Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday October 16, Surprise AZ
Surprise!! I went out to start Blue to go to my Mom’s house to remove the hitch rack and guess what?? Dead battery. Actually, I’m lucky, as chassis batteries usually only last 2-3 years here in Arizona, and Blue’s battery is almost 6 years old. So, I’ll just charge up the battery on Monday and take Blue for service Tuesday, as previously planned, and have them check the charging system just to make sure all is okay!
Thursday October 15, Cameron to Surprise, AZ
Oh, dummy me!!! I’m a day ahead of myself and wasn’t supposed to go home until Friday!!
I actually slept well considering we were so close to the highway.
The old suspension bridge, below, was built in the early 1900's.. the modern bridge is in front, so you can see we were pretty close to the highway.
After breakfast we headed south towards Flagstaff on route 89. I stopped at the Second Chance Center for Animals, but they don’t open until 11, so I decided to drive down to Flagstaff to go to Bookman’s, the used entertainment (books, CDs, etc) store.
I wandered in Bookman’s for a bit, then went into Michael’s Arts & Crafts, and when I walked out, I realized I’d let Blue’s headlights on (route 89 is one that you need to have your lights on while driving). So, yep, dead battery. I called Triple A, and because I have a “classic” California policy, they couldn’t jump start an RV in Arizona. The only reason I called them first is that I saw a AAA service truck cruising the parking lot. So, I then called Progressive, and they had someone out in 20 minutes. A nice, young Native American chickie came and 10 minutes later, we were on our way back to Second Chance.
The facility at Second Chance is newer and quite roomy. I wandered around and visited the dogs and cats, then made a donation in John Nesbit’s name (my boss that passed away unexpectedly in his sleep 2 months ago). I’ve been bummed by his death (we had seen him the night before he died), but it didn’t hit me until I handed over the paperwork for the donation, then I burst into tears.
I left Blue running, but locked the doors with the dogs inside while I visited the shelter. From there I stopped down the road at the gas station, and turned Blue off to gas up. No problem starting up again. We trundled our way home to Surprise….
Once home I unloaded all my laundry and most of the food stuffs. I can’t believe how tired I am, so I will leave the refrigerator and clean up for tomorrow.
I actually slept well considering we were so close to the highway.
The old suspension bridge, below, was built in the early 1900's.. the modern bridge is in front, so you can see we were pretty close to the highway.
After breakfast we headed south towards Flagstaff on route 89. I stopped at the Second Chance Center for Animals, but they don’t open until 11, so I decided to drive down to Flagstaff to go to Bookman’s, the used entertainment (books, CDs, etc) store.I wandered in Bookman’s for a bit, then went into Michael’s Arts & Crafts, and when I walked out, I realized I’d let Blue’s headlights on (route 89 is one that you need to have your lights on while driving). So, yep, dead battery. I called Triple A, and because I have a “classic” California policy, they couldn’t jump start an RV in Arizona. The only reason I called them first is that I saw a AAA service truck cruising the parking lot. So, I then called Progressive, and they had someone out in 20 minutes. A nice, young Native American chickie came and 10 minutes later, we were on our way back to Second Chance.
The facility at Second Chance is newer and quite roomy. I wandered around and visited the dogs and cats, then made a donation in John Nesbit’s name (my boss that passed away unexpectedly in his sleep 2 months ago). I’ve been bummed by his death (we had seen him the night before he died), but it didn’t hit me until I handed over the paperwork for the donation, then I burst into tears.
I left Blue running, but locked the doors with the dogs inside while I visited the shelter. From there I stopped down the road at the gas station, and turned Blue off to gas up. No problem starting up again. We trundled our way home to Surprise….
Once home I unloaded all my laundry and most of the food stuffs. I can’t believe how tired I am, so I will leave the refrigerator and clean up for tomorrow.
Wednesday October 14, Chama, NM to Cameron, AZ
I awoke before dawn and took the dogs out for a potty. They have both been scratching, so I gave them a Benedryl last night, and I think I’m getting paid back this morning (yuck).
