Artsy fartsy Santa Fe

Friday morning found us doing chores. We love our campground in Santa Fe. Right in town, close to everything, great facilities.  But after a week on the road we had loads of laundry, dirty vehicle, low on food, gas, etc.  AC is off. Cool nites. Rating ***1/2

Friday afternoon we visited the Meow Wolf.  This is a bowling alley converted to an interactive art exhibit.  So many people including kids experiencing art in a whole new way.  I cannot explain it.  But 250 artists let their minds go wild.  If you get a chance go.   If you have kids absolutely go.  You might lose a kid or two but it is so worth it.

Saturday we took the city bus downtown which was a trip.  We had a bus driver who hated his life so he was not gonna answer any questions even tho his route is tattooed on his tiny brain.  We did the Loretta Bus Tour thru Santa Fe. So much history and art.  Beautiful day and it was Pride weekend so lots of festivities. If we ever make it back here, it will be for at least a week and that probably won't be enough time!

Hot times in New Mexico

We decided to move on after our cavern visit instead of staying another night at the Oliver Lee state park.  When we arrived at the park Wednesday night we were confused.   There was not a legitimate tree in site. Apparently this park resides in the chihuahuan desert. The camping sites are nice, the facilities are acceptable,  the view of the mountains is spectacular but it was extremely windy and hot.  97 degrees hot.  Note to self:  if you want to get to cooler weather do not stay in a desert.  Rating:***

Thursday morning we went to the White Sands National Monument.  This is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world.  275 square miles. The sand is cool to walk on but blinding to look at.  People sled down the dunes and there are trails thru out and tent camping is available too but who would ever do that is beyond me.  There is no water or trees.  And you get sand everywhere if you get my drift.  And it did look like snow drifts.  This bucket list item checked. 

We left the White Sands area and headed towards Santa Fe with the intention to stop for a night along the way.  There was absolutely nowhere to stop. Not. One. Campground. For over 250 miles! So we are in Santa Fe for the weekend and it's a good thing cause it looks like we'll be busy.  We are New Mexico rookies.  Time to change that.  

There is no excuse.

Not sure what our forefathers were thinking but why not break Texas up.  Getting thru Houston is like getting a root canal. You know you have to do it and it will be painful but there's no getting around it. But once it was over there is a sigh of relief.  We stayed on the other side of Houston at The Stephen Austin state park.  Beautiful park, lots of deer, quiet and they recycle.  Bathroom not so good.  The dead flies stuck to the windows helped keep the sun out but come on.  It's called Windex people.  Rating *** because of all the deer.

Tuesday we headed west thru San Antonio which wasn't a root canal, more a filling.  Thanks to GPS we got thru the outskirts just fine.  We headed west to Fort Stockton where we stopped for the nite.  The landscape coming here is rocky and desolate.  Would not want a breakdown here.  But the campground is decent and again the bathroom is a concern.  It's a hallway with four doors.  Kinda dark and scary.  Bug ratio down.  Still hot tho. And it appears they love their guns around here.  Yikes.  I think a ** is more than fair.

Wednesday morning we headed to Carlsbad Cavern in NM. We also drove into mountain time which is really throwing Mojo and DeDe for a loop.  No matter how many times we to try to explain it to them we keep getting the 'duh' look. I guess they're still hungry on Florida time.

We did the walking tour of the cavern after taking an elevator 750 down. It is hard to explain the formations and the work that went into the lighting and paths but it was well worth the visit.  And it was cool down there.  Finally. I wanted to camp down there with the bats. I would have fit right in.

Redneck Overload

We left our Florida home about 7 am Saturday morning and headed for Tallahassee. When left Cape Coral it was close to 80 degrees and as we headed north all I could think about was finding some cooler weather. It has been so hot this year, record breaking May. And with little rain there has been no chance for cooler temps. So we had to leave. Even tho we planned this trip last winter I just had a feeling. I've been known to be psychic or maybe it's psycho. Can't remember. We got to the Big Oak RV Park which apparently also is permanent home to about half the trailers. It's always a dead giveaway when the pit bulls are tied to the falling off step railing. But there was a great bathroom so this place got a fairly high rating. We will be rating each spot this time. Big Oak scored a ** out of ****. Anyplace with a nice restroom gets a slightly better rating. Especially if the toilets flush and dried toothpaste is only on the edge of the sink. Sunday we left 8 am and made it to Madisonville LA. Again it was very hot and the traffic thru Mobile AL was crazy. We had a little picnic at a rest stop near VanCleave MS where we found some other wiener lovers. We thought we were overboard. We stayed at the lovely Fairview Riverside State Park (sounds like a hospital right?) on the Tchefuncte River. I asked the clerk there 3 times how to pronounce it and still have no idea. But it was a quiet, well kept Park on the edge of a river no one can pronounce. The bathrooms were fair so we are giving this park a **1/2 rating and no recycling. We were a little disturbed by a couple of neighboring trailers that had a "Breaking Bad" appearance but who knows where Mr. White ended up. Right now we are sitting outside a McDonald's near Texas using their internet and taking a break. Rainy day in Louisiana but down to 70. I may need a jacket. So exciting. M

Here we go again😬😬😬

It's been a while since we dusted off the maps and agreed on a destination but I think it's a go.  After our travels last summer up to Minnesota, Ontario, Niagara Falls and beyond we decided to change directions with a new trailer.

Our travel trailer last year worked great. It pulled great, had everything we needed to stay comfortable but had no toilet.  At this stage it's kinda a big deal.  I don't have any problem crouching behind a tree or sneaking behind a building but midnights can be a little dicey. Gotta share the land with those little critters who get a little too close sometimes.

So after much searching we found a small unit with facilities.  Since we want to keep checking out this great country and beyond, we wanted something just a little bit better for those midnight trips.  Now two steps from the bed is my own personal throne.  So exciting.

Keep up with us as we head west. We are exploring new places in New Mexico, Colorado and another stop in my favorite place in America- Nashville.  ❤️❤️❤️

Come along and if you think there's a place we should see along the way, we are open to suggestions

Margaret😀