Flagstaff

We moved into Flagstaff today. Switched “red dust’ for “white snow” – 37 degrees! We spent most of the day cleaning – there was a layer of red dust all over everything – inside and outside. It blew in and was 1/4 inch thick on the wind side window ledges! We felt “gritty.” Roger went and got a haircut, refilled the propane tank and bought a new version of Quickbooks. Unfortunately, we could not download our old version on my new hard drive or on Roger’s computer. So, the weather gave us an opportunity to catch up on some computer/paperwork. Obviously, I took the picture through the front window - I haven't ventured outside all day!
Go SPURS! They sent the Mavs back to Dallas!

Day After

GOOD NEWS:  The wind blew all night and rocked us to sleep but we woke up to a sunny sky and only 20 mph winds - great, we are out of here!

BAD NEWS: Here is a picture of the truck traffic on I-40 West - where we want to go! Guess they were all holed up yesterday too!

Dust Storm

No exploring for us today - we have been "hunkered down" during a terrible dust storm. The wind has been blowing at a steady 40 mph all day. We brought the slides in and Roger went out and tied down the awning on the drivers side slideout. He could hardly stay standing! The coach is rocking in the wind and the visibility is poor. Just what we need - to have our new motorhome "sand blasted."  It is supposed to be in the 40's with rain and snow for the next 3 days. Ugh! How do people live in this country??
Adding to the frustration of the weather we have been inside trying to download and re-load all our computer programs after my new hard drive was installed. For a couple of "non-techies" it is a definite challenge!

Meteor Crater

I love the “meandering” from place to place we’ve been doing – 2 to 3 hours drive at most and we are at another adventure! We toured Meteor Crater this afternoon because the weather is supposed to be cool and windy tomorrow – I can’t imagine it because the wind gusts about blew you away today! The tour guide said they cancel the rim walk tours if the wind is a consistent 30 mph. This area of Arizona reminds us of the plains of Wyoming – you can see for miles but there is nothing to see!
The meteor hit this area 50,000 years ago and left a huge crater. It is well preserved because there is so little rain. The land has been privately owned by the Behringer family for 100 years – they obtained it through a land grant after mining it for a period of years. It is now surrounded by the Crater Ranch – all 320,000 acres of it! The scientists originally thought it was made by a volcano but then discovered evidence that proved it was a meteor. A large piece of the meteor was found about 6 miles away and is on display – it weighs 1400 pounds! If it had to land somewhere on earth it sure picked a good spot! The tour guide scruffed the surface of a white sandstone, left over from the meteor hit, and it made a sand as fine as flour.
The crater so resembles the surface of the moon that the astronauts actually used the area for training. They have an "Austronaut Wall of Fame" and we saw Bernard Harris, MD there. Dr. Harris is originally from San Antonio and worked with us at South Texas Primary Care, Dr. Langlinais' office. Dr. L would have loved him to take over the practice but Dr. Harris had other dreams and went to NASA. He went into space two times. Roger & I saw Bernard on TV recently - in an ad encouraging children to pursue math and science. Memories from the past!
We talked with Kyle, Heather and the girls this past week-end. Kyle is coming to Ohio for a meeting this week – just one meeting then turning around and going home! The guys asked him if there was a particular place he would like to eat and he said “any place that serves pork” so he’ll probably get some good BBQ. Heather is sending him with an empty suitcase and a shopping list for Target! Heather is fortunate that they have many friends in similar situations – the husbands travel a lot – so she has a good support group while Kyle is gone.

GO SPURS - don't know what team showed up last night but it wasn't my Spurs! They have to "Git 'er done!" on Thursday.

Sedona

We spent the day in Sedona, about 20 miles from where we are staying – what a beautiful area! We spent a few days there several years ago and took a hot air balloon ride so we just went for the day today. We tried out our new hiking poles on the “Fay Canyon” trail this morning and we  both liked them – they give you balance and stability and they really help when climbing up and down. The trail is about 3.5 miles with an off-shoot trail up to a natural arch in the rock. That climb was more difficult – narrow, steep and rocky but we did it! Hiking in the northeast is cooler and we usually saw a waterfall but this country has its own beauty and the good news is we didn’t see any snakes!
After our hike we drove up Oak Creek Canyon, found a nice picnic spot and enjoyed our lunch. Then I shopped around Sedona while Roger talked with Ben & Curtis about doing an annual inspection on his airplane!
An aside: Three people have contacted us within the week saying they were scammed by someone advertising Tobin Hill Townhome on Craigs List. Two of them actually sent money, via Western Union, and one of them just happened to see our legitimate ad on Vacation Rental by Owner before sending her money. We are so frustrated and angry – it seems to be the perfect crime. I finally posted my own ad on Craigs List, with 4 pictures, saying “we do not advertise our vacation rental, Tobin Hill Townhome, on Craigs list. If you see this description or these pictures don’t be scammed!” Don’t know if it will work but it’s worth a try! I’ll just have to renew it every 30 days. Probably, at best, it will send the crooks to another unsuspecting vacation home owner!

