Kingman, AZ

We had to stay an extra day in Flagstaff to have some repairs done on the trailer. Thank goodness Calvin noticed it before we got on the road. We met some people from Gueensland Australia. They have a large motor home they store in California and come to the US during their summer, our winter. and travel mainly the southwest. They had stayed in Andrews, Tx a few years ago. Go figure!
We arrived in Kingman about 6:00. We are 70 miles from the Grand Canyon Skywalk. I'm not walking the thing but I'll take pictures of Calvin. And 73 miles from Hoover dam. There are some other side trips, ghost towns, London bridge etc. Seems like a lot to do. Hopefully I'll get some good pics. We are just planning on staying tomorrow but that is subject to change.

Grand Canyon

The north rim of the grand canyon is still closed for winter so we went to the south rim. It was the part we saw when we was here about ten years ago. Second time around it wasn't as awesome. That and the weather was cold and cloudy so it wasn't as impressive as it is when the sun is shining. But what and who is..right?
It is still a wonderous place. There was some indian village ruins we missed last time so that was interesting. It is approximately 800 yrs old. The little museum was good.
On the way back to Flagstaff we drove through some beautiful country. It is indian tribal land and very sparsely populated. Its no wonder the indians were angry. All the indian land we have seen in New Mexico and Arizona are beautiful but of no use for farming etc. Can't imagine how they were expected to survive.
If you are interested in the pictures we took of the grand canyon the link is below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/connie.oneal/GrandCanyon#

Sedona area

What a beautiful day. Too many great photos for the blog. Paste and copy the following link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/connie.oneal/Sedona2009#

Finally Flagstaff

Arrived about 2:30. Beautiful country. We are parked on the back side of this mountain. They put us at the back of the park near a forrest. Yahoo!!! Great spot.

Our front yard


There is a walking/hiking trail not far from out front door. Kinda cool. Looks like a tree fell on the trail so it is cut to make an entrance of sorts. After a little rest and cup of tea we gave it a go.Charlie had a good time after Grants.




We will be here for at least two nights. We will be going to Sedona tomorrow. Should get some fantasic photos. It is cool with a mountain -ie nip to the air. It is still freezing at night in this area.

Day two-Grants

We decided to wait until tomorrow before heading out to Arizona. It has been so windy. Gusts up to 50 mph. Too much wind for this mountainous area. Spent most of the day at the park. We finished hanging curtains, Calvin installed a clock. It was a good day.

Charlie watching the wind. :-)

Grants, New Mexico

After dinner last night we took a walk with Charlie and visited with some of the neighbors. While we was outside the wind started blowing hard. It got worse as the night wore on. I got up at 3:30 and checked on some tent campers by us. They seemed ok, but found out this morning they had to sleep in their car until about 4:30 when the wind eased some. Anyway, we drove in the wind most of the day. We settled in Grants for the evening. This is beautiful country in a dry, lava rock sort of way. All along the highway there are piles of black rock. Some are big mounds with cracks. Looks as though they are days old. There isn't much green. Mainly I suppose because of the rock but also lack of water. The pictures were all taken in the park.
Some of the KOA's have added a Kamp Kitchen serving breakfast and made to order dinners delivered to your campsite. Calvin didn't get his Friday night fish due to the fact there are not any places to eat in Grants. That is unless you want KFC or other fast food. So...we ordered from the Kamp Kitchen. Be interesting to see how that goes.
We should make it to Flagstaff tomorrow. The driving was tough going through Albuquerque. There was constrution most of the way, plus the wind, plus remembering the RV accident there a few days ago.

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Left Amarillo mid morning. We debated on staying an extra night there as there were some spots we wanted to see. Then we decided it would be a good week end trip from home for later. As we did yesterday, we zigzagged on I-40 and old Route 66. We stopped at a little grocery store in Vega. I swear the store had not been updated in 50 years. Calvin was outside in the RV and I'm wondering if they even take debit cards. If I had heard one note from the twilight zone theme song I would have bolted. I was really ready to see the interstate.
I am beginning to wonder why people do the Route 66 drive. There are all the modern motel/hotel and food chains on the interstate and the little towns are hanging on to old buildings from the 30', 40's and 50's just so people like us can drive by and gawk. As you will see from the pictures there are old burned out buildings with signs telling what they once were. I'm not sure I get it and I'm not sure I need to see more of this. Out of 5 points of interest, 3 had been gutted by fire. People tear these down before they fall on someone!!!
We stopped in Tucumcari around noon as Calvin wasn't feeling well. While he snoozed I got the laundry done and had some down time. Calvin got up from his nap feeling much better.
Around 4:00 we took a drive into Tucumcari and of course the old Route 66. The main drag still has lots of old motels and has had a neon sign restoration. The motels don't appear to have been updated in many decades. We didn't see many cars parked at the motels. Wonder how they have survived so long. We did find a cool ice cream shop. Yummy cinnamon ice cream. If we feel the need for activity after dark we may go see the strip lit up with neon signs...or not.


