April 30, 2006 - Lake Powell, AZ - Grand Canyon, AZ

Today we took our time getting ready for our next destination into the Grand Canyon. On our way, we had a little bit of rain just outside of Page, AZ. Johnny and I were talking about how fortunate we have been during this trip as far as the weather. We arrived at the Desert View entrance of the Grand Canyon around 3:00pm. We are still 30 miles from where we are staying the next couple of days in the Grand Canyon. Since we are not coming back out the way we came in, we decided it would be best to stop at the vista points along the way. WOW!!!! This place has amazing breath taking views.


Navajo Point

Lipan Point

Moran Point

Grandview Point

Our destination is the South Rim which is the most popular region of the canyon. The north rim seems to more isolated and harder for us to get to. We stayed at Trailer Village which is the only RV Park in the South Rim with full hookups.

Taylor at the Grand Canyon
We were some what surprised that we could not get cell phone service, but not surprised with no internet service. After we settled Taylor into his spot, we drove into town and saw the Grand Canyon movie presented in IMAX. This film is the most view IMAX film ever, and we can see why. Some of the scenes make you feel like you are flying though the canyon, it was really cool. This saved us a lot of money from having to take the helicopter trip through the Grand Canyon.

April 29, 2006 - Mesa Verde, CO - Lake Powell, AZ

Left Mesa Verde for our ultimate destination of Lake Powell in Arizona. But, first we had to stop at the four corners. The “Four Corners”, is where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet. After talking to a Native Najavo Indian at the Four Corner, he provided us with valuable scenic information in getting to Lake Powell. And of course, I had to buy some jewelry from him.




Let me tell you, the scenic route was awesome. Johnny and I could not believe the rock formations and colors, especially in Utah.

Below are phots of Monument Valley




We arrived at Lake Powell, AZ., very late in the afternoon at the Lake Powell RV Park. It struck Johnny’s interest when he found out there was a golf course near by. So, we went to the golf course to check out the fees and the scenery. Fees where reasonable, but what you are paying for is the view of the Glen Canyon and Lake Powell. We headed out to the visitors center which was closed. Nearby is the Glen Canyon Dam. From the bridge that crosses Lake Powell looking down into the dam is approx. 500 feet. “Glen Canyon Dam is the key storage unit in a far-reaching water development plan called the Colorado River Storage Project. When the dam was completed and Lake Powell was formed in 1963, the irregular flows of the Colorado River were brought under control. The now-steady flow from the dam and Lake Powell makes water developments possible throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin and provides a regulated supply of water to meet downstream commitments.”; information provided from http://www.desertusa.com/gc/gcd/du_glencaydam.html. The views are spectacular.

April 28, 2006 - Mesa Verde, CO

Today we went on a guided tour of the Cliff Palace which is to have been the largest cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde. The park reflects more than 700 years of history. What we toured represented the Classic Pueblo Period (A.D. 1100-1300). The natives of this area were given several names, i.e.: Anasazi, Basketmakers, and Puebloans to name a few. Our ranger referred to them as “The People”, because nobody really knows where they originated. In the late 1200s within the span of one or two generations, they left their homes and moved away. They can only guess as to why they moved. Either drought, easier way of life, and or depleted their food source.

Photos of Cliff Palace



Kiva (Kee-vah) - (ceremonial room)

We continued on to the Spruce Tree House which is the third largest cliff dwelling and visited the Museum. We ended our day with several hundred pictures and lots of walking on our legs.



Underground Kiva

April 27, 2006 - Chaco Nat'l Park - Mesa Verde, CO.

After our continental breakfast, we ran a few errands than headed to Chaco National Park. This park was recommended to us by our neighbor Brian. We knew that 16 miles of the 21 miles was going to be dirt road, so we thought we would give it a shot since it was dry weather.


But, when we got to the dirt portion, we started down it and the road was to rough (washboard), for Big Red and Taylor. So, we turned around and decided to head to our next destination, Mesa Verde, CO.

16 Miles to go on a road that Red and Taylor would not be happy to travel on

We arrived late at Mesa Verde RV Park which is ½ mile away from the park entrance. We drove to entrance and the ranger told since it was so late, we would be better off in just doing the rim loop, which is 6 mile loop with several view point of cave dwelling, canyon views and exhibits. The park was so beautiful; we took a ton of photo, too many to put in this blog.

