Thursday, April 04, 2013

CONGRESS AZ TO THE ROUTE 66 CASINO WEST OF ALBUQUERQUE NM

DSC_0005

ALL HOOKED UP WEDNESDAY NIGHT & READY TO RUMBLE IN THE MORNING

Thank you to everyone for your kind concern & warming comments these past few days.  Very much appreciated by Kelly & I & we are grateful to everyone .  And on behalf of my Aunt Jean in Florida I’d like to say how much all those comments about her brother Harry’s passing means to her.  Below is a photo of Kelly reading the comments as we head east on I-40 this morning.

DSC_0053

Many thoughts on my mind Wednesday night as Pheebs & I spent a last few minutes under a star studded Arizona night sky.   Took me back to campfires & summer Star Parties at the old Weenie Roast Ranch years ago.  Uncle Harry loved those star parties.  As I looked to the stars last night my mind was filled with memories of happier times.

DSC_0007

<<< A LAST MINUTE CHECK OF OUR COMPUTERS THIS MORNING

We were up about 4 a.m.  Browsed our computers for a bit & moved some last minute things to the rig.  After a quick check of the morning news I took our satellite TV dish down & stored it away in the shed.  Locked it up.  House locked, electricity off, & at 5:43 a.m. we were ready to go.  Water company will turn the water off today.  Under clear skies & a big canopy of Arizona stars we sadly & quietly slipped through our gate, turned right & headed down Ghost Town Road for home……..

IMG_0038

KELLY TURNS OFF THE ELECTRICITY TO THE HOUSE & AWAY WE GO

The little Sunseeker whipped us up the Yarnell Hill atop the Weaver Mountains like nobody’s business.  Watched Wickenburg’s shimmering lights off on the southern horizon fade into dawn as the valley fell away below us to the south.  We were well on our way.

DSC_0020 DSC_0022

SUNRISE HEADING FOR PRESCOTT:))

DSC_0014 DSC_0017

A BIT OF CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE WAY BUT WE WERE EARLY ENOUGH FOR NO DELAYS

An hour into our trip found us making our way along winding roads & Pine forests west of Prescott Arizona.   This was our third time using this route so we knew where we were going as we skipped around the north end of Prescott heading for Interstate-40 another hours drive away.

DSC_0025

HEADING NORTH THROUGH THE CHIMO VALLEY

Today’s journey was basically a carbon copy of last year’s first day on the road.  Stopped at the same gas station & McDonalds in the Chimo Valley.  Climbed aboard the Interstate at Ash Fork & hung a right for Flagstaff Arizona passing by the majestic partially snow covered San Francisco Peaks.  A quick pit stop at a Rest Area east of Flagstaff & we were back on the road.

DSC_0029 DSC_0032 

ROLLING ON BY THE SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS

So pleased with how well the Sunseeker performed today.  Been many years since I drove anything new & what a pleasure it was today cruising along the Interstate in a nice new well heeled machine.  Setting the cruise control at 60mph the onboard computer told us we averaged 12.5 miles per gallon.  Always enjoyed driving our Damon Motorhome but noticed today the Class C Sunseeker did not tire me as much as the larger rig did. 

DSC_0036

REST STOP AREA EAST OF FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA

DSC_0034 DSC_0048

My goal today was the Route 66 Casino parking lot west of Albuquerque New Mexico & we made that destination at 4 p.m. this afternoon Arizona time in a short 460 miles.  Same place we stopped on our homeward trek the past 2 years.  Big well lit parking lot & lots of room.    Probably a dozen rigs here for the night.

DSC_0057

NOTICE HOW WE KEEP OUR DISTANCE FROM THE OTHER RIGS WHICH ARE ALL BUNCHED TOGETHER

DSC_0056 DSC_0060

IT WAS A GREAT TRAVEL DAY WITH CLEAR SKIES & WARM TEMPERATURES AS KELLY CATCHES A FEW RAYS & CATCHES UP ON A LITTLE READING

We learned a lot from our short shakedown cruise to Borrego Springs a month ago.  That was why it was a shakedown cruise & that is why it was short.  From lessons learned we are definitely more comfortable this time out but for sure the dinette set-up still has to go!!

DSC_0042

DSC_0039 DSC_0038

DSC_0045

A FEW PICS ON OUR WAY THROUGH NEW MEXICO

DSC_0049 DSC_0050

DSC_0054

OUR DESTINATION TODAY ON THE RIGHT, THE ROUTE 66 CASINO PARKING LOT

As we drove along today Kelly & I talked about Uncle Harry being gone & how it just doesn’t seem to be real.  Having not seen Harry since late last October & being so far away all winter it just seems like Harry will still be there sitting in his chair waiting for Pheebs to slip up beside him & nuzzle his sleeping arm.  We will slip down to see Harry just like we always did.  I understand the reality but somehow we just are having a little trouble accepting it…….

