Amarillo to Arkansas - Sounds like a Country Song

Back on the word ( and rode) again after spending a week at home.  We spent the time getting the house shut down for winter and doing some vehicle maintenance.  We also got all duded up and did some dancing at the wedding of Howard and Nita.  It’s amazing what a little soap and water and good suit does for a man ;)   First stop the distant and exotic Moriarty, NM which is about 15 miles away from our house for bit of maintenance with the Excel RV dealer.   Okay, so now we are really on our way.  We spent the night in Amarillo, TX.  Just an over night-er, it is a good stopping place on I40.    We had a little incident there filling up the black beauty with diesel, somehow the charge for the person in front of us was also on the receipt. A half an hour later we were given the difference in cash.  Hmmm – so remember to always check your credit card receipts!

Traveling I40 or any interstate has its pros and cons.  They are usually flatter and faster and consequently more boring.   I popped on my head phones and left the driving to Jack.   One day of him talking to a brick wall and the decision was made to take some of the back roads of Oklahoma.   We stopped at Red Rock CanyonState Park the first night.  Jack and I have stayed here before and knew what to expect, it is nice stopping place not too far off I40.    The next day we headed down US 281 zigzagging our way to Robber’s Cave State Park.   I always like driving through the small towns and getting the feel of the places we drive through.    That does not happen travelling on the interstates that have the same chain restaurants and box stores.  No character.  I am not sure when in this country the decision was made that one size fits all.  So if we have the time taking the back roads is my preferred method.  You see interesting things like a giant beaver statue or replicas of the Statue of Liberty.  Dang - where is that camera?  You also have to wonder “who was this person that a road or town was named?”  And don’t forget the opportunity to taste the local cuisine.  Sure sometimes it is not what you expected but every once in awhile you stumble upon something really good.   Like the burgers we found in Stratford at McGees Café.

Hot Springs, AR

Robber’s Cave looks like it would be pretty spot to explore but we picked the wrong time.  They were gearing up for their Fall Festival.  Yikes! We just barely got a spot for the night.  We headed out early the next morning and continued  on  US 270 to Hot Springs, AR.  Very pretty drive!  The hills are rolling and the trees were just starting to turn crimson.   We had some time to kill and decided  to spend 5 days in in the Hot Springs area.  The Hot Springs National Park   located here is basically a row of historic  bath house in town and few scenic drives.  We enjoyed the down time and trees!  We plan on leaving  Oct 24th to meet up with  friends Jim and Liz Arnold fellow Excel RV owners to play Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on the mighty Mississippi.

Hot Steam

We arrived in Pagosa Springs area on Thursday Oct 4^th.  We decided to stay at a  little RV Park recommended by our friends Jim and Liz.  We were not disappointed.  It was nestled on the Rio Blanca with full assortment of chickens, a pair of turkeys, and some pet ducks.  What a friendly and cozy place.   Friday night my daughter Emily and hubby JR meet us at the homestead.  We had a cook out and spent the night around a roaring campfire.   Perfect fall night!

Ok, all you Fall addicts you know what I am talking about - what we crave! Fall color in all its glory!  Jack and I spent the next four days taking some beautiful drives and walks.  I just love this area and even more so in autumn.   Everything a fall addict needs.  Oh, and don’t forget the hot springs!

Next it was our intention to head home for some commitments.   We stopped for lunch in Chama and decided we had a few extra days and stayed.  We took the famed Combres and Toltec narrow gauge steam engine train ride.  It does not disappoint and was spectacular with autumn color.  It was a little past peak but still enough color to please.  Chama is always charming and one of my favorite places to take a weekend jaunt in NM. 

We arrived home on Wednesday and spent the next few days closing down the house for the winter.  Jack did most of the work ;)   We plan on hitting the road again in a few days.

Big Days at Bayfield

We headed into Bayfield for the Fall Excel Rally on Thursday Sept. 27th .  It was only about 150 miles away but that turned into the longest 150 miles of the trip. Soon after we left Blanding we were headed up a hill and the truck stalled.  Hmm – what’s that about?  Luckily there was side road Jack was able to pull onto to get out of the way.  Still not quite sure what happened but we suspect it had something to do with the diesel oil filter.  Jack did his magic and we were on our way again.  We stopped in Cortez, CO for some needed groceries.    What would RVers do without Walmart parking lots? Just about Durango we needed to feed the diesel drinking black beauty.  Oh, that turned out to be quite stressful finding a gas station that the Biff II would fit.  Turned out we weren't going to make it under the canopy but we could pull close enough to the pump with the truck. We then backed out a bit and maneuvered our way without hitting anything. Whew!  Durango sure has grown and is quite congested – get us out of here quick! (See my post from last year for more about Durango)  So close but so far away, we were driving down Highway 160 and according to the Trailer Life guide the RV park was at mile marker 110 -  wait a minute Jack I think I see a bunch of Excels over there!  Turns out the RV park was at mile marker 101.  So down the road we go looking for a place to turn around.  All in all by the time we got to Bayfield we were worn out and ready to relax!

The next few days were spent socializing with fellow Excel owners and enjoying Heritage Days in Bayfield.   Highlights were the sheep drive and Tic Tac Sheep Plop contest.  Yes, it is what you think.   They also had a fun parade and a spectacular fireworks display Saturday night.  Campfires, socializing and election of new officers was on the agenda for the next few days.  Monday morning everyone pretty much cleared out and we were the only Excel left at the RV park.  Quick word about where we stayed -  Pine Riverside Park or Bayfield Riverside ( I have seen it under both names)  is a well taken care of park with very friendly staff.  We spent the next few days relaxing and exploring the area.  The weather has been perfect and the fall colors great!  Next stop only about 35 miles away in Pagosa Springs to meet up with my daughter Emily and her hubby JR.