On The Road Again

Greetings from Albuquerque

Isn't this sad?  An empty porch, rocking chairs tucked away for the winter.  I winterized the house before once again following the wise dictum of Horace Greeley to
"Go West."  After a 1500 mile, 3-day dash across country, I am in Albuquerque, happily weaving and spinning with Cousin Betsy.  But let me bring you across country.....

Campground #1 was in east Memphis, TN.  I forced myself to drive no more than 500 miles in a day.  When driving west into the sunset, it's too easy for me to drive and drive and drive until I practically collapse, so I had campground reservations for both nights.  This campground could accommodate 300 RVs, and was clearly what I label as utilitarian.  Many of the RVs seem to be housing for workers and families, with at least a few through-drivers like me.  The campground hostess was a delightful woman, a bit older than me, who lives there full time with a sweet little white and tan long haired chihuahua; the woman makes and sells jewelry at the farmers market which is adjacent.  

Upon arrival, I took a walk to....

 The campground is part of a very large complex which includes the agricultural service and, at this time of year....a corn maze with live country music.  Quite enjoyable.  

When traveling, I prefer to reach the far side of a city, so as to avoid as much traffic as possible.  Such was not the case with Memphis.  I was on the east side so had to traverse the city during rush hour.....without coffee.  When I did finally find a place to stop, the coffee was so dreadful, I tossed it out.  Finally, I was saved by the sight of the Golden Arches; they have good coffee, so I could continue without committing road rage.  I was aiming for just west of Oklahoma City, which, of course, meant rush hour on that end, but it wasn't too bad, although in places the road surface was like the moon.

 

As I crossed the Mississippi and began to drift into Arkansas and toward my destination just west of Oklahoma City, I saw my first and only political signage on a vehicle.  Can you tell which vehicle is mine?  I exchanged pleasantries with the driver, who I do not think had seen my home made H.

That night's stay was a KOA, which tended toward utilitarian though I had a pleasant view from a pull through site.  The campground was right next to I40 so was a tad noisy, but I likened it to listening to waves crashing on a beach.  The next morning, I treated myself to a good breakfast and then continued to wend my way to Albuquerque.  At a gas station in a very urban area, I encountered

......a rooster.  I have no idea what it was doing there or where it came from.  It is these little things that keep me traveling.   As I made my way through Oklahoma, I saw hundreds of windmills, or wind turbines, as I guess they are now called.  There is something magical about them, whether they are arrayed on the open plains or stand solitary in town.

This one is in Tucumcari, on the old Route 66, lonely yet proud.  And soon I was in Albuquerque, with Betsy teaching me to weave on this little handmade loom.  She's letting me take it with me to Tonto, for which I am quite delighted, as it is probably more similar to the type of loom used by the Salado Indians than my more modern style.

I leave tomorrow for Tonto, so will post again next week.  Happy Traveling to All.