Finally, time for the trip west 2010-2011. After prepping for weeks we finally loaded the camper, watched the loading of the Jeep onto the auto carrier and said good-bye to our home for the next six months. People always ask if we won't miss our home. Of course we will. Although it's nearly 3,000 sq ft, we downsize to an approximate 300 sq ft nest and it works beautifully for the period of time.
Time to hit the road.
Pretty daybreak in WV as we head out for our second day on the road.
This is our favorite campsite at one of our regular stops - Hillman Ferry which is a Tennessee Valley Authority campground in far western Kentucky.
The clouds were moving quickly as we departed in the morning.
A lovely Oklahoma sunset
The following night later we discovered this wonderful spot in Hereford, TX. The town provides 5 campsites at the Hereford Aquatic Center with this pretty little lake.
Hereford claims to be the Beef Capital of the World. We had another colorful sunset!
The full moon was still shining brightly in the morning.
We know we're making progress when we begin seeing grain elevators and.....
long straight stretches of road. As much as possible we avoid the four-lanes in favor of this more relaxing travel.
New Mexico often provides the most challenging weather. This day it was crosswinds. Note the clouds.
Route 60 goes through some remote country with high elevations and a radiotelescope we have toured a couple of times in the past, the VLA (Very Large Array). The 27 radio antennae are each 82 ft in diameter in a Y configuration.
All are mounted on railroad track where they can be moved and spaced according to what the astronomers are studying at the time.
This photo and a few others are not the best quality as they were shot out the windshield while on the move.
Pie Town, NM on the Continental Divide was this night's destination. DanCyn Windmill and Well Drilling Museum has this neat display along the road.
Some places have seen better days
but this business is still going strong.
Apparently the man who lived here has passed away.
He flew the American flag which is tattered and off to the side. It would be interesting to know his story.
Our site for the night. Vic had read that elk are prolific at this campground and we hoped we would see them but
this is the only proof we saw of their existence.
And what to our wondering eyes did we find in the morning? Oh, my! Isn't this what we hoped to escape?
Note our elevation
And the road as we left. New Mexico's challenge for this day. At least the winds died - one challenge at a time is a blessing.
And for the next 75 miles or more
Eventually the skies cleared
and the road slowly improved
What a mess!
Much nearer to our final winter destination is Salt Creek Canyon where we stopped for lunch - a turkey sandwich on Thanksgiving Day. Switchbacks took us down into the canyon and back up the other side as can be seen on the GPS.
At last, after six safe days we are in Florence, AZ - home of the giant saguaro, cotton fields, citrus groves, the Central Arizona Detention Center and Rancho Sonora RV Park; the latter being where our nest is settled for the next three months.
I mentioned going outside and getting a picture or two of where our cozy nest is parked and horrified Vic. After all his work to leave home all shiney and clean, the nest is filthy from the snow-covered roads and salt. So, for now, interior shots only!
After the exterior is pressure washed next week I'll show the cacti, ocotillo and palo verde around us - quite lovely. Now we are ready to begin our explorations. It's our hope that you will join us.