I gave the kids their breakfast outside (oh, yeah, it’s COLD!) and went to the bath house to take a shower. Took me half way through my shower to realize half of the shower head was on the floor!! No wonder the water was so strong, the aerator fell off. I made myself eggs and toast, and cleaned up and took the dogs for another walk to the trash can.
I drove into Chama Village to mail post cards and get a cup of coffee. From there, we headed west. Smudge started in on her whiney thing, so I stopped a couple of times with no luck. I was really pissed at her because I’m not sure if she has to go or just wants to stop. I kept her leash on so she wouldn’t wander all over and distract me, and in about 50 miles I stopped again. She finally went, but I was ready to just shove her out of the coach!!
Old ranch, above... peaceful horses....
I actually turned around to photograph this red ranch building and the changing trees....
Shiprock, in the distance, above. Weird clouds, below...and wide open spaces.
I missed my turn in Shiprock, so modified my route to circle Monument Valley. But first, I detoured to Four Corners, where it was very windy. I looked at all the artist displays twice, and ended up buying a beautiful little pot, by a known artist. My first piece of authentic Indian art!! I also snagged a couple of post cards and a cinnamon/sugar frybread for lunch. With a little patience, I was able to get a shot of the Four Corners Monument without people on it! After eating my frybread, I took the kids for a walk, where they were excellent. Maybe something about me being quite upset with them this morning helped.
Blue with the Four Corners flags in the background
There is such a variety of geologic shapes in the Monument Valley area. I drove slowly, and took a lot of pictures. There was one pull out that had quite a drop off, and Blue lurched and the dish cupboard door flew open, scattering dishes and cups. Dogs flew, too!! I almost did another drop off, but stopped before I got to the edge of the road, as the drop was about 6-8”!! They resurfaced the road, but not the pull offs! I did notice lots and lots of pull offs, which makes it nice for picture taking and gazing. There wasn’t much traffic going my way, but I was sure to look behind me before I pulled over, just in case!
Do you see the faces in the rocks?
More "wide open spaces" shots...
This is the Mexican Hat that Mexican Hat is named for.....
I went up to the visitors center, took more photos and looked around. 
Blue and a mitten....
There is an electric train track on the Navajo Nation....thought I was in Europe.
I thought about staying in Tuba City, but the RV park there is full. I also realized that Allen and Uni are going to be in Flagstaff Friday and Saturday, so I will just go on home tomorrow.
I’m in Cameron at the Cameron Trading Post RV Park. This is a very basic set up, full hookups, right next to the road. Quite cheap, though. I first went to the western side of the highway, but the RV park is on the eastern side. So, when traffic was clear, I drove across the road. Then I discovered that the check in desk is at the far end of the trading post on the other side of the road. I did the dash across the road on foot. I paid ($14), and looked around for a minute. Then ran back across the road to Blue. I tried 3 sites to get somewhat level, as I’m too tired to drag the blocks out. I wanted to be as far away from the road as possible, but I’m kind of in the middle. When the trucks go by it’s noisy.
At the trading post, there were a bunch of kids/young adults in liederhosen playing brass instruments in the umm-paa style. At least they are quiet now.
I gave the kids their breakfast outside (oh, yeah, it’s COLD!) and went to the bath house to take a shower. Took me half way through my shower to realize half of the shower head was on the floor!! No wonder the water was so strong, the aerator fell off. I made myself eggs and toast, and cleaned up and took the dogs for another walk to the trash can.
I drove into Chama Village to mail post cards and get a cup of coffee. From there, we headed west. Smudge started in on her whiney thing, so I stopped a couple of times with no luck. I was really pissed at her because I’m not sure if she has to go or just wants to stop. I kept her leash on so she wouldn’t wander all over and distract me, and in about 50 miles I stopped again. She finally went, but I was ready to just shove her out of the coach!!
Old ranch, above... peaceful horses....
I actually turned around to photograph this red ranch building and the changing trees....
Shiprock, in the distance, above. Weird clouds, below...and wide open spaces.
