fort Lowell neighborhood (a former U.S. military outpost), and spent some time in Tucson Mountain Park, my favorite local hiking spot, among the blooming ocotillos. I created a piece featuring one of the historic adobes, and am currently working on another piece showcasing the fiery blooming ocotillo. I also painted a special painting for my dear friend's nursery, which will be revealed in next month's blog, as it is a pending surprise and was finished in April.

I continue to enjoy my weekly drawing class and worked on three drawing pieces this month. I haven't listed any of them for sale, but if you happen to be interested in one, feel free to contact me. I'm sure the pricing would be reasonable. ;-)

I was excited to get my first local commission this month, and will be working on creating a dog portrait of a sweet smiley pooch named Stella. As of this blog posting, a few of my March paintings are still available, so if one catches your eye, head on over and shop now ›

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: 2/22/18, 11:53:26

Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood, Tucson, Arizona: 3/24/18, 11:23:18

Casas Adobes, Arizona: 3/19/18, 18:34:44

Casas Adobes, Arizona: 2/10/18, 18:14:26

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Crossing Paths and Collecting Adventures

January 22, 2017 Teressa Jackson

I had a lot of really wonderful experiences during my four weeks at Red Mountain Cottages in Bisbee, Arizona. I gazed at the sunset over the Huachuca Mountains each evening. I enjoyed visits from mule deer, roaming cattle, and flittering desert birds, and heard the sounds of coyotes singing in the night. I visited Old Bisbee, Ramsey Canyon Preserve, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Coronado National Forest, Cochise Stronghold, Kartchner Caverns State Park, the Whetstone Mountains, the wild west town of Tombstone, and the border towns of Naco and Agua Prieta in Mexico. And last but not least, I devoured ridiculous quantities of delicious Mexican food.

Mom and me at Chiricahua National Monument

My mother came to visit for my last week in Bisbee and shared in the fun, too. She was perhaps even more mesmerized by the beauty of the desert than I was - standing outside each morning in her coat and pajamas to watch the sunrise, strategically placed to see nature's fireworks to both the east and the west. The time whisked past, and it was hard to believe it was time to pack up the SUV and head to the next adventure on January 21.

I had made a couple of day trips to Tucson (about two hours from my Bisbee home) to see Saguaro National Park, and decided that my run to the airport to bid "see you later" to mom was a good reason to spend a couple more days there.

Mom and I spent her last day in Arizona visiting the Arizona - Sonoran Desert Museum, which was an interesting and expansive combination of museum, zoo, aquarium, art gallery, and botanical gardens. It was home to an amazing array of cacti, interesting desert creatures (including my favorite - the javelina!), and some informative exhibits. Our four hours there flew right by, and we took a small rest at our Airbnb before heading to El Charro Cafe to meet my second cousin Kim, a Tucson resident.

Kim, who I hadn't seen in 15 or so years and had never really known, graciously invited me to her gorgeous home for a hike after I deposited mom at the airport this morning. We journeyed six miles into the saguaro-covered mountains, watching her sweet dog Murphy busily investigate the landscape and getting to know one another. As someone who has never lived near extended family, it was fun to make that connection, especially with such a lovely person.

After three hours with Kim, I had another social date. Kalisha, a friend from home, had recently relocated to Phoenix and we had arranged to meet up in Tucson. It was nice to see another familiar face, and we talked non-stop for the next four hours. I have to admit, she made me wish a bit that my next stop was in Phoenix so we could have a few more visits, but alas, my route is set through February. Perhaps my path will encounter hers again sometime in the next few months... time will tell.

For now, I'm westward bound in the morning. Stay tuned!

On the Move & Making Art - December 2016

January 1, 2017 Teressa Jackson

My Austin apartment was above the garage on the right

On December 1, 2016, I arrived in Austin, Texas, after an exhausting 10-hour, 600+ mile drive. I settled into my little loft apartment in the North University neighborhood, where I enjoyed mostly warm weather, a lot of rain, a lovely walkable neighborhood, and treks to various sites around the region.

