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We did not have a lot of food supplies in the van this morning so we decided to pack up early and have breakfast in downtown Taos.

A delicious breakfast at Michael’s Kitchen and then a lovely walk around the old town.  The Pueblo architecture is amazing.

Back on the road and we travelled through the beautiful mountains of the Carson National Forest and continued to follow the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

A short break in Costilla to refuel and gather essential food supplies and then we crossed the border into Colorado.

Our next stop, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado. The sand dunes are nestled in against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  They are North America’s tallest dunes and are formed by erosion from the mountains. We walked from the visitor’s center to the base of the dunes (base camp as Pete called it) and the scenery was spectacular. You can, if you have the energy, climb to the top of the dunes. I bet the view would be wonderful.

Back in the motorhome for lunch and then onto the UFO watchtower.

UFO watchtower you say. Don’t you know they have had over 200 recorded sightings in this valley alone and the guide advised us she has seen 14 of these unbelievable sightings.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Poor Pete thought he was going to see some form of a NASA watchtower…

The scenery has changed dramatically throughout our journey today. From arid countryside to greener mountains, farms, ranches (lots), crops, cattle, horses, sand dunes, small towns, Alpine Tundra crossing the road, circular crops due to circular irrigation machinery (UFO landings?) and beautiful scenery after beautiful scenery.

We went through the small towns of Questa (New Mexico), San Luis (Oldest town in Colorado), Fort Garland, Blanca, Hooper, Del Norte and our destination tonight, South Fork. It still feels like we are in wild, west country.

Our campsite in South Fork is nestled in the Rocky Mountains and lies on the junction of the South Fork and Rio Grande River in Rio Grande County.

Time to set up our campsite, the boys had a play outside and then out to dinner down the road at the Old Firehouse.

Another extremely enjoyable day.

Hello, anybody here?

Selfies

RV Park

Walking to Dinner

Colorado RVing

Cool Shades

This is OK!

Leaving Taos

Always taken from a deck chair…

Dinner at the Old Firehouse

San Luis

I hope they don’t really look like this

Noah and Wes

Contact

Fort Garland

Circular Crops

Cuties

Having Fun

Lots of Ranches

Amazing Landscapes

Welcome to Colorado

Is there anybody out there…

Dancing Brothers

More fun!

Sand Dunes

Pueblo Style Houses

Brothers

Just stunning

Michael’s Kitchen

Pueblo Obsessed

Cutie!

Alien Noah

Great Sand Dunes National Park

UFO Watchtower

Are you a believer?

Wildflowers

Today’s Road Trip

Walking from base camp

Playing Go Fish

Fishing?

Up, about and off early to our next stop…

And, the sun is out.

We drive out of Santa Fe through the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Jemez Mountains to our first stop, the Bandelier National Monument.

After parking the motorhome we took the 20 minutes shuttle bus to the park and then a 1.5-mile walk, meandering through the canyon looking at the ancestral Puebloan ruins and cave dwellings. We could even climb a ladder into several of the small caves and the wilderness was breathtaking.

Back on the shuttle bus and on our return to the motorhome, we had a quick snack before driving the beautiful country roads to the El Santuario de Chimayo, a Roman Catholic Church in Chimayo, New Mexico. It is known as the ‘Lourdes of America’ and is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world as well as known for it’s healing dirt.

The church was beautiful, set amongst the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Chimayo.

We all said a prayer and Wes purchased the healing dirt.

We drove on so many roads today… 23, New Mexico 503, 285N, 567E, 68 and lots, lots more…

The quiet roads were filled with gorgeous rammed earth or ‘pueblo’ style houses and as we got closer to Taos, the countryside change again, and although it was still arid, it became a lot greener.

Back on the road and our next tourist stop, the Earthship Sustainable Subdivision just outside of Taos.  The houses in the subdivision are all built with natural and recycled materials, solar/thermal heating and cooling, solar and wind electric power, water harvesting, contained sewage treatment and their own food production. The community comprises 650 acres of rolling mesa, featuring beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. It was amazing.

