THE JOURNEY FROM TEXAS TO ARIZONA!

Once we left the Escapees park in Livingston, TX we made our way Northwest on I-287.  We stopped for the night in Wichita Falls, TX for the night.  Again by the highway, a train track and Wichita Falls is the home of Sheppard AFB (that means Jet Airplanes flying over head).  At least the two nights we stayed, there were no jets flying those nights. 

We stayed an extra night because we met a really neat couple from Colorado, Nancy and Bill.  We explored Wichita Falls with them.  We went into the Historic Downtown area and looked around all of the antique shops, saw the smallest skyscraper, and went to the local Historical Society Museum.  The guide was the nicest older gentleman.  He escorted us through the Museum and was very proud of all of the exhibits.  It is the kind of place you wouldn’t normally go, but since we were with Bill and Nancy we just happened into the place.

Here are a few pictures of the Wichita Falls Historical Society Museum:




The Oil Rig Room



The Hat Room

 











The Ship Room with Bill, Jim and Our Host



After bidding a fond farewell to Nancy and Bill and agreeing to keep in touch, we left on Saturday and traveled to Tucumcari, NM. On our way through Texas we saw a wind farm with acres and acres of wind generators.

Texas Wind Farm

We got in a bit early in Tucumcari and decided to check out the little town.  It was on the original Route 66.  There were lots and lots of Motels in that town, but because of the economy or the fact not many people stop there nowadays, a large majority of them were closed and boarded up.  So sad!! We missed visiting that museum; it closed an hour prior to our arrival, darn!

The legend of Tucumcari is that the Apache Chief, Wautonomah, knew he was going to die and wanted to choose a successor.  He chose two of the finest braves, Tonapah and Tocom.  He told them to fight to the death and the survivor would become chief and win the hand of his daughter, Kari.  Kari was in love with Tocom.  During the fight Tonapah killed Tocom and Kari rushed in and killed Tonapah and herself.  The Chief was brought to the scene, he was heartbroken and seizing Kari’s knife plunged the knife into his heart, with his last dying breath cried in agony “Tocom-Kari”. The scene of the tragedy is now the legendary “Tucumcari Mountain”.

How’s that for a history lesson?  Sorry, didn’t think to take picture of the mountain.

The next day we set off for Arizona. We really didn’t know how long we would drive but we just drove until Jim was tired of driving.  We passed through the rest of New Mexico and on into Arizona.

What we like most of the trip was the wide open land and the BLUE SKYS.

New Mexico country

We ended up stopping at Greer’s Pine Shadows campground in Flagstaff, AZ.  The campground was in a stand of Ponderosa Pine.  Very shaded and a lovely campground.

Flagstaff, AZ  Ponderosa Pines

Arizona Country

We left Flagstaff and only had 2 hours to drive to get to our final destination…Cousin Bob’s!!!!!  After we turned off of the Highway, Jim had warned me of the condition of the forth coming road, he went really, really slow, which was a good thing!

Road leading to Cousin Bob's property

What was really funny, there are actual street signs on the dirt road to get to Cousin Bob’s.  The county actually maintains the road by grading them at least once a year!  He is out in the absolute middle of nowhere!

We have arrived at our destination!!!!  This place maybe out in the middle of nowhere but it is really neat.  It is so peaceful.  The sky is so blue. The lack of noise is deafening!!!

This is where Bob lives!!

We have found a spot to park the camper and settle in for the time we spend here.  Close enough to Bob’s house to walk, but far enough away for privacy.

Boondocking- in rare form!!!

Were home!! (Temporarily)

Safe Travels and Stay Healthy

Jim and Barb Denning