Austin is a very nice city, but I think I've made a discovery about myself along this journey - I don't particularly enjoy cities much anymore. I'm not really into bars or clubs, restaurants are a great way to drain your cash quickly, and why shop for things you can't haul around from place to place that you don't need anyway? After taking in the cultural attractions, I was left at a bit of a loss for things I might want to do. Plus, I just started getting antsy for some sunshine and open terrain.

Then, late in the month my Airbnb host cancelled the reservation I'd had in Tucson, Arizona for January. At that point, I wasn't able to find a new place to stay in Tucson. A lot of people had recommended Bisbee, Arizona to me, so I decided the host cancellation was my opportunity to leave Austin a bit early and check it out.

From December 25-26, I drove over 800 miles and checked in to a beautiful, serene, solar-powered house in the Mule Mountains a few miles outside of Bisbee, and my soul went "ahhhh." I can see for miles across the desert to the Huachuca Mountains, and my yard has been host to mule deer, birds, cattle, rainbows, glorious sunsets, and the sounds of goats bleating, coyotes howling, and roosters crowing. I'll get to enjoy this little oasis until the last week of January.

I wasn't quite as prolific in my artistic endeavors during December as in November, but I was also tending to some contract work, spent several days visiting Big Bend and driving to Bisbee, and maybe felt a little lethargic and uninspired. I still managed to create the following paintings inspired by my travels and informed by my original photography, as well as one very special commission a friend hired me to create for another friend as a Christmas gift. Some are already sold, but I still have a few left that could bring some beauty from across the U.S. to your home or office.

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Big Bend National Park, Texas: 12/13/16, 19:02:10

Every $25 you buy in art helps keep me rolling on my adventure across the United States for approximately 1-2 days (gas is expensive!). I'm truly grateful to all the people in my life who keep me fueled up, both literally and figuratively!

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Revealing the Beauty at Big Bend

December 16, 2016 Teressa Jackson

View of sunset at Chisos Mountains Lodge from my room

About the time I was coming down with my severe case of wanderlust this summer, I started tuning back in to our National Parks. As I said previously, I was pretty enamored with these destinations as a child. I remember a big beautiful book I had full of big, glossy photos, and how I would look at it and dream of visiting those (mostly) far off places.

I do not, however, remember dreaming about Big Bend during that time. The park has actually been largely out of my consciousness. I think I finally started noticing it after following their Facebook page this summer (along with about every other national park and monument around). The photos I began to see called longingly to me – I had to go and experience this wild, beautiful swath of west Texas!

So, for the past couple of months, I tried to devise a location to stay nearby, a route that made sense to drive me near, or any way I could make my way to Big Bend. Nothing seemed to make logical sense. The fact of the matter is, Big Bend isn’t close to anything or on your way anywhere. If you want to visit Big Bend, you just have to visit Big Bend.

After weeks of overanalyzing the decision, I booked three nights at the lodge in the Chisos Basin in the middle of the park. If I was to visit this wondrous place, I would do it right.

I was to stay in the park Tuesday to Friday, but Monday, the anticipation got the better of me. It would be a seven-hour drive from Austin, and I hated the thought of losing a whole day to driving. I found a cheap place to stay in Fort Stockton, two hours from my final destination, and got a head start.

Tuesday, I arrived at the park around 10 a.m. At first, it didn’t seem all that different than some of the other amazing places I’ve seen recently. It was a beautiful desert with some mountains. When I hiked down to Hot Springs, I started to see some of the magic in the lush green vegetation along the banks of this desert river. I also saw the first signs of clandestine border crossings, with various Mexican souvenirs set out adjacent to a container in which to leave your money.

I followed the river to the east to Rio Grande Village, along to where it enters Boquillas Canyon. I hiked up the beginning of the trail to where the river enters the canyon and stood gazing down at Mexico on the other side. There were men in cowboy hats wrangling horses, and dogs joyously scampering around. It was all very picturesque, and it entertained me for quite a while. I finally continued on the hike toward the canyon, but – I’m going to admit something here – I started to get scared.

I had passed a couple more spots displaying Mexican crafts, and I just started to feel unnerved. Where were the people who were peddling these items? There was no money in any of the jars, so either no one was buying or someone was watching and collecting. When you are by yourself, that thought is a little bit creepy, and unfortunately, it ruined my hike.

