Author: livingthedreamwithsallyandvic

5-4-2024

We are staying just outside the Petrified Forest, a national park. We drove through it today, stopping at points of interest and walking a couple of the trails. The scenery is different from anything we’ve seen so far. By the way, we crossed the Continental Divide yesterday and now we are on Mountain Time.

First, here’s our set up.

This is what they look like close up.

We stopped into the Visitors Center at the end and got a sticker for the camper, of course.

We are staying in place until Monday because of the wind advisory for tomorrow. It is not advisable to be on the road with a camper in high winds. Next stop is Flagstaff, AZ.

A couple of stunning photos that didn’t make it into any of the Bosque del Apache posts:

We’ve had a nice stay at Enchanted Trails, an RV campground with everything except a dog park.

It was reasonably priced ($43/night) and had decent laundry facilities with very cute decorations.

There is a display of antique cars and antique campers.

One day we went into Sante Fe, shopped and had lunch at Thunderbird Bar and Grill, second floor overlooking the Plaza. I had a burger that was to die for.

We found a very nice park – playground area, skate board area, pickleball courts and a large grassy area where you could throw a ball. We went there several times for Zoe, she loved the grass.

The reason we stopped here for 5 days was to get the battery situation fixed. That turned out to be fantastic. There was definitely a problem with the batteries – they were supposed to be wired together in a certain sequence but they were not. Also the wire used was not the appropriate size. How it worked as well as it did is a mystery. A day and a half later and $2800 lighter we are all set and ready to go.

Tomorrow we will go to the Petrified Forest State Park for a couple of days, then on to Flagstaff and a day trip to the Grand Canyon.

4-27-24

We’ve gotten an appointment for the camper for next Wednesday May 1 with Jordan the guy Vic was talking to. We are going to stay in an RV park convenient to the business so Jordan can send a mobile tech. We head to Albuquerque soon, probably tomorrow morning.

In the meantime we have some more photos to share.

The coyotes are much healthier looking than the ones we’ve seen in Florida.

I always know I’m in New Mexico when I see flowering cactus.

These quail are numerous around the campground and also in the refuge. They have the cutest calling sound.

4-25-2024

We are staying in place until we have an appointment to have the batteries checked. Vic has several calls in to anybody remotely near us while we wait to hear back from Jordan, the guy who said he could get us in next week. He is supposed to call with a day they can look at our rig. We have power here so we are not suffering at all plus the wildlife refuge is close by.

Meantime we are taking more pictures in the Refuge. Here are some birds and a duck we saw this morning.

New Mexico – April 24

This is the man that owns and runs this RV park.

We started out boondocking for $10 a night. Then, like before as I mentioned in the last post, the power went out for no apparent reason. We had to plug in for $20 a night. Eventually we figured out there is a battery problem but it’s likely (hopefully) a fuse. Vic found a place in Albuquerque that will look at it. Tomorrow we are going to Albuquerque and staying at Kirkland AFB where we will be close to the RV place and can bring the camper over whenever they have a slot for us.

We saw some very fun stuff today including a pheasant and a Vermillion Flycatcher.

We drove here today from Silver City on Rt. 152, 40 miles of winding, curvy road full of switchbacks. The scenery was pretty for the complete trip of 150 miles but took several hours since we had to go so slow during the 40 mile section.

We got set up, I made Vic something to eat and while I was making myself something the power went out !!! That’s not supposed to happen. We closed the camper up, pulled up the hydraulics and re-set up. The power came back and no problems since. Vic has a call in to the a solar expert we know and hopefully he will have an answer.

We went over to the Refuge and looked around until the sun started going down.

Can’t wait to see what we find tomorrow!

4-20-24

After overnight stops in Kerrville, TX, Ft.Stockton, TX and a two night stay in Ft. Bliss, TX we are here in New Mexico! Yay! We are staying at Elks Lodge 413. Just a gravel parking lot, no amenities like a dog park, nothing. We are close to the historic downtown though. We found a great dog park in town and have been a couple of times.

Wisteria and lilacs are blooming profusely.

Recreational marijuana is legal here so everywhere you go there is an aroma.

Today we drove to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings. It was an hour and a half drive each way to get there not because of the distance but because the roads were curves and steep. We crossed the Continental Divide.

The three of us walked the mile loop to see the Cliff dwellings. Vic still dealing with the altitude and Zoe who is not used to strenuous hikes. At the end Zoe collapsed at the gift shop and said I am a service dog not an effing hiking dog! It was a very steep climb up and the paths were rough. It was 7 thousand feet at the highest point. No guard rails anywhere. Also no indication of the degree of difficulty. We should have gotten the hint when we saw a barrel of hiking sticks – free to use if you wanted one.

The Mogollon people inhabited the region between 1275 and early 14th century. All I know is those people were in shape!

After we got home …

We are in the town of Buda, TX. Yesterday we had the most awesome day with Margo, Davey and Lily at their house in Austin. We had a scrumptious breakfast/lunch, hung out in their gorgeous backyard, played ball and coloring and puzzles with Lily, and then had steak and salmon on the grill with baked potatoes. Dessert was homemade red velvet cake – holy cow. We celebrated our friendship of 48 years. Wow.

Lily’s puzzle

Zoe played with Lily a long time, letting her do whatever she wanted like pink marker on her fur and stacking up rocks on her back.

Next day we met at our camper and then walked around the town of Buda and ate at Esther’s, delicious Mexican food.

It was sad to say farewell, we love you guys!

We are staying overnight in Houston, Elks Lodge 151. This one began in 1890!

The internet is working better here so now I can share the pictures taken at the Pinwheel Wildlife Drive in LA.

Tomorrow we go to Buda, Texas.