Willcox, Arizona, October 10, 2009
Alamogordo, New Mexico, October 9, 2009

Argh!!! The internet connections in these hotels leave a lot to be desired! They’ve gotten really bad in the last week. We will change hotel chains to see if the connections improve. How’s that for wild abandon?

Yesterday we had quite a day. I was so tired that I went to bed at 8:30, hence no blog last night!

But first we must describe our dinner in Fort Stockton. We went to the best steak house in town, K-Bob’s Steakhouse. We didn’t get to sit in the main room with the gold veined square mirrors by the salad “wagon”. No, we were led to a room that reminded me of my junior high lunch room. High ceilings, lots of florescent lights and pictures of cheerleaders and football hunks on the wall. I ordered the salad bar with cowboy soup, which looked exactly like chicken noodle soup, (my favorite!) bc ordered the chicken fried steak and green beans. When it was served he said, “I’ve seen more attractive dishes.”











The next morning we drove through Texas to New Mexico. Speed limits are crazy! 75 on a 2 lane road, but once we entered NM it was 65.

We went to the Carlsbad Caverns National Memorial. It was amazing. We walked down into the cave instead of taking the elevator. It took more than an hour and was steep, dark and incredible. bc took lots of pictures and the pictures still don’t do it justice. We made a smile box below for you to enjoy the sights. If you ever have the chance to go, Go! It’s more than worth it.

We ate lunch and then went onto Roswell, NM to the “International UFO Museum and Research Center.” That was weird! That’s about all I can say about that. Weird. But I’m glad we went.









p.s. There were no secret revelations regarding alien invasions.

It was a beautiful drive from Roswell to Alamogordo. It was getting late and we were very tired. However, we saw our first sign of fall color on Hwy 70 outside Picacho. This leg gave us a diversity of scenery. From desert cactus, to mountain pines to rolling green fields. At the top of the pass we were at 7591 feet.







Alamosa has the world’s largest Pistachio.



Alamogordo, as was noted in a sign, is “The Friendliest Place on Earth.” We have to agree. The hotel and restaurant staff was very nice. Thanks!

After the hiking in the cavern and the bizzarro UFO museum I was very tired last night. I went to bed at 8:30 and slept the sleep of the just. (That’s what my mom calls it.)

This morning we left Alamogordo NM and right away we were happy the travel saints were shining on us. There is a big sign saying “When lights flashing: Road ahead has missiles shooting.” Thank goodness the lights weren’t flashing! I might note we were passing through the White Sands Missile Range.







We drove Hwy 70 (the Battan Memorial Highway) from Alamogordo to Las Cruces. We wound our way through downtown Las Cruses to La Mesilla. We stumbled upon an old car show and that was a nice treat. We tasted some wine at great a New Mexican winery, St. Clair Winery and were pleasantly surprised at what we found. We’ll remember it when we open the wine we bought there!

There isn’t much to see once you leave Las Cruces. We drove I10 and its all sand, cactus and beautiful sky. We had a picnic lunch at the rest stop and landed in Willcox, AZ around 2pm. We didn’t know it was 2pm. We got our last hour back and so we spent our new hour fighting to get an internet connection.







Oh yea, in Arizona they will just take your speeding picture and send you a ticket. We didn’t try it. We’re always looking for a car wash.

As we pulled into the parking spot at this hotel we noticed a man in his late 70’s sitting in a parking space on a hotel chair wearing a pair of shorts (that’s all) sunbathing….it was mostly cloudy. And, on our nightstand is a rather odd picture of “Jan Marlin”, whoever he is. Tonight there is karaoke at the Hopi bar next door. I think we’ll stay in.



Life is good! We have each other and we are realizing that no one could make up some of the stuff we’ve seen and heard! We are on an amazing journey in more ways than miles.

Take care, and hope all is well with you. bc and gc

“I’ll never understand how the journey led me here. But I have a made a promise that I intend to keep. My love wherever I go I take you with me.” Melissa Etheridge