I missed my turn in Shiprock, so modified my route to circle Monument Valley. But first, I detoured to Four Corners, where it was very windy. I looked at all the artist displays twice, and ended up buying a beautiful little pot, by a known artist. My first piece of authentic Indian art!! I also snagged a couple of post cards and a cinnamon/sugar frybread for lunch. With a little patience, I was able to get a shot of the Four Corners Monument without people on it! After eating my frybread, I took the kids for a walk, where they were excellent. Maybe something about me being quite upset with them this morning helped.
Blue with the Four Corners flags in the background
There is such a variety of geologic shapes in the Monument Valley area. I drove slowly, and took a lot of pictures. There was one pull out that had quite a drop off, and Blue lurched and the dish cupboard door flew open, scattering dishes and cups. Dogs flew, too!! I almost did another drop off, but stopped before I got to the edge of the road, as the drop was about 6-8”!! They resurfaced the road, but not the pull offs! I did notice lots and lots of pull offs, which makes it nice for picture taking and gazing. There wasn’t much traffic going my way, but I was sure to look behind me before I pulled over, just in case!
Do you see the faces in the rocks?
More "wide open spaces" shots...
This is the Mexican Hat that Mexican Hat is named for.....
I went up to the visitors center, took more photos and looked around. 
Blue and a mitten....
There is an electric train track on the Navajo Nation....thought I was in Europe.
I thought about staying in Tuba City, but the RV park there is full. I also realized that Allen and Uni are going to be in Flagstaff Friday and Saturday, so I will just go on home tomorrow.I’m in Cameron at the Cameron Trading Post RV Park. This is a very basic set up, full hookups, right next to the road. Quite cheap, though. I first went to the western side of the highway, but the RV park is on the eastern side. So, when traffic was clear, I drove across the road. Then I discovered that the check in desk is at the far end of the trading post on the other side of the road. I did the dash across the road on foot. I paid ($14), and looked around for a minute. Then ran back across the road to Blue. I tried 3 sites to get somewhat level, as I’m too tired to drag the blocks out. I wanted to be as far away from the road as possible, but I’m kind of in the middle. When the trucks go by it’s noisy.
At the trading post, there were a bunch of kids/young adults in liederhosen playing brass instruments in the umm-paa style. At least they are quiet now.
Tuesday October 13, Chama, NM
I woke up at 6:30am, ready to start today’s adventure. I made a reservation for the Cumbres and Toltec steam train that goes from Chama to Antonito, CO today. In fact, I called about the train time and whether the train was still running and kennel availability, and forgot to make the reservation and inquire about cost!! Dummy me. So I called back yesterday and confirmed a seat. I had already confirmed the kennel space.
A little before 8am I parked Blue in front of Dr. Johnson’s mobile vet’s office to drop off the pups and leave Blue. This is right across the street from the Chama train depot. Another couple brought their border collie, Erin, to stay in the other side of the kennel.
Smudge grabbed the kennel door after it was locked and was pulling it toward her, so to be on the safe side, I put 3 bungie cords on the door, and Dr. Johnson chained the door with a lock. The only way Smudge could get out would be to climb the fence separating the two kennels, land in Erin’s side, then climb out. I figured if my dogs did get out, they would just lay under Blue.
Since my train didn’t leave until 10am, I wandered in the few stores that were open early and bought a few more Christmas gifts and splurged on a really neat denim blue sweater. I was also able to purchase a coffee (good) and fudge at the same store.
Decorating for Halloween.... looking down the main drag in Chama Village, yard art, 2nd below..
I peeked in on the dogs when I went to drop off my goodies and go potty, and Smudge was perched on the doghouse, and Rico was sitting near the door. All was good.
The train route is 64 miles, and one can bus either way, or train half-way and back. I had elected to train up the entire route and bus back. Before boarding the train, I chatted with some cyclists that had ridden from Antonito to Chama the previous day, and were riding the train back. As it was windy and high altitude, I had to give these guys credit for a tough ride.
