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 . . .
