| GYPSY FEET |
| The Chronicles of Moby Who? |
© 2008 Gail Hunter
| Go To Pete's |
| October Page 3 |
| Note: Click all photos to enlarge. Click the back arrow to return to page. Looking for a specific topic - try the Topic Index |
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| Next: Down to Albuquerque to FIX THE FRIDGE! La Quinta Inn Day at the Zoo - Ride up the Tramway to Sandia Peak |
a href="http://us.3.p12.webhosting.yahoo.com/gb/sign?member=gailandcor">Sign Guestbook
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We have just added a Guest Book to
our website, hoping you will check in. If
you read that we may be anywhere
near you, let us know - and stop by for
a, what else? Cinnamon Doughnut. We
may have learned to perfect them by
then!
our website, hoping you will check in. If
you read that we may be anywhere
near you, let us know - and stop by for
a, what else? Cinnamon Doughnut. We
may have learned to perfect them by
then!
| Here is a link to The National Park Service website of Bandelier National Monument's Virtual Tour. http://www.nps.gov/band/photosmultimedia/mltvt-stop-1.htm |
To move, or not to move? The price of fuel is always a consideration since a fill-up runs close to
$300 with gas at $4.00 per gallon. Also to take into account is the difference in campsite costs: by
day, by week, or by month. Monthly is far more reasonable, even after adding in the usual metered
electric. When we bought Moby Who everything was hunky-dory: gas was around $2.00; National
RV was a well-respected company making a highly-regarded motorhome, complete with some super
refinements.
"What a difference a day makes." National promptly went belly-up; we paid $4.499 for gas in CT
this spring; our retirement nest egg has been rotting; Oreos have doubled in price. Thank God for
our MacDonald's Senior Coffee ($.69), National Handicap Access Pass, and a positive attitude. I will
always remember my mother's philosophy: She had no qualms about spending money on travel. It
was the one thing "the government can't take from me." I was fortunate enough to share those
memories with her. She was widowed when I was still a teenager, and I guess she figured travel was
the best way to cope with me. And did we travel! Maybe this is why I have Gypsy Feet?
$300 with gas at $4.00 per gallon. Also to take into account is the difference in campsite costs: by
day, by week, or by month. Monthly is far more reasonable, even after adding in the usual metered
electric. When we bought Moby Who everything was hunky-dory: gas was around $2.00; National
RV was a well-respected company making a highly-regarded motorhome, complete with some super
refinements.
"What a difference a day makes." National promptly went belly-up; we paid $4.499 for gas in CT
this spring; our retirement nest egg has been rotting; Oreos have doubled in price. Thank God for
our MacDonald's Senior Coffee ($.69), National Handicap Access Pass, and a positive attitude. I will
always remember my mother's philosophy: She had no qualms about spending money on travel. It
was the one thing "the government can't take from me." I was fortunate enough to share those
memories with her. She was widowed when I was still a teenager, and I guess she figured travel was
the best way to cope with me. And did we travel! Maybe this is why I have Gypsy Feet?
And so, Cor and I find ourselves in Santa Fe, New Mexico in a great campsite, Los Campos de Santa Fe.
We're here for a month; spent the first week getting settled in (hook-ups, leveling, getting out my electric
cart, organizing the closets, etc.) Finally organized - as well as we ever do - we went online and found the
best car rate was offered by Hertz. We've found most car companies will now deliver a car to you if you
ask. With the present condition of the economy, soon they may even bring you coffee!
We have given that car a grand work-out, but that's why we're traveling, right? We've gone south, on the
Turquoise Trail; north to Taos; west to Bandelier and Los Alamos and lots of places in between. I've taken
time to do an oil painting of Cerrillos, Cor's read more John Clancy books, and we've stopped to smell the
lavender - yes, lavender; the streets of Santa Fe are lined with the magnificent purple blooms.
We're here for a month; spent the first week getting settled in (hook-ups, leveling, getting out my electric
cart, organizing the closets, etc.) Finally organized - as well as we ever do - we went online and found the
best car rate was offered by Hertz. We've found most car companies will now deliver a car to you if you
ask. With the present condition of the economy, soon they may even bring you coffee!
We have given that car a grand work-out, but that's why we're traveling, right? We've gone south, on the
Turquoise Trail; north to Taos; west to Bandelier and Los Alamos and lots of places in between. I've taken
time to do an oil painting of Cerrillos, Cor's read more John Clancy books, and we've stopped to smell the
lavender - yes, lavender; the streets of Santa Fe are lined with the magnificent purple blooms.