DSC_0061

We will roll out early in the morning & I will look forward once again to cresting a section of I-40 atop a ridge just west of Albuquerque & seeing the whole city ahead & below laid out like a sea of glittering diamonds.  We’ll skip through Albuquerque well before the morning rush & climb ourselves up into the San Pedro Mountains well before old Sol slowly slides his way up over the eastern horizon:))

DSC_0063    

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A man comes home and finds his house on fire. He rushes next door, telephones the fire department and shouts, "Hurry over here. My house is on fire."  "OK," replies the fireman, "how do we get there?"
"Shucks," says the caller. "Don't you fellers still have those big red trucks?"

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

20 comments:

  1. Glad to hear your rig is preforming so well. We will hold the fort down here in Congress, If you remember anything you forgot to do or need done at your house,, just holler. Would be glad to go over and do something or check it out if you need it...OK?
    Travel safe,,,, Kind makes me want to get out there and go!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Safe Travels. Sorry for your lose, I always enjoyed your posts about your visits to your Uncle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nothing quite like a puppy kiss to make everything seem better!

    Safe travels tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A nice, yet uneventful day through some gorgeous country. Glad this rig is nice to drive. Harry will always be with you. Safe drive tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete

  5. Glad the trip is underway .... Looked like a beautiful day ...
    Got a chuckle out of the dinette removal conformation !!!! It has just got to goooooo ...... Know what you mean about trying to realize and believe you won't be visiting Uncle Harry upon your return ..... That's tough, takes time and even then seems like it is not real .... For me one of life's hurdles ..... Have a great travel day tomorrow .... Enjoy the journey .... Love the " road photos "....

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so sorry you have another sad trip home. We'll all miss Uncle Harry. Your memories are precious and look forward as feel able to write.

    Safe travels.

    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have done that same route a few times, its a nice drive but takes a long time.
    Travel safe there and glad you are enjoying your new rig.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The feeling of being underway and on the road, excitement, newness, what's around the next bend -- I love it and know it so well. Great posting, Al!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sorry to hear of your Uncle Harry's passing. Perhaps knowing that although you couldn't be there at the end, you and Kelly can be comforted knowing that you did everything possible to make him happy and safe while he was here.

    Wishing you safe travels. I have enjoyed your posts all winter and look forward to sharing in your summer adventures to come!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was wondering if your smaller rig would be more comfy to drive...Have a safe trip..How did you get all that stuff in the Sunseeker?? A car top carrier??? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. safe travels to you, Bayfield Bunch..safe travels! enjoy the views out the new winshield!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So sad for u guys...loved when u guys visited with him..he seemed like such a wonderful person..I know he is in your hearts. I remember following last year when little motormouse passed and now u have this to deal with again going home..my heart is sad for u..Take care driving and looking forward to your summer at home.

    ReplyDelete

  13. Glad you are having decent weather, and that you are enjoying driving the Sunseeker. Take care driving.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'll soon be in a RV Park on that ridge (Nine Mile Hill) for a month. Stayed there during September of 2011 and walked down the Hill in the very early morning hours when all the lights of Albuquerque were sparking up and down the Rio Grande Valley. A grand sight!

    Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Moving right along...Life on the highway...
    I bet all thoughts of your Casa in Congress are fading out of your mind.
    New adventures await you in Bayfield.
    Have you been checking that TV gizmo to see if the Jeepster is still back there?
    Safe Travels.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So nice to see you on the road again, even if it is a bit bittersweet. Loved that great photo of the new Sunseeker with the Jeep in tow. Looked really nice, and I am glad it is working so well for you. I would say that 12.5 mpg is pretty darn good! We only get about 9 with the Dynamax and I think our two rigs are about the same size. Ours is a Ford 450

    ReplyDelete
  17. You shared so much about Uncle Harry that we felt like you, he was a member of the family. It is good that you wrote about him and have so many great photos. Treasures to last you for a long, long time.

    ReplyDelete
  18. We're following your trip all the way home - enjoying all the photos - it's been awhile since we were out that way - so we sure do appreciate your postings! The pics of Pheebs are so darn cute. Love your Sunseeker - looks really compact and neat. We lost a dear friend this week, too - it is hard - but enjoy the best you can.
    Barry & Connie in PA

    ReplyDelete