Cadillacs and Longhorns - Amarillo, TX

Wednesday ...

We had a long driving day yesterday - leaving Albuquerque around 9:00 AM heading west. We had a pretty nice travel day. The weather was sunny - a little on the cool side - and the wind was from the northwest which meant my gas mileage was helped all day in spite of gaining altitude to over 7,000 feet before settling back down to around 6,000 feet the rest of the trip to Amarillo. As we left New Mexico and entered Texas we also entered Central Time again - so we gained another hour. These almost daily time changes are a pain in the ____. The good news is that the Central Time Zone is HUGE so we won't have to deal with changing back to Eastern Time for quite awhile.

All-In-All ... a good travel day.

Thursday ...

Like I said a few entries ago - we have never stopped in Amarillo before although we have traveled I-40 through here a couple of times going from East to West. Fortunately the weather has cooperated this time and we decided to spend a day here and see a few sights. We started our day doing a few mundane chores like laundry and inside-the-rig cleaning. Can't be all fun and games ya know! Once we finished our chores and had a bite of lunch we were off for our adventure.

Where do we start? I know - how about we head west of town and check out an Amarillo I-40 (and Route 66) Icon - Cadillac Ranch. Cadillac Ranch is simply 10 old Cadillacs placed nose first into a cow pasture.

This "art" was originally created in 1974 (although in a slightly different location) and is visible on the southbound side of I-40. Although the cars are in a private cow pasture - there is a gated access point just off the frontage road and visitors are apparently encouraged - to walk in, visit the art, and add graffiti. Although the State of Texas doesn't want you defacing their property on the road side of the fence!

You can see by the pictures that the cars are heavily covered in non-factory colors. In fact - the paint on each car is at least 1/4 inch thick - having been painted dozens of times. The empty paint cans inside the hulks also give a clue!

So after that big adventure - what do we do next? We really had no clue - but decided on a drive out to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. And I'm glad we did.

To get to this park you need to drive south of town about 25 miles through some very flat pasture land. Once you get out to the park you are treated to a very large and beautiful canyon that you can drive into to gain some up close and personal views of some breathtaking scenery.

The park roads and some of the buildings were constructed in the 1930s by the CCC. For anybody looking for a beautiful spot with some really nice looking camping spaces (many with 50/30 amp electric service) and lots of hiking/biking trails- this would be a great candidate.

All we did today was a slow drive through - and a beautiful drive through it was.

On the way out we stopped to say hi to these big-boy Texas Longhorns - and then it really hit me - I'm hungry and I'm feeling like a nice steak!

As you drive towards Amarillo on I-40 you will see many billboards advertising the Big Texan Steak Ranch - home of the 72 ounce steak that you get for free if you can eat it and all the trimmings in one hour.

I wasn't really THAT hungry but I thought we ought to go visit the Big Texan anyway. So we did. We really enjoyed our steaks (much smaller than 72 ounces) and the rest of our meal ... and the Big Texan atmosphere was a fun experience as well.

Whew - we had a really busy day today after all.

Tomorrow we are off again - destination Oklahoma City and our planned visit with fellow RVers Gene and Judi Curp - they on their trip out west - we on our trip back East.

Ought to be a grand time in OKC.

New Mexico - Albuquerque, NM

Monday ...

As planned - we left Tucson and the Tucson Meadows RV Park around 9:30 AM headed back east. We backtracked through Benson, AZ to the Arizona/New Mexico border and then all the way back to Deming, NM before heading northeast on State Route 26 - through the town of Hatch - "The Chile Pepper Capital of the Whole World"

and finally we met up with Interstate 25 and then traveled north to Elephant Butte Lake

- near Truth or Consequences, NM.

Anybody know how this small town in New Mexico got it's name? I figured it would be some really interesting story of the old west - Nope. Some of you who read this blog may be old enough to remember the "Truth or Consequences" TV show that ran off and on during the 70s and 80s - and some may even remember the versions that ran in the 1950s, and 1960s - but only a few will remember that the original show - starring Ralph Edwards ran on radio from 1940 through 1957. It was on this radio show in 1950 that Edwards promised to host his show from the first town in America to change its name to "Truth or Consequences." It seems that the folks of Hot Springs, NM were plenty willing - and the rest is history.

Along the way we stopped at a couple of nice rest areas. I like the picnic area at this one ...

but with this sign nearby - I probably wouldn't venture over to use the table!

Anyway ... we spent Monday night at a nice RV Park near Elephant Butte Lake - about 150 miles south of Albuquerque, NM.

Tuesday ...

