Amarillo and Winery Adventure

From Albuquerque we headed east again on I-40/ Route 66.  Much of Route 66 isn't drivable and the parts that are are considered "business routes".  We drove to Amarillo to the Bar Z Winery.  This  time I was smart enough to call ahead and be sure we could fit.  In this case I failed to ask directions.  I thought the info on the hosts site were sufficient. NOT.  We drove to the exit listed in the host's directions.  Once at the exit, there were no signs for the Bar Z Winery.  We drove until we found an area where there were people and began asking where the Bar-Z winery was.  No one had heard of it.  After about 30 minutes of asking I found someone who had an idea of where we were headed and gave me directions.  We arrived there around 4:00 in the afternoon. Met our host, Monty and got setup.  Monty was hosting a wedding and a lingerie party and was way to busy to spend much time with us. He was very gracious and we tasted a couple of wines.  He told us to take the bottle with us and we'd settle up later.  Monty recommended a great restaurant in Amarillo to which we went.  The Bracero Mexican Bar on 6th Street.  It was one of the best mexican meals we've had in quite sometime. It was right on Route 66.  Service was great and there was live music.  We had a most enjoyable evening.

The next day, we drove over to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  T and I went there back in 1988 when we were driving back from Florida after he retired.   We'd forgotten the name until we were in the area again. Palo Duro Canyon is the "Grand Canyon of Texas" and is considered the 2nd largest canyon in the United States.  It is 120 miles long and 800 feet deep.  It was beautiful.

Palo Duro Canyon
The Grand Canyon of Texas

We then drove to two "famous/infamous" locations. One the Cadillac Ranch, standing along Route 66 west of Amarillo.  It was invented and created by a group of art-hippies from San Francisco.  Their silent partner was Amarillo billionaire Stanley March III,  He wanted a piece of art work that would baffle the locals.  Ten caddies were half buried in the dirt.  They faced west in a line from the 1949 Club Sedan to the 1963 Sedan de Ville.  The other place was called Combine City.  Retired combine tractors were sunk at an angle in a remote field.  It's a spoof on Cadillac Ranch.  T definitely thought this was a neat display.

Cadillac Ranch- Amarillo TX

Combine City- Amarillo TX

Monty Dixon, owner of Bar Z Winery & T toasting "the  good life"

In the late afternoon we enjoyed time with Monty, tasting wines and hearing the story of how he got into the wine business.  He started making wines when he was twelve. His science teacher taught them how to make beer and it evolved into wine making.  In adulthood he's been both a cattle rancher and a wine maker.  He recently sold his cattle and now his primary avocation/vocation is wine making.  While chatting, he told us of a friend of his who owns a winery down near Wichita Falls and is also part of the Harvest Hosts group.    We decided on the spur of the moment to change directions and head to Wichita Falls.  We bid our farewells, bought a few bottles of wine and retired to our camper for the evening.

Albuquerque, NM - Diners,Drive-Ins and Dives & Roodfood.com

I recently discovered this membership club called Harvest Hosts. It's an organization of wineries, farms and wild life refuges that allow members to stay overnight for free in your self-contained RV.  They only ask that we stop and enjoy..  There is no obligation to make a purchase. Of course if the wine is good, I most definitely will make a purchase.  I found one on the route near Albuquerque, Anasazi Fields Winery.  Unfortunately, I failed to do what all the information told me to do, call ahead.  We drove about 15 miles out of our way only to find that it was down a very small winding road and the place was much too small for our rig.  I was smart enough to have T wait out on a road with a wide spot while I drove to the winery.  Once I found that we couldn't fit there, we headed into Albuquerque.

The drive into Albuquerque along Route 66 was interesting. It was kind of like a flash back to the past, like things used to be along the strip in Myrtle Beach.  On Friday, we went into Old Town Albuquerque thinking we would see some interesting old buildings and learn a little about Albuquerque.  Our GPS took us into the center of the University of New Mexico campus.  Wrong way Rhonda was at it again! We were looking for the Visitor’s Center.  After winding our way through campus we found Old Town and went straight to the visitor's center.  When I asked about a walking tour, they said, if we hurry we could catch the tour from the Albuquerque Museum. We rushed over, paid our fee and joined the tour, just before it left the building.  We were excited that we were able to catch the tour.  After about 30 minutes we were sadly disappointed.  The docent, was an architect and had no voice for being a docent.  He spoke softly and we could hardly hear him.  He was so boring that we left the tour after about 45 minutes.  He didn’t tell us anything about old Albuquerque.  All he talked about was pueblo buildings and how much fun they were.  NOT.  We did see an interesting tree that had a statue of  Our Lady of Guadalupe carved into it and

Our Lady of Guadalupe

San Felipe De Neri -Oldest church in Albuquerque

San Felipe De Neri, the oldest church in Albuquerque.  It has continuously served the community without interruption since 1706.

We wondered about a bit, bought some candy and since it was afternoon, decided to go to lunch at the Standard Diner.  The diner was featured  on the Diner’s, Drive-ins and Dives.  One of their specialties was a meatloaf sandwich wrapped in bacon.  Of course T wanted to try that. I had the Southwestern Couscous.  We both enjoyed our meal and T had enough to have for dinner.

We left there thinking we would go to the Nuclear Science Museum, but by 2:30 we were both worn out.  Instead we went to a place listed on Roadfood.com, La Michoacana De Paquime for desert and then headed home for a nap.  

Route 66 and New Mexico

After leaving Phoenix, we headed up to Cottonwood, AZ and spent three days at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.  Because, after having bronchitis, I have been unable to shake this dreaded cough,  we decided it was best to stay put for a few days and allow me to get well.

