March 30 - 2nd night in Albuquerque

Decided to stay another night in Albuquerque North KOA campground. We love the area. Great hiking, good food and lots of quilt shops!

Bill started us off with a good breakfast of eggs and scrapple. Then we took off to hike in the desert. Lenny can be off leash and lots of smells. Enjoyed seeing the various types of cacti, cholla, pear and barrel. It wasn’t as warm today as yesterday so it was perfect for hiking. The mountains in the background are the Sandia Mts, part of the Cibola National Forest. We hiked up to the mountains you see in the background. 

Who would have thought I’d find an outhouse in the middle of the desert?!

This is a picture looking over the town of Bernilillo, which is just north of Albuquerque and was settled first but Albuquerque grew much faster and larger. 

After about 6 miles, we decided it was time for a little lunch and some siteseeing. Visited a nice quilt shop and then into Old Town Albuquerque. 

This is a church in the center plaza. 

Along the way we crossed the Rio Grande. 

For dinner, we celebrated Bills birthday at El Pinto, a HIGE Mexican restaurant that is still family owned since 1962. We’ve been there before and love the atmosphere and the authentic Mexican food. 

Time to get home and plan tomorrow. 

March 29 - Texas to New Mexico

On the road again headed for New Mexico. It was foggy and very windy. Can you see the windmills?

As we got further west, the blue skies appeared and stayed with us but so did the wind. 

Wish we painted our overpass roads. Makes it so cheerful coming into the city. 

We decided to stop in Albuquerque at a campground we’ve stayed at several times before. The main attraction is the beer garden that we can walk from our campground! Had an IPA and some bison nachos. Yum yum. 

March 28 - Oklahoma to Texas

Driving across Oklahoma, you can see for miles in all directions. It’s very flat, dry high plains. Those black specks are cattle. 

Then coming across the panhandle of Texas, it’s still pretty flat but we see sagebrush in the fields. It’s we’re here so they must have had rain. 

Tonight we stayed at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Last year we stayed just outside of here because it was full when we got there. This year we called ahead and got a really nice spot. Gorgeous mountains behind us. 

 The canyon has lots and lots of trails. Off we go to explore. 

After about 5 miles, we arrived back at the campground. Here’s what Lenny did. 

We tuckered him out!

Since there is a fire ban here, Bill had to use the gas grill for steaks AND s’mores.

Great dinner but we decided we needed to hike to burn some of those calories and to take some sunset pics. 

March 27 - Arkansas to Oklahoma

Beautiful sunrise on the Arkansas River was a good motivator this morning. 

This is a Corps of Engineers Park. Since we have a National Parks Pass, we only paid $12!  If you find yourself near Little Rock, this park is definitely worth a stop for several days. 

On the road again, we look for different things along the way. Not much on I-40. Its so straight you can see for miles. 

Here’s a happy camper that we can relate to!

Here’s a look at the Ozark Mountains we saw as we were driving in Arkansas. 

Traveling across Oklahoma, this is what you see mostly. 

Tonight’s rest is in a new RV Park called Wanderlust. Not our favorite campground style but we did have a beautiful sunset. 

March 26 - Kentucky to Arkansas

Happy Birthday to my husband and best motor home driver ever!  March 26 was a busy day for doctors and nurses. Daughter Shan and friend Beth Raney have birthdays today. Son-in-law John Gresh and friend Mary Jo Depp Nestlerode had birthdays yesterday!  

Left our Walmart campground and headed south. Trees are budding and bright blue skies but still cold. Need to get farther south! 

Well, the motor home adventures continue. Some of you will remember we had troubles getting into our former camper and our motor home on our last trip West. This year was not to be outdone. This time we couldn’t get out of our motor home. As Bill was attempting to climb out the window, I saw a person getting gas beside us. We yelled out to him and he came over to assist. Bill took the door latch apart and the man pushed on the door from the outside which released the deadbolt and the door opened. No pics but we had some laughs. What next?

Redbud trees and forsythia are out in Nashville. 

We have landed at Maumelle Park on the Arkansas River.  We camped here last year and liked it so much we put it in our notes to return   This is where we hiked Pinnacle Mountain but I don’t think will do that this year. I think we’ll head out tomorrow towards Texas. 

Celebrated Bills birthday with our fist fire. Oh, those Andouille sausages tasted so good. 

We’ve definitely found spring. The trees are budding and blooming. Yay!  

Headed for Texas or Oklahoma tomorrow. 

First trip of 2019 - west to CA.

After a great win at the 2019 Wrestling Nationals in Pittsburgh, we got a good night’s sleep and headed up to Conneaut for Aunt Kay and Uncle John’s 50th anniversary party and then back home to pick up Lenny. Now we off again to explore a little before we end up in Northern CA. We have a new granddaughter who is going to make her appearance soon. 

Before we left, our wonderful choir friends gave us a granny shower. What fun that’s going to be to open those gifts with Shannon and Carl. 

We’ve traveled these roads several times since we’ve been going across the US. On I-71 we have seen Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland, Ohio. Each time we say “sometime we should stop.”  Well, today was that day. It’s definitely  worth the stop if you are on I-71. 

Lenny wants to be co-pilot!  

Finally stopped after 10 hours on the road outside of Louisville, KY, in a Walmart parking lot.