December 27th. In San Antonio

The Alamo and the Riverwalk are a must when you visit San Antonio!,  so off we went to join 30 million other people doing the same thing!!  The Alamo is very special to the Texans-a testament to courage—where a blood was shed!  Davey  Crockett and Jim Bowie (famous for his knives), lost their lives here.  We used guided information tapes, so we learned a lot of history.  Then we went to the IMAX to see the movie, pretty violent!  The Riverwalk walk was next, tons of people, but neat to see.  Waited around to see the lights there, then off home, but stopped first in Johnson City to see their lights.  Amazing-every tree branch was covered-right to the end of each little branch.  Great day, but we were all very tired

Big Bend National Park. December 21st-22nd

Oh, Big Bend!!  What a beautiful place.  This is our 3rd visit to Big Bend, and it never seizes to amaze us.  Hiked up Boquillas Canyon, right along the Rio Grande River!  Hot! And sunny!  Then on to the hot spring, there was a resort here in the 1930’s, not much left now, but the springs still pump out hot water, they say around 104 degrees.  Finally sun setting on the mountains on the Mexico side. Great end to a perfect day!

Two fantastic days-December 18 and 19th

Leaving Silver City for the Gila Cliff dwelling, —and once again on a narrow mountain road with switch backs—and snow!!  Roads were snow covered in places—and no guard rails.  A bit nerve racking.  But it was worth it in the end.  The Mogollon peoples populated this area from around 1100 years ago.  About 40 rooms were built inside five natural caves on the cliff sides.  We were able to walk thru the area, it was amazing!!

Then on Wednesday we drove to White Sands National Monument.  This is a huge area of gypsum so big you can see it from space.  It’s tge largest in the world.  Kids were sliding down the dunes on flying saucers

December 18th Silver City New Mexico

just a bit of information on the saguaros.

Sunday December 16th in Apache Junction

Spent Wednesday nite in Cottonwood, then Thursday drove up the mountain to Jerome, a historic gold mining town.  Very touristy with lots of shops, the guys went to visit the old mine, and machinery.  Us gals strolled the streets, I almost got shot but talked my way out of it!!  The views from uptop were breathtaking.  Then we headed for Prescott, once again, very narrow twist road, over the

top of Mindus mountain.  Over 6000ft, and snow along the edge.  Spent a couple of nites in the Prescott area, drove around to see a fabulous display of Christmas lights.  Now in Apache Junction, at a RV Park, last nite we were invited to their Christmas party.  Fun.

Thursday December 13th

Sadly left Sedona yesterday afternoon.  Tuesday we did a helicopter ride thru the canyons and hills of Sedona, even  seeing the ancient cliff dwellings.  The one pic is very dark, so if you enlarge it, you should be able to make out the walls they had built, whereas the other pic shows open spaces. The hole trip was amazing, scary at times as he went right thru the hills.  Later we drove to the ‘chapel’ on the hill, beautiful spiritual place.  Yesterday we hiked around coffee pot mountain—then finally had to leave. 

Sedona December 11th

OHHH Sedona!!  Just as beautiful as we remembered!! Had lunch on our ‘back porch’ before heading for a hike to Thunder mountain.  I Like the pic of the marmot!!  He is the sentinel!  The one lone large rock is called-rightly called Bell Mountain.  Sunny and warm, not hot!

Sunday December 9th Lake Havasu to Williams

Here we are at the London Bridge in London!!  Just never know where we will end up!!  Lake Havasu bought the London Bridge back in 1968, for $2,460,000, and had it moved here, meticulously numbering each block before it was moved.   They claim it is the 2nd biggest tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.  Hummm, not sure of that claim.  Then up the famous Route 66, stopping at Oatman to feed the mules/donkeys with an apple.   This is an old mining town, and these mules are the descendants of the original ones that worked here.  If your not careful they will follow you right into a store.  Onward east then still on Route 66, with a jaw dropping scene around each hairpin bend!  Seems we like these roads with no guardrails and 100’s of feet drop off.

Friday December 7th, Lake Havasu Arizona

Having trouble getting wifi, so late getting a blog out!  Into Arizona 4 pm Monday, stopping at an RV Park, in Yuma.   Tuesday morning after a great game of bean bag toss with the very friendly residents there, we drove over to Mexico to Los Algodones, parked on US side and walked across the border.  Busy, busy!!  350 dentists in a 4 block area!  Ralph had  tooth work done and we all had hair cuts!!  Wednesday Ralph went back to finish up his crown, and we headed north towards Quartzsite.  Stopped overnight in the desert with the saguaros!  Thursday spent the morning walking around, a bit disappointed as many of the booths and shops were closed.  Spent another nite in the desert, rained very hard over nite.  Had to put the truck into 4 wheel drive to get out of the sand!!  Many of the dips on the highway were flooded, not too deep, but we still pushed the water around!  Now in Lake Havasu city, overnight, then heading up Route 66 in the morning.