Camp Verde

We moved on up the road to Camp Verde, AZ on Saturday. On our way to the Grand Canyon but the campground doesn’t open until May 1st. We met a couple checking in who had just come from there and it was snowing! We had a lazy day here at the park yesterday. Well, I should say I did – Roger cleaned the motorhome. I was laying on the couch trying to read my book – finally had to turn around and face the back – I couldn’t relax watching him on the ladder cleaning the front window!
We left early this morning, while it was cooler, and toured Montezuma’s Castle, a multi-level Indian cliff dwelling not far from here and then drove to Tuzigoot National Monument, another multi-room Indian dwelling on a high plateau. The Sinagua (seen-a-wah) Indians, in this area, were hunters & gatherers and then eventually they farmed in the fertile valleys near the rivers. Like the Anasazi Indians, they disappeared in the early 1400’s and no one knows where or why. We also stopped at Fort Verde, an Indian Wars fort out in the middle of nowhere. Can’t imagine the daily life of a soldier back then. One elderly gentleman, who was a volunteer tour guide, told us it was a great place for a women to find a husband – saying “them soldiers would marry even the ugliest woman!”
                                                                                        

  We bought hiking sticks and plan to try them out hiking in Sedona tomorrow. We’ve been there before so it will just be a day trip to    the Oak Canyon area.

Pipe Organ Pizza

All our friends in Brownsville told us we had to go to Pipe Organ Pizza while in Mesa, AZ so we had a dinner date there tonight. What a unique spot!
The entertainer plays this huge pipe organ while everyone eats. Kinda' like a Liberace type show. The organ ascends/descends from and into the stage and has all sorts of "bells & whistles." Puppets dance to the music and bubbles fall from the ceiling while lights flash on and off in different colors. Samantha & Emily would have loved it! I can't get "It's A Small World" out of my head!

Tortilla Flats

We said “good bye” to all our new Alfa Roadrunner friends and left Tucson Wednesday morning. Seems like every time we drive any distance Roger is fighting major wind – today was no exception! We are now at Tortilla Flats National Forest Campground in Tortilla Flats, AZ. What a journey through the Superstition Mountains to get here – 17 miles of narrow, winding, switchbacks with 2 one lane bridges and steep cliffs. Needless to say it is “back in the boonies.” – no cell phone and no internet. I made a serious mistake – I entered the area 98% through my current book on my Kindle, finished it and now can not connect to the internet to order a new one! Withdrawal symptoms are beginning!
We drove the Apache Trail scenic byway Thursday – about 130 miles – through the Superstition Mountains and Tonto National Forest (although it is a forest of saguaro cacti not trees!) The road follows reservoirs made by a series of dams used for water control in the Phoenix area.  Canyon Lake then Apache Lake then Theodore Roosevelt Lake are beautiful recreation areas with several national forest campgrounds but the problem is – you have to get to them! Great waterways to explore with boats and wave runners! The desert is gorgeous with everything blooming in spring – even the ugly cacti are pretty. The saguaro cacti look like sentinels standing up straight guarding the mountains! Actually, they look like sentinels using obscene gestures to scare us away! They grow very slowly and can store enough water during a rainy season to last them 7 years. The tall ones with more than 5 “arms” are estimated to be 200 years old. We saw one that had split and fell over – the inside looks like bamboo shoots.
We stopped at Tonto National Monument and planned to hike to the cliff dwelling but it was closed – they had just sprayed for an infestation of “killer bees!” Didn’t want to meet any of them! We want to hike around the Tortilla Flats area but can not find any trail maps and we aren’t willing to take off without one.
We finally got cell phone, internet and Kindle service in the “city” of Globe, AZ and caught up with the world before we came home.
Friday morning was glorious so we turned on the generator, got out the gridle and fried bacon & eggs on the picnic table while watching the Today show on our outside TV! Our definition of “roughing it!” We took a boat cruise around Canyon Lake – cool but beautiful. We saw a bald eagle’s nest and some desert big horn sheep grazing on the cliffs. The high cliffs and remote area reminded us of Lake Powell in Utah. We are now in Mesa, AZ – couldn’t survive any longer without cell and internet – especially since we have guests at the townhouse.

