All the way to Santa Fe, NM

For months we had been planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip with friends and family.  We were going to be led by British archeologists through the wonders of Greece, Sicily and Italy.  Two weeks before we were scheduled to depart while we were figuring out which electronics to pack, London calls to inform us the small ship we were to sail on had suffered catastrophic engine failure thereby cancelling the trip. Oh well, at least we didn't get trapped somewhere in the Mediterranean waiting for rescue.  Yes - we managed to get all of our money returned, except for oddly enough, what we paid for travel insurance.  Even though it was a big let down, we console ourselves by hopping into our camper to meet Peter's sister Jill and her husband Mark in Santa Fe NM.

Yahoo! We're back on the road again

heading for open spaces and big skies

Late afternoon at Tehachapi Pass

No, I don't get tired of windmills

Almost to Red Rock Canyon State Park

Nice camp

Morning at Red Rock with Jack Rabbit

Walking through the Joshua Trees

They're in bloom!

Rather - they're almost in bloom

What is a giant golf ball doing in the middle of nowhere?

Dessert clouds

Don't fence me in

Looks like Flagstaff has a good snow pack this year

Bonito Campground - a big favorite of ours

Another Roadside Attraction

Featuring Dinosaurs!

and a wonderfully restored T-Bird

Driving through the Zuni Reservation

Getting closer

Quick stop at El Morro National Monument

Driving the Turquoise Trail to Madrid NM

We love this town

Wonderful art for sale for decent prices

Wonderful turquoise inlay on this table

Classical NM fireplace

Great rock garden fountain

Madrid has become more upscale since our last visit and now has several really good restaurants. We meet up with Mark and Jill at The Hollar featuring lots of outside dining. Later we have coffee and ice cream at Jezebel Soda Fountain and Deli.

Lunch at the Hollar

Jezebel's

Pulled pork salad - yum

Although prosperity has come to Madrid, it hasn't lost its starving artist aura.

Used clothing shop

Blue door

Fixer upper ?

After wandering around Madrid we saddle up our ponies and gallop off towards Santa Fe where we'll be staying for the next few days.

Adios Madrid y hasta luego

Our ponies at rest in camp

After dinner we check out Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf is a big favorite of Peter and Jill's younger sister Holly, who's an ardent Burner (Burning Man fan). We had hoped to see the inside, but they are holding a concert this evening and the place is packed, so we put off visiting another time. We do enjoy wandering around the parking lot at sunset and marveling at the enormous Burner style statues.

The Wolf of Meow Wolf ?

Sci-Fi sized spider