A Detour...

 

Not because of road construction.  Joan was looking at the Maps app and said, "Do you know there is a scenic road past Angel Fire, Eagles' Next, and Taos?  It will add about an hour and a half to our drive time today."

"Do you wanna do it?"

Spur of the moment decision.  We made that one about 60 seconds before coming up on that exit.

Last night in Colorado - another Love's RV Stop.  I mentioned the extra miles in yesterday's blog post.  It was a good stop.

Today, since we went further than planned yesterday, we did some figuring along the way.  I suggested we try Sky City, another casino in New Mexico.  Not just "another casino," Sky City was one of the first; we drove by it a couple times back in our "big coach" days, but the timing was never right for a stop.  I knew (well, expected) the casino and RV park to be dated, but I had seen a sign on the way over on our first day out that they had full hook-up RV sites for $29; quite a deal.  And, we are only looking for a place to park and an electric hook-up because it is supposed to be another hot one today.  I called an got us a reservation - one of the RV site review forums I use mentioned that this place had "a $19 RV site rate if you mentioned the billboard."  When booking it, I mentioned "the billboard"... yep, got it for $19.  The next closest place is about 3 times that price.

So, back to the detour.  The GPS was showing us getting to Sky City around 1:00 pm - yeah, we have time for a detour.  Pretty mountains and twisty roads - what's not to like?

We got off the Interstate just south of Raton Pass...

 Into New Mexico...

 Then, west on a 2 lane road, towards the mountains...

 The road got twistier after a while.  That would be more fun on the scoots, but the RoadTrek is our current conveyance, so...

 It was a pretty drive.  Some of this we did cover on scoots when we were in Taos for a week, almost 2 years ago.

Once into Taos, it was mostly 4 lane road to get to Santa Fe, then back on the Interstate.  It was a good diversion.  Turning west on I-40, another 59 miles or so to get to Sky City.

We knew to go to the Hotel Registration Desk to check in for the RV park... and that meant walking through the casino.  Joan said, "These look like new machines - I may have to play after we get settled in."

I got us checked in, then off to the nearby RV park.  Yes, this is dated, but perfectly adequate.  I plugged in our surge protector to check the voltage: all good, and electric is all we need.  We're fine on our fresh water and holding tanks.  Just as I was finishing with the electric, I looked back and saw...

 Whoa!  A fast-moving thunderstorm!  I got a quick shot of the site and headed inside...

 We got a few sprinkles on the windows, but the worst of it (thunder and lightning) moved just south and east of us.  We did feel the wind from the gust front, but nothing bad.

Murphy was keeping an eye out for us...

 Then, Stella joined him while I got their early supper ready...

 They were both good travelers today.  And, for the record, less ruckus during the night last night.  In fact, they both snuggled with me for a while - a first, since their first choice is snuggling with their Momma.  I get that - it is my first choice, too.  They seem to be settling into this traveling stuff, and... we should be home in a couple days.  I am sure they will be happy to have their home routine back.

The humans had some adjustment time, too.  Along about the third day, with rowdy cats, much less space than we are used to, and a couple big mile days, I began to wonder if our "van life" days might be numbered.  We adapted.  Joan is already talking about what she'd like to do different on our next outing.  That's a good sign.  ;-)

 

A Walk In The Park...

 

The RV park, that is.  Yesterday, I took a short walk around part of Hart Ranch, trying out my Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses as the video recorder.  The camera in the glasses does a decent job, but the guy running them could have looked around at something besides the road.  ;-)

So, another video here, that won't get posted anywhere else.  It was a test: a windy day (again), and I wanted to see how the noise reduction in the 5 microphones in the glasses would handle that.  Quite well, as it turns out.

So, a walkin' and talkin' video about Hart Ranch...

 Another learning experience with the Oakleys.

Rolling south today. 

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We were up early, and hit the road.  The GPS was showing us into our intended destination just before 1:00 pm.  Nahh - that's too early; all we're looking to do at this point is make some miles in the general direction of Phoenix.  We picked another potential stop a couple hours further down the road.

Another "3 state day": South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado.  The "Heartland Express" is a joint venture between those 3 states to make a good 4 lane road from the Black Hills to the Denver area.  South Dakota has done their part - the road is good; Nebraska, not so much - still mostly 2 lane; Colorado - they should be ashamed of themselves - State Highway 71 is mostly ugly 2 lane, no shoulders, with the road surface in terrible condition.  With us extending the driving day from around 350 miles to 540 miles, I was already tired by the time we got onto that crappy road in Colorado.  If we come back this way, I won't make that mistake again.  We could have taken I-70 into Denver, then I-25 south to where we are down (south of Pueblo), but I didn't want to deal with all the Denver traffic.  Still likely would have been better than that lumpy, cracked mess of a road that passes for a State Highway in Colorado.