A little upset with myself, I left. Sure, it was extremely likely that the people who were selling the crafts were the nicest people you would ever meet... but what if they weren’t? Where is the line between believing that others are generally good (which I do, truly, believe) and being irresponsible? As I have felt at other times, I was also slightly angry at having to feel this way more than a man would. Yes, I carry a knife, but it’s hard to know how a confrontation would end.

The full moon and night sky above the Chisos Mountain Lodge

I tried to shake off my disappointment and pointed the car toward the Chisos Mountains, a volcanic island in the middle of the park. It is believed that these mountains were formed through a series of eruptions a long, long time ago. The low point in the midst of them is called the Chisos Basin, and this is the location of the Inn I would call “home” for the next three nights.

The rooms are a bit dated, but my view was phenomenal. I enjoyed a nice hike down toward the “Window,” an opening in the mountains that frames the desert below. Soon my bad feelings had found their way right out of that window. In fact, they burnt up into one of the most phenomenal sunsets I’ve ever witnessed.

Wednesday, I set off for the western part of the park, stopping at various vistas and formations along the way to Santa Elena Canyon, where the Rio Grande spectacularly emerges from between two towering cliffs. There were no Mexican crafts to be seen here, probably owing to the much more rugged terrain on the other side of the border.

I hiked up into the canyon and descended into a cool, shady, and verdant green oasis along the riverbanks. The trail went as far as nature allowed, when the embankment butted up against the sheer walls of the canyon.

From there, I adventured down Old Maverick Road, a bumpy, sometimes nearly washed out gravel road that showed me some park backcountry. Badlands, brick red cliffs, and a swift coyote greeted me.

The top of Lost Mine Trail, including my feet

I took a deep breath and started up the Lost Mine Trail on Thursday. I was a little anxious, as I had noted that this trail was closed due to high bear activity right up until my visit. However, none of my Big Bend adventures had included the park’s mountain terrain, and I hated to leave without experiencing the forested green elevations of the Chisos Mountains. My mind was definitely set at ease by the number of hikers I had seen at this location the days before. I would not be alone there, that was for sure.

It quickly became obvious why I would not be alone on this trail. I feel sad for those who visited during the closure, because it was spectacularly beautiful. I felt like I took a hundred photos of the same vista, because each angle was more breathtaking than the next. The cloudy mist below only added to the magical beauty, and when I reached the top – oh, when I reached the top! Boom! Wow! Fantastic!

The other pleasurable part of this trail was the opportunity to converse with other travelers. There’s something about our national parks that I believe to be the “great leveler.” Maybe we should all head out to a park and become a better nation, because I had some great conversations on my way up, up up, at the top, and on my way down, down, down. How can you not be of one mind when you are sharing something so beautiful, so spectacular, so life affirming? It certainly brought me back firmly into my belief in the good of others.

The Lost Mine Trail was undoubtedly the highlight of my Big Bend adventure. I easily conquered Grapevine Hills Trail that afternoon, and ate some terrible canned soup (I have decided that all canned soup is horrible!) on my balcony that evening, sated nonetheless.

Nine hours of driving behind me, Friday night I was back in Austin. Yes, I blew my budget a bit with the Big Bend excursion, but no, I wouldn’t take it back for anything.

Prehistoric Billboards

November 21, 2016 Teressa Jackson

As magnetic as the pull is to White Sands National Monument, I kept driving past its glimmering granules yesterday. My car ventured past Holloman Air Force Base, around Alamogordo, and north to a land between the San Andres Mountains and the Sacramento Mountains.

Around 600 years ago, the Jornada Mogollon people made the area of Three Rivers Petroglyph Site their home. It is not believed that there are any living descendants of these people, but it is apparent that they lived a rich and vibrant life. It is also clear to me that they were a very intelligent community.

I hiked up the mountain ridge along the trail, but quickly diverged from the beaten path. Unlike many other sites of this type, visitors are allowed to wander and explore throughout the area.

I spent hours venturing from one place to the next, finding treasure after treasure, imagining what life must have been like in this village and what the Jornada people meant when they inscribed the over 21,000 petroglyphs that cover the landscape at this site. There were circles, animals, faces, patterns, and symbols everywhere and I was playing a great game of hike and seek with them.

