Friday, April 29, 2011

Amarillo, Texas

 We arrived in Amarillo, Texas this afternoon.  Tomorrow morning we will be heading to Oklahoma for 3 days.  Sure hope there's no tornadic activity going on!  Our RV park is right next to The Big Texan Restaurant where you get a free 72 oz. steak if you eat it and all the trimmings in an hour or less.  Bob was kind of bummed that he ate lunch today.  He's sure he could do it if he didn't have lunch.  I think we'll test him on our way through here in the fall.  Our RV park calls there to make the reservations and they send a limo right here to pick you up and take you there for the challenge. 

The Cadillac Ranch, just west of Amarillo.  It's 10 Cadillacs "planted" in the ground. 
I couldn't get a better picture because they were repaving I-40 right in front of the "ranch".

I think we've found a new way to travel around the country.  :-)

I thought this was a cute way to spell out Amarillo.

Sandia Crest, New Mexico

On the way back from Santa Fe, we drove up to Sandia Crest.  It was Bob's idea!  I just don't know what has gotten into him!!!  It was a beautiful drive and the weather was perfect.  Although this was the highest elevation we've climbed, the drive was the easiest. 

I offered to go on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, but Bob declined. 
 I guess he hasn't gotten that crazy yet.






Now THAT is some fantastic fuel mileage! 
Going downhill with the tow haul on, it just kept going up.  It stopped at 99.9 mpg.  If only...

Part of the Sandia Peak Ski Lodge.

Yikes...Cougars and bears in the area.  We didn't see any.



Santa Fe, New Mexico - La Casa Vieja de Analco

The last place we visited in Santa Fe was the La Casa Vieja de Analco, which is "The Oldest House in America".  It was built in 1200 AD.  It is located across the street from the San Miguel Mission Church.

The outside of the house.

An old saddle

An old bowl


The ceiling in the house

Santa Fe, New Mexico - San Miguel Mission Church

The second place we visited in Santa Fe was the San Miguel Mission Church, which is the oldest church in the United States.  It was built in 1610. 


The front of the church

Above the altar.

The ceiling in the church

This bell was made in Spain in 1356

This wall hanging and the one below were painted on buffalo hides. 


Santa Fe, New Mexico - The State Capitol Building

Today (Thursday, April 28th), we drove up to Santa Fe, NM.  We have never been there and several people at the Balloon Fiesta last fall recommended it.  It is a great city and I'm sure we will be visiting there again.  Our first stop was at the State Capitol Building.  It is the only round state capitol building in the U.S.  There were three floors of artwork by various state artists and it was very impressive.  We were even allowed in the Governor's outer office and above the state senate (surprise...surprise, they were not in session).  We truly enjoyed our visit and are considering adding state capitol buildings to our "bucket list".
The State Capitol Building

The state seal in the floor of the rotunda


This bison head was made of all recycled items.  It was truly incredible up close.

The entrance to the Governor's office.

One of many statues in the city.  Santa Fe is a very artsy city.

This was one of the Art Quilts on display in the Capitol Rotunda Gallery

Another statue outside the capitol

Arizona to New Mexico

Here's a few pictures I took on Monday when we were traveling from Casa Grande, AZ to Deming, NM

A rock formation at Texas Canyon, AZ

An authentic looking teepee

OK...Pop quiz time.  (NO cheating!)  What is the Continental Divide?

Easter 2011

Since we were in Casa Grande for Easter, Vivian (my first mother-in-law) invited us to join her and her family for dinner at her clubhouse.  We had a great time and the food was excellent!  Once again, we truly enjoyed our week in Casa Grande and can't wait to return there.

"Aunt" Gwen & Vivian 

Barry & Rachel's granddaughters, Victoria & Kortney

Victoria

Brittany's husband, Michael, and Barry & Rachel's son, Jaered
Barry & Rachel's daughters, Brooke & Brittany
 
Kortney with Rachel
Baby Kortney
Vivian & Barry

A beautiful flowering cactus outside the clubhouse.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

This & That...

We arrived in Casa Grande late Monday afternoon.  We had a difficult time getting through Phoenix because I-10 was closed, so we had to exit and go through major gridlock to find where we could re-enter.  We will be in Casa Grande for a week and then head to Deming, NM for just 2 nights as we begin our trek back to Michigan for the summer.  We are sure hoping that it quits snowing in Michigan before we arrive!
The Colorado River sunset on our last night in Ehrenberg, AZ

 Ehrenberg Cemetery, which is right across the street from the park we stayed at. 
It is one of the oldest cemeteries we've seen.



 Gravesites at Ehrenberg Cemetery
  

 A billboard in Phoenix.  Why do American companies feel the need to advertise in Spanish???
WELCOME TO AMERICA...NOW SPEAK ENGLISH!!!

Our rollin' condo...

 
The "Valentine" tree at my first mother-in-law's is now the "Easter" tree.

 The Easter tree without the lights on