Day 1 at Gallup, New Mexico

End of Day 1. We haven't killed each other yet . . . there's still time.

No wait, that was the first year! This our fourth year, and we're just fine.

We got out of Phoenix at exactly 11 o'clock, a little later than we planned, but we had last-minute things to be taken care of. Like cleaning the dust out of the pool after last night's HABOOB (to all you non-Arizonan's, that's a dust storm). It was the biggest dust storm Arizona has seen in years with a wall of dust moving up from Casa Grande that was 5,000 feet high and 60 miles wide. Yiikes! Our vehicles had to go to the car wash just so we could see out the windows. Then, of course, Frank had to spray off the pool filters because the pool looked like a mud hole.

We arrived in Gallup at 5:30 p.m., so we made good time, and it's been a good day. We topped it off with a great dinner here at USA RV Park in front of the outdoor stage. We polished off a cherry cobbler to the strains of Margaritaville strummed and sung by a guy from Tombstone, Arizona, believe it or not. Dinner was pulled pork sandwiches and chicken breasts beside ranch beans and cole slaw. The food was amazingly good! This place has a large heated pool, a small putting green beside a huge waterfall adorned with wood-cut bears. Someone has poured lots of cash into making it a true oasis in the desert. The $30 a night cost is a bit higher than the usual $20 to $25, but worth it.

The rock formations around here make a stunning backdrop for the wide-open landscape. We drove though Navajo country on the way and passed many hogans and trading posts including the emcampment of Chief Yellow Horse.

Cleo and Peanut have put on their travelin' clothes, and except for a few moments during an unexpected downpour that worried Cleo, they've enjoyed the day right along with us. They're lovin' all the new scents and sights along with the walks every time we stop.

We'll do some photos tomorrow, but right now there's tired all over us so we're gonna hit the hay.

Happy Trails!
Willie, Loretta, Waylon, and June