Note: The wind here is almost as strong as Geraldton…

Next, a stop and photo at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (I got vertigo and wanted out of there, Pete and Noah got selfies) and then onto our final destination for the day, the town of Taos. Again, set at the bottom of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The campsite tonight, Taos Valley RV Park.

Out for dinner just down the road from the RV Park at Antonio’s, a taste of Mexico (and did not have a clue what churros were) and then ready for a good nights sleep before our next day of adventure.

It really does feel like we are in the wild, wild west here.

Waiting for the shuttle

Climbing into the cave dwellings

Recycled Materials

Bandelier National Monument

Puebloan Ruins

National Park

1.5-Mile Loop

Amazing Scenery

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Driving, Driving

Walking the trail

Exploring More Caves

Cactus!

Our Bus

Road Tripping

Beautiful Church

Leaving Santa Fe

Sustainable Housing

Up they go…

Church Grounds

Climbing to high altitudes

New Mexico Houses

More Buildings…

Father and Son

On the shuttle

El Santuario de Chimayo

‘Lourdes of America’

Taos Valley RV Park

Really, another photo…

Monuments

Inside the sustainable house

More driving…

A play in the RV park

Chimayo

Taos

Welcome

Anotonio’s for Dinnner

More Ruins

Pueblo Style Houses

Earthship Sustainable Subdivision

Dinner

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Don’t look down…

Today’s Road Trip

An easy day in Santa Fe today.

We spent the early morning doing school work, washing and computer catch up.

The rain is supposed to set in again at around 2 pm this afternoon.

At about 9.30 am we decided to walk along the main street that runs from our motorhome into downtown Santa Fe to a second-hand bookshop.  We need to get some paper books for Noah and Wes to read.

A short stop at a supermarket for some sushi and a BBQ chicken snack and then over to the bookshop.

We found a great array of books for the boys and I also managed to find myself a couple. Including an Enid Blyton Famous Five, I still love reading those books.

I convinced the boys (all of them) to walk back, Noah and Wes were not happy.

Another quick stop at a supermarket closer to the campground for some essentials (bread and dinner) and then back to the motorhome for more school work, computer work and Pete teaching the boys Black Jack.  They might be ready by the time we get to Vegas…

The afternoon was spent indoor listening to the rain, thunder, lightning, and hail.

Walking to the book shop

Pete planning our next spot

Are we there yet?

Hi Noah!

It’s Hailing…

Cards anyone?

Santa Fe Suburbs

Traditional Motel

Last night, after looking at the weather conditions, Pete discovered Santa Fe was expecting severe thunderstorms after midday. Heck, we even got a pre-alert on the phone.

Therefore, he had us up and ready to go early to hit the road. Even at 5.30 am, he was telling me to get up and get ready. I gave the morning run amiss, he was a man on a mission.

It was only when we were about to leave and he asked the time that we discovered Pete was an hour ahead of himself.  Yesterday we had an hours time change, Pete had forgotten about this.

Not to worry, at least we had departed early and hopefully, we will be at our destination and all set up before the storm hits.

Today’s destination, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The second oldest city founded by European colonists in the USA and the oldest capital.

The countryside on our drive was stunning, it really does feel like we are driving through Northern Western Australia.  Just slightly bigger roads, oh, and a bit more traffic AND huge truck stops…but the scenery is similar.

Trying to beat the weather, I have a feeling we will not be doing a lot of stopping…

Travelling on busy interstate 40 we bypassed the town of Santa Rosa and then the rain begins, luckily it was not too heavy.

Soon we were driving though bigger mountains and higher altitude. Off Interstate 40, onto Highway 285, 25, 278 and finally we arrived into Santa Fe.

Santa Fe’s setting is beautiful, amongst the Sangre de Cristo foothills and with pueblo-style architecture.

Our campsite tonight is Los Suenos de Santa Fe RV Park & Campground.

After setting up camp we caught the local 2 bus into Downtown Historic Santa Fe.

There were certainly some crazy cats on the number 2 bus…

On our arrival, we walked around the old town which was very picturesque and Spanish, with a beautiful Piazza and church, but something was missing, it felt like it was missing its soul…

A delicious lunch at Coyote Cafe and Rooftop Cantina and then back at the bus station, waiting for our crazy bus.