Our first view of the Frijoli Canyon at Bandelier National Monument. This was
taken from one of the overlook pull-outs. There were so many photo ops, but
there is no stopping on the S-curve, shoulderless, sheer drop road in to the
Visitor Center. Once there, we went in and enjoyed the short introductory slide
show, then struck out on the trail to the pueblo. Incidentally, I was able to use my
walker on the pebbly, but paved trail.
taken from one of the overlook pull-outs. There were so many photo ops, but
there is no stopping on the S-curve, shoulderless, sheer drop road in to the
Visitor Center. Once there, we went in and enjoyed the short introductory slide
show, then struck out on the trail to the pueblo. Incidentally, I was able to use my
walker on the pebbly, but paved trail.
These are my first over-all views of the canyon wall, showing the caves where the Indians made their
homes. Some lived in the pueblo at the bottom, but others preferred to be above the canyon floor. On
the right, Cor is looking at one of three small kivas.
homes. Some lived in the pueblo at the bottom, but others preferred to be above the canyon floor. On
the right, Cor is looking at one of three small kivas.
As we walked along the trail, we came to the numbered "points of interest." The
first was the largest kiva. These are recessed, stone-walled round areas
where the Indians would gather. Here you can see where the posts were
positioned to hold the roof made of natural material. A ladder would descend
though a hole in the roof, serving as the main entrance. No one has figured
out what the rectangular holes are. This kiva was around 40' in diameter.
first was the largest kiva. These are recessed, stone-walled round areas
where the Indians would gather. Here you can see where the posts were
positioned to hold the roof made of natural material. A ladder would descend
though a hole in the roof, serving as the main entrance. No one has figured
out what the rectangular holes are. This kiva was around 40' in diameter.
Soon, we came to the Pueblo where I accused Cor of voyeurism - a couple of thousand years too late to
see what's going on in those caves. The next photo shows the relative size and position of the pueblo
ruins to the cliffs and the top of the plateau. I couldn't resist this last picture. This is a complete and
typical room in the pueblo - just about the size of our king mattress (before Charlie cut it down to queen
size (see February.) We were reminded that the Indians measured only about 5' tall in those days. What I
couldn't resist was the lone yellow flower, blooming in those arid, historic ruins. Look hard, it's small.
see what's going on in those caves. The next photo shows the relative size and position of the pueblo
ruins to the cliffs and the top of the plateau. I couldn't resist this last picture. This is a complete and
typical room in the pueblo - just about the size of our king mattress (before Charlie cut it down to queen
size (see February.) We were reminded that the Indians measured only about 5' tall in those days. What I
couldn't resist was the lone yellow flower, blooming in those arid, historic ruins. Look hard, it's small.
For the hale and hardy: If you follow the
path half-way up the cliff, you will come to
this ladder. From there, you can go into
the caves and explore where some of the
Indians lived.
path half-way up the cliff, you will come to
this ladder. From there, you can go into
the caves and explore where some of the
Indians lived.
On our way back to the car, we stopped
to rest at one of several benches along
Frijoli Creek. This creek is said to run
nearly all year, except for periods of
extreme drought. Right: a close-up of
the juniper we saw everywhere dotting
the hillsides. These "polka dots" were
my first impression of New Mexico.
to rest at one of several benches along
Frijoli Creek. This creek is said to run
nearly all year, except for periods of
extreme drought. Right: a close-up of
the juniper we saw everywhere dotting
the hillsides. These "polka dots" were
my first impression of New Mexico.
More examples of the colorful red rock formations encountered on our drive back to Santa Fe. Of
special interest to a Vermonter is the center formation: Camel Rock. Looks a lot more like a camel
than Camel's Hump. Many people feel that really should have been called Couching Lion.
special interest to a Vermonter is the center formation: Camel Rock. Looks a lot more like a camel
than Camel's Hump. Many people feel that really should have been called Couching Lion.
Simple assorted roadside views of snow on the mountains. Just a few days earlier, we had gone through
the passes on our way to Taos. Brrrrr.
the passes on our way to Taos. Brrrrr.
P.S. We just caught a rerun of Silverado, starring Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Kevin
Kline and a bunch of horses. It was shot in New Mexico, and if we hadn't seen those red
rocks and spotted hillsides we wouldn't have believed the scenery.
Kline and a bunch of horses. It was shot in New Mexico, and if we hadn't seen those red
rocks and spotted hillsides we wouldn't have believed the scenery.