Train #484 getting ready to roll.
Inside the train station...
Cyclists out in the cold, grey air, inside of the passenger car.....
I ended up sitting next to Julie, a rural mail carrier from Iowa of my vintage who is into trains and fast cars!!! How fun is that!!??? 
Interesting shot while we were stopped to take on water in Cumbres..
This is the work train that Julie's son was on, it was actually going the same way we were, but the grade is so steep the trains really loop back on each other so the train can carefully climb.
We had fun chatting the entire way to Osier, which was our lunch spot. Lunch was included in the train ticket price, was all you could eat, including dessert. I had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, cranberries, green beans and peach pie for dessert. I was stuffed, and I didn’t go back for seconds!! 
Trestle bridge, above, train in Osier, below.... love the sky!!
A huge portion of food, and all you could eat. No, I didn't get seconds!!
It was quite windy up there, and in the 10,000 foot range! The sky was beautiful, with lots of puffy white clouds and not a hit of last nights thunder storm! I got some wonderful photos and videos and for the first time ever filled up a 2 gig memory card before my trip was over!! Glad I bought a spare card (on sale) in Albuquerque!! I also discovered I had the wrong setting on the camera, which is why the card filled up so fast!
Perfect timing, the conductor stuck his head out just as I took the shot... leftover leaves from the peak turning time a few weeks ago.
The second half of the ride wasn’t as scenic as the first, and we had different seats. It was fun chatting up all the folks in the car, including a couple that have RV'd full timed for 11 years. There was a couple with 8 ½ year old well behaved triplets (2 girls, 1 boy) and a couple from Texas.
Antonito station and water wheel outside the gift shop.
Back in Chama.... just a little railroad history, below...
We had just a few minutes to check out the gift shop and board the bus to come back (49 miles on route 17). Our driver gave us a smooth ride back, and everyone gave the driver and the train crew on board a big hand!!
Dr. Johnson had only done the half train trip, and said the "kids" were very good. I opened the door to Blue and Smudge jumped right in. Rico had to be needy dog and “come up” to make sure it was really me!! I thanked the Dr. for providing such good service. OH! The kennel with lined with about 8” of hay, which Smudge rearranged into a mountain!!
It was just getting dark as I pulled back into the Twin Rivers RV Park, and it is cold (I heard it might be in the 20’s tonight). I made myself dinner, gave the kids a Benedryl (their skin is really dry and they are itchy) and am catching up with my journal and tidying up. Smudge is lying on the floor snoring.
I heard from Steve that our friends Allen and Uni are in Colorado, and coming back through Flagstaff. We may try to meet up with them on Friday, which will be fun!! I haven’t seen them for a while, and I had planned on going through Flag anyway!! So Steve would drive up to Flagstaff and we could have an early dinner. We shall see!
A little before 8am I parked Blue in front of Dr. Johnson’s mobile vet’s office to drop off the pups and leave Blue. This is right across the street from the Chama train depot. Another couple brought their border collie, Erin, to stay in the other side of the kennel.
Smudge grabbed the kennel door after it was locked and was pulling it toward her, so to be on the safe side, I put 3 bungie cords on the door, and Dr. Johnson chained the door with a lock. The only way Smudge could get out would be to climb the fence separating the two kennels, land in Erin’s side, then climb out. I figured if my dogs did get out, they would just lay under Blue.Since my train didn’t leave until 10am, I wandered in the few stores that were open early and bought a few more Christmas gifts and splurged on a really neat denim blue sweater. I was also able to purchase a coffee (good) and fudge at the same store.
Decorating for Halloween.... looking down the main drag in Chama Village, yard art, 2nd below..
I peeked in on the dogs when I went to drop off my goodies and go potty, and Smudge was perched on the doghouse, and Rico was sitting near the door. All was good.The train route is 64 miles, and one can bus either way, or train half-way and back. I had elected to train up the entire route and bus back. Before boarding the train, I chatted with some cyclists that had ridden from Antonito to Chama the previous day, and were riding the train back. As it was windy and high altitude, I had to give these guys credit for a tough ride.