The bus ride did not disappoint. There was an argument between a man and a woman before we even boarded (thank goodness they did not get on the number 2) and the passengers (and animals) that got on and off were….interesting…

On this trip to the USA , I have become a big fan of Walmart but I must say, most of these interesting passengers got off at Walmart…

Back to the motorhome and we spent the afternoon with washing and school work before it started to get dark outside. An evening inside for the Browns today.

Spanish Piazza and locals selling craft

Pueblo-style architecture

Stunning Buildings

Wessy

Beautiful Buildings

Today’s Road Trip

Saint Francis Cathedral

Los Suenos de Santa Fe RV Resort

Lunch

Approaching Santa Fe

Another photo??

Bus Number 2

Downtown Santa Fe

Leaving Tucumcari

Sun before the rain

Weather coming in…

Love the colours

Historic Santa Fe

Waiting for the bus

Drink?

Brothers

Our Cowboy Cadillac driver told us last night that it has been threatening to rain all week but always bypasses Amarillo (sounds like Geraldton). The farmers really need the rain.

Well, the sky’s opened up during the night and rain it did. And, it became very cool, a chilly 11 degrees, that was a bit unexpected.

I won’t be sad to say goodbye to the trains that tooted all night.

We have decided to explore some more of the Amarillo area and then later in the day drive towards the New Mexico border.

Back on the road and our first stop, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. A small detour on the way to refuel and Walmart stock (the friendliest Walmart, ever).

Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment and is the second largest in the country.  It was amazing with the beautiful red and orange colours against the blue sky.  Again, it reminded us of Australia, particularly with the red dirt, oh, and the bull ants, that kept us inside the motorhome at lunch.

Next, to the Amarillo City Historic District.  We parked the motorhome and then as we walked away we realised it was right next door to a cash converter type premises.  The type of clientele outside did not leave us confident we would return to a camper with all tyres intact.

Even walking down the main street we felt uneasy. After about 10 minutes and a couple of photos, we decided to turn back and high tail it out of there.  That was our exploration of Amarillo’s Center City Historic District.

Back on the Interstate 40 road again.

The scenery was beautiful, ranches, cattle, horses, wheat fields windmills, farmhouses…

Finally, back on Old Route 66 and a stop at the tiny town of Vega. Everything was closed. We still had a lovely walk around.

The Route 66 road in these areas appears deserted.  The towns are also quiet and somewhat run down…

We did not spend a lot of time in Texas but what we saw we loved.  I did get the jumper.

Back on the Interstate, bypassing towns such as Adrian and then across the border into New Mexico.

The scenery has changed again, open plains with tabletop hills. Still very arid.

Our destination today is Tucumcari, New Mexico (Cactus RV Park). Another quiet town on Historic Route 66. Lots of art deco buildings and murals, many of them run down or derelict.

After setting up camp we went for a walk down the historic main street.  Nothing opens on a Sunday, today is Sunday.

Simple dinner in the motorhome, a lovely day again.

Beautiful Countryside

Palo Duro Canyon

Amarillo’s Historic District

Gorgeous Murals

Let’s get out of here…

It’s a bit cold

Back on the road…

Our lunch spot

Historic Towns

Think we’ll take the motorhome

Motel?

Mooooo

Art Deco Buildings

More Murals

Windmills!

Walking the main street

Welcome to New Mexico

Just Stunning

Historic Amarillo

Little Walk

Tucumcari, Route 66

Vega, Texas

This shop was open

Route 66, Vega

The motorhome survived Amarillo

Canyons

Our Camp Spot

Today’s Road Trip

Missed the Royal Wedding (Harry & Meghan) this morning as I decided to go for a run around the campground. We have a long day in the motorhome today travelling from Oklahoma to Texas.

Caught up on all the wedding details online once we got back on the road. Had a little cry, you have to love a wedding, especially a Royal Wedding.

Today we are back on the Interstate 40 (which runs East to West, Chicago to LA).

