march 18th hershey

Little Jimmie Picking at the Opery

Grand ole opery

opery

day before we left home

two 10 year old friends reunited

PA friends in TX

Friends in TN

US near the Alamo

Hi all,
 We are in Hershey, Pa and have the grandkids with us today. We have picked up all the sticks in the park and had a campfire, cooked hot dogs and hamburgs, burned trash and now are relaxing while they watch Avitar.  They actually gave up going to the movies to find wood and have the camp fire.  
We will head home tomorrow morning as early as we can so as to be home before dark. this will be the long day and we are sorry to see our trip come to an end.  I looked thru some of our pictures this morning and it's hard to be leave that we were at the Grand Canyon just two weeks ago. If anyone ever want to see the pictures let me know and I will try and put together a CD for your viewing pleasure. about 7000 miles and just over two months it's hard to believe all the things we have seen. I know that I have a good understanding about mesquites and open land. It was wonderful to be able to see nothing clear to the horizon and see the streight road for just about as far as you could see. Linda kept a log as to the elevations we we at at different places, and to go from thousands of feet to less than 200 was quite the feat.   there were times that we wished that all of you could have been with us to share in the experance. there were places that we said to each other the so n so would love this and so n so would love that.  We both now have a lot better knowledge of just how huge, amazing and grand this USA really is and hope that you all get a chance to see at least so of it, as we will again.  I am just writting and want you to know that we have had a great time but also will be glad to be home with friend and family.  may write again but thought I would fill in some blanks.   Russ the traveller

homeward bound

Hi followers of the "wonderers",
 I just wanted to take a minute and tell everyone a few things about travelling and "stuff". You all know that i love my wife with all my heart, but after two months of 24 hours a day, I still love her and even more now. She has been(and still is) my copilot, navagator,"tinbox" cohabitator, truck Mama, picture taker, and alot more. I do think she is ready for a minute of alone time, as every so often I see her looking a a quilting book and can see that long lost sewing look in her eyes. I do understand as I have had a big workshop withdrawal this whole trip and am also looking forward to getting into a project. We both keep saying that it will be nice to get home and get ready for the garden, camp and summer stuff and have to stop and remember that just because the weather here is nice and fairly warm, Linda will still need to feed the woodstove and I might just have to snowblow or shovel that white stuff , you'all, are used to.  This is beging to sound a little sappy and I guess I am feeling that way and wanted to write while you are still readying our wit.
 I MUST give credit for our tip to a couple of people that have made it all possible and without them we could have never done it. Jeff S. our neighbor and "son" had cleared the driveway, checked and adjusted heat and sensors and who knows what else. Brian S. has taken care of mail, shoveled roofs, watered plants and kept us informed of all the happening at home.  Al C. who shoveled roofs and kept Brian smiling . They all have spouses that gave up their "men" for us  and we do appreciate that.
We have seen alot of places and travelled many miles but our best times have been the time spent with friends and family along the way. These are charished times and memories and will always be in our hearts. we got to see some of our grandchildren, sons, daughters , sister, brother-n-law, nefew and their kids.  We got to remeet my childhood best friend that I hadn't see for many many years and Joey and Brenda, it was just amazing on how we picked right back up as if we never been away. You two are simply great friends. Brenda and Linda can now relax about the "meeting", they were both wondering on how Joey and I would get along after not seeing , or even talking to each other since we were about 10 years old.  Tom and Aggie, thank you so much for the great time in southern TX, it waqs great to spend time with you without "hunting" inturpting our visit. The sharing of neighbors and friends you have there is anything one could ask for.  Rick G.(our wedding photographer and friend) it was great to finely meet your family and get to see you again. I am so glad that you could take the time to spend with us. ( he had a "TMI" a few days before we got there and still came out and visited and showed us around.)  We were looking forward to seeing Bill and Lea T. and did get to spend a few hours with them. We decieded to leave after receiving a call from home and feeling getting home to her dad was the most important. Lea, sorry that  we had to leave while you were at work. I hope we can get to see you soon.   Charlie I'm coming home with no goodies. I do wish I had more room, as I did see lots of neat "toys" that we could have had a ball with. 
I just want everyone to know that this has been a trip of a lifetime and I am so fortunate to share it with  the love of my life and just know that noone else could have stayed cooped up with me for this long.  love to you all, Russ

March 14, Monday, and getting closer

Hi-
Its Monday, March 14, and we have been on the road for two months.  Time has gone by so quickly and we have done, and seen so much.  Its amazing to believe that we are on our way home, with only a few more stops to make.  We are looking forward to our stops with friends and family, and we are looking forward to being home. 
We went to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night.  When Russ called to check on rv parks, several offered shuttles to the Opry, so that's the route we went.  This time we were not, definitely not in  parking lot.  That was a nice change.  The Opry was amazing.  Last year the new Opry building was flooded out and had been performing at the old Opry in Nashville.  We were pleased when we found out that the new Opry building was where we were going to.  The building is huge, and the ground are gorgeous.  The Opry complex includes a huge hotel (we only saw from the outside) and a large mall.  We heard from other people, that with the flooding, the mall has gone under.  Oh, darn, I couldn't go shopping!
The Ryman facility had been a tabernacle, thus church pews.  The new Opry has church pews also.  The Opry is a continuously running radio show-I didn't know that.  Of course, I am a newcomer to appreciating country music.  The two hour show is broken up into four segments, with each one having an 'emcee'.  There's commercials every so often, and the announcer is on the stage.  There's alot of movement going on with mikes being switched out and entertainers, and such.  The entertainers sing two, maybe three songs, and chat with the 'emcee' and the announcer.  I don't know what I was expecting, but it was different.  And it was very enjoyable.  We had a great time.  (I'lll have to dig out the program to see who we saw.  George Hamilton IV and V-and Diamond Rio-I thought it was one guy, didn't know it was a group who had been together for 20 years-I am just learning so much.)
Sunday, we to 'downtown' Nashville.  Russ finally got what he was looking for-live music.  We went from one bar/saloon to another and listened to some good music.  One we went into had an older gentleman singing.  His singing was okay, but, boy could he make a good train sound!!  I'm really into trains now.  Just about every park we have stayed in has had a train close by.  My fault this time, I picked the park, and the train found us. 
So today we are in Clarksville, ID, which is just over the Ohio River from Louisville, KY.  Couldn't find a park in Louisville, for some reason.  We moved in early this afternoon, and had places to go.  We wanted barbecue and we wanted to go to the Louisville Slugger museum and factory.  Its where every grandparent of boys and baseball players should go.  There's a 120 foot bat outfront and more smaller ones inside.  Did you know that major league bats are made in 45 seconds.  Minor league bats take 30 seconds.  Up until 1980, the bats were all individually and handmade.  These bats took 30 mintues.  Of course, there weren't as many teams then and there weren't as many ball players.  It was an enjoyable afternoon.
And, Russ has also been looking for good barbecue.  We went looking.  First one was closed (looked permanently); second one was closed on Mondays; third one was opened and it was great.  Looked like a local place (three police officers were sitting at the table next to us), but there are several in the area.  Its called 'Mark's Feed Store'.  They even had fried pickles, but we bypassed those.  Mondays they give you a free dessert of Buttermilk pie.  It was very sweet-sort of like pecan pie without the pecans.  Also, they gave us a free bottle their barbecue sauce since we were Mark's Feed Store newbies.  We loved free stuff!
Tomorrow we are headed to Middletown, OH.  We'll be visiting with friends Lea and Bill Teager.  Its been a few years since we have seen them, so it will be nice to visit.  Then onto Hershey, and family. 
See you all soon.  love-linda