I got a photo of Stella on the dash and on Joan's lap while underway...

Joan sent me this one of Stella sitting on the door arm rest...

She looks tiny there; but she is getting bigger.  Joan shot this one of Stella and Murphy at the sliding door yesterday...

 The long driving day today means fewer miles to cover the next 3 days.  We are down for the day, a/c going (back into the 90s for temperature today) and ready to relax.

 

And, We're Back...

 

If you said, "It's what every radio DJ used to say after a commercial break," you get 5 bonus points.  If you said, "What's a radio DJ?"... get off my lawn, ya damn whippersnapper.

We had a mostly relaxing morning in: leisurely showers and nothing to get done at any specific time.  When Stephanie heard we were at Hart Ranch, she texted us a message with a link to a necklace in the shape of a cat's paw.  It is made by one of the local Black Hills Gold jewelry manufacturers, and they have it "on sale."  Spoiler alert: the silver and gold jewelry made by these local manufacturers is on sale.  But, Steph asked, "If you have time and you go by this place, would you get this for me?"

Pretty sure she knew we would make the time.  There isn't any touristy stuff we want to do in the short time we are here... so, we stopped at this manufacturer and their price was even a little better than the "on-line sale price."  They had it, we bought it.

From there, Joan wanted to stop at her favorite shoe store in the Black Hills.  I dropped her off in front of the store; it is in downtown, and there is no way this van with the storage carrier on back will fit in the snug diagonal parking.  I made a few laps, then found a spot about a block and a half away that actually had parallel parking, kind of off-street.  Just as I finished backing in, Joan called, "I got what I wanted, I saw you going around the corner just as I came out of the store.  I'll meet you at the corner when you come around."

"See you in a minute or two."

From there, we did have one stop in mind: a Mexican restaurant west of town.  Lunch was calling.  It was as good as we remembered.  Two more stops before heading "back to the ranch": groceries and top off the van's fuel tank.  Joan likes Safeway here; doesn't like the one that is about two miles from our place in Phoenix.  Gas tank topped off and we came back to our site at Hart Ranch...

 I put it as close as I could to where it was positioned before we left: the blocks had us perfectly level.  The weather weasels were calling for "a high of 60º, and a strong, cold northwest wind."  It was 68º when we got back, the wind was blowing 12 to 15.  Or, less.  As you can tell from the photo above, Joan left the slider door open and rolled down the screen.  This would allow the kitties to see out, as well as smell and feel the breeze (which was coming from the other side of the van).

Murphy was nosing around the screen, so Joan thought he might be ready to go outside.  Sorta...

 If I had a few days to work on the training, I could get him good on the leash again.  Since we are leaving tomorrow morning, I carried him out a ways and let him walk back to the van.  Repeated that a couple times.  He knows the van is his "safe place," but still a bit too much wind for his comfort.  I let him back inside.

I heard him tell Stella, "You should have seen me out there - I was SO brave!  Dad and I know all about this leash stuff."

To be fair, it has been a long time since he's been on a leash, since we have that great courtyard at home.  I can see that he and Stella could use some practice.

Murph sat by the screen, while Stella watched from behind...

 "Oh, brother, you are so brave"...

 "Go ahead, little sister - I'll be right here if you need me"...

 

I wouldn't say this in front of Murphy, but Stella might be a bit more adventurous than the big boy.  I'm good if they are happy just looking out, and not trying to get out.

A bit more chill time this afternoon, then I'll get tanks dumped, fresh water topped off, and we'll be ready to hit the road in the morning.  Heading for home.

 

Window to the World...

 

When home, Murphy and Stella like to sit by the patio door, keeping an eye on the goings on in the courtyard.  But, we aren't home, and their routine is different daily in the RoadTrek.

In the peaceful setting that we are in on our site at Hart Ranch, they had the opportunity to watch the birds from the window in our slider door...

 Taken just before dusk, they are transfixed.  I offered to take Murphy out on the leash, but this boy does not like wind.  So, they get to watch from this wind-protected perch.

 

Signs, Signs, Everywhere the Signs...

 

If you said, "A song by the Canadian band Five Man Electrical Band, 1971," you get 25 bonus points.  If you said, "You must be driving across South Dakota," you are correct, but no bonus points.

It has been 4 years since we've driven across South Dakota.  If it weren't for all the billboards (signs), it would be a lot of prairie and farm fields.  So, a look at some of the signs to entertain you along the way...

