It was a fast trip back to Iowa from Tucson. We normally like to take it easy when traveling with camper in tow but got delayed at Rv dealer with repairs so took the short route. Randy had to get back for doctors appts. First day was the longest, made it to Albuquerque. We stayed at Kirkland AFB campground, easy to get to and pull-thru sites.
When going to a new location my biggest worry is how hard it will be to get a 39ft camper into the space. It can be quite entertaining to see what some of us have to do to get it parked. When the driver doesn't understand the spotters hand signals it can get a little "heated" if you know what I mean.
It was my birthday the next day and since they were forecasting high winds we decided to layover one more day. About birthdays.... I never was one who wanted to celebrate on my big day until I turned 60! Then for some reason I decided hay, it should be a big deal. Who knows how much time we have and we better make the most of it!! I try to do something special and new. This year I lucked out and meet up with Doug P. a friend we first met in the RV park in Tucson. ( a true full timer)
Had lunch at a very interesting restaurant called the Range Cafe, homemade everything. Circle the Wagons was the name of breakfast and the question always asked in New Mexico is? Red or Green Chiles
After lunch we decided to take the Sandia Tram ride to the top of the mountains. It was a little scary at first but what a thrill, awesome views of New Mexico! It had been in the 90's at the bottom but was a cool 54 degrees at the top.
Here are a few facts.
Total Horizontal length, 2.7 miles.
Track Ropes, 1 5/8 inches in diameter.
Total Vertical rise 3,819 ft.
Elevation at upper terminal: 10,378 ft
The next day we headed out for Liberal Kansas where we stayed at a county fairgrounds just across the Ok border. Since the place was empty I decided it would be a good time for me to try backing in the new camper. Randy and I really need to work on our hand signals!! :)
We drove all the way across Kansas on Hwy 54 the following day with a strong side wind and made it to Kansas City. Stopped at a roadside cafe/gas station that sat all by itself in the tall grass prairie.
The gal that waited on us also ran the gas pumps and was the cook. Made great biscuits and gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls every morning. You really see a different side to this great county by traveling the back roads. She told us the wind never stops blowing in Kansas!
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| Bluestem Pasters (tall grass prairie) |
Our last night on the road we stopped at Smithville lake and met for supper with fellow RV full-timers who stay in Kansas City for the summer. Its always fun to catchup and compare notes on where we have been.
Final morning on the road, this has been smooth sailing. Well that thought was to good to last... Went to close up the camper and the side-outs won't come in and landing gear won't come up. The hydraulics wouldn't work. After hours on the phone we finally got everything up and in with the help of a mobile Rv service. The pump will have to be replaced.
We made it home!
Randy had the girls catching fish!!
First day back, fishing, cutting trees and building a bonfire.
No smores? Sorry were out of marshmallows.
