Santa Fe trail

We woke up in Winslow AZ to drifting snow and high winds.  I-40 was clear though we drove through some substantial flurries.  We stopped just west of Albuquerque at the Petroglyph National Monument and took a breezy hike into the lavalands to see the petroglyphs.

Continuing north to Santa Fee we parked and spent two hours walking around the town and getting ourselves oriented.

Then we travelled the scenic 3 miles out of town to Bishops Lodge Ranch where we were staying. This is a ranch/resort/spa.  I chose it because it had horseback riding.  Our room was very spacious with a fireplace and deck and the bathroom was equipped with a huge and inviting bath tub!  After four months in a modest motorhome shower I was pretty excited.

We had schedule massages for shortly after our check in.  This was very welcome after a few days of driving.  Liza and I both were decidedly in relax mode and it took some effort to gather the motivation to walk the short distance to the main lodge to enjoy a beautiful dinner.  It was snowing pretty steadily and the wind was up.  I was concerned that the footing the next morning would not allow us to go trail riding.


The next morning was clear and sunny but cold and windy.  We checked with the stable and they said the trails were in good shape.  We walked the short distance to the stables where I saddled up Toby Joe and Liza rode Cadillac.  Daniel the wrangler took us on a beautiful ride up into the nearby mountains, meandering through the piñon pine and up to a viewpoint that allowed us to look across New Mexico into Colorado.  It was a beautiful ride and a joy to be back on a horse!

That afternoon we returned to the spa for facials and by evening we were into the resort rhythm!  We had a light supper in the bar of the lodge and caught sight of the evening news which informed us that I-40 eastbound from Albuquerque was closed.  We considered traveling south to I-20 but after looking at the forecast from the comfort of our luxurious room we decided to stay another day in Santa Fe and continue on I-40.

On our bonus day we drove back into town and walked around some more then went to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit of traditional woven horse blankets.

Back at the ranch I took Vinny for a beautiful hike on the trails around the ranch.  He enjoyed the fresh air and was intrigued by the smell of the stables!

Tomorrow we have to get back to "work" and start covering some ground to get home to Maine!

Arizona

Vinny ready for bed in Blythe


We continued our drive east onto Sedona.  We found a great hotel that had Animal Planet on the tv (for Vinny) and Liza and I took a jeep tour out to the Red Rocks.  I am not much for jostling and loud engines but it was a great way to get out to see the amazing rocks and enjoy the sunset.

Saturday morning we got up before dawn and took a beautiful and inspirational three hour hike around Sedona.  Vinny enjoyed it as well and his paws still have pink hue from the red mud. The sky was clear and there was still a dusting of snow in the shady spots and on high ground.

Vinny Red Paws


We headed out of Sedona towards Flagstaff.  We both decided that we could not be so close and fail to see the Grand Canyon.  Although we would only have the afternoon and were hauling a trailer, which limits our parking and some driving options, we headed to the Park.

It is an amazing experience and for the second time in one day Liza and I decided that we would have to come back and spend some more time in this region!  The Park was not crowded and the National Park Service does a wonderful job of making the experience a good one. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and would love to come back again and spend more time exploring.

We sadly left the park and continued on our way. There must have been some event in Flagstaff that night because we could not find a hotel room in town.  We pressed on to Winslow "Taking it Eeeeasy."

Back on the Road....Eastward version

On Wednesday February 20, I said good-bye to Pinnacles National Park and drove via 101 to LosAngeles.  Interstate 5 was closed due to snow but 101 was beautiful clear and sunny - the best of California!  I was quite happy for the detour as I had hoped to drive through my old 'hood at some point during my time in California.  Happily I had been able to get a steroid injection in my neck the day before which made the driving more comfortable.

I arrived at sister Liza's loft in the afternoon and was able to visit with my niece Pippa and her boyfriend Danny who had returned from a 4 month trip around Europe. I also got to cuddle with niece Lelah's adorable little boy, Truman.

Contemplating the U-haul

Vinny ready for a road trip!


We enjoyed a nice dinner and lively game of Yahtzee.  On Thursday we spend the morning organizing the trailer and loading the shipment of paintings I am taking back to Maine.

We actually goton the road at 1pm and started heading East.  We made it to Blythe CA just shy of the Arizona border.