Mesa Verde (Green Table)

Vista View

Fire Temple

Oak Tree House

Sunview Point

April 26, 2006 - Albuquerque, NM

The weather this morning in Palo Duro canyon was clear skies with temperature in the mid 40’s and will warm up to 70 degrees. Today we traveled to Albuquerque, NM. On our way we stopped at Cadillac Ranch. Here is where a farmer has buried 10 Cadillac’s into his fields. If you are interested in seeing these Cadillac’s, it’s just west of Amarillo, TX on I-40 exit 62A.



After about 300 or so miles, we have arrived in Albuquerque, NM. We stayed at the American RV Park just west of Albuquerque. Johnny and I think this is the BEST RV Park we have stayed in thus far. They just about got it all. They have afternoon FREE Popcorn, internet service, FREE continental breakfast, paved RV spots, pool, and great customer service and priced very reasonable.


Town of Albuquerque

Red and Taylor resting at American RV Park

April 25, 2006 - Weatherford, OK - Palo Duro Canyon, TX.

This morning we woke up to very cold and windy conditions. The local bank showed the temperature of 40 degrees. Can you believe a 50 degree drop in temperature from yesterday? Across from where we stayed the night is a restaurant named The Mark Restaurant, I went in to get us some coffee, while discussing the weather with the cashier who asked where I was from, proceeded to letting me know he was from Santa Cruz, CA. He is originally from Weatherford, OK, and was based at Fort Ord in the 50’s. They resided in Santa Cruz and over the years they acquired 4 homes and 3 businesses there. One of the businesses which some of you may be familiar with was The Snow White drive-in on Mission Street, which is now a Chinese restaurant. Since moving back to Weatherford, OK, he is now part owner of The Mark Restaurant. Of course we had to have breakfast there. We were very surprised in finding out how cheap this place was. Full breakfast for $3.49, included: 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns or grits, toast or biscuits & gravy. The food was awesome. While at the restaurant we overheard someone talking about a tornado that touched down just west of Oklahoma City in a town called El Reno. We are so glad we drove through to Weatherford, because El Reno is only 50 miles east of us.

We drove to Clinton, OK to the Route 66 Museum. The museum displays a lot of history of route 66. It was very surprising to Johnny, when he found out the 85% of the highway is still being used. For those that didn’t know (like me), the highway goes from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA pier.

Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK

Father of Route 66

Sweet 55 Belair Sport Coupe


1940 Ford Model 66 Custom Convertible

On our way to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX., we pulled off into some areas of Rte 66 for photo ops.






Our overnight stay was at Palo Duro RV Park. After setting up Taylor in his spot we drove to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which is the Grand Canyon of Texas. The canyon exposes 250 million years of geological formations. There are campgrounds and cabins you can rent within the park. We drove the 16 mile loop from the rim to the bottom of the canyon. They also have several miles of hiking and biking trails within the canyon.


Palo Duro Canyon

Sorenson Point

View from canyon floor
The park has an amphitheatre, which is home to a musical drama “Texas”, and performed every year beginning in June.


Backdrop for the musical drama


Amphitheatre

I have wanted a picture on a Texas Longhorn, and wouldn’t you know it, there were two of them in the park. My digital camera battery died, BUT, I had a back up disposable camera and was able to get my pictures. Sorry, no picture for the blog.

April 24, 2006 - HSV - Weatherford, OK

We would like to thank Steve and Landy again for their wonder hospitality.
Our ultimate destination today is to get as close to Clinton, OK as possible. Well, we did good. We stayed in Weatherford, OK, 15 miles east of Clinton. When we arrived the temperature was 90 plus degrees and very windy. By night fall it was about 50 degrees and still very windy. We had heard that there were going to be thunderstorm with possibility of tornadoes in the Oklahoma City area, which is 75 miles east of us.

April 23, 2006 - Hot Springs Village, AR

WOW!! The temperature is rising quickly. It was an early morning back out on the lake.
Both Landy and I went skiing. Steve drove, while Johnny took pictures. Johnny took mostly video of our skiing, so you will have to come visit us to see the video of Landy and I single skiing.

Landy popped up just like a cork. Unlike me....it took me about 5 times of face plants in the water to get me up.



After skiing, we went to the marina for drinks and appetizer’s. We than went back out on the lake and Landy and I played in the water.




We ended our evening with dinner out on there deck overlooking the lake.