Psycic wonderland

Rub my head; drop some coins into the wishing pool...and go get a reading

You name the feeling and we've got a reading for it

SEDONA, AZ - - We had this 'feeling' that Sedona might be full of energy.  So, we left Flagstaff Wednesday morning and let the 'good vibrations' take over.

On I-40 to Flagstaff: cold and windy

Dust and sand blows on I-40

There must be a story behind the name of this town

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - - We left our campground in Santa Fe @ 6:15am.  A great bargain for 14 days @ $5 per with the 'geezer' card.  I got mine for $10 13 years ago.  The cost now is $80 and it's still the best bargain the government has put out for us 'senior' citizens.  Now, I might have spent $70 (+ -) for firewood while in SF for Lydia's early-early morning campfires which was a good investment.
     It was 30-degrees when we left and Flagstaff weather didn't promise anything much better.  Once on I-40 the winds picked up and as the miles rolled the winds got stronger.  This prompted some light dust/sand storms.  Additionally, the wind shear / buffeting from 18-wheeler traffic had the 'Magic Bus' doing the wobbles.

BNSF hauling a line of over 100 cars

Parked and waiting for a ride

     While interstate travel is boring but necessary to gobble up the miles, there are occasional perks: Like a major railway track running parallel to I-40 for quite a while.  We saw 12  (easily 100 cars or tankers) long freights being  pulled by 3 and 4 BNSF (Burlington Norther Santa Fe) locomotives.  There were also long lines of cars waiting to move...the above photo shows 4 engines on the rear of a line waiting for a hook-up. 

More Santa Fe weekend photos

A kids tale

SANTA FE, NM - - What could go wrong???  One small boy; two kid-sized scooters and a slight incline to push them up.  I watched his first escapade where one scooter rolled slowly towards a farmers market stand while passers-by deviated their route....and a frantic mom rushed to rescue the toddler.  It was so funny that I didn't take a photo.  Not to be daunted,  mom sent 'the pusher' on his way again..  He was successful on this try.

Our next door (tent site) neighbor

SANTA FE, NM - - There are always plenty of dog-people in Black Canyon campground.  It takes a rare breed of owner to bring their cat.  Cats do not like leashes.  So our neighbor Boogaloo is one special 'furry kid' who at least puts up with having his wandering curtailed.  

Winter wonderland...on May 21!

The snow almost looks like frosting on the picnic table

The humming birds will have to work to get at breakfast

Snow flakes and snow covered trees

There was a frozen layer of snow on the van

Heading into Santa Fe

SANTA FE, NM - - The snow in Santa Fe always seems like a rite of vacation passage. This is the third year in a row we've gotten snow while camping at Black Canyon.  Mother Nature almost seems to be saying "Welcome  to real weather, not 84-degrees like it is in Florida."
     Last night's snow (about 2-inches) was the most we've had while camping.  While, thankfully, the roads appeared to be clear you can never be sure there isn't 'black ice' waiting to slip you up.  Luckily, there weren't icy patches  on the way into SF where it didn't appear to have snowed.  Still, the wind was brisk and at 34-degrees could cut through you.
     Today, the weather is supposed to clear.  But that doesn't mean the wind will let up or the temperature suddenly get balmy.
      

Sunday on SF plaza: a car show and a bit more

SANTA FE, NM  - - A large percentage of the cars on display did not have information plaques...so you're on your own to figure things out.  I also doubt that if this wasn't a "show" that the vehicles wouldn't be out in the weather.  Now, the hummingbird in the bottom pic feeds anytime it is hungry.  Another Sunday bonus...free parking downtown.

Farmers Market color in Santa Fe

Blending in

SANTA FE, NM - - The rodeo jeans I wear on cool days like this ... 64-degrees with an 11mph wind ... blend right in to Santa Fe-style.  But being sandal (Keen) shod doesn't quite do it.  You got to wear boots.  There are lots of high-end stores with prices in the ozone layer on the square and side streets.  Personally, I like the look of this shop away from the hustle of the tourist traps.  Although I won't venture in for fear of a heart attack looking at the prices.
     In other news, today is our 27th anniversary.  So, what did we do to celebrate???   the laundry so far.  Mello travels.  

Deer tails...early breakfast

Five of 10 deer checking the breakfast buffet.

We've been spotted.

Run and hide!!

SANTA FE, NM - - Just as we were leaving Black Canyon Campground we came upon 10 deer checking for breakfast.  We stopped and took photos.  But we were quickly spotted and the clan? or family? quickly took to the woods.
     Click on the photos to see a larger image.