Christmas Eve Hike

We spend Christmas day in Santa Cruz enjoying a festive dinner with Victoria, Jonathan, Sadie and Jonathan's parents (complete with Haynes traditions such as Christmas Crackers and Cinnamon Rolls).  We spent the night at a dog-friendly hotel in town and enjoyed visiting some more on Boxing Day.

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls - a tradition!

My sister Liza came to visit for a couple of days and we enjoyed a brisk hike up to the Pinnacles and some lively games of Yahtzee.  She is planning to return later this spring with my niece Lelah and her darling grandson Truman.

Liza hiking up to the Reservoir

 I took a day trip up to have some quality time with Victoria and Sadie on the 31st.
Phil and I spent New Year's Eve having champagne and Scrabble but were in bed watching a movie by 830.  We managed to ring in the New Year - on East Coast time but that was about it.

Beautiful Sadie in her new outfit


 
We are excited to be Pinnacles National Park. When we arrived here Dec 5th it was Pinnacles National Monument.  The upgrade was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on January 10.

Everyone in the park is very excited.  It is hoped that the new moniker will increase interest in the park and boost attendance.

We have been doing light chores around the campground and hiking one or two days per week. WE have almost daily Condor sightings as well as abundant wildlife on our daily dog walks throughout the park. It is still pretty quiet here with few campers.  We are having freezing temperatures overnight but sunny and 60 during the day.  We did experience some spitting snow on the peak during our hike last week. We expect activity to increase from President's Day through the spring when the wildflowers are out and the sun too!

I am looking forward to visits from my sister Liza and other family from this part of the world!

Sadie's in Town!

My second side trip of the week was to Santa Cruz. my daughter Victoria is there with her husband and my darling granddaughter Sadie visiting her in-laws. So I drove over to the coast to have a little visit!

We are looking forward to another visit next week!

I have been remiss in my postings here form Pinnacles!  We have enjoyed the hiking and wildlife and getting settled in with our tasks as Camp Hosts.

I have taken a couple of side trip in the past week.  Sunday the 14th I drove to Los Angeles to visit with my sister.  It was my first chance to see her new home and to visit with some family as she was hosting a house warming/holiday get together.
 I drove the beautiful and very winding Route 25 to Coalinga where I picked up I 5 and zipped into LA.  The drive over 25 took its toll as poor Vinny was car sick.  As a retired show dog he has spend a lot of time in a car and never fusses but the road was just too much!

Liza's loft it very cool and well suited to her.  I arrived 90 mins before the scheduled arrival of guests - there were one or two tasks to be done:  I vacuumed and tidied while Liza and I caught up with news.

Guests included my Niece Lelah and her adorable baby Truman and my cousin Barbara.


We had a fun time watching the Ukelele players performing christmas songs and Ukelele classics

The next morning Liza drove me over to shopping center so that I could stock up on See's Candy for the season.  Then Liza, Lelah, Truman and I went on a "stair walk"  there are lots of interesting neighborhoods in Los Angeles which is quite hilly so there are stairs to access some homes.  Our walk took us past many barking dogs as well as a stretch of conservancy land that was beautiful and remote feeling.

We arrived at Pinnacles National Monument on Wednesday, December 4.  We have a nice site next to the brook and away from the main camping area, but next to the large day use area.  the park had 134 sites.  Some RV site (only electricity)  but we have all conveniences:  sewer, electricity and water plus a landline and DSL!

Our duties are pretty light:  we toot around in the golf cart checking campsite and making sure they have receipts for their stays.  We stop and chat, answer questions and tell everyone where we last saw a bobcat/condor/turkey/feral pig/ deer.  The park is brimming with wildlife.  Every night as we are drifting off to sleep we hear the coyotes howl and sing.

The campground is run by a concessioner so we "work" for him but the campground is within the National Park System so there are park rangers that operate the visitors center and patrol the park and do the "enforcement" (like rowdy campers) They seem to have a good working relationship with the concessionaires.

The park is the center of the Condor Project- this the home to the largest Condor population in the world.  We have volunteered to help the rangers -  which involves things like dragging a cow carcass up a mountain to the feeding station.

Today we went on our first hike.  There are 30 miles of trails here in the park and we are keen to hike them all before the busy season starts in March.

So here are a bunch of photos: