We left Crosbyton at 8AM and made it to Albuquerque, NM about 2:30, fortunately before the forcasted higher winds started.
It turns out we went into Albuquerque the same way we did back in the 80’s trip. It has been so built up since then I didn’t recognize the way until we came over the last hill and could see the Albuquerque valley proper. We stayed at Enchanted Trails RV park – right next to a Camping world on the north west end of Albuquerque – just off the interstate I-40.
We went to old town for supper. Wonderful Mexican food at Casa de Ruiz café. Then walked around old Albuquerque to see the sights and take a few pictures.
Enchanted Trails had several vintage RVs and tow vehicles out front to look at. It was a nicely laid out, clean park. A little exposed to the west winds on a hilltop. This is where I met the newspaper editor of the Talon, aka aztecnews.com as he and we were packing up to leave. On this whole trip we were a bit concerned about high winds. Being new with the 35 ft trailer and van we didn’t want to “test” our stability. We had already re-routed several times to avoid thunderstorm areas. We had planned to stay only one night at Albuquerque, but we were worried about the wind on the next higher altitude stretch of I-40 west of Albuquerque.
Thursday, March 23 – Wow, what a day. High wind warnings, today and next couple. We though we tought about packing up tonight and drive to Sedona AZ. Instead we took advantage of decent weather that morning and went to the Petroglyph National Monument and hiked the trail. There were petroglyphs scratched into the volcanic rock that dated back to maybe 1400’s and as late as early settlers who were making their own versions. We divided up the girls and took different paths just to keep things interesting. On our way back to the camp, we drove through a storm front – dust, wind, rain – quite something for us, but likely just an every day dust storm in Albuquerque. We stayed huddled inside the trailers the rest of the day.
Friday, March 24 There were still high wind warnings in the direction we wanted to go, so we had to stay around town. There was a laundry at the RV park, so we used it. There was quite a little “museum” in the main building – they had a number of 1800’s and early 1900’s equipment – washing machines, ironing, vacume operated musical bands, TV’s, etc. We ate supper at Sweet Tomatos – huge buffet salad bar. Everyone loved it.
Saturday, March 25 – Finally left for Sedona. Up to this time, the trip was pretty much about “getting there”, where “there” was out west. Sedona was where the trip was supposed start being about seeing new things, great things, wonderful things. Supposed to be….
continued next post.