Since leaving New Mexico, and our wildlife refuge volunteer assignment, we've been roaming around the southwest where we spent two months exploring Arizona.  We've been there before, but there was much we hadn't seen.  It did not disappoint!

I could not get enough of the saguaro cactus.  I had trouble keeping my eyes on the road whenever I drove through a forest of these beauties.  Probably filled up a whole data card with just saguaros!  They add so much to a landscape photo when they are the stars.

We had no idea there were so many interesting ghost towns in Arizona.  Old west and mining towns, now a thing of the past, were everywhere.  So much history to be learned from that era!

Lots of 'left overs' from the miners that once roamed these areas.  These cuties are everywhere in Arizona to attest to days gone by.  I've heard lots of coyotes singing at night, but had to get used to the donkey talk in the evening as well.
 
One of the highlights for me during these ramblings was to get to spend some time in and around Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.  I've always wanted to hike into Antelope Canyon, but with feet that don't wish to take me there, we opted to explore by boat instead.  We went all the way to the end of the canyon, as far as the water takes us, and it was just as magnificent as I imagined!  The colors, formations and reflections were absolutely amazing.  Too early for houseboat season, but lots of recreation taking place on the lake just the same.  I'm guessing that our slightly larger water craft was a little warmer, however😀.

After leaving Lake Powell, below the dam, the Colorado River continues on its miles-long journey into the Grand Canyon and then flows into Lake Mead.  We stayed at Lee's Ferry and got to watch a couple of rafting groups leave on a 21-day trip through the Grand Canyon.  Just watching the equipment and supplies being prepared for a trip of this length was fascinating to us.

Traveling west along the Utah/Arizona border, we arrived at Lake Mead, after changing our route due to the threat of some major snow storms coming to the area where we intended to go.   (Glad we did - - many of those areas are still digging out!)  Some of the places we visited in Nevada were new to us and we found landscapes we never thought we'd see in that state.  Who knew???

 As usual, I've learned some things on this trip.  After changing our route to include Highway 99 up through California, we encountered damaged roads like no others!  Even had to have a wheel repaired on Kodi the trailer along the way.  Gives a new definition to 'rough'!!!

I've also come to the conclusion that we will no longer take to the road during the month of March.  Now, I am not too superstitious, but there seems to be a pattern to the weather and mechanical drama that seems to sit on our bumper in March!  Even though we replaced the engine in Kermit the Tahoe just 60,000 miles ago, we are now stranded in Bandon, Oregon, while we have some major engine repairs done.  (Ugh!)  Bad cylinder - - and of course, our warranty expired six months ago.  (Heavy sigh👎).  So, no more travel in March - - nope - - ain't happenin'!!!  This also means we will be late reporting for our volunteer duties at Silver Falls State Park, near Salem, OR, but the staff there seems to understand.

Of course, I'm always one to try to look at the bright side, so we rented a car and have been using the time to explore some coastal areas we've not seen before.  Happy to say we discovered some new beaches that are fabulous, and we were lucky enough to see some unusual beach art that happens every minus tide here in Bandon.  There is a local artist (Denny Drew) who, along with several volunteers, create a sand labyrinth that is only there until the tide comes in and washes it away.  After it is created, people on the beach enjoy walking the path.  Stunning!

Until next time, I hope you've enjoyed reading about our 'journey' and that you are all well and happy.

After spending three months in New Mexico, we still love this part of the country!  The northern part of the state is amazing.  Georgia O'Keeffe country at its best.  Got to spend some quality time there in back of the 'ol camera - couldn't have enjoyed it more.  The colors and landscapes are awesome, especially in the fall.

Moved on to the southeast part of New Mexico, which is very different in all aspects.  This is where the desert meets the southern plains so the environment is quite unique.

We have been enjoying camping and volunteering at the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge since October 1st.  Great refuge, especially if you are a birder!  About 12,000 Sand Hill Cranes make this refuge their winter home, as do many other birds.  Quite a sight and sound as they fly over the 'rig' in the mornings and evenings.  Lots of snow geese, white pelicans and water birds of every type and description.  Also lots of rattlesnakes and other creepy critters, which I avoid at all cost!👎

Before spending time here, I was not aware of  much of the history of the area.  We've really enjoyed exploring on our time off, and have seen amazing ruins and monuments.  I had no idea there were so many notable historic sites to visit. 

