2013 Lap around the USA

[john.waters]

John,

One of these days you will have to return and capture the famous "Vegas Blue." Just before dawn the sky takes on a magical color that locals call "Vegas Blue."


Mark

Definetly will be a third time Mark. Always seem to stay up too late in Vegas and sleep in.

[john.waters]

Day 5- Tuesday 14th May 2013- Las Vegas - Kingman - Hackerry - Selligman - Grand Canyon Caverns - Flagstaff - Sedona - Winslow Meteor Crater RV Park Arizona. 385 miles

Up at 6am and looking at Las Vegas in the rear view mirror by 6.30 am. First stop was Rosies Den between Las Vegas and Kingman.




We stopped there two years ago but this time was different as the the Roadhouse had burnt down and they were trading out of an old shed.
It seems they have a good business running sales of lotto tickets so they have decided to stay. They sold of some of their land to Chevron and a truck stop sits along side the old building.

It was good to pick up Route 66 again. We had covered from Kingman to Williams on last trip but its still a great drive on the old road. Hackberry is a favorite spot of mine and the only photo from last trip that hangs on my wall at home. Im sure I will add more this year.





We venture off the road at Selligman and made a visit to the Grand Canyon Caverns. Its the first cavens I have been too where you take an elevator down. It was well worth the stop and wanted to see where Billy Connolly had stayed, in the underground Motel when he made his Route 66 DVD.

Billy's motel room


From the caverns we continued along 66 before making a quick diversion down a very windy road in Sedona. My wife wanted to have a quick look around. It rained quiet heavy while we ther so headed out after a short visit.( Sedona was never on the list this time). What a beautiful town.
A nice slow drive out the same way and back onto 66 and continued on to the Winslow Meteor Crater RV Park for the night and witnessed a beautiful Arizona Sunset.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Whoa!

I hadn't heard about Rosie's. I wonder if they were able to save any of the memorabilia.

Mark

[john.waters]

Whoa!

I hadn't heard about Rosie's. I wonder if they were able to save any of the memorabilia.

Mark

It happened during the night in August 2011. Nothing was insured and I dont think anything at all was saved. They are planning on rebuilding with the money from the sale of the land to Chevron.
There are a few old T shirts in the shed but thats about all.
It had a lot of character and a very memorable place. Especially with the motor bikes pulling up to a tables for a cool drink.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Wow, Rosie's is/was in my "backyard" -- I guess it's been too long since I drove down that stretch of highway.

Mark

[john.waters]

Day 6 - Wednesday 15th May 2013 -Winslow Meteor Crater - Route 66 to Albuquerque - South on 25 to Hatch New Mexico. 486 Miles.


Up early and on the road by 7.00 am after a quick breakfast. Our first stop was at the Meteor Crater at Winslow.
Our Road Trip plan is to be camp / stop overnight as close as to next days first attraction so we are not on the road for too long before stopping.
It seemed to work well as we didnt miss anything that we wanted to see and also managed a few exta places.. The days were long but not all driving.



We arrived at the Crater and were first in line to wait for the gate to open. Its an amazing site to see. I took a few panoramic photos while my wife spent some time (and money) in the giftshop.
Taking photos was a challenge as I can believe how windy it was. I couldnt use a tripod as it kept blowing over. We farewelled the crater and got back onto Route 66 and headed to another Iconic place.

Standing on a Corner in Winslow Arizona. We were not dissapointed in Winslow and everything we expected to see. Took a few more photos and spent some more money on shirts and trinkets before heading off again on 66.







We followed Route 66 to just before Albuquerque where we turned south on the next leg of out trip. Down through Teaxas and onto New Orleans for my wifes birthday on the 21st May.





The Los angeles to Albuquerque leg of Rote 66 was interesting and also fun to drive and also challenging to find in places.We now had to wait until Chicago to complete the remainder back to Albuquerque.

With such a beautiful day and we were now on the Interstate 25 it was a pleasant run to Hatch, New Mexico.
I had been keeping an eye on the fuel and stopping every couple of hours so wasnt worried. Not until I realised I had been looking at the temperature gauge that was reading just under half.
The fuel gauge was on empty and wasnt long before the light came on. It was late at night and didnt like the idea of being out of fuel on the highway. A bit of confusion for the first few days working what was the indicators and what worked the washer and wipers.

We searched and found a place called Hatch on the GPS and headed towards there very slowly. We made it into town and fuelled up.The attendant at the gas stop then gave us directions to where we could park for the night legally. It ended up being in the carpark of the local bank. We enjoyed the rest after fourteen enjoyable hours on the go.

After the fuel crisis we made a point of never letting the van get below half a tank.Well only once more did I nearly let it run out but that was planned.

