ON THE ROAD AGAIN (AND THE DAY FROM HELL!)  5/1/21

On the road again

Just can't to get on the road again 

The life we love is makin' new RV'n friends

and we can't wait to get on the road again

On the road again

Goin' places we've never been before

Seein' things we may never see again

And we can't wait to get on the road again

Our alarm was set for six this morning but we were up by 5:30.  I had hoped to be on the road no later than eight and we were both surprised  when we pulled away at 7:28.  Think we were anxious?

Boss nestled down into his favorite position before we hit the main highway.

Our first stop is Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The GPS told us it was 280 miles and 4 hours and a few minutes.   Oh great, with stops to stretch and walk Boss we should be pulling into our first stop no later than 1pm with the time change or so.   

In a PERFECT world!

Today's journey was anything but perfect.  Things started out well, we were in shorts and T's and even in that early morning we were comfortable.  We made it to I-40 and it wasn't long before the cruise control was set at 66 mph and we were singin' along to the oldies on the radio.

And then....

And then our day from hell started.  Rolling parking lot barely moving.  We made it up to 4 mph and we cheered!  Practically a standstill I tell ya!  This lasted for a good 30 minutes and we didn't know why.  Walt turned on the CB to see if we could hear the truckers discussing the hold up.  We heard lots of truckers but unfortunately there were all near us.  These guys were funny!  

PSA - If traveling with children do NOT get a CB!

When we got moving I shot a few scenery shots while still in Arizona.

Click to enlarge.

We were glad to see this sign!

Darn if we didn't get just into New Mexico and we hit another rolling parking lot.  This one too was about a half hour.  This is making for a long day!

We made a pit stop to top off the gas tank, a potty run for all of us, cold drinks and to just walk a bit.  

I saw this couple on bikes also taking a rest and couldn't help but notice their backpacks and the four saddlebags on each bike.  It didn't take long to figure out they were traveling.  I always like a human interest tidbit when I write so I grabbed the camera and headed towards them to get some info.  WELL,,,,let me just say that I could "smell" them long before I could see the whites of their eyes.  I stood a good ways away and asked where were they coming from.  They told me they stated in California, but they didn't say northern, central or southern and that they had been to Albuquerque and were on their way home via Flagstaff.  I asked if I could take their picture and was told flat out no.  Alrighty then!  On their way they went.

We were very happy to get gas while stopped.

We were glad to see that the rolling parking lot had rolled on down the road without us.  We had smooth sailing.

Tummies started rumbling and we realized that neither one of us had had breakfast and it was past our normal lunch time by now.  We pulled off the Interstate and looked for a McDonald's.  Hmmm,, can't get in there, we won't fit under the barrier by the drive through.  

Next stop, Burger King.  We Parked on a side street and walked to the fast food joint as we saw that their dining room was open.  Now New Mexico is still very much locked down.  Masks are mandatory everywhere.  Dining rooms are closed in most places.  We don't carry masks with us as we don't wear them and haven't for over a year now.  When we went into BK the young woman behind the plexiglass barrier asked us where our masks are.  I pointed out we were behind the barrier and she had one on so she was safe.  She started to say something and Walt said, "We don't wear them".  I started in with our order and she just gave up at that point.  Our Whopper Juniors were the pits anyway and the fries were cold.

Back on the road.

Our plan was to stay at the Kirtland Air Force Base Famcamp.  Our GPS took us to it and first gate we came to was closed.  As the was the next gate.  Finally, the third gate we went to was open and Walt parked us in the parking lot and I took our ID cards to the gate keepers.  They explained that this was not the gate we needed for the Famcamp.  After getting directions we were on our way once again.  We found the correct gate and once again I took our ID's to the gate keeper only to be told that Walt needed a Guest Pass.  We had never run into this before as my ID was enough to gain entry.   OK, so where do we go to get that?  Back to the gate we just left.  Now why didn't that gatekeeper tell us we needed a Guest Pass, she had both our ID's in her hands.  Total frustration for so many reasons at this point.  I pulled out my phone to find someplace else to stay when we saw the line waiting to get Guest Passes.  The closest was a KOA but  they wanted eighty eight bucks and change and its not even Balloon Fest!  Needless to say we kept looking.  I found another one called....

Well, when I called to see if they had availability and how much they cost we decided that was the place.  I got directions and I don't know if the person the other end gave me the wrong exit number, perhaps  thinking I was coming from the east and not the west or I just heard it wrong.  287 vs 281.  Anyway, we got lost.  Now this day is really slipping by us quickly, its been HOURS since we left Juniper Ridge!  We finally stopped at a store and asked if they knew where we wanted to go.  The fellow said he was new to the area but he THOUGHT it was ...... that's all I needed to hear.

I called the campground again and we were on the right road just had to go in the opposite direction for about 6 miles.

Wouldn't you know when we pulled up we both looked at each other and said, "We've stayed here before!"

Walt and I have quite the system in setting up and we get it done in short order.

Tomorrow Amarillo!