Cyclevia

We went on another bike ride with Mike & Lorraine yesterday morning. We met at a downtown park and discovered that it was "Cyclevia" day - streets were closed and a bike trail was mapped out with water & snack booths and music along the way. We lucked out! We rode the streets and then all around the campus at the University of Arizona, stopped for brunch and had a great time. One booth was baking cookies in a solar oven - powered totally by the sun - Arizona is a great place for one - the sun is intense. Just look at my sunburned nose!
Roger is playing in the golf tournament this morning and tonight is wine tasting. The final dinner is Tuesday night and then on to Phoenix on Wednesday.

Alfa Rally continued

We are still here eating, drinking and having fun. Don't know if our waist lines can tolerate another 3 days!
We went on a long bike ride with Mike & Lorraine yesterday morning - on a paved trail that runs along the Rillito River - which is a misnomer because it is just a huge dry creek bed now. It was overcast and not as hot as previous days. I did better than I expected, just need to build up my stamina. Hope to do another trail before we leave. I felt bad because a bird had built her nest on our bike rack, which was attached to the back of the motorhome. Roger had to move it when he put the rack on the car. But, she was back this morning, building a nest on top of the slideout! Silly bird - guess she wants a "mobile home."
Today was the RV tour of any coaches that wanted to have an "open house" to show modifications, additions, enhancements etc. Got several good ideas to add to Roger's "to do" list!
Funny story: When we first came into the park, Bill & Sheila, the wagon masters, met us in the street to say "hello" and help us find our site. Bill said "You're right down on the left next to that SOB." I told Roger, "that was crude!" Come to find out - in "Alfa language" - "SOB" means "Some Other Brand!"

Alfa Rally, Tucson

We arrived in Tucson last Friday for the "Road Runners" chapter pre-rally and then the "Alfa National Rally" at Rincon West RV Park. It has been a great way to meet other Alfa motorhome owners and share information. The "Road Runners" chapter of Alfa owners are primarily full timers and most of them are from the western states. We are hearing about many great places to camp in California, Arizona and Utah, among others. Like the "Boomers" they are an eating/drinking group that likes to travel and camp! The weather has been wonderful - cool in the mornings and evenings but in the 80's during the day - windy but, we have come to accept it as a way of life in the west! We will be here for another week.
My computer had been freezing and crash dumping so we finally had an opportunity to get it fixed while here in Tucson. I now have a new hard drive, which seems to have fixed it, but, I spent the afternoon re-loading all my favorite programs! Roger is out golfing with the guys.
The park is huge - around 1000 sites - some park models and others for RV's. It is lovely with flowers and very nice facilities. It even has a wood working shop! Roger is excited - he's going to take the pull out "drawer," on my side of the bed, down to trim it with their saw so it doesn't stick when I try to open it. It is a great place to ride my bike. They have some "premium" sites that are really original - there are 4 pull thrus in a square with a grass courtyard in the center with trees and tables. All the coaches face the center and have a yard! Great for groups.
We went out to Kitt's Peak Observatory yesterday to see the telescopes. It is a joint venture with several colleges participating - Michigan State, UofM, UT in Austin among them. Amazing how much we don't know about the stars, planets and constellations and how much the scientists have figured out! We looked at the sun through one of the telescopes that was available during the day.

PS - Funny story - remember Gary & Roger coming in last at the FMCA golf tournament? Well, the newletter sent out after the rally had a write up about the golf day and the headline read "Golf Tournament Winners" with a list of first, second & third place winners but a really nice picture of  Gary, Roger & their partners!

Tombstone

We had to check out Tombstone, AZ - "The town too tough to die" - and see the "OK Coral" where Wyatt Earp,his brothers and Doc Holiday won the dual. It is now a park and they charge you to see the coral and a re-enactment of the shootout! Not much in Tombstone except during Frontier Days and Wyatt Earp Days. We ate lunch at "Big Nose Kate's Saloon" and had a fun time listening to the live entertainment and watching as the staff (all dressed in costume) posed for pictures with families.

Chiricahua National Monument

We got up and around early on Tuesday and left TorC to hopefully, avoid the gusty winds that typically get worse as the day progresses. But, it was windy from the get go! Roger was complaining about driving into the wind when we saw a cyclist with 2 saddlebags on his front wheel and 2 on his back wheel pedaling along in low gear – he was almost going backwards! A whole lot of nothing out here – miles and miles of vastness!
Today was a gorgeous day – blue sky, sunshine, in the 50’s with little wind! We drove about 35 miles from Wilcox, Arizona to tour Chiricahua National Monument. The drive through flat plains and “nothingness” – dotted with a few ranches - doesn’t provide a clue to the awesome canyon and rock formations you see when you arrive.
The Apache Indians called it the “Land of Standing Up Rocks” – a beautiful area of rock formations and canyons. Immigrants from Sweden homesteaded in the area in 1888 and built Faraway Ranch. Their children started a guest ranch around 1917 but eventually, when all the children died, it was donated to the National Parks Service. The family was instrumental in its designation as a national monument. Volunteers provide guided tours and a history of the area. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, along a bubbling stream, at the base of the “Pipe Organ Formation” and then drove an 8 mile scenic drive to the highest point, Massai Point. We hiked along the Massai Nature Trail and the Echo Canyon Trail and soaked in the scenery. It was so good to be hiking again – we both really enjoy it – especially on such wonderful trails!
I made chocolate chip cookies for our lunch. Roger said he was thinking “I could make this a lot easier on myself if I stopped eating those cookies!” but I was thinking “When I get done with this hike, I can have a cookie as a reward!”

Knitting

I started knitting a shawl while in Brownsville - just finished it – in time for hot weather when I won’t need it! It doesn’t look exactly like the picture on the instructions but, for my first project it’s OK.! I have now started a sweater – advertised as “simple” – we’ll see if it’s as simple as I am! Don’t know if I’ll ever be able to carry on Mom’s tradition of knitting booties for all new babies!

Elephant Butte Lake & Campground

We went to an Easter breakfast buffet at a hotel in Elephant Butte Campground this morning. Surprisingly good! The lake is actually a reservoir formed by a dam on the Rio Grande River. It is named Elephant Butte because of a large rock formation that with a lot of imagination looks like an elephant head. Roger had to check out the campground and dam. Not much beauty in this area of New Mexico – just hills of dirt, meager dwellings and junk everywhere! Roger rode his bike to the “Geronimo Museum” this afternoon – I passed!

Stories from abroad:

Heather met the head of Samantha’s school at a social function and the “principal” told her Samantha is doing really well learning the local language, Bahasa. A few days later, a repair man was at the house talking with Renu, the maid, in Bahasa. SK was nearby and he asked what her name was and how old she was - Samantha looked up and said “My name is Samantha and I’m 4.” They both were astounded to realize she understood their conversation! Guess it’s like us and Spanish, we don’t know it but, can understand certain words and phrases when we hear them.

The joys of motherhood:

Samantha wet her pants giggling at a cartoon while sitting on the couch. While Heather was cleaning it up, Emily was in the kitchen decorating the wall with a red marker! While Heather was scrubbing the wall, Emily got her bib, dunked it in the toilet, which SK had not flushed, and dragged it into the kitchen to help clean the wall! Some days you just have to earn your Mother’s Day gift!

Truth or Consequences

We took time this morning to absorb the view from our campsite at Lake Cochiti one last time – the prettiest view campsite we’ve ever had – want to store it in our memories. We walked around the camping loop before we left around 9 am – there was blue sky, sun and no wind but the temperature was 36 degrees! We saw a family with several small children, camping in a “pop up,” eating breakfast out on their picnic table! Hardy folks!

We met two couples, parked across from us, on their way home to Oregon and Canada. They winter on the beach in Mexico. They love it but, didn’t convince us that all the inconveniences are worth it. It is not cheaper than many places in the states and running water, electricity and services such as internet and cell phones are “iffy.” Not to mention safety. Guess we like our creature comforts too much plus, could not do without SKYPE to see the grandkids!

I had my maiden voyage driving the new motorhome today. IH-25 between Albuquerque and Truth of Consequences is straight, smooth and with little traffic. A perfect place for me to practice. Driving it was a dream but I need to learn how all the systems work – air brakes, exhaust brakes etc. Roger took over again before we got to town.

T or C used to be called Hot Springs because of many natural hot springs in the area. The townspeople changed the name, in 1950, to Truth or Consequences, after a radio show that was broadcast here. Go figure! We will stay here for three days to do laundry and explore and then move on toward Tucson. I like it already – temperature 79!

Crazy Weather

It is definitely a Good Friday in some places! It is predicted to be 80 degrees in "Hooterville," Michigan today and 54 degrees here in the Santa Fe area. What's up with that!!!????

Later in the Day:
They lied! It hasn't got above 42 degrees today - windy with snow flurries!

We had "cabin" fever so we drove on the Turquoise Trail, a National Scenic Byway, to the town of Madrid. It used to be a booming mining town - primarily coal but also turquoise - but it died when coal usage decreased and became a ghost town. It has recently been re-vitalized as an artist community - jewelry, pottery and textiles - but, it is out in the middle of nowhere - brings to mind the term "godforsaken" country.

Live Writer

I went to a blogger seminar at the FMCA rally and learned all sorts of neat things. I just downloaded “Live Writer,” a free program, that allows me to write a blog “offline” (when we do not have an internet connection) and then post it to my blog later when we are “online.”

It also allows you to easily pull in a map or a picture. We are at Lake Cochiti Campground.