 Of course, the grand-daddy of South Dakota signs: Wall Drug.  These days, they have a lot of competition in the billboard biz...

Firehenge is new since we've been here last.  It appears to be firetrucks arranged like Carhenge, which is a bunch of cars buried upright in Nebraska to somewhat look like Stonehenge.  Everybody looking to cash in somehow...

 Informational signs...

 Not signs, but windmills that weren't hear when we were last here...

 Many signs...

 Signs on the side of semi trailers...

 Signs that have the item they are advertising alongside them...

 Not a sign, but the river (Missouri River) that divides South Dakota into East River and West River...

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It was windy last night where we were parked; as in: gusts above 50 mph.  Yeah, you notice that.  Not much sleep.  Then today, it was windy, with gusts above 25 mph, as a headwind.  You notice that, too; especially at the gas pump.  At one fill up (we got gas twice today), our miles per gallon was down to just over 13 mpg.  We generally see 16 to 18 mpg.  The van can handle it, but the wind makes a difference.

We are down for the night at one of our favorite places: Hart Ranch in the Black Hills.  It is cool and windy here.  Murphy won't be going outside; he is not a fan of the wind.  But, we will be able to sleep without air conditioning tonight - the first time since we left home.  That should make for a quiet night.  The a/c is necessary, but it isn't quiet... a trade-off for comfort.  We may need heat tonight, but that is much quieter.  Now, if the cats can make it through the night without the zoomies, there is the possibility for us all to get a good night's sleep.

 

 

Land of the two-finger wave...

 

I am talking about Iowa.  We left Denison this morning.  It was a relatively short stay there, but it set my mind at ease being able to see John.

We decided to head north out of Denison (more on that in a bit).  This is Iowa farm country...

 Traffic is sparse and when a car or truck comes the other direction, the driver often raises 2 fingers off the steering wheel as a wave.  Unlike in Phoenix, where the wave is generally 1 finger, sometimes followed by gunfire.  But, I digress.

This farmer must have wanted to be a lighthouse keeper at one time...

 The GPS didn't warn us that our routing took us on gravel - we looked for the fasted way out of that an plugged in a detour; did about 5 miles of gravel before we got back on pavement again...

 Where there are farms, there is occasionally farm equipment on the highway...

 And road construction...

 And windmills being built...

 Must be a profitable "crop" - we saw plenty of them along the way.

The first stop on our northerly route was in Milford, IA...

 For those not familiar, The Three Sons started "the University of Okoboji" t-shirt sales decades ago.  No, there is no "university."  The sale of shirts and other stuff was so successful, they started at charitable foundation.  It has been at least 10 years since I've been able to update my University of Okoboji wardrobe - we took care of that today.

From there, off to Arnold's Park and Lake Okoboji, to allow me to reminisce about childhood summers here.  It has changed A LOT...

 It needed to.  Damage from a tornado and the growth of Adventure Land near Des Moines left the Arnold's Park amusement park a shell of its former self.  The Roof Garden (home to a concerts and other events) was relocated (on the ground floor) and the wooden rollercoaster in the park was rebuilt.  Other rides and shops came back.  The waterfront area looks great.  We stopped for a couple photos...

 

That boat in that photo above is the Queen II.  The original Queen is no longer here (I rode that a bunch in my childhood), but this is a pretty decent substitute.  I rode it enough that the captains would occasionally let me into the helm so I could see the view from their perspective.  Was that an influence on me eventually becoming a boat captain?  I hadn't thought about that before.  There was also a bigger, fancier, more modern boat called the Empress... I rode it once, then went back to the Queen.  Back in the day, the Queen would stop at a couple resorts on the lake to pick up and drop off passengers.  And, of course, a narrated tour.

There are plenty of new shops and museums - it has a nice upscale feel to it.  We stopped for lunch at Maxwell's Beach Cafe, which isn't really on the beach.  It used to be a nice place to eat on the westside of the lake - no idea if that is still there, but the food was very good and the service exceptional.  And, another selfie...

 We chose a table outside, in the shade, so we could look at the lake and see the people walking by.  Surprisingly busy for a Tuesday in early June.

It made my heart happy to see this area come back. 

From there, we pointed the van west.  Miles to make to get us back to Arizona, and this trip north to Okoboji added time, but brought back a lot of memories.

We are down for the night at another casino.  No idea if we'll even go in... it was a convenient stop for the day and a reasonable price for full hook-ups.  The wind really piped up as we drove west.  Good time to settle in for the evening.