Keeping in touch with Jim

This morning I left Winslow and stopped at the Meteor Crater. It was a very rewarding experience. Much like Crater Lake, the size is deceptive. I don't usually take guided tours because they can be so dry but this time I took the chance and was pleasantly surprised. Our guide was Edwardo and he was not only knowledgeable but also very entertaining. We took a short hike around a small part of the rim and the whole thing took about an hour that was very well worth it. I spent some more time at the viewing platform that was not part of the tour and then headed to Flagstaff. I found a nice KOA and took an early break from the road. Tomorrow morning I am heading for the Sedona area to see what awaits me there.

Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park - WOW !!! It took me almost 5 hours to travel the 25 miles from one end of the park to the other. I stopped at almost every view point and there were plenty of them. I got some sun and did some walking. It was all good. I mean, really good. I am looking forward to the Grand Canyon now more than ever. This is one of my favorite shots. I call it "The People of the Canyon" (Click on the image to enlarge it)

http://www.lafondasantafe.com/?s_kwcid=la%20fonda1013481961&gclid=CMyTrualgZYCFQMQswodHjblEA Disappointment. That's the only word for it. I should have concidered my sources when I took the advice of people saying that Santa Fe was a "must see". Santa Fe reminds me of what happened to Sisters, Oregon only to a much greater extent. It was a beautiful little spot to visit and get away from it all. Now, both places are a big money shoppers haven. Everything caters to the wealthy. I never felt so out of place in all my life. The difference between the "haves" and the "have nots" is over whelming. I'll never go back there again.

Research. Sometimes it pays off when you do it. Sometimes it pays off when you don't. I did not do any research on Santa Fe. I only listened to several folks who said that it is a "must see" destination. Had I know in advance that the elevation was over 7,000 feet I might not have attempted it. You see, Old Silverback doesn't like hills and I was honestly just about ready to turn around and go back to Albuquerque, but I pushed on and we made it (it wa like trying to use a putter on a long par 5). I will spend the day in old town Santa Fe, soaking up whatever they have to offer. The scenery along the way was beautiful and at times you could see for about 20 miles ahead. The air is cool and the sun is warm. It is good to walk around in these conditions.

I am currently straddling two states; Texas and New Mexico. I'm right between El Paso and Las Cruces. The drive from Ft Stockton to Alpine to here was half boring and half breath-taking. Miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles. I now understand my fathers fascination with Alpine. The elevation is about 4500 feet and has beautiful hills all around. With the help of Melleta Bell who is theSr. Archivist at the Sul Ross University library I found the old Circle W It has gone through many changes since the 1950's. It was a shop that sold cactus jelly, then it was an art studio, then it became a residence. It is for sale but I think it would take an awful lot of work to put it into any kind of shape. It was good to go back. And I did manage to get in 9 holes before I left town. El Paso is much larger than I thought it would be. At one point on the freeway I was close enough to Mexico to throw a pop can across the border. I will spend the night here and leave early for Santa F...

Austin, Texas; I had a very nice afternoon in Austin walking up and down the streets and around the capitol grounds. I even took a short guided tour inside the capitol building. I found the Texas State History Museum but decided to keep that for another day as it is a very large building. Afterward I met with my old friend from my days in the Air Force, Jose Antu. We had dinner and caught up on what's been happening in our lives these last 39 years. Angie had prepared a delightful dessert for us and we spent the evening chatting away. I stayed the night in their guest room and hit the road early this morning. I am now at an RV park just outside of Ft Stockton, TX. I am on my way to Alpine, TX where my dad ran a restaurant when I was about 5 years old and I remember it well. I understand that the building is still standing although it is now a store that sells cactus jelly. From there I plan to head to Santa Fe, NM.

I had a wonderful stay with Neal and Linda and even got in some fishing. I didn't catch anything but as Neal said "If you caught something every time it would be called "catching" not "fishing". I bid farewell this morning heading to San Antonio. Happy second wedding anniversary to a wonderful couple, and a wonderful couple of friends. I spent the afternoon enjoying the Alamo and the river front walk. This was my first visit to San Antonio since I was in the Air Force in 1966. Much has changed and mostly for the better I believe. The river walk is now wall to wall restaurants and shops but it is much safer than it was way back then(crime wise). I am staying the night at an RV park on the south side of Austin and will go into the city tomorrow to play tourist again. I hope to be able to join my old friends Jose and Angie for dinner as I haven't seen them since I left Florida for Oregon.