September 16-21, 2015 The long drive home.....

Every wonderful summer trip comes to an end, and so we are now headed towards home.  Here are some random images from our six-day drive east.....  Til next year, my friends!

Stopped in Albuquerque long enough to have an early lunch with my
long-time friend and co-worker (now retired!) Charlotte, and her friend Mike.

Where we ate in Albuquerque - the Owl Cafe.   (pesky street light!)

Driving through canyonlands area and found a BIG boulder beside the road.

How I feel about being in the canyonlands area.... 

The Vermillion Cliffs.  Gotta tell ya, they were mighty RED.

"Scattered thunderstorms"

Taken from about 7000 ft.
Two steps in The Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, first the white and then the red.

Oh lookie here!  Lava on the roadside - again!  This stuff is everywhere out west...

Those crazy buried Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo, Texas. 

How's this for irony?  Wind turbines, and coal train destined for a power plant.
"Clean" energy and "dirty" energy.

July 7, 2015 The Turquoise Trail

The Turquoise Trail goes from Santa Fe down to Albuquerque;  Hwy. 14 is a 2-lane road that meanders a bit and goes through multiple small towns.  The first thing we found was the Cerrillos Hills State Park.  This park is all about old mines for various minerals.  We managed a short hike or two, but it was awfully hot in the blaring sun.  There were other small towns to see, so we didn't stay long.  Another town that was very interesting was Madrid, which is now an artist community.  Before we could get all our sightseeing done, the clouds built up and then it rained and hailed and rained again.  We enjoy getting off the beaten path and finding areas like this.....

Cholla was blooming

Check out that stop - er, WHOA - sign!

This is the same one that hailed on us later.

I hope you can read the sign:  KICKING ASS RANCH

July 6, 2015 Santa Fe, New Mexico

First thing we wanted to do upon arriving in New Mexico is head for Santa Fe, one of our favorite places to visit.  Of course we went downtown to the Plaza.  But this time, we decided to take the bus, which stops right in front of our campground.  How convenient!  No hassles parking downtown, they run every 15-20 minutes, and we had an all-day pass for just $1.00.  Can't beat that!  Off we went, and wandered through the Plaza and surrounding stores and then it was time for lunch.  During lunch the skies opened up and it rained and rained and rained.  BUT:  that didn't stop us!  We still managed to peruse the jewelry on the sidewalk, and also visited an art museum.

Bus stop.

Across the street from our campground.

Lunch!

Rain in Santa Fe

Rain in Santa Fe

New Mexico Museum of Art.

September 12-15, 2012 Santa Fe to HOME....

After we spent 2 days at Santa Fe, New Mexico, we turned the rig towards home.....
















The signs say it all....
















1) the weather was lousy for the 3 day ride home. 2) one last sign...
















1) best ham sandwiches EVER and wonderful pies! 2) a quick shot of the mighty Mississippi.
















Finally home, after a camping trip that lasted 11 1/2 weeks...

September 11, 2012 Bandelier National Monument, near Los Alamos, New Mexico

This is a fascinating place; ancient cliff dwellings that we were actually able to climb up and get inside. Unfortunately, we got there late in the day and could only stay a short while. Really enjoyed this place! There were the cliff dwellings, plus the foundations of a huge circular "town" down below, and two kivas.
















1) the sign. 2) the large kiva.
















1) the circular "town". 2) walled rooms reconstructed (not accurately, as it happens) on the cliff.

September 10, 2012 Santa Fe, NM

First we took the truck to the local Chevy dealership for attention to the front right tire, oil change, etc-etc and they were kind enough to shuttle us to downtown Santa Fe. There we wandered around, seeing the sights. Ended up at the beautiful New Mexico State Capitol where we watched a thunderstorm sweep by. We called the dealership and they sent the shuttle back downtown to pick us up - now, that's what I call good service! The truck is A-OK and ready to haul us home. Here are a few pics we took today in the lovely adobe city of Santa Fe.
















1) Checking out the wares for sale on the sidewalk. Do you see Nannie? (yes, we bought some) 2) Three little burros in a tangle.




















The Loretto Chapel with its amazing spiral staircase without a central post or any other support. (the metal attachment to the column was added later)
















San Miguel Church.




















1) Downtown Santa Fe. 2) New Mexico Capitol Building.
















The floor and ceiling of the Capitol Rotunda.
















1) Bubba in downtown Santa Fe. 2) Thunderstorm over the city.