Of course my being run down couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that I haven't slowed down for the past two weeks.  As hard as it is for me to admit, I'm not as young as I used to be and my body doesn't bounce back like it used to.

Now having said(written) that, you really don't expect me not to visit with friends when they are in the area do you?

Our friends Ray & Jo Ann happened to be staying at Dead Horse Ranch when we pulled in, so we had drinks with them Sunday evening.  Our friend Gretta M, lives in Cottonwood, so we had dinner with her Monday night.  But beyond that I did nothing for three days.  I didn't take a long walk.  I didn't go hiking!  I didn't go shopping!  I did nothing.

We left Cottonwood on Wednesday and headed to Gallup, NM.   Our intent was to drive along Route 66 whenever I could.  T didn't want to take the RV on that road and I don't blame him.  Much of it is in disrepair.  Of course, those of you who know me, that didn't stop me.  I bounced on and off of Route 66, whenever I could.

Welcome to Winslow, AZ

Wigwam Inn, Holbrook, AZ

Red Rock Park, Gallup NM

The surface of Route 66 is really bad in some places.

On one stretch the road was terrible and I realized that I was going nowhere so decided to get back I-40.  I road around in a circle until I could find a place to get back on the Interstate.  I have to admit the scenery here in New Mexico is beautiful.

View along I-40 between Gallup and Albuquerque NM

Friends, Friends! Oh the catching up we are doing!

We arrived in Phoenix, Sunday, a few hours before our first get together with friends to celebrate our friend, Cleo M's retirement.

Monday afternoon, I met with my dear friend Karen P. It was great spending time with her and hearing about what's going on in her life. Monday night we had dinner with Cleo's son and his family along with Cleo's brother and his wife and continued the celebration of Cleo's retirement.

Tuesday afternoon, I met Heather M. for lunch and caught up on the happenings in her life. Tuesday evening we met Ray & Joann F., volunteer friends from Kartchner, for dinner at Miner's Camp restaurant. Great restaurant and great location. It sits at the base of the Superstition Mountains.

Superstition Mountains in Arizona

Jo Ann & Ray 

Wednesday, I had a 2 1/2 hour lunch with a couple of friends, whom I hadn't seen since last January. Since we couldn't coordinate timing so that we could get together at the same time I selected a restaurant, met with Karen T. then waited for Lynn P.  How great it was to see each of them and reconnect after a year. Later that afternoon friends came over for a visit and then we went to Filly's for dinner.

Thursday I met Marcia D. & Jan B. for lunch at the Phoenix Grill, another great restaurant. That evening I joined my old book club for their annual planning meeting. What great fun to see so many friends at once and hear about great books to read.

Saturday, we went over to Peoria to visit friends and spent the afternoon and evening catching up on the happenings in their lives.

Sunday, before heading out, we met Anthony & Belinda B for breakfast.  It's always special spending time with Anthony.

As you can tell I loved
the reconnections! Unfortunately, I was unable to see everyone.  To those of you I missed, please know you are in my thoughts.

T and I will have to go on a diet starting next week to get off the excess weight from all the dinning out this week.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

We pulled away from Kartchner Caverns yesterday with both glee and sadness in our hearts.  What an experience we've had these past 5 months!  I met so many neat people and learned so much.  We had evenings by the fire, sing alongs and potlucks.

On Friday  night about 17 volunteers went to a locally owned restaurant called Ray's.  It's both a bar and restaurant and every Friday and Saturday night they have a live country western band.  Our group took over the place.  We laughed and sang and enjoyed the Friday night fish fry.  Of course since we're all "elderly" we had to act like children.  Someone brought bubbles and we had a great time blowing bubbles all over the place.  What a fun way to have a farewell party!

We are currently in Phoenix, AZ.  We'll be here for the week.  It always feels WONDERFUL to be in Phoenix.  This is my home and no matter where I travel I love being here.

A Week of Bronchitis Yuk!

For the first time in my life, I've contracted bronchitis!  Wow! It's really knocked me on my but.  I came down with it last Sunday and after not getting any better decided, on Thursday, I'd better get to a clinic and find out what was going on.  I've been on antibiotics since.  I only worked one day and for only one tour all week.  I get exhausted after moving around or doing anything for more than a couple of hours and I have an awful cough. 

We'd planned to go over to Box Canyon today, after spending the morning at a bakery, but alas!  Brian called around 6:30 am, asking for help.  Sammy was running a fever and he needed someone to watch her.  So...  We are leaving on Sunday and only have a few days left to take advantage of spending time with her. 

My mom is in need of caregiving assistance.  I spoke with her doctor this morning and now need to make arrangements for her.  This will play into the time we had planned to take going across the US.  I'll keep you posted.

11 Days And Counting

We will be leaving Kartchner Caverns on April 14th, headed up to Phoenix for a week and then on to Cottonwood, AZ for a few days with friends and then "on the road again".  I can hardly wait!

Being a tour guide was an awesome experience! I learned more about geology than I thought possible and  I got to meet all kinds of people from all over the world.  Though I've loved our time here, 5 months is too long in one place.  We are more than ready to be on the road, seeing new places and meeting new people.

We plan to go across the US taking the middle route, following route 66 as much as possible until we get to Oklahoma City.  That should be fun and interesting and a little different.  Our plan is to end up in Myrtle Beach,SC sometime in May or June and then fly to England and spend some time with Thomas and his family and go on to Italy with them for a couple of weeks.  That is today's plan.  However, plans are subject to change, so who knows where and when we'll be anywhere.

For those of you who follow my blog, I hope to have more interesting things to tell you about and pictures to go with my stories.

100 year old Saguaro
Saguaro National Forest outside of Tucson, AZ