Chapter 8 - Sedona, AZ

It was another morning of this as we left Farmington, NM...


With a few highlights like this...
We stopped along old Route 66 as we entered Arizona...


Not too sure which is bigger - the sign, or Jamie or the rock behind them all...


And of course, the last gift we had stashed when he became too much even for himself...

A crazy road descending about 2000 ft in elevation took us down to Sedona - just stunning! Sedona is some sort of yuppified mystical spiritual center that brings all sorts of folks and freaks (like us). We got suckered at an information booth where they tell you that there are no RV parks in Sedona and that if we just attend this 90 minute session tomorrow morning, that the $55 fee for the RV site at this high end resort would be waived. We were also told that we couldn't just show up and rent a site, we could only go there if we attended the pitch. (oh - and a $25 coupon towards lunch or dinner and a $500 online shopping coupon - you find out later it's from Home Shopping Network and affiliates - who really buys that stuff anyway?) So, if your next gift is a Suzanne Sommer's Thigh Master, don't be surprised - we were struggling to figure out how to spend the money! :)

So, we went out to dinner and wrangled the kids (she's coughy and he's tired of sitting still) and then hunkered down for the night at this place.

Dad went out for a soak in the hot tub in the center of the facility and after seeing this place for the first time, surmised that they are timeshare/ fractional ownership places that are smaller than your average mobile home, but bigger than the RV we are in. Kind of like a glorified trailer park for people who are either upgrading from their present trailer park, or seriously downsizing and wanting to live the 'cozy' life. We'll give a full report tomorrow after the 9am showing where the kids are being taken care of by the in-house day care.

Chapter 7 - Ojo to Farmington

We left Ojo for a scenic and incredible drive to Farmington where we stayed for two days.




T found this incredible Bed and Breakfast that one of the original families to Farmington owned. It had a great view and wonderful grounds. T wants to move in, but we're afraid that there really isn't enough to do in Farmington to keep us occupied. After all, everyone owns a pick up truck and a cowboy hat. Us city folk would need some new duds if we were to fit in.




Its Friday morning and we're off for Sedona, AZ and a little closer to home.

Chapter 6 - Santa Fe to Ojo Caliente

A short trip up the road led us to Ojo Caliente where we thought we could get some rest and relaxation. It turned out to be an average experience because of the proprieter's need to drain you of a dollar at every turn. For instance, T had a massage at 9 the next morning and they charged her not only the massage, but a $22 entry fee for the tubs which she never used. Guess they think that everyone around Taos and Santa Fe who like to hot spring in their bathingsuits likes to spend money as well. We stayed the night and headed out the following morning after the massage.



And of course - a FIRETRUCK for Jamie. It has a siren that makes Dad think he's getting pulled over every three minutes or so. Thanks Aunt Beth!

Chapter 5 - T or C to Santa Fe

these are all fotos of our day in santa fe









Nana made this for me!!!




The Church of St Francis at night

Chapter 4 – Gila to Truth or Consequences

Waking at 5:30AM has some advantages. One of them is definitely not well-restedness, but at least you get a jump on the day. By 7AM we were taking our first family plunge in the natural hot springs of the Gila. The smile on both Jamie’s and Dylan’s faces (not to mention Mom and Dad’s) was worth the entire trip. Frost covered everything in sight, but the 104 degree waters made up for the discomfort of getting in and out of the water freezing in your birthday suit.



After a quick breakfast, it was off to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, at the end of a dead end road deep in 3 million acres of designated wilderness area. Jamie was a trooper and hiked the one mile in by himself and impressed everyone on the trail and at the cliff dwellings, too. Hard to believe that a tribe of natives lived here over 800 years ago and made a home in such extreme climates and elevations, but what a magical place!!! Freezing on the way up, but worth the climb once the sun hits you and the sights are there to behold.


From there it was off to CRAZY Hwy 152 East that takes you through where Butch Cassidy hid out…and no wonder. It’s amazing that there is even a road that you can travel by car.


Landing in Truth or Consequences, we found an RV park for the night and drove around looking for something awesome to do since it was Christmas Eve. We settled on a half hour soak in another hot springs establishment (there are a dozen here, before it was Truth or Consequences, it was called Hot Springs.) A hot spring jacuzzi on the roof of a building where we watched the sun disappear and ran for the warmth of the RV once it was over.

We can’t believe we’re saying this sentence either but…this RV park was just fantastic! Big, clean, safe, a great shower and perched high up on a bluff - so we had great views of the very small town city lights.

More pics...




Tomorrow, it’s onto Santa Fe…