At one stage Pete looked towards a road running parallel to the Interstate and said “I think that is Route 66”, my reply “Are we going to see any of it today?”, his response “Yes, there it is, you have seen it”…

Looks like we are spending the day on the Interstate. I took a photo.

As we are spending all day travelling, I am also trying to catch up on some work. It is a little bumpy…

A small stop off the Interstate to fix a couple of motorhome issues (broken table, squeaky window, fallen drinks, leaking air conditioner), I had time to take a photo.

A stop at McDonald’s for a boy’s treat (time for a photo) and then back on the road.

Passed a convoy of motorcycles and a bridge where service men and women with US flags were waiting for them to pass.

And then…we crossed the border into Texas.

Out of all the US states that we have travelled through so far the Texan scenery would have to be the closest to home.  Open plains, wheat fields, cattle, wind farms and lots of windmills.

A stop at the U-Drop Inn & Conoco Tower Station on Historic Route 66 (we got to stop) in Shamrock.  It had a fantastic display of Route 66 memorabilia including the preserved and restored U-Drop Inn Cafe.

Back on the road and our destination for tonight is the Amarillo Ranch RV Park in Amarillo, Texas.

Time to set up camp, a play for the kids and then ready for our 5 pm pick up to go to Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery.

A last minute quick Uber to Jack Sisemore’s RV Museum for Pete and the boys.

At 5 pm on the dot, our Cadillac arrived to take us to the Texan Steak Ranch. It was a very Texan experience and meal. If you are up to it and can eat a 72 oz steak plus trimmings within an hour, you eat for free.  We declined this offer.

Out onto the restaurant’s porch to recover from our Texan feast and a listen to a very average one-man band.

After our arrival back at the campground, we could hear music coming from across the street. We decided to see what was going on…

We discovered a small music festival (The Big Texan Starlight Ranch), paid our $5 per adult entry fee and stayed for a drink, some county kids activities and a country cover band.

It was a very full Texan day.

Just Hanging

This mornings run

Just like home…

Maccas Stop

Conoco Tower Station

Tourist Wessy

Route 66, Chicago to LA

Waiting for the motocycles

Boys playing

Our Camp Spot

Historic Route 66

Wind Farms

U-Drop Inn

Vintage Cars

Everything is Big in Texas

Brown’s do Texas

Just enough time for a pic

Welcome to Texas

Ready to order?

Road Trip Today

Yep, Shattered

Relaxing

On our way

Route 66 is over there…

Big Texan Steak Ranch

Is that Route 66?

Texas

Tourist Nonno

Ready for 72 oz steak?

Our little cowboy

Work it…

Blue Steel Look

We need a car like this…

Moooo

Open Plains

Our Cadillac Escort

Country Games

Selfies!

Music Festival

Dinner

That’s good service

It was nice to leisurely wake-up this morning and not rush to get out on the road.

After breakfast and a little bit of school work, Pete decided to take Noah and Wes to the Science Museum Oklahoma City.  It is only a few miles down the road from our RV Park and there is a courtesy limousine from the park to take you there.

This left me to a quiet day in the motorhome. A load of washing and then time for me to work on my website and blog etc. It was very peaceful.

The boys returned just after lunch and they had a wonderful time exploring the museum.

We spent a quiet afternoon out of the heat in the motorhome.

Late afternoon we decided to get an Uber into Oklahoma City. After a slight detour from our original destination (in the middle of nowhere) and, at the suggestion of our Uber driver, we ended up in Bricktown.

Funky old warehouse buildings converted into restaurants, the Bricktown canal meandering through, it was just gorgeous.

We picked a restaurant along the canal and had a delicious dinner taking in the surroundings.

It was a wonderful surprise to end the day.

Science Museum

My Work Day

Twin Fountains RV Resort

Exploring

Science Live!

More Exploring

Don’t Stand Up…

The Browns do Oklahoma City

Wessy

Street Art

Dinner

Our RV

The Bricktown Canal

The Dodgers at the Brick

Street Art and Model

More Beautiful Street Art

Beautiful Warehouse buildings

Oklahoma City

Uber Driving

Bricktown

Amazing Art

Let’s Explore…

These runs are not getting any easier. At least the scenery was pretty, although, I did discover that some of my running track today was a nuclear evacuation route.