okcity to Conway 3/10

hi, we travelled east on Rt 40 from OK City  headed towards Russellville(just had to stay there) but it was early so we kept going, plus there were no Russellville signs to take pictures of. We headed off the exit for Conway, AK and called ahead to the park but they were full so we found a "Toads Suck Park" corp of army engineer park right on the Arkansas river. There is a lock on one side of the river and dam gates to raise and lower the river. the park is a wide open area with huge old trees along the banks and throughout the park. No cable but had the best antenna reception ever.  
3/11  we drove from Toad Suck park around Little Rock ,AR and around Memphis, TN and arrived here at Jackson RV park in Jackson, TN. It was a nicely advertized place and other then being setup in a tar parking lot and within reach of the trucks on Rt I40 it isn't too bad. Only one nite so we can deal with it just fine. I just called the park for the next 2 nites, just north of Nashville and made the reservation and also reserved tickets for Saturday nite "Grand Ole Opry". I don't have a clue as to who is playing or what the price is but at least we'll make it to the show. They have a shuttle that will take us to and from the park.  That park is actually susposed to have a pool and other many aminities. We'll see.
Diesel fuel prices are all over the chart and we never know what we'll be paying from one place to another. It looks like some place between $3.79 and $4 is the average around here.
Still having fun and do enjoy our talks with family and friends. Looks like we will be able to hook up with Bill and Lea in Ohio and then the Conners in PA. We are really looking forward to seeing them all. Our trip is on the waine but not rushing it. With all the trees starting to bloom and grass turning green it feels like we should be getting home to ready the garden but I wiill NOT shovel snow to plant peas!!
handing off tomy bestest travelling partner in hopes she can clearify this rambling.  love ya all, Russ
(He's just so darn cute!-Linda)  It will be nice to get home, but we are still enjoying the trip and travelling.  We'll see you all soon-I hope.  Love-Linda 

Oklahoma City 3/9/2011

well we made it to OK City and setup and then just relaxed for a few hours. The road outside OKC was soooo rough, just like riding a tricycle across railroad ties.  We waited for commuter traffic to get through and then went to the OKC  National Memorial. The pictures shown here are just a few we took. The trees are starting to bloom and as the sun was setting the veiws of the site were amazing.  It is vey sobering to stand there and just think of the distruction, devistation and the effects this tragedy had on so many people and familys  and also this country. I does make you think!
the park we are staying in is right off RT 40 but no trains!! yeah. The places we have been staying have had alot of train traffic and if you didn't know, the engineers on these trains are all sadistic souls. They sound the whistles just as much as they can. I have no idea what the sounds all mean but I am beginning to think these guys are trying to compose some sort of whistle music as they wake the world up every few minutes. If your a train enthusiast blow your horn during the day and let us sleep at nite.
Linda now....I'm glad we went into OK City.  The Memorial is as impressive as it was the last time I went to it.  That was back in 2002, with Laurie and Erin.  Laurie had to tell me the exact year.  There are chairs for each person who was killed in the blast, set up by floors and with their names on them.  You can walk up to each chair, but it just doesn't seem right.  If you remember, there were children in a day care on the second floor, and 16 of them were killed.  These chairs are smaller.  There is also a museum, which we did not go into.  I wanted to see it in early evening as the lights in the base of the chairs come on.  Also, I think the pictures we were able to take were great-with the sun setting.  Oh, and at one end of the Memorial is the time 9:01-the minute before the bomb set off and at the end is 9:03, the minute after.  I'm glad we took the trip. 
Now onto our next stop.  We are headed t Russellville, AR.  Getting closer to home!

