Arizona

There's a lot of history here, much of which is prehistoric and on display for us all, free with our national parks pass! The painted desert and petrified forest are worth a stop, even thou we've been here before. Seeing these large fossilized trees never gets old and what is it about dinosaurs that brings out the kid in all of us. The only challenge for this rock hound is all those beautiful stones under foot, need to stay where they are for all to see. Still, I pick up a few, polish with a little spit, admire them and then put them back were I found them. 

As we walked back to the rig, Gary and I got the biggest laugh when we noticed several people taking photos of our little car in tow. They were all speaking German, like they've never seen an older Porsche before? Gary said there was a fee for photographing the car and we all had a good laugh together.

There is a lot of history here, much of which is prehistoric and on display for us all, free with our national parks pass! The painted desert and petrified forest are worth a stop, even thou we've been here before. Seeing these large fossilized trees never gets old and what is it about dinosaurs that brings out the kid in all of us. The only challenge for this rock hound is all those beautiful stones under foot, need to stay where they are for all to see. Still, I pick up a few, polish with a little spit, admire them and then put them back were I found them. 

As we walked back to the rig, Gary and I got the biggest laugh when we noticed several people taking photos of our little car in tow. They were all speaking German, like they've never seen an older Porsche before? Gary said there was a fee for photographing the car and we all had a good laugh together.

Land of Enchantment

Or no country for old men. New Mexico is both. With stunning beauty in many areas, including red rock country that rivals Sedona, herds of antelope and horizons filled with buttes that Gary finds hard to believe are real. 

But the extremes swing as far the other way. This is not a good place to get lost, with miles of nothing but sage brush, creosote bushes and chollas to make the going even harder. It's nothing to drive hours with no services is sight. Summer's are hot and at this elevation, winters nights can drop below freezing shortly after the sun drops in the west, despite a warm and sunny day. Any time I see signs warning of road closures, extreme winds or do not drive into smoke filled roads, I know that we need to stay aware of the surrounding at all times. Still, I love New Mexico and find myself enchanted every time I visit.

From the North Star to the Lone Star

Our trip south has been a good one given the chance for extreme weather in these parts. Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas can get very windy. Unlike past years, we are moving almost fast toward a destination for our winter retreat. OK, just so you all know, we are not speed demons but the states are ticking by, sometimes as many as three per day. It's not my favorite way to travel but we have been this way before and have seen many of the attractions in route. I would also consider myself very fortunate that this year is our turn to head south west, not south east to Florida which has had a difficult hurricane season. It's already snowing back home so I would say yes, we are blessed in many ways.

In flight with the red tails

As we make our way to the south west, we travel the same route as many of our northern hawks. Red tails, ferruginous and as Gary calls them "skinny Hawks" also known as sharp shinned are among the numerous sightings along these byways. These aviators hangout on low branches and fence posts, looking for an opportunity to drop down on an unsuspecting mouse or bunny to help fuel the rest of the journey south. We snow birds are getting out of dodge just in time as an arctic blast  drops down from Canada to bring the first hard freeze and the end of the growing season. Our travels have been really good, so far with blue bird sky's, a light wind to push us and temps just warm enough for a light comforter. And the Blue cat has settled into his routine nicely once he pulled his all nighter, waking me with a cold nose bump and a loud purrrrrrrr! His second night was under the covers for a sound sleep and the rest is business as usual. Under my chair while we drive, out for a walk on the leash as we level the rig in our camp sight each night. And after dinner, he has a 34 foot race track to work the kinks out. He is a good traveling buddy for sure.