This morning we drove the 150 miles to Albuquerque, NM - parked the rig here at the High Desert RV Park - disconnected the Vue and drove over to visit with my niece Cathy, her husband Gary - and their 10 kids. Yup - that's not a typo - 10 kids. All theirs - all the way from Nick (somewhere about 22 I think) to William - right around 3 months. Before Nan left for home she insisted we treat the gang to ice cream so we showed up with a couple of gallons and had a big ice cream party! We always have fun visiting with these guys when we travel through.

So we finished our short visit, made our way over to the local grocery store for some provisions, and then back to the rig for a night of NCISs.

Tomorrow we are continuing east - destination Amarillo, TX. We have driven through Amarillo on two separate trips (both times going East to West) and both times had some severe thunderstorm weather experiences - and we just kept on driving! We are actually planning on stopping this time and perhaps spending an extra day to see what sights may have been hiding in the raindrops the first two times.

Tomorrow's forecast for Amarillo? Some morning rain but clear in the afternoon - low tomorrow night - right around 36 degrees!! Burrr - did we come too far north too quick!

Gettin' Ready to Roll - Tucson, AZ

We don't have too much to "blog" about today. We kinda took the weekend off from playing tourist and let Nan rest up for her trip home. We will be driving Nan up to the Phoenix-Mesa airport today to catch her flight back to Medford, OR. I think she has enjoyed her visit - I know Peggy and I did.

But it's time to move on. Time for Nan to head back to Yreka and time for Peggy and I to start heading east. We have really enjoyed our time here in Arizona, as we enjoyed our time in Alabama, but it is time to start heading home - slowly. I noticed today that the weather back home is starting to look a little bit like spring - Highs in the 40s with lows right around 32. Hopefully those lows will be closer to 40 by the time we get home! Peggy and I will be leaving here tomorrow (Monday) with our destination somewhere near Truth or Consequences, NM (don'tcha just love some of these western city names!). From there we plan on heading to Albuquerque, NM to do a bit of visiting with my niece Cathy and her family. After our visit with the Baker clan we'll head east on I-40. Except for being in Oklahoma City on April Fool's Day - we really don't have much of an itinerary in mind. We are sorta planning our arrival in Maine for mid-April and we'll firm up our arrival date as we get closer to Eastern Daylight Time.

Why OK City on April Fool's Day you ponder? Well - because we plan on meeting up with Gene and Judi Curp - RV buddies who are just starting out on their 2011 adventure to Alaska. It will be great to see them and hear all about their experiences over the past few months, and their planned trip to Alaska.

So that's about it from here in the "Grand Canyon State." Time for the wheels on the Winne to start rollin' again and get these Maineiacs back in Motion.

Our Day in the Old Southwest - Bisbee, AZ

We decided one more day of sightseeing was in order before we let Nan rest - so yesterday we loaded up in the Vue and headed southeast. We drove back through Benson where we stayed a few weeks ago and then continued on down Arizona 80 to Tombstone - "The town that would not die." Peggy and I have played tourist in Tombstone a couple of times in the past - so we didn't linger long. We showed Nan the location of the big shootout between Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, and the Clayton Gang - the "OK Corral." We also pointed out (in)famous Boot Hill as we drove past. Once we traveled further south from Tombstone we were in new territory for Peggy and I as well.

We drove through the farming community of St. David along the San Pedro river and then into the mountains near the Mexican border into the mining town of Bisbee. We drove through the old part of Bisbee - with houses and businesses built into the sides of Tombstone Canyon. We didn't stop to visit any of the local shops - but several looked interesting with all kinds of local artisan wares to be looked over.

After checking out "Old" Bisbee we headed a bit further south and found ourselves right next to the Lavender Mine - A REALLY BIG HOLE IN THE GROUND! The sign says they have been digging here since 1951 - I believe it!

About this time in every sightseeing story - Mikee gets hungry. This time was no exception. We thought it would be fun to try and find "Dot's Diner" - another spot described in one of Nick Russell's Blog ... so we wandered off to see what we could find. Lola, our GPS, didn't have such a spot listed so we just kinda drove on seeing if we could bump into it before we wandered into Mexico - but we didn't. Finally, about 5 miles from the Mexican border Mikee decided he was REALLY hungry and even Burger King would do!

As we pulled into a parking place right in front of Burger King a group was walking out and began pointing to our Maine license plate. It seems that a couple of them we from Maine and were happy to see a couple of fellow Mainers. When we explained that we were pulling into Burger King after failing to find Dot's - they insisted that we follow them and they would lead us to Dot's - so we did.


After backtracking a few miles they led us right to Dot's - right next to the Shady Dell RV park. As it turned out - Dot's was closed. But our new friends from Maine (we never did get their names) insisted that we follow them to another restaurant - owned by the same folks who own Dot's - just around a couple of corners. Before I continue this story I gotta comment on Dot's and the Shady Dell RV Park. This place is not a place you are going to find by accident - and it certainly isn't advertised that I could see - but it is a really nostalgic piece of America. The "RV Park" has a bunch of old travel trailers set up in an old style travel park right next to a classic diner. All this in Bisbee Arizona - whodathunkit?

