3. Las Cruces NM

Spent the night at Walmart in Tucson, drove a couple minutes to PF, exercise and shower. Can’t beat it. We would have left sooner, but again a Board issue got in the way. Off we were at 11am. 

Not much traffic or road construction but many signs noting strong winds. Not today!

Fill-up in Tombstone, 30 minutes running the generator and finally arrived at Olive Garden in Las Cruces. Popped over to Dick’s for Cindy’s new tennis shoes, then to PF at 1100 Telshor for the night. This is a 24-hour center. 

$81.77 Texaco Tombstone ($4.19 gal / 19.4 gal)

$36.76 Olive Garden (includes tip)

$108.30 Nikes for Cindy 

$226.83

Since start  $468.95

Wordle 320 5/6

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Daily Quordle 101

5️⃣4️⃣

6️⃣7️⃣

Daily Octordle #101

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3️⃣9️⃣

2. Tucson

We had a quiet night at the Yuma Foothills Planet Fitness. The showers this morning were great. We were underway at 10am, heading East. 

Despite deciding we would go the no treats route this trip, Bob announced “Dateland next exit.” We had to stop! Last time they had no muffins or cookies but did today. We bought 4 date scones, 2 strawberry-date scones and date nut bread. Scones were very good. 

We checked out several PF, Oro Valley (massive development happening) that was okay. We decided to check out those in Tucson. One didn’t exist, one was too isolated and the other here at 1125 E Tucson Marketplace ended up being okay. However, all these PF close at 11pm, had no overnight parking signs, and we’d end up being the only ones in their parking lot. Walmart to the rescue, just walking distance away. 

A check with a fellow RVer who said they Wallydocked last night confirmed our stay tonight. In the meantime, off we popped over to Lin’s Grand Buffet for an Asian lunch — it’s a couple bucks cheaper and ends at 4pm. We had 7 minutes to spare! And we also got a senior discount!

Back to Walmart, wandered a bit to stretch our legs and enjoy the AC. At 6pm it was still in the 80s. The parking lot is noisy with all kinds of coming and going. The store closes at 11pm, and it’s since quieted down. 

Had a 76 minute phone conversation with Mary about the FH Annex remodel. Not a simple project by any means. 

Bob suggested driving to Las Cruces tomorrow and spending a couple days. It’s too much to drive hundreds of miles day after day. 

Best game results ever! Yesterday I invited Bo and today Arlene to the group Jojoba Wordle and More

Wordle 319 3/6

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Daily Quordle 100

8️⃣9️⃣

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Daily Octordle #100

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8️⃣9️⃣

$1.00 for 5 gallons of water for the tank

$9.99 for Allstays app as Bob’s free one 

isn’t working 

$18.30 at Dateland bakery

$23.91 + $2 tip Lin’s and $1 for homeless outside

$12.45 Walmart for engine additive

$68.65 total

Wallydock FREE

Start 5636.1

End

1. Yuma

At last we were on our way for our 2022 Summer travels. Last Friday Dinner (brochette trio) on 4/29, packing and cleaning, BOD meeting on Monday 5/2, more packing and cleaning, then finally departing JJH at 11:40 am. Already exhausted! 

Out of habit we headed west on Highway 79–not the way to Yuma. Good anyway as we needed gas, but not a full fill up as gas is over $6 a gallon. Once we crossed the Arizona border it dropped $2. 

En route an Emergency BOD meeting followed by Executive (of course when we were in the hills with no wifi) started at 3pm but only 12 minutes long! Drat! Forgot my iPad and meeting notes.  

Finally time for 4:30 dinner at the Golden Corral.  Love those bakers, mashed and cabbage! We headed to Planet Fitness on Castle Dome, wandered around Kohl’s, then decided to head to PF in Fortuna at 7pm.  Neither club is 24 hours but boondocking in Yuma is never a problem. Bob showered and was impressed with large showers and soap.

Tomorrow we’re heading to Willcox for my Elks card (late again) but maybe the online will work if I can get the login fixed. It’s a 4-hour drive to Tucson, and Willcox is beyond.  