[john.waters]

Day 7 -Thursday 16th May 2013. Hatch NM - White Sands National Monument - Franklin Mountain - El Paso Texas - Rest stop near Fort Stocton - 463 Miles.

Today we headed off to White Sands National Monument. We arrived early so we would miss the heat of the day. After wacthing the National Park video on the area we headed off into the Park. Its such a beautiful place and deserves more than the three hours we spent there. Night time photography would be awsome.









It started to get quite warm so we departed and headed towards El Paso and the Franklin Mountain Loop drive. For some reason I was thinking El Paso as a small country town but soon changed my mind. Must have been that Marty Robbins song in my head.

We had watching all the billboards along the road for a place called the Saddle Blanket Trading Post. We finally found it as we were leaving El Paso. We called in and spent an hour or so looking and shopping.

I got talking to the owner "Dusty" and he told me all about the history of his business. He then gave us a autographed copy of his book "From Rugs to Riches".
A very interesting read and a great person to boot. He eventually kicked us out at closing time.

From here on I was caught up in traffic for an hour or so and eventually had a good run on the interstate until we found a rest area near Fort Stocton Texas.
It was very well lit and a lot of others parking for the night like us. It only takes a few minutes after stopping to juggle a few bags and get the bed made.A great little van. Wish we could have kept it.

Driving through Texas was interesting and the speed limit of 80 mph gets some miles covered in a day.It took a while to get up to that speed but I really found 75mph on cruise control much better for me.
I think we were on the go for about 15 hours again that day. The days are long but mixing with sight seeing and rest stops we were having a ball.

[john.waters]

Day 8 -Friday 17th May 2013- Fort Stocton Tx-Fredricksburg - San Antonio- Alamo- Colorado Rest area near Houston Texas 484 Miles

Finding the weather quite warm at night we were awake at 5am and decided to head off early and find a travel plaza and freshin up with a nice warm shower and a good breakfast.

We were greeted with a beautiful sunrise as we cruised down the highway. Some friends had told us of a nice touristy town called Fredericksburg and suggested we divert to check it out.





The rural drive to the town was a enjoyable trip and a break from the 85 mph highway. It was just what I had imagined with all the ranch signs and Texas flags flying along side the US flag.

Fredericksburg reminded me of so many country towns in the US and Australia and a very friendly and welcoming town as well. I think we spent our days spending allowance before we headed out.

It wasnt long before we were heading into San Antonio and our GPS led us to the heart of the city and to the Alamo. As a child I grew up watching mostly American television shows, so the trip into Texas was full of memories of Davey Crocket and the Alamo and John Wayne Movies.

I came away with a different view after seeing the Alamo for myself and learning what actually happened there. I even found someone on the memorial list with the same surname, so I now have a bit more research to do.






We took a stroll along the river walk before deciding to leave San Antonio and head off to somewhere close to Houston in readyness for tomorrow.
We again found ouselves at another Rest Area for the night. Another big day over. We slept well.

[john.waters]

When planning our Road trip, going from Albuquerque to New Orleans seemed a challenge. It seemed like a big drive over a few days without much to see and just burn off the miles.

A little research turned what I though would be a boring drive into a memorable part of the journey. We only touched a small part of it and enjoyed every moment.

[john.waters]

Day 9 -Saturday 18th May 2013 - Rest Area Tx - Houston - NASA - Galveston - Galveston RV Park. 156 Miles

Leaving the rest area around 7am we had a rather easy run through Houston. Although the multi lanes of traffic was frightening it was quite easy to just follow the signs and take the appropriate exit.
I love the USA road system so easy to drive and navigate. Another thing I love about a USA Road Trip.

Arriving at the NASA Training Centre and Museum we were greeted with near empty carparks and very few vistors. Again we were amongst the first few to arrive at the Centre. Our plan to arrive early at attractions was working well so far.

The centre was one of the highlights of our trip and to see where the Apollo missions were controlled from was amazing along with all the other exhibits and displays.By the time we left after lunch the place was packed with children ranging from the age of one to eighty. I relived a few chilhood memories of the moon landing as well. PlusI got to take a few photos.



Apollo Rocket



Mission Control

Our spending was up again after leaving the gift shop but who could leave without a momento. Our plan was to head to New Orleans from Houston.
Seeing we had been driving fairly hard for a few days we decided to head to Galveston for the night. It was good to rest and catch up with washing and other chores.

We ended up spending a few hours sitting on the waters edge watching people fish and having a cold beer with some friendly people we met up with.



It was good to share our different cultures and lifestyles and also given some really good travel advice as well.

Life is Good.