But I digress - back to following our new friends from Maine. So we followed them another mile or so to an area near the mine that looked - how shall I put it? - "rustic." They pointed to an old storefront with a sign above the door that said "Bisbee Breakfast Club." - and then they drove on. We figured - what the heck - we're hungry and they look to have food - we'll give it a shot!

And I'm glad we did! The inside of the restaurant was very nice - in an old fashioned kind of way and the food was outstanding. Mom had a Reuben sandwich that she really liked, Peggy had a southwestern flavored chicken wrap that she thought was very good, and I had a triple decker club sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato, sliced roast beef, cooked green chiles, and melted cheese. Yumm-Yumm!! This place ought to be featured on "Diners, Dives, and Drive-In's" on the Food Network!


So after enjoying our afternoon meal we headed back to Tucson - some 90 miles away. As is typical anytime you get near the Mexican border - we had to go through a Border Patrol Checkpoint as we headed back - this one is just north of Tombstone. This experience was much like our last in New Mexico. The Border Patrol Officer looked at our Maine License Plate - looked at us - and said "You either have a terrible navigator, or you slipped on some ice - go on - ya'll get outa here."


So we did! Thus ending another interesting day in the southwest.

Sabino Canyon - Tucson, AZ

We continued our Tucson tour today with a visit to Sabino Canyon.

But first we had to try a lunch spot we read about on Nick Russell's Blog - Little Anthony's Diner.

Little Anthony's is quite a place! A fifty's style diner with great 50s/60s music from the juke box, good service by gals dressed in 50's style waitress garb complete with saddle shoes, and the burgers were great too! Peggy, Nan, and I all had the "Recession Special." A large burger with all the fixins, fries, drink of your choice, and a small ice cream sundae - all this for $6.50. Not a bad deal in my book.

After filling ourselves at Little Anthony's we continued on to Sabino Canyon. Sabino Canyon is one of many canyons formed in the Catalina Mountains but this canyon is one of the major watersheds for Mt Lemmon creating a very beautiful oasis in the desert - full of trees, cactus, a small stream, and beautiful scenery. Sabino Canyon is part of the Saguaro National Forest and is overseen by the U.S. Forest Service.

Upon arrival at the Visitor's Center (after getting through the toll gate by using Nans Golden Age Pass) we purchased a ride on the Tram for our narrated trip along the road created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). There are several (9) stops along the Tram Route for folks to get on or off the Tram to explore the Canyon on foot - but since we had Nan along and she isn't up to much hiking - we simply rode the Tram to the top and then returned along the same route. We had a beautiful day to observe a lot of beautiful scenery.

Even this friendly Road Runner came by to say hello - but Peggy and Nan couldn't get him to say "Beep-Beep."

All-In-All another fun day here in Tucson.

Yee-Haw - Tucson, AZ

OK - time to catch up again ...

Sunday -


As we had planned, we drove over to Sabino Canyon to take the Tram Tour of the canyon. But after we arrived and saw the very filled parking lot we changed our minds. With the NCAA Basketball Tournament taking place here this weekend - and I think it is spring break for a lot of kids - there appears to be a bunch of folks playing tourist this weekend. So we made a snap decision and decided to drive to the top of Mt Lemmon instead. Mt Lemmon is the highest peak of the nearby Catalina Mountains and even has a ski park at the summit! As we started our trip the GPS said we had 35 miles to go and we starting at about 2,400 feet elevation. The temperature was right around 85 degrees. After about a 20 mile drive to the base of the mountains we entered the Saguaro National Park and started our climb.


At 4000 feet the Saguaros started disappearing but the views of Tucson below were breathtaking.

At 5000 feet the temperature was around 70 degrees.


At 6000 feet we start to see pine and fir trees. Temperature is now around 65 degrees.

At 7000 feet we start to see some really cool rock formations.

At 8000 feet we see a patch of snow or two. Remember - we are only about a half hour drive from Tucson!

When we reach the ski park near Summerhaven, AZ we are right about 8,100 feet elevation and the temperature is now about 55 degrees! Wow - what a difference a few miles makes!


We had a great time seeing the fantastic views as we drove up (and back down) Mt Lemmon. If you are ever in the area - I highly recommend this as a day trip!


Monday -


Monday we had weather. The wind started early in the morning, got worse during the day, and didn't stop until after a brief rainstorm in the evening. Since it turned out to be a weather day - we got in some grocery shopping, did a bit of laundry, and otherwise stayed close to the rig.