AMARILLO March 9th

Well  we are finily back to the blog, we get busy and don't always take time to post, but I will do what i can to catch up.
We left Williams,AZ  and drove to Grants,AZ going thru alot of Rt 66 places, Passed thru Flagstaff, Twin Arrows and came to Winslow. We stopped and took pictures of us "standing on the corner in Winslow,Arizona (Eagles song) as it says, It was such a fine site to see. next we went to the Petrified Forest and painted desert and into New mexico and spent the nite in Grants. Left there and went thru Albuquerque(to hard to spell so we didn't stop) and continued to Tucumcari for the nite. Tucumcari was a big attraction on Rt 66 during the hayday, but now is pretty desolate. The Kiva rv park and the owner came out and greeted us as we drove in. He was a hoot but probably the most cordial of all parks. he put us in the "best spot in the park". It was nice but he turned on the little fountain in a cement pond right next to us. We had not trains and whistles like alot of places but we both had to use the facilities more than normal, all the running water, you know. We did tour the town andstopped at the only open place the "lizard Lounge" it was a quite place with all sorts of old rt 66 pictures. Left Tucumcari(love to say the word)and continued EAST!! We stopped and took pictures at Cadillac Ranch, aplace along side the road where a guy buryed a bunch of Cadillac's nose down in the dirt with the back ends up in the air. They are placed at the same angle as the pyrimids. It's a shame that people have painted all sorts of graffite all over them and left their paint cans laying all over the field. There were people there painting as I took pictures. I intentionally made it obvious that I was taking their picture to see if they would stop, but  appearently it's the thing to do now and they almost started posing. Even parents with little kids were having the kids take turns with the paint.
 We ended up stopping on the west side of Amarillo at the AAA place for more maps and tour books and found an rv park on the east side of town figuring the we wouldn't have to deal with the am comuter traffic when we headed out the next day. We drove around town and saw some sites and ate at the "BIG TEXAN"  a place that advertizes a 72 oz steak and if you eat that and a baked potato, salad, 3 fried shrimp, rolls you would get it free. I was going to try it but I don't like shrimp and knew that would ruin it for me.  A guy tried it while we were there and gave up after 30 minutes. The steak looked more like a roast, it was huge!!  it was an interesting place with all sorts of animal and bird mounts hanging everywhere. Good food though!!  We watched the weather and they wre predicting bad storms to the east of us and wen we got up it was so foggy that you couldn't see 200 yards and the weather said that there was hail, 50 MPH winds, thundershowers and possibly worse to the east so we decided to stay another day.  We waited till the fog burned off and toured the town again. stopped at the AQHA (american quarter horse assoc) museum. (pat t. you would love it) went to walmart, again, had lunch at a great mexican place. If your ever out this way you just gotta try the green mexican chile enchaladas, not hot but just great flavor, the tortilla soup is very good too. We then found ourselves back across town where we had been the day before and I bought a pair of cowboy boots.  I've got a hat and now the boots, look out, I may have to get a horse next. no way!  we drove around looking for a couplke of places and found a quilt shop so stopped and found some more neat stuff. we had seen signs for cavenders shop so went arond and around and found it back by a place we had been several times and stoped and Linda is now  cowgirl with her own boots too.  she figured she will never wear then and we both now want you all to know that we want to be buryed with out cowboy boots on! remember that, as it's probably the only time we will wear them, but just had to have them. the camera battery was giving us problems so we stopped at seveal places that we thought should have a replacement but every said we had to go to Battery Joe's,  i was picturing a litte mexican stand selling used or out dated batteies but we found it and it's bigger than radio shacks and sell just batteries. every thing from hearing aid type to tractor and car batteries and anything between. camera seems fine now. found our way back to the rv park and spent the nite. now it's time to say good day for now and get headed EAST. planning on a nite in Oklahoma City area. see you soon.  the "wonderers"

March 3, The Grand Canyon

Hi all-
The Grand Canyon, and boy is it GRAND.  We went to a 'gun fight' prior to getting onto the train that was taking us to the Canyon at 9:30.  We decided that we would take the train up in 'Coach class' and come home in First class.  There was a difference, but the coach class, was not bad at all.  We had a 'conductor' who was very entertaining and very informative about the area and the Canyon so that was fun.  The conductor, Caleb, is one of 8 children.  Where he lives, they have their water trucked in.  Can you imagine?  He said that when everyone is at home they use less water than the average family of four.  I would imagine that they don't have indoor plumbing.  Throughout Arizona, we have seen signs reminding us to conserve water.  We are definitely spoiled.  No wonder everything here is zero scaped, and we see very little green. 
Back to the Canyon.  We had decided to take the bus tour around part of the rim and have lunch.  The bus tour was fine until we got to the rim.  Caleb had told us to sit on the right side of the bus so we could see everything, and I sat on the window seat.  I had my head in Russ's lap and couldn't get off the bus.  Russ took the camera and I'm sure took great pictures.  I haven't looked at them yet.  I did finally get out of the bus but would not go anywhere near the walkways.  We made several more stops, and I got braver, but never very close.  It was still beautiful.  We were able to see people hiking down the side of the Canyon.  The Canyon was beautiful, amazing, and pictures will never do it justice.  We are so glad that we made the trip.  It was so worth it.  We'll never have to go there again-as I know that it will not change in our life times!  (Although Caleb says it changes everytime he sees it, and he sees it everyday).
March 4
Our final day in Williams, AZ.  We took off this morning and followed Route 66 to Seligman, AZ.  Seligman is on the old Route 66 and I first heard of it as I worked with an individual who moved there and then from the movie CARS which I watched very many times with Gavin Bean, my favorite PA grandson.  I just looked on Wikipedia and in the 2000 census, Seligman had less that 300 people living there.  I don't think there's many there now, but they are all working in gift shops on route 66.  The first one we went into had an A&W in it.  Bonus, we both had A&W Rootbeer floats.  Boy were they good.
I'm not sure if I was amazed at the town, or just couldn't that the town was just what I imagined it would be.  Its a town that time has forgotten and I just wonder how anyone makes a living there.  I'm glad we visited.  On the way to Seligman on Route 66 (we took Interstate 40 back to Williams), there were areas to the side of the road that you could see the old pavement of 66, overgrown with weeds.  Also, they had 'Burma Shave' signs.  Remember those......THE ONE WHO DRIVES WHEN.....HE'S BEEN DRINKING....DEPENDS ON YOU....TO DO HIS THINKING.....BURMA SHAVE.
It was a good trip along Route 66. 
And something else....We bought gas before we left for Seligman.  The price in Williams was $4.09 (receipt timed at 9:41).  Since we are leaving tomorrow, we topped it off (at 12:50).  This time, same gas station, the price was $4.19.  I wonder if a new truck had made a delivery!!!
Tomorrow we start heading back east.  We have travelled 5920 miles on our western trip.  I don't think our eastern trip will be as long, but it certainly won't be direct.  We aren't quite ready for 'reality' yet.
We'll keep in touch on the way back, as I know we will be travelling a different route.
See you soon-love linda