I finally had to force myself to stop and begin the journey back to my car, but not before I made the discovery that some of the most striking creations were on the highest sheer rock faces that look out on the San Andres Mountains. Someone clearly knew what a billboard was long before modern humans came up with the idea. I have to say, I like their version better.

Fall Colors and a Super Moon

November 14, 2016 Teressa Jackson

Sunday, I returned to the area where rain and fog and wind plagued my route to Carlsbad Caverns. This time, I stopped just short of where the Caverns are located. I was greeted with a far different landscape – one where I could actually view the mountains and valleys that surrounded me which had previously been shrouded by clouds and precipitation.

The clear, sunny, 70-degree day was perfect for exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Sadly, I had actually never heard of this park before I drove through it on my way to Carlsbad, but I certainly recognized the signature shape of the iconic peak that it proudly boasts – El Capitan (now that I could finally see it).

At around 8,000 feet, El Capitan is pretty impressive. However, Guadalupe Peak (nearly 9,000 feet) has the bragging rights to status as the tallest mountain in Texas. I had really wanted to hike to the top of one of these peaks, but with the 2.5-hour drive to the park and the limited daylight hours this time of year, I thought better of that idea. Maybe I’ll become a rattlesnake snack another day. Instead, I selected the Devil’s Hall Trail that ends at a narrow canyon called (you guessed it!) the Devil’s Hall.

The park was gorgeous, and while there were a fair number of people there enjoying it, it was far from crowded. I had plenty of opportunities to stop for a moment and hear nothing but the peaceful sounds of the canyon around me.

Guadalupe Mountains was a surprisingly lovely place to enjoy fall colors, my favorite being the bright hues of the Bigtooth Maples. Another interesting surprise - the park features one of the most extensive fossil reef formations known on earth. The remnants of life from 250 million years ago are above, beside, and below you as you travel through the canyon – a very different experience from that offered at the Falls of the Ohio back home.

I left the park just in time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset and the super moon rising in my rear view mirror – a pretty fitting end to a “super” day. :-)

My Way Along the Talimena Byway

October 28, 2016 Teressa Jackson

The Ouachita National Forest, Pencil Bluff, Arkansas

I left Hot Springs this morning and headed west through the Ouachita National Forest. Winding around and around through the gorgeous trees, there was nearly no civilization until I arrived in Mena, Arkansas. I even passed a tiny airport that also housed a dentist's office along the way - now I call that RURAL (and efficient?).

Mena is the eastern starting point of the Talimena National Scenic Byway. I had crafted my route to see this stretch of road at the suggestion of my mother. Long ago, before I was born, my parents lived in Wilburton, Oklahoma, which is near the western end of the byway.

As soon as I turned onto the byway, the road started going up, up, up, and I was quickly greeted with amazing vistas of the Ozarks and the valleys and lakes below. The engineers who designed this roadway were smart, providing ample turnoffs and parking areas to stop and take in the views. I didn't skip any of them, which means I might win the world record for longest amount of time to drive this stretch of road.

Along the trail, I entered the State of Oklahoma, land of my birth. I snapped a photo with the sign and took a short jaunt down to the historic spike marking the state border. I also got so excited that I left my sunglasses in the grass there. I guess I get to shop for a new pair of shades!

Shortly after my stop at the state line, I hopped out at another overlook. A couple was finishing up taking photos, and she excitedly turned to me, showed me her hand, and said, "We just got engaged! I know I don't know you but I have to tell somebody!" They were so happy, and it was too sweet. I insisted on taking their photo together so they would have a good one to remember the moment.

I took about 1,239,552 photos of the mountains on my way along the Talimena today, but none of them could ever truly demonstrate the true beauty or scale of this gorgeous area. I'll do my best to portray my version of it, soon, when I finally sit down with my paint and brushes... :-)

My 5 Experiences in Hot Springs

October 27, 2016 Teressa Jackson

My morning view leaving Eureka Springs, near Morgan, Arkansas

I left Eureka Springs bright and early Tuesday. I was eager to get on the road, catch some nice morning vistas, and put the 4-hour trek behind me. The morning views did not disappoint. Shortly after leaving Eureka Springs, I had to pull over near Morgan, Arkansas to grab some lovely shots of the foggy Ozark Mountains.