Tuesday -


Today the weather was much nicer - although much cooler than it has been lately with the high forecast to be around 72 degrees. We decided to start off the day with breakfast out so we found our way to a local IHOP and had our fill. Then we had to decide what was next. After flipping the proverbial coin - we settled on a visit to Old Tucson Studios - west of town a few miles.

Old Tucson Studios is a combination working studio set, historical spot, and amusement park. The historical spot comes from the fact that many many old westerns were made in this location since the late 1930s. You western movie/TV fans would certainly recognize the titles which include Gunfight at the OK Corral, Winchester 73, Rio Lobo, Rio Bravo, McLintock, Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, High Chapparal, Little House on the Prairie, Three Amigos, and lots and lots of others. All the big stars walked these streets including John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Jimmie Stewart, Audie Murphy, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan, Randolph Scott, and Michael Landon - not to mention all their horses. Bottom line - if you watch an old western and it has a Saguaro cactus in the background - or this famous peak (Golden Gate Peak)

- it was made here!

The amusement park part was kinda fun too. We watched some fun performances including Sir William Wiley's Miracle Elixer Show, Kowboy Kal - World Champion Trick Roper and Miss Kitty's Can-Can Revue. What a fun way to spend a beautiful day in the southwest!

After all that excitement - it was back to the RV Homestead where we rustled up some of Mikee's Maineiac Gumbo for lunch. Oh Yeah - I forgot to mention that Nan graded my Gumbo very high and has had several bowl fulls so far!


I wonder what we'll do tomorrow to follow this great day ...

Yee - Haw

Update From The Evringham Motorhome Hacienda - Tucson, AZ

Well - what new do I have to tell you? We are still in Tucson, the weather is still downright wonderful, and we continue to enjoy our visit with Nan. We haven't been too busy sightseeing the last couple of days but we think we might get out later this morning to visit Sabino Canyon - a really pretty oasis nearby in the Catalina Mountains.

Peggy and I took a couple of hours on Friday and drove over to the Pima County Fairgrounds to take a look at the RV Show. Well - it really wasn't what I would call an RV Show - it was more like the La Mesa RV dealership moved all their inventory out to the fairgrounds and offered free hot dogs to all who wanted to come out and drool over their wares. So we did. The did have a lot of rigs to look at - new and used. We checked out a few used rigs but found nothing that really interested us. Then we had to go over and look at the new ones - including a 2011 36' Tiffin Phaeton! Nope - we didn't trade in Winne. She got us this far - and she will get us home! It was fun kickin' tires - and the hot dogs were good also - but then it was back to Winne, Nan, and reality.

Yesterday we took an afternoon trip to the Tucson Mall so Nan could do some shopping. This is not an outing I recommend. Big Mall - Lots of Folks - Lots to Look At - Not Much to Buy. We did find some pretty good food at Shane's Rib Shack - but that's about it.

Nan was shocked to hear that I might actually be able to cook something. So shocked that I decided she needed to experience some of Mikee's Maineiac Gumbo - my one and only dish. So last night I whipped up a batch to sit overnight and "mellow." I'll add some shrimp and a few more items tonight before dinner. Stay tuned for a future entry where I provide Nan's critique on my performance.

Before I close today's entry I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the wildlife here at Tucson Meadows. These bunnies really like the flowers that some gardener must work hard to grow. I think if they get caught - some gardener may have bunnie gumbo!

We also have a bunch of these quail running about. These aren't as big as California Quail - but just as fast as they scurry about.

I have been contacted by a couple of my relatives in California this week - worried about the nuclear power plant disasters happening in Japan and the potential consequences to us - here in the US. Certainly - I have been following the reporting coming from Japan this week with great interest. Unfortunately, the reporting has been typically sensationalist supposition and laced with very few facts. From the few facts I have been able to find - I believe the situation there locally is pretty bad - but even as bad as it must be - it is still overshadowed by the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami. Unfortunately the press finds it sexier to talk about "nuclear holocaust" than the human suffering brought on by the natural disasters. Based on what it looks like today - I believe the nuclear power plant disaster is still mostly a local problem and still has not led to widespread radioactive contamination of surrounding land areas. Based on what I have read - no one has died from the issues at the nuclear plants and only a few workers have received significant - but non-lethal - doses of radioactivity. They still have a lot of work to do to contain further releases of radioactive material - but they seem to be making progress. I believe the key will be to restore a reliable electrical power source to the emergency equipment at these plants. Fortunately - the plants are on the east coast of Japan and the prevailing winds are from the west. This will help dissipate any radioactive contamination being released. Yes - we may be able to detect some extremely small increase in background radiation here in the US - but nothing that will cause any health concern. Let's all pray for those working there to get the situation stabilized as soon as possible.

So that's the story from here at the Evringham Motorhome Hacienda. We hope everybody is having a great day - wherever you may be.