Saturday rain; Sunday clearing; Monday 40-degrees in NM

Sunday was 'rose' day

Crop dusting along the Texas Panhandle

New Mexico photo op

Light and shade as a NM storm rolls through

SANTA FE, NM - - Saturday's weather was rainy and windy, but much better than we expected as we finished crossing Arkansas and moved into Oklahoma.  One bright spot was at a gas stop where we decided to try Mama T's BBQ. We not only got a good lunch, but Lydia was presented with a rose for Mothers Day.
     The weather cleared on Sunday and while crossing the Texas Panhandle, a crop duster was dodging the vanes in a forest of wind turbines.  Unlike the rest of Texas, the panhandle is less the 200 miles wide along I-40.  With a 75 mph speed limit, it's just a rolling, boring ride.
     Our first travel objective is always crossing the New Mexico border.  Then, it feels like summer vacation is really here.  Villa Nueva State Park is a mainstay for an overnight stop on our way to Santa Fe.  Some nasty-looking clouds made it look like we were in for rain...something the park rangers were hoping for.
     Monday morning dawned bright, clear and 44-degrees.  It felt good.
 

Friday on I-40

Getting a 'nosefull'

Our mascots

Into Arkansas

Mississippi barge traffic

CARLISLE, AR - - Friday was our first full day on this years journey West.   The 450 Interstate miles we racked up is a bit more than usual but we try to get between Ormond Beach and the New Mexico border as quickly as possible.  Once we've achieved our first objective (NM) then its travel the back roads.  As far as driving goes, we split things up pretty much 50 - 50.
     You can see from the above photos, we did stop and smell the roses... at a rest stop in western Tennessee near the interestingly named "mouse tail landing.'  The day was grey with plenty of traffic.  We crossed into Arkansas at Memphis with barge traffic on the "Muddy Mississippi" in sight.

We find friends in the most unlikely places

HARRIMAN, TN - - Patience, dear reader, as I don't usually go on and on, but we packed enough into one day to warrant a full explanation.
     We're 300 miles down the road from an unforgettable Wednesday.  Early Wed. morning as we got ready to leave where we were staying our new van battery failed.  
     Challenge number one was to find a cell signal, since where we were staying was in a cell phone signal dead zone.  A quarter mile walk uphill solved that and AAA was on the way.  Luckily,  the AAA guy was reasonably local and found us.  We got a 'jump' and directions to the nearest auto supply store which replaced the dead battery since it was under warranty.
     Challenge number two:  Then, I got a phone call from a buddy who had gone by our house to tell us the air conditioner decided to call it quits.  We gave him the phone number of the AC guy we use;  he called and set up a visit to check it out.  Later in the day, I got a text that it was fixed.
    Challenge number three:  As we were driving down I-40 happily thanking our good luck that the battery problem cost us nada an engine warning light came on announcing an electrical problem.  Just then, Lydia spotted a VW dealership.  We pulled off at the next exit and found our way to the dealer. 
     We sat down to await the verdict on how bad things might be.  I had my MacBook Pro computer out and was surfing the internet.  Soon another couple joined the clan in the waiting room.  The husband noticed that my computer case is covered with stickies from our travels.
     AND NOW THE REAL STORY BEGINS:  I like to engage in conversation with new folks we meet.  As we chatted,  we swapped business cards (mine with my blog address; his with his business info)  Since Lydia and I hoped to be heading West as soon as the van problem was fixed, the gentleman offered us an invitation to come on by and spend the night should we come back through the area.
     Challenge number four:  A short time later the VW service manager came by to inform us we needed a new alternator and all the fixins'.  And that it would need to be ordered so that the soonest it could be fixed would be Thursday.
     I, half jokingly, mentioned we wouldn't be leaving so soon.  "Well come on by, we have plenty of room and we enjoy company," said my friend as his wife looked on like this a normal occurence. "Oh, and we have four kids...and a dog." 
     We had a great time; enjoyed the kids...the dog, Winston, was beyond friendly...Christian and Marcia went out of their way to make us feel welcome.  It was hard to leave.

Westward ho....with a 500 mile detour to North Carolina

"The Bus" rests after a long journey

Tinker isn't happy about having his photo take

Sniff, sniff

Stand this close and you get the full brunt of the train's whistle

Coffee anyone??

Open carry??   No problem.

WEST END / SOUTHERN PINES, NC - - After seven hours of I-95 Sunday traffic we arrived in West End for the first stop on our planned NC sojourn.  Lots of folks to see.  Our first visit was with Tinker, a feline sage well past 20 'kitty years' of age.  "Stop and smell the roses," was his advice.  No roses were around, but a daisy planter made do.
     In Southern Pines, after a great breakfast special at Mac's All Day Breakfast, the first train spotted on this trip rumbled through town.  What looked like passenger cars were actually loaded with electronic gear to 'map' and detect variations from the norm of the track. 
     And what would Double Espresso be without a refueling stop...a DE favorite since we've been coming to Southern Pines.
     Finally, as long as all your weapons are in sight you're ok.  No hiding that bazooka in your backpack.
     In another day or two and we'll head West and leave the long leaf pines and their pollen behind.  A fine yellow 'dust' covers everything and makes my nose twitch just thinking about it.