Williams, AZ March 2

Hi everyone,
 We made it to Williams, AZ (west of Flagstaff). We stayed in the Pheonix long enough to get to know the roads and saw some of them many times, so we knew it was time to move on. We  got to Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Pheonix, an snuck thru Peoria so we covered that area. We had been told that there was a huge liquor store in Mesa that we just had to see so we made a galant effort but never found it. We did find a big one(Bevmo) but not anything HUGE.  This morning we picked a few oranges and packed up and headed north.  As I said before it was a nice high ride.  We got here and setup and walked to the railroad depot and got our tickets for tomorrow then walked to town. About two blocks and took in alot of gift shops and neat Rt 66 stuff. RT 66 runs right thru town and it's fun to think of all the stuff that has happened here over the years.
My turn-Russ was being very nice to me.  We travelled some very high roads.  Arizona must be very proud of their elevation as every time we went up another thousand feet, there had to be another sign. 
We passed signs at 3000, 4000, 5000, and then a chain up sign.  I've seen enough of  'Ice Road Truckers' to know what 'chain up' means.  I wasn't looking forward to heading down those hills.  Then it was 6000 and finally in Flagstaff, we were at 7000.  We started seeing snow along the side of the road, and finally saw nothing but snow.  It was kind of nice to be reminded of what we have been missing.  Jeff Smith had told us that Flagstaff reminded him of NE and it really does.  The houses are no longer adobe, but look like the chalets up in North Conway.  We finally reached our highest point at the Arizona Divide which was 7335.  Not sure what it will be tomorrow, but we are both really looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon.  After that, another two nights here in Williams, travelling Route 66 and then we start heading east!  East, we haven't done much of that.  Hope it will be a slow trip.  There's more to see before we get home. 
See you all then-love-linda

February 28, 2011 Phoenix

Two nights in Phoenix.  We left Picacho on Saturday morning, after a lovely breakfast at the RV park we were so smittened with.  Breakfast was even better as we sat with folks who have spent months in that park, and returned trips year after year.  The park was just a off from Route 10, and we noticed the traffic noise.  The people we chatted with just enjoyed the park, their neighbors, the pool area, and other activities that the park had.  We all shared stories, which were very enjoyable, and they gave us suggestions of where we should stop on our way north thru Phoenix and then up to the Grand Canyon.  I had to ask if the roads were high and without guard rails, and they are so we aren't going on those scenic tours.  The park was so nice, we wish we could have stayed longer, but since we had reservations, we did not.  Moral of the story-never make reservations! 
So we arrived in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon.  Getting the camper backed in was interesting to say the least.  Russ managed as I knew he would, but without much help from me.  Oh well, he loves me anyway!  Phoenix is a big city, but doesn't have the skyscrapers like Boston or New York or Dallas.  And it seems to be completely surrounded by mountains.  Sunday, we went looking for quilt shops.  Love our GPS, but only found one to be opened.  One was sufficient-it was a nice shop and Russ is adding to my projects.  We drove down to Old Town Scottsdale, and walked through many, many jewelry shops.  Its always nice to walk in the sun and no snow and with my sandals on.  We found a place to dine, the 'Grapevine', so were able to dine out on their patio.  It was a nice day-and it was very nice to receive a phone call from Bruce & Cissy Furbish.  It was great to hear from the two of you and know that you are following our blog.  Its nice to know that friends and family are reading our 'babbling dribble'.  We are enjoying it ourselves. 
Today, we met up with the Browns-Ben, Donna, Alicia, Chris, and Jon.  They are staying in Scottsdale, so it was nice to see family from home and spend time with them.  We'll be heading north on Wednesday and they will be leaving on Thursday, so we hope to see them again.  If not, I know that we will get together at the island this summer.(Ben, we owe yiu a margureita)
Not much more going on now-or maybe I should pass it onto my humorous husband.  And here HE is!!!

Linda and Pete

I think I've lost her! Willie I want her back!!

One of the hundreds of orange trees in this park.

love to all-linda  well my bride has about covered it. she didn't tell you that she haqd her picture taken with "Wille Nelson" and Catus Pete today. she was good about it, even though she wasn't thrilled with the whole scene,   Tomorrow we need to g to MY store, Lowes as we need to get some RV antifreeze for our trip further north. It appears that it may be freezing and I don't want to get caught short.  I am looking forward to really shopping. She thinks I'm nuts. If you look at Phoenix on the map it look pretty big but it really doesn't show just how spread out it is. I have no idea where everyone work or lives but it appears that they all work at retail places just to support the huge amounts of people. kind of a big circle if youget my thought. I now also know that I wish I had invested in stop lights, they are all here! the travel lanes are marked out for tiny cars, not trucks, my mirrors cross the line when I am in the middle of my lane. Not complaining just triing to give you a feel for the area.  Hey are they talking about Charlie Sheen everywhere as much as they do here? It's all that is n the news.  IThey also are ravingf about the snow, they got a inch or so and it's like a huge deal. I guess you don't have much sympathy in New england.  Have we told you that we are enjoying our RV home(we bought it from 125 RVand Marine in Rochester, NH) and I am hoping that when we get home I can get some deals for parts if I mention their name . just kidding, we do enjoy the roominess, convience and it has become home to us. As Sweetie said ( i call her that when she isn't looking) it's nice to here from our friends and family that our ravings are being followd and that someone other than me are having fun with it.  Well I've added nothing to this so I will quit and try and add a picture of Linda ad Willie.  

picacho, az or pistashio as I call it

Hi,
 My lovely wife is getting tired of my Maineese. I call these places, with names that noone can properly pronounce, as I can. Picacho is pistashio, Huachuca is hiawatha, and so on.  Why anyone would pick these spellings is beyond me. What is wrong with York, dover and easy names?   we left Tomestone this morning and drove north thru tucson and landed here in pistashio right after lunch. The weather is great and we setup and went and started laundry and then sat by the pool, warm sunny and GREAT views of the mountian right behind the park. swam, hot tubbed, and relaxed until we were gettng red. we only have the free internet thru the park for 90 minutes every 10 hours so I must rush! yeah right.  we got one channel on tv that speeks english  and you can amagine me triing to figureout the news and weather on the spanish(mexican) speeking station. Again, Linda isn't impressed.  we hope to take part in getting some of the big breakfast the park puts on tomorrow morning.  We both used the parks showers tonite , as having unlimited hot water and room to really spread out is nice. not understandable unless you have showered in a small RV unit with < 5 gallons of hot water that cool as you clean. you can all come to our place this summer and try it if you want the experance'

Thursday, February 24

Good morning from Huachuca, AZ and its Thursday morning. I don't think that we have written anything since we were in Las Cruces, NM and Mesilla. That was such a fun spot but Russ wrote about that. On Tuesday morning we left Las Cruces and arrived early afternoon at Fort Willcox RV park in Willcox, AZ. I'm not sure if we mentioned it or not, but when we met the folks from Pelham, NH way back in Carlsbad, NM, they told us about Passport America. We have Good Sam's club for a discount at most of the parks we have stayed at (10%), but Passport America offers a 50% discount. It doesn not apply to all parks, but we signed up for it online a couple of days ago and already have saved the cost of the application. So, we like that. More margarita money!!!

We spent one night in Willcox so didn't bother to unhook the truck from the camper. The park was a small park, but very friendly and clean. The laundry room was the nicest one we had used throught this trip. They even had waffles and coffee available in the morning.

I think I am getting my days, times, elevations and states confused, even though I am writing notes during the day. On our way to Willcox, outside of Deming, NM, crossed over the Continental Divide. I'm getting better with the heights as the elevation here was 4585 ft.

Okay, now onto our current place of lodging. Russ selected this park and he did a good job of it. Its right in the middle of nowhere-about 10 miles from Tombstone. We visited the town yesterday and it is alive strictly because of the tourists. Somehow we managed to get to a 'gunfight' in the morning and the shootout at the OK Corral in the afternoon. By the time we got to the second gunfight, it was getting colder, and I just wanted it to get over-I knew the results. The first gunfight was better as the 'actors' were having fun and adlibbing as they went along. We did make it into a saloon to have a margarita. Did they have margaritas when Wyatt Earp was sheriff? I don't remember seeing any when I watched the Wyatt Earp show with Hugh O'Brien. Boy am I dating myself.

HOLD ON----I have to move my chair out into the sun. Its getting a little breezy out here in the desert.

That is something about the desert, that we are finding out. The temperature really drops at night. It was 25 when I woke up this morning. Gets warm (but not as warm this year as normal). We keep hearing this from every place that we stay!

\We have done something which we haven't done all along this trip. We have made reservations for the next 10 days. Tomorrow, we are headed towards Phoenix and are staying in Picacho; then moving onto Phoenix for 4 nights and then up to Williams for 3 nights. Guess this isn't 10 days but close. We decided at the beginning of the week, that we would go to the Grand Canyon. We hadn't even mentioned going there, but I don't think that either one of us realized just how close it is. We will camp in Williams, AZ and take 'The Train' to the south rim; a bus ride tour of the area; and a buffet-then the ride back. I think I have written all this before, so I'm not going to continue. Just have to check this once I go online again.

Love to all-linda

Sorry friend-I typed this one sitting out in the sun, and hadn't realized that Russ had written about some of this time earlier.  Oh well, hope you don't mind hearing things twice.

Lina

Arizona

view fromour RV last nite overlooking Las Cruces

ARIZONA

We made it, we are now in Willcox, Arizona in a small park just off HWY 10. Got here fairly early, setup sat out in the sun, it was nice. We spent quite awhile doing the planning, scheduling, route figureing, and reservations thru March 4th. That is way to much for me. I get stressed out and cranky triing to remember from where to where and when to when and triing to find RV parks in Scottsdake was a total pain. I retired so I wouldn't have to do that stuff any more. We got it done so now to relax. We hardly ever make reservations as most places have had plenty of room, but in "these here parts" it's getting sketchy without them. We tried to cook on our little outside tabletop gas grill and it won't hardly even get warm.  Jess and Jason how did you ever use it for your tailgate party? I plan on leaving it here in the trash and stopping at Walmart and getting one that is useful. I did finish off the pork chops in the friing pan and they were pretty good.  we got more laundry done as this little park has about the best laundry room as we have found.
The park had lots of open spaces when we got here and it has filled up quite a bit. The people that we meet are very nice but not many are organized or know what they are doing. That's my opinion anyway. They guy that parked next to us dragged his leaking septic hose all over the place while hooking it up, hooked up his water nd it's leaking all over just because he didn't both to tighen up the connection, but he did ask if he left enough room bewteen us. He did do that.   Guys, you should see some of the sights at these parks, they are almost as good as the scenery along the roads.
did I tell you that you can "rent " tires.  I guess it's more of a loan, you pay so much each month for a used tire. I think it might make it up home.
Just rambeling so I will post  this and let Miss Linda do what she wants on here when she wants, so the spelling isn't fixed.  Russ
Tomorrow we are headed about one hour down the road to Tombstone.  It appears that there is quite a bit to see ad looks like fun. We'll let you know. I will have a new grill before we get there!!
feel free to make your comments on this site, we love toget your views

Las Cruces, NM

view over Las Cruces from our RV park

Where we ate in Mescilla

Our RV (linda left the lite on)

