Author: KathyDraz

  • Thanksgiving in Hot Springs

    Thanksgiving in Hot Springs

    We decided to do something a little different for the Thanksgiving holiday this year: a mountain bike trip to Hot Springs! Michael had the entire week off thanks to his school schedule, but for me this would be a work trip for the first part of the week. That meant cell phone coverage was a…

  • The New Slide-In Camper

    The New Slide-In Camper

    In my last post I detailed my drive from Fayetteville, AR to Watsonville, CA in order to pick up the new camper shell for Taco Negro. At least the adventure waited until I arrived in Watsonville. I would love to say that I calmly took control of the situation, reached under the seat for the…

  • New and Improved!

    New and Improved!

    For several years our Taco Negro setup involved a fiberglass Leer topper and a rooftop tent from Cascadia Vehicle Tents. In some ways, this setup was fabulous but in others, not so much. The tent was great in hot weather. Also, the dogs always had their own space in the back of the truck, which…

  • Mammoth Caves National Park (and more adventures in car camping)

    Mammoth Caves National Park (and more adventures in car camping)

    It felt like a looooong drive across Kentucky. Even though Mammoth Caves is really more or less in the center of the state. I arrived just before sunset and set up my little camp in the last of the light. It looked like the campground was fairly full, which was just one more reason I…

  • Matewan and the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

    I spent my last night in Royal Gorge National Park camped at a nice little spot called Army Camp, which was so quiet that I could hear the New River running nearby. Friday morning I made myself a nice breakfast of oatmeal with coffee and then headed out westbound. Towards Matewan. Most of the drive…

  • A Visit to New River Gorge National Park (part two)

    I had a plan for my time after checking out of the hotel in Beckley, West Virginia, and that involved using all the camping gear taking up residence in my little Honda. There are several primitive campsites within New River Gorge and most of them are right on the New River. I was told that…

  • A Visit to New River Gorge National Park (part one)

    A Visit to New River Gorge National Park (part one)

    I arrived in Beckley, West Virginia on Sunday afternoon and checked into the Tru by Hilton with no problems. I’m not sure how I discovered this chain, or why I picked it over any of the others, but it was a newer hotel that was quite nice. Good wifi and tons of places to charge…

  • Fall Car Camping: Part One

    Fall Car Camping: Part One

    Yep, I did say “car camping.” More on that in a bit. It kinda feels like forever since I’ve done any traveling… except that it really has been a long time since I’ve taken a trip. Like, eight months. Michael and I had planned to go to Thailand in May of 2020. But then, Covid cancelled…

  • Backpacking on the Ozark Highlands Trail

    Backpacking on the Ozark Highlands Trail

    I know, the name of this blog is Go Go Taco Negro, but not every adventure utilizes our fabulous Tacoma. Since arriving in Bentonville in August of 2020, Michael and I have been wanting to get out and do some backpacking. This area is kinda famous for it’s “mountains.” Look, as someone who lived in…

  • So Glad It’s 2021

    So Glad It’s 2021

    I was going to make a post about “A Year In Review” for 2020, but… there’s not much to talk about, is there? I mean, we did get to go to Anza-Borrego State Park in January, which I have written about. And after that…. Well, we had plans to go to Thailand in May. Had…

  • Slot Canyons and the Salton Sea

    Slot Canyons and the Salton Sea

    The first step on our way to Joshua Tree National Park was another slot canyon. Have I mentioned these are my favorite places to hike? I’ve been hooked on them ever since Utah. I got my first dose in Canyonlands National Park, when we went to the Needles District and hiked the Joint Loop Trail.…

  • Sculptures and Font’s Point

    Sculptures and Font’s Point

    Our next day at Anza-Borrego State Park began with a lovely sunrise, a bunch of morning relaxation, which was followed by a drive into Borrego Springs. Hey, not every day is loaded with adventure. Borregro Springs is an okay place. The main reason we headed that way was to check out the sculptures. I’d heard…