3,252 in six weeks

Six weeks later and we're back in Phoenix. An expensive trip traveling 3,252 miles but the only thing we really didn't like was the freezing temps almost every night. We didn't expect that the last two weeks, but so it goes. Terry got tired of unhooking the water and sewer so often. He says IF there is a next time, we'll have a heated hose. But now we'll be touring the southwest and we'll have motorcycling weather.

Cotton Lane RV Park in Goodyear, AZ

Tombstone

Drove down to Tombstone, AZ for the afternoon. Interesting day and just the beginning of their busy tourist season.

Boothill Graveyard

 

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Another border patrol check station, north of Tombstone. We have just been waved through all of them, and the dogs get to take a break while we pass. South Dakota residents must be a trust worthy bunch.

 

SNOW on the first day of the new year ? ! ! !

The weather forecast just ten hours ago was some freezing rain between 5 & 6 this morning here in Benson, AZ. I didn't hear any rain. Ha!

 2015... may we keep a sense of humor.

 

missed the chili pepper drop

The weather is pushing us on west. We wanted to stay in Las Cruces, NM for new years eve to watch the 15' lighted chili pepper drop 90' in a downtown celebration tonight but a strong cold front is moving in, so we're moving out. Terry will have to stow the water and sewer lines for at least two more nights. He's getting tired of that!
Yesterday we drove down to El Paso to tourist around.
We'll see Barb on Friday and get our motorcycle out of their garage. They were soooo kind to let us leave it there during our tour back to Nebraska. We're looking forward to riding weather ahead!
Tonight we're in Benson, AZ. Dinner was at the Mi Casa Restaurant.
A little hole in the wall and kinda scary looking. Took a leap of faith from the Yelp reviews. It was fantastic! And the carrot cake is served with a spoon.... to scoop up all the gooey rum sauce. Oh my!

watch the weather on the passes

Headed west out of Roswell on hwy 70 today to go to Las Cruces. We made a late start this morning to be at the 7,500 ft. summit in the afternoon hoping that it would be clear. It was clear and dry except near Mescalero. Pretty!

Roswell

You never know what you'll see in Roswell

Christmas in the sticks of Texas

We were grounded yesterday (Christmas day) due to high winds so lounged around watching movies, planning future routing, and even played Rummikub.
Blue sky today and we're on the move again. I always like moving day! I'm done with where we are and looking forward to seeing/doing what is next.

Trout fishing

Yesterday we hiked the river with my brother and watched him trout fish. Along the way found a bottle tree. Today we christened our new grill with the trout wrapped in foil. Good eating and no mess. A Christmas season to remember.

Oklahoma

Arrived Broken Bow State Park where we are all alone for four nights

Finally heading south

Eighteen nights in Nebraska and tomorrow we head south. Yea!
Camp A Way in Lincoln and recently Pine Grove near Gretna (both on i80 with noise 24/7) have been our most expensive per night stays. We look forward to getting out of here to cheaper campgrounds, cheaper gas, cheaper diesel, and new sights.
Ready to move on!

Fuel in Topeka, Kansas. Diesel $2.85!! WOWZERS! Regular $2.16

On Monday night we were in Bartlesville, OK for a two night stay.
SHREDDED lettuce salad with choice of homemade Garlic dressing (mmmmmm! ), or Ranch or Blue Cheese! Also notice the slices of white bread, individually wrapped, in the basket of "wafers."

 

Bartlesville, OK is home to the famous (since 1946) Hot Hamburger. Two slices toast topped with a half pound burger, fresh made french fries, and "gravy over all." If only they served beer!

North of Bartlesville is Dewey, Oklahoma

 

Drilled in 1914 and the town of Barnsdall, OK left it in the middle of their street.

 

Thanksgiving

Travel planning...

 



Basement only got down to 42 degrees and house stayed at our chosen 68. It was 10 degrees outside when I woke up at 5 am. Woohoo! Sons should be here in an hour and then it's on to a day with our extended family

New Mexico

Most times I drive the first hour or so and then Terry takes it. Lots of truckers on I-40 but still an easy drive on good road. Now I get to sit back with my feet up... and be enchanted.

US capital with the highest elevation.


 



first snow above this adobe town

 

Wigwam Motel

Got down to 23 last night and all was fine. Good news!
Stayed near Holbrook, AZ last night and came into town for breakfast this morning. Drove past the Wigwam Motel.

What a hoot! At least six of them were stayed in last night as told by the new cars parked among the old. There were 15 teepees.
Now, eastward ho!

Phoenix!

We bounced around on the west side of Phoenix. First week was at Paradise RV Resort in Sun City and our first night was spent with friends Barb & Bill and their brand new Itasca.

 

 

 

 

 While in the Valley of the Sun we've been riding our motorcycle in short sleeves, watching tv outside while basking in the sunshine, eating outside at In-N-Out Burgers and sleeping with the windows open.

Terry walked all of the Mesa Swap Meet.

Some days were in the 60s but the sun was always shining.

Nov 20 -
Sunshine and 73 today. Our "bread box" heats up in the sun so the a/c has been on all afternoon. We leave here tomorrow to start the trek to Nebraska. Still praying for above freezing and sunshine!

Stary night Halloween

The snowbirds haven't arrived so it's pretty quiet. We sat outside and watched the stars appear as the sky darkened. Nice evening.

Vegas

Leaving Las Vegas. Quite a different city than 35yrs ago, when I was with JCPenney, when we shopped the store on Fremont. WOW what a change! The Fremont Experience is quite an experience. Topless with pasties and weirdoes outdoing weirdoes! And last night on the radio I heard a commercial with a woman asking men if their morning wood isn't what it used to be. She was urging them to see a particular counselor or sex therapist here in Las Vegas. I don't know as my jaw was on the floor and my brain wasn't accepting what my ears were hearing. But I know that the commercial ended with her saying something about being able to once again, "rise and shine." Goodbye Las Vegas!

Saw Pete Rose signing stuff at a sporting goods shop. That's how he makes money these days. And selling stuff about not being in "the Hall." Commercials too. Sorry looking dude.

Goodbye to the rocks

Left all the National Parks of Utah (and their rocks, rocks, rocks, and rocks) and now we're in Vegas for a week. Boy is it noisy in the city!

Zion National Park

A fabulous day at Zion Natl Park. We entered from the east to go thru the over one mile long DARK tunnel that opens up into the canyon. Spectacular!! There aren't very many people here at all and the weather just couldn't be any better. Beautiful, beautiful day.

North Rim

Not many people at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Quilt Walk

Panguitch, UT is 150 yrs old this year. Population has declined to 1500 but they have 16 motels, 4 campgrounds, and 3 bed & breakfasts. Panguitch means big fish and two things that stood out to us about this little town are the WIDE (really wide!) streets and the fact that most every house is made of brick and that there is a great variety of brick.
We had dinner at the Cowboy Smokehouse. Wow! And next door to the restaurant was an empty storefront with town history and list of events displayed in the window. There is a balloon festival in late June that looked big but my interest fell on the quilt walk...