Looking over the city and one range of mountains that surround us

Hi all,
 Well we have had a good time in Las Cruses, New Mexico(just north of El Paso Texas). As linda said yesterday we had a blowout on the trailer tire as we were getting here on Sunday. This morning(Monday the 21st, I got up and called the local Ford dealership(it's HUGE) and they said come right over. I found my way there and had the oil and filters changed, the tires rotated and a general look over. They didn't have a trailer tire so while I waited I called a local Rv center and the gave me a number of "ONSALETIRE" and they had plenty and were only a couple of blocks from the Ford garage. Truck done, 15 minutes at the tire place, a quick stop at True Value for a bolt and fitting, and back to the rv park. Only gone for a couple of hours. Tire mounted as spare and Linda and I headed back to town to the AAA office for NM, AZ maps and tour books(have no idea why we missed those states when we got books at home). From there we went to the oldest part of Las Cruces called Mesilla(mes-ci-a) and walked arond where Billy the Kid used to roam and was actually tried and convicted there. The old stage coach building is now a great resturant where we ate. I had met a guy in the ford place that was origanlly from Massichusets and came up to me wanting to hear me talk as he has been away for 32 years. He knew about Rochester area from when his son lived in Milton. He raved about the green chilie sauce in this area so I asked the waiter for some, a the red salsa was to hot for me. The green is great flavor and not HOT. The margueritas were very good too. We walked around the commons and checked out the shops. We met a salesman in the rug store(well I bought a mexican blanket there) and his wife was originally from Hampton, NH. we chatted and he told us he even knew about "brookers"  Seabrookers that is. We all laughed and had fun . His wife never tells anyone that she went to Winicunniet high schools as she is embarassed about Pam Smart issues. After spending enough time shopping and site seeing we headed back to Wally world(Walmart for thoses that aren't familier) food and stuff and back to the park for supper. I actually made meatloaf last nite, used the rubber pan and it survived the oven. I guess it's some kind of synthetic stuff and I was concerned. We warmed some up, nuked a potato and put together a salad, what a meal.  We walked around the park, which is on a high hill overlooking town, we took some day and nite pictures and hope they will show better on a screen than they do on the camera.  tomorrow we are headed to Willcox, NM on our way to Tomestone. Route 10 most of the day  and I don't look forward to it, as it's usually 3 lanes and quite busy, but there aren't many roads heading west "arond these parts". Now I will hand off the my presious wife so she can "fix" my spelling, grammer and my mis-telling of events.   Russ  (Some spelling I just won't correct.  I can't tell him that I am his precious wife! Everyday I am just thankful that Russ and I are sharing this adventure.) love to all-linda

Carlsbad,New Mexico

Hi all,

 Just to let you know that we are alive and well but haven't taken the time to post lately. We are getting ready to leave this morning so we will try and update this evening. Off to Las Cruces by way of El Paso.

Well hello again,

Back to trying to get caught up with our trip news. We spent the last 3 days in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Arrived on Thursday. We got to the camp ground early afternoon and set up. That was after getting into town on fuel fumes. It's a pain when the fuel warning sounds and dashboard words telling you that it's 50 miles to empty and it's sooo smart it keeps telling you that you have 40, 30, 20 miles to empty. As if I didn't know it!!! Well we made it and for fuel for top $ and then drove 5 miles to the campground seeing at least six places for cheaper fuel. Just venting. We went to town and found a quilt shop and got some MORE fabric and had a great chat with the girls that work there. We found a pizza place that looked sketchy but had been recommended as being ok. They had a buffet special and it was awesome, we even had pizza dessert pizza, wow the cinnamon and sugar!! back for a quiet nite in our “house” Friday we moved the RV to a repair shop next door to the campground for them to do a brake, axle, and bearing inspection, while we went to Carlsbad caverns. The caverns were amazing. It's a big hole in the ground that you walk down into to 750 feet below the surface. Linda is quite nervous about heights and had a tough time on the ride into the cavern state park, as the road had some steep drop offs. She saw a lot of the front seat cushion. You all should be very supportive of my wonderful wife as she walked all the way down into the cavern by staying on the inside of me and hanging on to me and the railing, when there was one. SHE DID IT!!! I am so proud of her!!! My arm still has the grip marks but she did it. The caves were spectacular. We walked over three miles into the earth and saw all they had to offer.

Its Linda now. Yes, I made it, but the ride down, I just kept my head down and didn't bother to look at all the wonderful views that Russ told me about. I'm much better off that way.

Saturday, Russ spoke to some fellow campers in the campground who suggested that we go to Sitting Bull Falls. We had seen a little about it, and it didn't seem that interesting. Fortunately they recommended it. We drove approximately 35 miles outside of town, through nothing but range land, and mountains, seeing no people and some cows-and very few vehicles going either way. Got to the falls, and walked just a short way from the parking lot. Its a flume of water that comes out of the top of a high hill (low mountain) and just pours over the side creating pools of water in different spots, and just a very pretty place. The sun was out and it was beautiful so we just sat there for quite a while, enjoying the sun and the people around. Its been so much fun just chatting with different folks to find out where they are from and what places they recommend us going to. Of course we have our recommendations also.

When we got back into Carlsbad, we were looking for someplace for lunch. Unfortunately it was late for lunch and early for dinner, but one place was having wine tasting. Why not! We didn't stay long, but I tasted the wine and Russ & I laughed at some of the people. You know how I like my wine-with ice cubes when necessary, often times from the box and often. I really can't distinguish the oak, the pepper, the individual fruits, but this one guy had to get a larger glass for his nose. We left, but we are laughing about his nose!

Dinner was at Chilis last night and we've been staying away from places we have at home, but the town seems to close up at 4:00 PM.

Today we travelled to Las Cruces, NM. Had to go back into TX and then the outskirts of El Paso. Took the 375N Loop around El Paso. That was as high as the elevation up to the Caverns. Fortunately, no severe drop offs so I was okay. We were about 35 miles from Las Cruces, just getting onto I-10 when we got a flat tire on the camper. It was on Russ's side, and there was no way he could change the tire out on the 'breakdown' lane of I-10. We drove a short ways to a parking lot and he changed it there. So tomorrow we are buying a spare tire and having an oil change on the truck. Good thing we are staying here two nights! Oh, and there has been a wind storm blowing all the sand around-and there's lots of sand. We are having fun-doesn't it sound like it!