245 miles

$47.72 Chevron in Temecula $6.39 gallon

$33.10 Golden Corral + $5 tip

$87.65 Chevron in Yuma $4.49 

Boondock PF - FREE

$173.47

Wordle 100

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 

Daily Quordle 100

8️⃣9️⃣

7️⃣5️⃣

Daily Octordle #100

6️⃣7️⃣

🕛5️⃣

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8️⃣9️⃣

Choo Choo - All Aboard

At the Antonito Train Depot, we boarded Car 2 of the Cumbres-Toltec Rail Lines train at 9:30. It departed at 10:01, which one of the volunteers said was excellent!  This historic steam engine passenger train was originally used to transport silver ore.  

Our route was a round trip to Osier CO where we had a delicious all-you-can-eat lunch of roast turkey or meatloaf with all the trimmings, including beverage and dessert.  Dining is cafeteria style—and even trays like we had in elementary school.  We chatted with our table mates: the usual where are you from, where’s your next stop, etc.  People are always fascinated by our full time RV lifestyle. A couple was from Ohio (born and raised) and two younger women were from Texas.  Those two want to travel, and one’s looking forward to retiring in Costa Rica.

The sights were amazing! Tracks snaked around mountains and gorges. We saw the volcano cores, evidence of a slide that shut down the trains for a week a couple years ago, Father-Daughter Rock, a rushing river with cabins and fishing galore—all with the chug chug chug and whistles as we entered little settlements and Osier. Black smoked plumed from the engine. A small car (one called it a putt putt) followed with barrels of fire retardant to address any hot sparks.   

Something was wrong with our engine, so the second half of our ride back was painfully slow. We arrived over an hour late, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.  

Stopped at a nice grocery for fruit and vegetables, then back to mosquito land.  All in all it was a great adventure.

Downtown & Taos Ski Resort

Our day began at the Saturday market in the Taos square.  Booths were set up with the usual fare but not many vegetables or fruits. It’s too early in the season for most produce, but many had both red and white radishes. Perhaps they’re for posole. We were tempted by the cinnamon buns but didn’t want to spoil our lunch. 

Time to eat!  We enjoyed a great meal at Gutiz where the theme is Latin-French. Not since Europe two years ago have we seen croque monsieur offered on a menu. Had to have that and a delicious vegetarian tartine. 

Now off to Taos Ski Area with some breathtaking views. It’s extremely quiet this time of year. We saw where our friends boondocked for a few days last week. Alas, we are set at our own park for a couple more days. 

Popped in for a few items at CID’s, which is a bigger version of Sprouts. 

We’re now acquainted with the Taos look. We haven’t seen so many young adults at one time—living in an over 55 park is so limiting. Their attire and tattoos are appealing but not really for us. 

Next Stop - Taos, New Mexico

We were up early this morning, ready to hit the road. It is less than a two-hour drive from Santa Fe to Taos Valley RV Park. 

We stopped for a little dashboard dining and watched kayakers paddling the Rio Grande. 

We arrived early to the campground, so took a spin around town. It’s small but lots of restaurants and shops. Not as quaint as historic downtown Santa Fe, but looks like it’s easy to visit on foot. 

We had dinner in, an odd assortment of pierogies, potatoes and broccoli.  Good nonetheless. 

Tomorrow we will check out the town and enjoy a lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Last Night in Santa Fe

Today was a lazy day. No driving!   Gorgeous day in the mid 80s with slight breeze.

Cindy emailed the Board minutes, chatted with a friend, and updated the blog. 

Bob enjoyed the pool, that is, until GRANDCHILDREN arrived. Too much fun for Bob to take. 

Tonight a walk to El Comal Restaurant. It was delicious, and the margaritas were excellent. Deserved a  4-star review on Yelp.  

This was dinner for two!  What a feast for only $12 each
We ordered sopapillas instead of tortillas

Thunderstorms brew up daily this time of year.  We’d gone to bed when we heard the plop, plop, plop of big raindrops.  I rushed outside—in my nightgown—to stow the chairs under the picnic table, at which time the storm suddenly stopped.  We were, however, entertained with huge bolts of lightning for nearly an hour.