I neglected to fill my gas tank prior to leaving Eureka Springs, and my anxiety level started to build as the needle went down and there was no trace of civilization in sight. I had routed myself on back roads so I could enjoy the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, and while it was full of gorgeous views, I have never been so happy in my life to see a gas station. I drove through a few more (somewhat) populated areas, but all in all, the drive to Hot Springs was extremely rural.

I arrived at the Alpine Inn in Hot Springs a bit earlier than check-in, but Leslie, the very friendly Scottish owner, was kind enough to let me go ahead and occupy my adorable little room. I was feeling worn out and crashed for about an hour. What did I do next?

Lots of Art Deco architecture to enjoy here

1. Walked Downtown and Enjoyed the Architecture

Leslie had said it was around a mile's walk to downtown, so after my slumber, I set off on foot to see Hot Springs. I soon realized that while a mile is very walkable for me, I probably should have driven it first to get the lay of the land. I'm not going to get too involved in national political discourse, but I will say that I don't particularly appreciate males heckling or objectifying me, and this mile involved a fair share of it. While it might seem to some to be a harmless activity, the problem with being the target is you never really know if someone is simply being a little too frisky or if their behavior is a precursor to something more nefarious.

Once I got into the main downtown area, I enjoyed the wealth of historic buildings, walked around, visited the information center for the National Park, snapped a lot of photos, and headed back to my hotel (pocket knife in hand).

2. Hiked the National Park

Wednesday, I got up very early and headed out to the trails of the National Park. I got some lovely morning views as I trekked up the mountain and wound around and around through the woods. I was out for two hours before I saw another human being, which was both peaceful and a little spooky. There were plenty of squirrels, chipmunks, and a deer to keep me company, though. I visited the Hot Springs Mountain Observation Tower, which provided some great vistas of the city and surrounding area. After getting slightly lost on my way back to my car, I finally wrapped up my 4-hour, 7-mile hike.

3. Quapaw Baths & Spa

After a quick shower, I visited the Quapaw Baths & Spa. I had been given a pass by my hotel, so the entrance was free except I did have to buy a pair of rubber shoes for $3. Essentially, the experience consists of four large pools of different temperatures of water from the hot springs - 104°, 102°, 98°, and 95°. Always wanting the full experience, of course I hopped right in the 104°. I alternated laying on a lounge chair and soaking in the pool, and left feeling relaxed.

4. Superior Bathhouse Brewery

I completed my relaxation with a trip to the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, a microbrewery claiming to make the "World's First Beer Brewed with Thermal Spring Water." I enjoyed a Belgian Tripel ($2 off for happy hour!) and black eyed pea hummus (also $2 off!). I haven't been eating (or drinking) nearly as much as normal, and I quickly put it all away. Delicious!

5. Buckstaff Bath House

This morning, I woke up early, ready to hit the Buckstaff Bath House for a traditional experience. Buckstaff is the only bathhouse in Hot Springs that has operated continuously since its founding. They don't take reservations, and I couldn't sleep, so I was first in line at 8 a.m. Bear with me because I am going to describe this in detail... I've never experienced anything like it and I doubt you have, either!

I was shown to a changing stall, where I stripped down to my birthday suit and placed all my belongings in a locker. An attendant then draped me with a sheet "Roman Style" and showed me to a waiting area. I don't want to sound negative, but nothing about this is your traditional spa environment - it's very utilitarian. With the exception of the hairdryer in the dressing area, you could truly be in a very different era.

Soon, Mattie called me back to the baths. She had drawn me a tub full of hot spring water and had me disrobe (always back to the attendant) and get in the tub. She gave me two cups of hot water to sip on and scrubbed my back, legs, and feet. Then she turned on the whirlpool (which looked like a giant, ancient mixer) and left me to soak for about 15-20 minutes. This was the deepest, longest bathtub I've ever been in, and it was wonderful.

After the tub, I was wrapped in another sheet and seated on a table. Mattie put soaking, very hot towels behind me and had me lay on them. More hot towels went over my legs and a cool towel went around my face. I was given ice cubes to suck on and left to rest for another 15-20 minutes (I'm guessing on all these times... hard to really know).