Love to all-linda

Sam Angelo

Well we made it to the highlite or our trip. The "proud birthplace" of our great friend Jeff Allen. As you can see by the pictures, they even have it posted that Jeff was born here. The guys working in the visitors center must be related to Jeff, as they were so nice and very helpful and wanted us to stay and visit longer.   Jeff we miss you! My turn (Linda).  It was an interesting trip through miles and miles and miles of field, hills and moutains in the distance, oil rigs and a few more wineries.  We aren't stopping at them now-wouldn't have any room for anything else.  Travelling on the back roads as we have been most of the time in Texas, we aren't seeing much traffic.  Russ said yesterday that he thinks the roads have been built just so they can get to the telephone polls.  It still amazes me how far we can see in any direction.  I've also started to keep track of the elevation.  I have alot of free time!  When we were in Padre Island driving along the gulf shore, we were at 3 feet above sea level.  Yesterday we were as high as 2280.  It will be interesting to see where we will be once we get into New Mexico, which is where we will be today. 
As Russ said, we stopped in San Angelo and the gentlemen at the Visitors Center were very nice and interested in our travels.  Everyone likes to tell us about the cold spell we missed several weeks ago.  Russ told one that we had to delay our trip for a day as we had 14 inches of snow.  One gentleman told me that they've had 14 inches of snow, but it has taken 15 years.  He thinks we should move to San Angelo!  The downtown has four lanes of traffic going through it.
Passed through town and neede some fuel again.  Stopped at a gas station where we could walk over to the SONIC.  This was the first SONIC we have been to as the parking lots are not large enough for the truck and fifth wheel.  It was a treat.  A real cowboy with real spurs on his boots asked me, 'Maaaaam, what is it that you are eating'.  It was a grilled chicken salad.  I didn't know that real cowboys ate grilled chicken salads.  We have been seeing lots of dead looking trees along the sides of the highways all through Texas and haven't known what they are.  Russ went over to the cowboy, and said, 'You look like someone from around these parts'.  How original.  Well the trees are mesquite and they lose their leaves in the winter and don't leaf out again til there's no sign of front.  They are 'real smart trees'.
So we know what those dead trees are on the side of the road. 
Passing through the town and its outskirts of Sterling, we saw hundreds of huge windmills.  They were all aways away, but we never did see a sign regarding them.  We also starte to see a  bunch of oil wells along the side of the road.  One was larger than the others and said 'Nabors Rig #24' on the side.  That was in Garden City.  And we saw a sand mining pit in that same area.  Busy area.
Now we are in Midland.  This is the home of former President George W. and Laura Bush.  We thought we might spend a couple nights here, but we are leaving shortly.  Got a flat tire on the camper last night and the camping area we are in is right out in a dust bowl.  I think our neighbors are junk yards, and industrial facilities.  We will be leaving shortly and headed to Carlsbad, NM.  Getting out of Texas today.  But we'll be back.
Love to all-Linda

Early Evening on Feb 15th

Howdy folks-
We are sitting out on our patio plotting our trip for the next few days.  We are deciding whether to go to the Carlsbad Caverns, but I'm jus leery about any heights.  Right now we are planning on stopping there.  Russ is concerned with travelling along Interstate 10, but I don't want to take too many back roads going through the mountains of  New Mexico and Arizona.  I may have mentioned it before, but individuals have told us that back roads often times do not have guard rails, and have steep drops over the side of the mountains.  Not something I look forward to-
But we wanted to tell you what we did today.  I think Russ will add photos after I finish typing.  We decided to go to the LBJ Ranch which is a National Park in Stonewall, TX.  Its about 15 miles from where we are staying.  The national park naturally has a gift shop and we hd fun there.  The tour is a self guided driving tour with a CD to listen to.  Its a great tour.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was interesting also, as Russ and I both remember LBJ being president.  Probably my memory is clearer as I was a bit older.  LBJ was the President when I graduated from high school. 
Anyways, there is a 'working' farm on the ranch that the midwife who attended to LBJ's birth grew up in.  It was fun to see the furniture in the structures as we have both had similar pieces in either our grandparents homes.  The house where LBJ was born is no longer there, but they have reconstructed a replica.  The house is called a dogtrot house.  There are rooms on either side of an area which could almost be considered a porch.  We then went further onto to the show barn, airplane hanger and the 'Texas White House'.  LBJ raised herefords and there are still lots  on the ranch.  In fact, as we travelled the road through the ranch, we had to wait for them to cross the roads.  Interesting.  There were several  in the barn, all with 'branded' numbers in their horns and LBJ on the other.  I didn't realize this, but LBJ was the first president to conduct business away from the Washington White House.  The convenients of modern technologies.  Three major television stations and electric typewriters.  His office in the home had the same metal daily calendar that I had on my desk at work for 30 plus years.
The home has five rooms that we were able to go through.  These rooms have been redecorated as they were when he was president.  We really were glad that we went on this tour.
Coming back into town, we were amazed at number of wineries.  We passed six in the 15 miles.  Also, lots and lots of peach farms and orchards.  Much larger than the one tree we have in our back yard. 
Got back into town and tried out a Mexican restaurant-Mamacitas.  Very good food, I'm really beginning to like the charro beans.  I've been told that everyone needs to eat beans every day!  Isn't that right Tom King! 
Oh, lots of the structures around here are made of  limestone.  We've seen the limestone for sale  on the side of the road, but haven't seen any limestone quarries.  Something I'm going to have to check into.
Another thing we saw was a huge junk yard.  Neither of us had seen one of those in years.  Things that impress us northerners.
Another oh-Russ made a purchase today-he's a COWBOY now!  He has the Stetson to prove it.  I think my husband looks pretty darnn good in it.  So I guess we'll have to have a cowboy party when we get home.  Enough for tonight.  Love to all-hope you are enjoying hearing about our travels.  We are enjoying the travelling!
wait til you see me all "cowboyed up" I'm 6 foot tall now.  let Linda know that I also need boots.  RB

