Up Early on Day One

Day one in VDO started earlier than we were planning. We forgot about the AZ time change and were well into the news before realizing it was actually 6 am and not 7 am. There is lots to do today, but basically we're organized.

Yesterday's adventure was one we will not forget anytime soon. We went south from Albuquerque on Hwy 25 as planned, and then headed west on Hwy 60. Here's the route. From Kingston, we made four major turns, highway 60 was the last, it took us right to Mesa.

What appears simple enough on a map proved anything but in reality. The first 250 miles ranged from desert range to steep climbs and pine forests. It was anything but dull, but it was also lonely. Long stretches without seeing another vehicle. Not a place for a breakdown (you should have seen Judy's face when I brought this up). At times we exceeded 8,000 feet in altitude, our ears were popping. We crossed the Continental Divide.

We Can Hear You

What we found really interesting were celestial listening dishes all pointing to space and running for miles, all in a nice straight row across the desert plains. All pointing in the same direction (approximately south).

There is so much to say about the miles along this route, but we'll summarize by saying the desert is far from boring.

Example: Show Low. Yep, this is actually a place, and we fortunately topped our fuel tank, because we were about to embark on some serious climbing.

This is the desert!

Having traveled the Cabot Trail a few times, I thought I had seen steep climbs, but it was nothing like what we found for about the next 100 miles west of Show Low, Arizona. We were now getting the message on why the route west on Hwy 60 was sans trucks hauling camping trailers.

Judy was not fussy on the heights, tight turns, and steep terrain. She did say at least once, let's get out of here. I've posted a photo, maybe it will give you some idea just how challenging this highway is. Of course, if you're from the area you take it in stride, we found it challenging for sure. There was no wind, the roads were not icy, the skies were clear, and look how we're talking.  

Warning: don't try this route in bad weather. Also, be sure your vehicle is okay with high climbs and steep drops - you need good brakes.

We traveled over 2,800 miles, and the most exciting were the final 400. When we got in yesterday afternoon, pleasantly tired and happy the trip was over. For those of you out there who worry about The Coach - The Coach did fine, but I do plan to have the brakes checked.

Closing in on Mesa - Day Six

So far on this trip we've made just two major turns. Today, we'll make our final turns onto Hwy 25, south to Hwy 60, which will take us to Mesa. Here's the route.

Hard to believe we've come this far (over 2,300 miles) without a GPS. Turn one was Hwy 401 onto I-81. We stayed on that until Knoxville, TN. Right turn at Knoxville onto I-40, and here we are in Albuquerque, NM.

For now, breakfast at Camp Hampton kitchen, and then off we go. More later.

Albuquerque in Sight

The closer we get to Albuquerque the warmer it gets. Judy is driving, I'm updating the blog, and answering email.

I am using the word Albuquerque as many times as I can, so I might actually be able to type it at some point without a bunch of typos.

It was certainly cool when we departed Elk City this morning, and it didn't change much across Texas or the east end of New Mexico. This is the cold air, which is heading east to eventually collide with Hurricane Sandy. So says the Weather Channel. What I can tell you for free -  it's definitely cold out here. Try 28 F this morning. Be prepared everyone. Are we ready for winter?

Entering Texas around 9 am this morning I was humming Amarillo by Morning. I love this song, and especially as we find Amarillo by Morning.

Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone.
Everything that I've got is just what I've got on.
When that sun is high in that Texas sky
I'll be bucking at the county fair.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo I'll be there. 

For those who don't know north Texas along I-40, it can be described in one word: FLAT. Flat, but with farming. Farming, and sometimes cattle. Somewhere, there are also ranch homes, but you rarely see them from the highway, but you do see massive entrances (gates) and then nothing. Since you can see for at least 25 miles you wonder how far these ranchers have to drive to get out to the highway! I'm reminded of Dallas (the TV series).

New Mexico in the east is flat, but it soon turns to hills, big hills. It is also desert, and now there are no more farms. This is the land government settlement people gave the first nations people in exchange for putting their bows away. This was before our time. We are much more generous, we give them our old cars and trailers.

Over the years, when Judy has been seeking my counsel on things, she has asked where old trailers go to die. I guess she is thinking, where do we send our trailer when the time comes! I'm thinking NM along Hwy 40...where the other ones are. I wonder who these folks are voting for? Will four more years change their lives?

Speaking of Judy, I have just patiently explained that sometimes we let off on the gas a little when we get big hills, so that we don't take two mile hills in passing gear. Even the big trucks don't go full speed up big hills, I explain. I know she finds my driving advice helpful.

I'm having to drop this post suddenly because we are apparently changing drivers. :-)

Comments Update

It seems like allowing comments has caused frustration for people reading this blog, just too many steps I guess, so it wasn't working. If you have comments, please send them via email to me, and I'll include them on upcoming posts.
We're about to get breakfast, pack the van, turn off the Weather Channel and head for Albuquerque.

Territory we traveled just a few days is now under weather attack, which will include major snow in some areas (West VA, VA, PA). Fall and winter travel is all about luck, but it's certainly something we watch closely on the road, and when necessary alter our route to avoid problems. We plan, but we stay flexible. Our computer and the Weather Channel are our major source of weather advisories.

Good luck to everyone on the east coast, Hurricane Sandy looks like the real deal.