Train #484 getting ready to roll.
Inside the train station...
Cyclists out in the cold, grey air, inside of the passenger car.....
I ended up sitting next to Julie, a rural mail carrier from Iowa of my vintage who is into trains and fast cars!!! How fun is that!!??? 
Interesting shot while we were stopped to take on water in Cumbres..
This is the work train that Julie's son was on, it was actually going the same way we were, but the grade is so steep the trains really loop back on each other so the train can carefully climb.
We had fun chatting the entire way to Osier, which was our lunch spot. Lunch was included in the train ticket price, was all you could eat, including dessert. I had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, cranberries, green beans and peach pie for dessert. I was stuffed, and I didn’t go back for seconds!! 
Trestle bridge, above, train in Osier, below.... love the sky!!
A huge portion of food, and all you could eat. No, I didn't get seconds!!
It was quite windy up there, and in the 10,000 foot range! The sky was beautiful, with lots of puffy white clouds and not a hit of last nights thunder storm! I got some wonderful photos and videos and for the first time ever filled up a 2 gig memory card before my trip was over!! Glad I bought a spare card (on sale) in Albuquerque!! I also discovered I had the wrong setting on the camera, which is why the card filled up so fast!
Perfect timing, the conductor stuck his head out just as I took the shot... leftover leaves from the peak turning time a few weeks ago.
The second half of the ride wasn’t as scenic as the first, and we had different seats. It was fun chatting up all the folks in the car, including a couple that have RV'd full timed for 11 years. There was a couple with 8 ½ year old well behaved triplets (2 girls, 1 boy) and a couple from Texas.
Antonito station and water wheel outside the gift shop.
Back in Chama.... just a little railroad history, below...
We had just a few minutes to check out the gift shop and board the bus to come back (49 miles on route 17). Our driver gave us a smooth ride back, and everyone gave the driver and the train crew on board a big hand!!Dr. Johnson had only done the half train trip, and said the "kids" were very good. I opened the door to Blue and Smudge jumped right in. Rico had to be needy dog and “come up” to make sure it was really me!! I thanked the Dr. for providing such good service. OH! The kennel with lined with about 8” of hay, which Smudge rearranged into a mountain!!
It was just getting dark as I pulled back into the Twin Rivers RV Park, and it is cold (I heard it might be in the 20’s tonight). I made myself dinner, gave the kids a Benedryl (their skin is really dry and they are itchy) and am catching up with my journal and tidying up. Smudge is lying on the floor snoring.
I heard from Steve that our friends Allen and Uni are in Colorado, and coming back through Flagstaff. We may try to meet up with them on Friday, which will be fun!! I haven’t seen them for a while, and I had planned on going through Flag anyway!! So Steve would drive up to Flagstaff and we could have an early dinner. We shall see!
Monday October 12, Espanola to Chama, NM
Once I got up this morning, I took the dogs for a walk and went up to the Red Door Coffee House to pay for my space at Cottonwood RV. The owners are a young couple, and even though the RV parking is a little run down, one can see that they are trying to improve this property. The front space is office, then the Coffee House and a hair salon. The Coffee House is really inviting and the owner bought me a cup of good Joe to thank me for moving last night. The other camper came in around 9:30pm, so I’m glad I moved earlier. 
You can just see Blue on the left hand side, and see how close together everyone is!
The showers were extremely roomy and freshly remodeled. Hopefully this couple can make it in this economy. At least the Coffee House had quite a few people in it. The properties here are very narrow but very deep, and on a slope. The newer, bigger rigs are quite crammed together, with about 60 spaces in all. Seems they have a lot of construction folks working at the Los Alamos site and won’t be closing for the winter when it gets really cold as they have long term renters.
Love the red turning leaves... and the old grumpy neighbor is letting his orchard go... darn!!
I drove up to Wal Mart to buy milk, oj and brake fluid, just in case I need it for Blue, and topped off the gas tank. From there it was north on route 84.