Next, I was seated (naked) in the vapor cabinet, which is basically a metal closet with a seat in it, metal doors that come down over your shoulders, and a glass door on the front. I was left to steam for a few minutes with the door open, then a couple minutes with it closed so I could breathe in the vapors.

The sitz bath followed. Wrapped in a sheet, I sat on the edge of this little tub and slid down in to submerge my hips and lower back. I was also given a stool to prop up my legs while in there. Considering that my lower back was killing me when I got up this morning, I decided that I need one of these in my next home.

The needle shower sounds more dangerous than it is. Basically, it's a shower with a bunch of shower heads. I was given the opportunity to spend a few minutes rinsing off in there after the sitz bath.

After that, I had a 20 minute Swedish massage. It was one of the more "no nonsense" massages I've ever had, but it was a great way to wrap up the experience. No pan flute music, no coddling from the masseuse, no fancy oils... just a good, plain old massage.

I would say that my massage at Buckstaff sums up my time in Hot Springs. Very few people have gone out of their way to be overly friendly to me (except men in cars), but most people haven't been unfriendly either. It seems likely to me that life is not all that easy for a lot of people here. Poverty seems pretty prevalent. I don't want to sound at all as if I am judging anyone; I know that every place in this world is different and has their good points and bad points, struggles and triumphs. This is just my experience in the matter of a few days, and I'm glad to have had it.

I'm headed on to Oklahoma tomorrow!

And I'm Off!

October 24, 2016 Teressa Jackson

I've hit the road!

Anxious about a really long first day's drive, I headed out a day earlier than planned on Saturday, October 22. After grabbing my last Quills latte for a while, I headed out I-64 west, past Evansville, through Illinois and St. Louis, and eventually ended my day in Hollister, Missouri, just south of Branson. I didn't do much in Branson other than drive through the town, and the next day I was eager to get moving again.

Sunday, I visited Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. The park was founded by the owner of Bass Pro Shops. It was a little too commercialized at the entrance, but once I hit the trail through the Ozarks, it was really lovely. It is definitely more manicured than your average hiking spot, including a hiking trail that is paved in its entirety. I thought this was a nice feature, especially for anyone who might be in a wheelchair. It's so rare to see nature be truly accessible. There were plenty of waterfalls and big, beautiful fish. I walked the entire trail, altogether somewhere over 7 miles in total. The fall weather was fantastic and it felt great to stretch my legs.

From Dogwood Canyon, I drove through the Ozarks to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This little town is filled with shops, restaurants, and incredibly friendly people. I spent a little time yesterday walking the historic town, and all day there today. Although I love all the little galleries, gift shops, and boutiques, it is a little strange to browse them now that I have essentially no belongings and am not set up to acquire any. So, I mostly enjoyed the scenery. I also splurged on a big brunch at Mud Street Cafe (I've been mostly eating peanut butter, crackers, and apples), checked out the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, a true historic gem with a phenomenal view of the mountains, and visited Thorncrown Chapel, a chapel acclaimed for its architecture located just outside town in the woods.

As I already mentioned, the people in Eureka Springs are very friendly. Southern charm is in full effect here, and of course, they are reliant essentially 100% reliant on tourism so it is to their benefit to be pleasant. One of my highlights for today was meeting a man named Reck who was working at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Reck asked what I was doing in town, and I told him that I had sold all my belongings and was traveling the country for a year or so. He was very intrigued with this and we talked about Eureka Springs, other parts of the country to visit, and also about the value of being nice. He gave me a hug before I left with a big smile on my face.

A few minutes later, I was making my way up the street (literally UP... my Fitbit tells me I climbed 52 floors today) and a car pulls up. Reck pops out and says he just ended his shift, and wondered if I wouldn't take his cell phone number and send him a photo from my travels occasionally. I said I would be happy to do so, and snapped his photo so I'd remember the first new friend I made on my journey. It only took three days! :-)

Tomorrow, I am headed off to Hot Springs, Arkansas... a little sad to leave Eureka Springs so soon, but I'm sure I'll come back again someday.

Blog

1. Walked Downtown and Enjoyed the Architecture

2. Hiked the National Park

3. Quapaw Baths & Spa

4. Superior Bathhouse Brewery

5. Buckstaff Bath House