Visiting the ancient ruins of the Salinas Missions, built before 1600 a.d. were especially beautiful and interesting.  Quite the story involving Franciscan monks.

Southern New Mexico is also 'Billy-the-Kid' country so there are many historic sites and monuments telling all the stories of the 'old' west.  Even saw his grave!  And, of course, the grave of Smokey the Bear.  Yes, there really was a bear cub that died in a fire and later became the forest fire prevention symbol we all know!

The wildlife refuge is just a few miles outside Roswell, a city that takes its UFO/alien mystery from 1947 very seriously!  The whole town really gets into the action!😂

While exploring an area a little northwest of Roswell, we found ourselves in the midst of huge cattle ranches in the vicinity of where the UFO 'event' took place.  In the little town Corona, nearest the 'site', I found this sign - - couldn't resist snapping a picture!  (LOL!)  Soooo polite!

As always, I have learned some things while visiting here.  One of the lessons I'll take with me is to NEVER consider a career hulling pecans!!!  Nope - - I'll leave that to the pros and machines!  A friend at the refuse gave us a quart-sized bag of pecans he had just harvested from his small orchard; two movies and three PBS specials later, I finally had about 1-1/2 cups of nut meats extracted.  I had pecan shells everywhere - - even found some in my underclothes!  My advice - - do NOT consider this as a career goal - EVER!😖

In a few weeks we'll be leaving Roswell and heading west into Arizona for a few months of warm winter weather and more exploring.  The spring months will find us back at Silver Falls State Park, near Salem, OR, for three more months of volunteer work at that park.  We're still enjoying our vagabond lifestyle - - not planning to quit anytime soon!

More blogs to come as we continue our 'adventures'.  In the meantime, take good care, and above all, be happy!😁

 

So, unlike our previous travels, our journey from Oregon to New Mexico took us on a musical adventure! 

When we entered California, from Oregon, I found myself quietly singing, 🎼"California, here I come; right back where I started from . . . ".  sooo many years ago!  As we began our route through the Sierra Nevada mountains, I couldn't help humming the melody to "High Sierra"🎶, an old John Denver tune.  I finally got to visit several locations that were on my list as we drove through the mountains; from Bodie Historical State Park/Ghost Town to the tufas at Mono Lake, and from Mt. Whitney to the Alabama Hills, where many, many western movies were filmed in years gone by.

Heading down old Route 66 through Arizona, we found ourselves 'standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona'🎸.  We did find a flatbed Ford, but much to Jerry's dismay, he said, "there was 'no girl, my lord, in that flatbed Ford, stopping to take a look at me'"  He pouted from there to our next RV destination!

While we previously had visited the Painted Desert National Park, we were delighted to visit Little Painted Desert, which is a county park near Winslow.  Worth the stop!  As we prepared to leave Arizona heading east, the sunset, so famous in the desert, decided to give us quite a show.

 

More spectacular color, and more music, came our way as Colorado put on its annual aspen display.  We arrived at the perfect time to catch the show at its peak.  Did not disappoint!  The golds of these amazing trees were contrasted with brilliant oranges and greens in the forests that accentuated the stark peaks of the Rockies.  Truly a treat to see.  Even the local wildlife seemed happy as they prepared for their upcoming winter, and seemed to hum along when I belted out 🎵"Rocky Mountain High"!  While I did find us a new 'ride', I also found one at Royal Gorge which was a resounding 'NO'.

Another National Park that has been on my Colorado 'bucket' list for a long time is Great Sand Dunes National Park.  Watching the light hopscotch over the dunes while the clouds played in the sky, was such a delight for me and the 'ol infrared camera!  Spectacular!

After some quality family time in Colorado, we made our way down to New Mexico, which will be our home until the end of the year.  We're volunteering in the visitor center, and living at, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, just outside Roswell.  (Haven't heard any songs about this area that I'm familiar with,  so I'll be quiet for now - - although, I did take the advice of many friends who suggested that he have our foil hats at the ready!)  I'm looking forward to exploring this area of the southwest and visiting the lands and haunts of the famous Billy the Kid and others who lived and died here.

More on this adventure later . . .