After trying to get my breath back on my return I managed to see a family of ducks swim out onto the late, it was gorgeous.

Back onto the Interstate 40 today, driving into a new state, Oklahoma. The road is becoming less congested with trucks so hopefully, the driving is a little less stressful for Pete.

The scenery was filled with green forests, cattle farming and open plains.  We crossed lots of rivers and lakes including the large Lake Eufaula and the North Canadian River.

A quick stop in Van Buren (Arkansas) to refuel, Walmart (we always need something) and a haircut for Pete.  I’m pleased to report that the haircut was successful.

Soon we had crossed the border from Arkansas into Oklahoma.

We bypassed the town of Checotah which is Carrie Underwood’s hometown (Season 4 winner of American Idol, 2005) and at one stage we came off the Interstate 40 onto HWY 377 and passed through little towns such as Prague (EST. 1902) and Davenport.

Next, we hit the iconic Route 66. We will travel on this road (route) at various stages throughout our USA trip.

On our first section of Route 66, we passed through the small town of Chandler where we stopped at the Route 66 Interpretive Center (Museum).  We were going to stay in Chandler overnight but the campsite did not look promising. Instead, we drove a few more miles or so down the road to the Twin Fountains RV Park on the outskirts of Oklahoma City.

We covered a lot of miles today and have decided to spend at least two nights here.

Once we arrived and set up camp the boys had a small game of basketball and explored the park.

Twin Fountains RV Resort Bar & Grill for dinner. Not healthy, pizza, but as it was cooked and cleared for me it was perfect, I was shattered.

Duck Family

Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas

Morning View

Crossing Lakes

Farmland

Turning on Route 66

And here we are, Route 66

Route 66 Interpretive Centre

Getting informed…

Museum

Awww, I want one!

Brown’s again

Having Fun

Today’s running track…

Today’s Road Trip

It was beautiful waking up to the Mississippi River this morning, very peaceful.

Today we are getting off the Interstate 40 and on to a smaller road, Highway 64.

We passed beautiful farms, farmhouses and small towns.

A stop in Wynne for a Walmart stock and some craft activities for the boys and then back on the road.

We passed through the small towns of Earle (Home of the Bulldogs), Levesque, Fair Oaks, McCrory (Civil War Trail), Conway, Patterson (Pop. 452), Augusta and Bald Knob, where we stopped in a shop carpark to have lunch in the motorhome.

Onto the 67 South, 64 West and then back onto the Interstate 40.

Our destination today is Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville, Arkansas and we have a spot right on the river again, beautiful.

Not long after we returned from a lovely walk around the park, the skies grew dark…thunder, lightning and a storm was on its way.

We had a nice chat with a fellow lady camper and she advised that there could be hail so we scuttled off to the motorhome, packed up the awning and spent the evening inside.

State Park

Our Boys

Turtle Spotting

Beautiful Farmland

Wessy

Crop Duster

Lake Dardanelle

Country Roads

Geece

Love

Rain, rain

Getting Creative

Not just trucks today

Not a bad view

Today’s Road Trip

Another lovely start to the morning with a run around the campground. My running buddy Wes managed one lap.

Pack up and back on the road, Interstate 40, travelling West.

Through the mountain with the trucks and cars we go.

A stop at a rest spot along the way for lunch.

We have now travelled across the entire state of Tennessee and today our destination is Tom Sawyer’s RV Park right on the Mississippi River in Arkansas.

It is a gorgeous spot and our bay is right on the Mississippi. It is awesome watching the barges go up and down the river.

We even spotted a couple of tree houses you can stay in, now that would be pretty cool.

Rain late afternoon moved us inside and then it fined up enough to sit outside and watch the barges go by and cook a grill for dinner.

Beautiful spot to camp.

Awesome Driving Pete

Barges

Busy, Busy

Wessy

Mississippi River

Boys relaxing while travelling

Interstate 40

Tom Sawyer’s RV Park

Cool Treehouses

Our camp spot

Next time…

Welcome to Arkansas

School Work

Wes making a video

Photographer Noah

Today’s Road Trip