February 14-Valentine's Day-

first day relaxing sitting in the sun

Hondo,TX

view from campsite

Sisterville, TX

Fredericksburg street art

Hello-Happy Valentine's Day......
The weather was extremely foggy this morning so we stayed around Hondo until we finished a load of wash.  We noticed the other day that there seemed to be a number of turf farms in the area of Hondo, and when we left this morning, travelling in a different direction, we noticed several more.  Also, after the flat lands around Hondo, we had hills all around us.  We'd be driving to the top of a hill and be able to see forever.  And there would be nothing but bushes, some trees, and rocks, with houses in the distance.  There is so much land in the state.  No wonder we have been in this state for three weeks. 
We are now in Fredericksburg, TX,  but on the way over we stopped at two wineries.  Another passport.  Unfortunately when we went to two last week, they didn't give us one to have stamped, so we can't win a prize.  Might have been a BOX of good wine!
 We kind of ran out of steam last nite so I will try and pick up and tell you of our adventure.
The picutres are from our campsite in the Quiet Texas RV Park in Hondo, TX. It was very quiet, there was just open fields for miles, the only noise was the low hum from the windmils that help power the park. We stayed an extra day and just sat in the sun and vegged. We had to leave the park to take the neighbor to the Liquor store, as her husband had gone out and left her dry. She was a lonely lady from england that has all kinds of family issues and wanted to take the edge off.

This was the first time we just sat and relaxed totally. I played with, notice the played with vice played, the banjo  until the dogs in the park started howling.  We both sat out for quite awhile and soaked up the warmth and sun.    On Monday fore noon we travelled to Fredericksburg by a very indirect route, taking in back roads and winerys, the views were amazing , crest a hill and all of a sudden you could see what seemed like forever.  We found the Sister Creek Vinery in Sisterville, it origanally had been a cottonmill  from the 1800’s. David, the wine room guide and “talker” was a riot and we had a lot of fun there. I even found a couple of wines that I could drink. He sent us to the Comfort Celler’s winery in Comfort as they have a Jalipino wine. We made it and I even got the trailer into their lot and turned around(with Linda’s help). Most of their wines weren’t to Lindas liking but the jalipino was HOT!!!! I can use some as a meat marinade and hope the cooking mellows out the HEAT.  We then got to Fredericksburg, a tourist town with shops and eaterys. We stayed here last nite and today are going to tour LBJ’s ranch and maybe another winery.  I’ll close for now and try and update tonite. The” MAN”

Los Fresnos

Tom and Aggie(our friends and hosts)

Friday party with the neighbors

can you speak Mexican?  LOCO MUCHO

Loader clearing sand from road in So Padre Isl

20 miles and then this  Road just ends(expected)

shrimp boats

So Padre Island downtown 

Hi all,

 I must apologise for not keeping the blog updated, we were having so much fun and doing all kinds of things that by the end of the day we just quit. This may be misorganized but I write as I think. We made it to Los Fresnos, that is just inland from South Padre Island, and where our friends Tom and Aggie live. We are now in Hondo, Texas at a small quiet country Rv park that is really nice. When we woke up this morning ,for the first time, we both agreed that we will stay another day and get caught up with plans, blog and maybe even  get the banjo out for another test drive. So on to telling our story.

We were about 150 miles from our friends Tom and Aggie King and couldn’t not stop to see them so we drove  down from Corpus Christi  .   I had also had been hearing about So Padre Island(SPI) for a long time and wanted to check it out too.  SPI  is very close to them and Tom drove us to the island for a nice tour. I had expected a remote island with a national seashore that you can drive onto the beaches and park you camper right by the water, but what we saw once we crossed the bridge was very tall buildings and lots of motels, retail, restaurants, rv parks and a big looking city. We drove around and saw that and then drove a few miles and came to the beach access where we went onto the beach and there is nothing but dunes, sand, beach, and the Gulf of Mexico. There were a few campers parked here and there within feet of the water. Quite amazing that it’s free and anyone can park and live right on the beach. We continued up the road and after miles there was a large frontend loader clearing sand from the road, where it had been blown in by the wind. Further up the road, it just stops with a huge sign that says “road ends”. From that point it is a national park and no cars.  We had lunch at a authentic Mexican place and we were happy with the food and Marguritas!!

Aggie and I talked about computers and laptops and she decided that since her computer was in need of repairs that she would like to get a laptop so we shopped around and found a great deal  that she purchased and I tried to help get it up and running. I do hope that it stayed  that way , up and running and not to confusing.  Hang in there Aggie!!! Jeff S. wish you had been there to help and do it Right!!

We went to a coffee and donuts at the town hall where they live and met some of the neighbors and Linda won a door prize. On Friday Tom and Aggie’s neighbors  have a cookout and party so on Friday we went with them.  It was a ball!  Everyone brings something  to contribute and the food was amazing. The  beans(all kinds) , cabbage and kilbasi, and cakes were great and the neighbor grilled a mexican meat that is all spiced up and sliced really thin.  (It was a real Mexican party as the neighbors whose house we were at are Mexican).  I have to get the actual name and try it at home. Great food and friends. We played bean bag toss with folks from all over and it was neat to hear them go from english to spanish without even slowing down.  Lots of fun and laughter.  I tried the mexican hot sauce and as a “gringo” I survived. 

Saturday morning we packed up and headed northwest.  Along the route, about 50 miles from the mexican border there is a checkpont that everyone has to stop at. They have dogs that sniff around and guards that ask questions. We had never crossed the border so we were’nt to worried, but it’s still something different.  They asked if we were American citisins (I just love my husband’s spelling!)  and let

us right thru.  Driving thru Texas at this time of year it’s a lot of dry brush and flat barren fields, but the buds are starting to come out and the grass is starting to get green.

Linda now.  Russ is ready to post and right now I have nothing to add.  We are enjoying ourselves, and realize that we have been gone for a month tomorrow.  That’s along time to be away.  Met a woman yesterday, here in Hondo, who told us that she and her husband sold their home and this is what they do all the time now.  Just don’t think that I am ever going to want to do that.  We know where our home is and love it very much.  We thank  those who are taking care of it-we owe you a lot. 

Now, I think I’ll go sit in the sun!

Love to all-linda & russ