Pair of beggars hoping for a handout...
I stopped in Abiquiu to mail postcards and discovered they were having an Artist’s fair. I got scolded for taking photographs of the Mission church (Pueblo grounds), even though it wasn’t posted. In talking with a couple of the artists in the area, there used to be a sign about no photographs without a permit, but it got graffiti covered, so it was removed. So, I have a couple of “illegal” photographs. I purchased two small indigo dyed “beer mats” (coasters) from a very friendly native artist. 
I also drove up a dirt county road to see a studio, and had to make a 10-point turn to go back down. The studio I really wanted to see was at a fork in this road, so rather than chancing another multi-point u-turn, I went down to park in a road junction and hiked back up. I bought 2 cards of the artists’ work. These folks were lots of fun to chat with.
Beautiful countryside.... see what one misses from the Interstate??
Well, here I am in Chama, NM, ready to wander the little town, and the RV Park I had planned on staying at (next to the train station) closed for the season today!! 
So, I am down the road a piece, behind the Chevron station in a pleasant little RV/trailer park. There is a stream nearby and a big field like area to walk the dogs. I checked out the kennel by the veterinarians’ mobile office to make sure the dogs will be safe there tomorrow. My plan was to take the dogs for a walk, then ride my bike the 1 ½ miles back to town to check out the stores, but after our walk, I fell asleep instead.
After a quick dinner, I sat down to read and didn’t fall asleep again until after midnight. AND it started raining after a BIG clap of thunder sounded. Rico came up on the bed to quiver, but wasn’t too needy (ie, burrowing under the covers). Oh, and it’s COLD! I think the thunder, lightening and rain stopped around 4am.
You can just see Blue on the left hand side, and see how close together everyone is!
The showers were extremely roomy and freshly remodeled. Hopefully this couple can make it in this economy. At least the Coffee House had quite a few people in it. The properties here are very narrow but very deep, and on a slope. The newer, bigger rigs are quite crammed together, with about 60 spaces in all. Seems they have a lot of construction folks working at the Los Alamos site and won’t be closing for the winter when it gets really cold as they have long term renters.
Love the red turning leaves... and the old grumpy neighbor is letting his orchard go... darn!!
I drove up to Wal Mart to buy milk, oj and brake fluid, just in case I need it for Blue, and topped off the gas tank. From there it was north on route 84.
Pair of beggars hoping for a handout...
I stopped in Abiquiu to mail postcards and discovered they were having an Artist’s fair. I got scolded for taking photographs of the Mission church (Pueblo grounds), even though it wasn’t posted. In talking with a couple of the artists in the area, there used to be a sign about no photographs without a permit, but it got graffiti covered, so it was removed. So, I have a couple of “illegal” photographs. I purchased two small indigo dyed “beer mats” (coasters) from a very friendly native artist. 
I also drove up a dirt county road to see a studio, and had to make a 10-point turn to go back down. The studio I really wanted to see was at a fork in this road, so rather than chancing another multi-point u-turn, I went down to park in a road junction and hiked back up. I bought 2 cards of the artists’ work. These folks were lots of fun to chat with.
Beautiful countryside.... see what one misses from the Interstate??
Well, here I am in Chama, NM, ready to wander the little town, and the RV Park I had planned on staying at (next to the train station) closed for the season today!! 
So, I am down the road a piece, behind the Chevron station in a pleasant little RV/trailer park. There is a stream nearby and a big field like area to walk the dogs. I checked out the kennel by the veterinarians’ mobile office to make sure the dogs will be safe there tomorrow. My plan was to take the dogs for a walk, then ride my bike the 1 ½ miles back to town to check out the stores, but after our walk, I fell asleep instead.
After a quick dinner, I sat down to read and didn’t fall asleep again until after midnight. AND it started raining after a BIG clap of thunder sounded. Rico came up on the bed to quiver, but wasn’t too needy (ie, burrowing under the covers). Oh, and it’s COLD! I think the thunder, lightening and rain stopped around 4am.
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