Vega -Route 66







Downtown Tucumcari





Old Route 66 in Tucumcari

Getting our kicks on Route 66

..Wow!! What a wonderful day. We didn't travel many miles but had a great time.
When we stopped for lunch I met a lady at the dessert bar. We chatted a few minutes and she looked at me very serious, put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Honey, I am going to say a prayer for you when I get home. I will, just as soon as I get home". I'm glad she didn't feel any urgency. At any rate she sure wasn't going to pray before dessert.
Route 66 is not on maps (didn't know that) and weaves in and out around interstate 40. Anyway, we got off I-40 several times and the road would weave us back to the interstate. Some of the little towns are nearly ghost towns and in bad bad shape.
This evening I spent some time printing maps and points of interest from here to the ocean. Tonight we are staying near Amarillo. Stopped around 4:OO, rested awhile, had dinner and went for a long walk. There is a doggie park across the road from the RV. It is hard to beat KOA's for weary RVers. Charlie was a great RVing dog today.

so it goes with well laid plans

After web surfing and cell phone calls this a.m. we discovered there is not much oil field activity in North Dakota. Still not sure whether we should go or not we started out going north from Poteau. Then about midday decided we would rather drive down old route 66. So here we are in Calumet Oklahoma. Drove a little longer than we usually do, but didn't get as far. Had dinner, a buffalo burger for me and chicken fried buffalo for Calvin. After all we are in Indian country. After 4 days of not being in the truck Charlie got a little restless. If the pattern holds he will be a good RVing dog tomorrow.

Change of plans

We left Poteau about 10:00 this morning and as we was driving out of town, Calvin got a phone call about consultanting work in North Dakota. Calvin said he would go up and check it out if he could get names. So...back to Poteau and setting up the RV. Got to spend some more time with Jane and Jim which is good. We had lunch, then drove to Salisaw. Came back. Cooked out and spent the evening visiting here at the RV. Recieved the info Calvin needs so...we are off to North Dakota in the morning. Hoping to have a leisurely trip and arrive this weekend. Lots of new country for us, and some we have seen before.

Last day in Poteau

A good day. Calvin and Jim went fishing so Jane and I had a 'sister' day. Been a long time since we spent a day together. Had a short visit with Jane's friend, Karola, then the guys came home. Had dinner then went to Braums for ice-cream.

Spiro Mounds

We went to Spiro mounds today. It was the wall street of trade for indians for about 800 years. The weather was cool and misting rain so we didn't take the 2 mile walk through the mounds. The little muesum was nice.

Lake Wister

Went to Ft Smith for lunch. Then to Wilburton to the Green Frog festival. It was raining so there wasn't much to see except a quilt exhibit. It was small but one of the requirements was the quilts all had to be hand quilted. On the way back to Poteau we went by Wister Lake. It is really nice with RV campsites. Something we might want to do.

Poteau

Was really tired last night. It was so good to crawl in to a comfy bed. I am so grateful for my fluffy comfy bed here in the RV and at home. Everyone should have a nice place to lay their head at night. I thought of Christoher and Anne and their various sleeping arrangments in Thailand and Laos. I'm sure the adventures make up for the mats and netting.
Left mid morning heading north out of Weatherford. A nice leisurely travel day. Charlie was back to being a great RVing dog. Only stops were for lunch and a nap. Arrived in Poteau shortly after 5:00. Jane and Jim came over for dinner and a good visit. Jane and I spent time playing with some quilting software.

Weatherford

Got a late late start and had a lot of windy weather today. We were a bit weary so took our time. A short nap around Abilene and stopping for the night about 10 miles west of Weatherford. The park is really nice. We have not stayed here before but will again if we need a place to stop for the night in this area. Charlie did a lot of whinning because he couldn't get in the front seat with us. Don't know what happened to the sweet puppy. We had an early dinner at Rosa's, got fuel and are in for the night. Probably early to bed. Well, after American Idol.

Beautiful Texas bluebonnets going beside the highways