OCT 24, 2011; Monday, onwards to Santa Fe, New Mexico
We left Cheyenne at 9:20 am, quite late actually for us. We fuelled at Flying J @ 3.74/gal and headed south on I-25. It was busy going through Denver and we stopped in Colorado Springs for fuel (3.89/gal) and lunch. We continued on and it was great seeing what we had missed when we came through previously in a snow storm heading north! Anyway, we arrived in Raton, New Mexico around 4 pm where we decided to spend the night. We have WIFI and I have uploaded some pictures in folder # 80. The forecast is still for snow by tomorrow night but right now it is a balmy 80*F (25*C) at 6500 feet! The “Beast” has been performing quite well as I’ve been pushing it to 65-70 mph (2200 RPM) most of the way. Believe it or not, I get quite good fuel mileage at that rpm level but it’s hard on my nerves and concentration levels. I prefer going at 55-60 mph!
N 36* 52.900’
W 104* 25.878
Alt: 6549 feet
We travelled 326 miles (528Km) in 5.5 hours @ an average 58 mph
OCT 25, Tuesday, Santa Fe, New Mexico
We got up to a beautiful sunrise. We left around 9:30 am after paying for the night. The drive on I-25 was quite monotonous! Scenery consisted of fields of prairie grass and low mountains in the distance. We stopped in Wagon Mound for fuel @ 3.79/gal then continued on. At Las Vegas, New Mexico (yes you are reading right) the scenery changed and we entered the mountain range. We climbed to 7600 feet and eventually arrived at our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground, near Santa Fe. As I backed in, Val informed me that we had a flat on the right side of the trailer. Can you believe it!!! Anyway, I called AAA and had them come out and put the spare on. He worked for his money; he had to use two jacks to lift the axle. He told me of a place I can get tires for a good rate so I checked it out and found one to buy. We will take the rig there when we leave here and replace two tires as the spare has a big bulge on the side wall. Hopefully it will hold until we get there (10 miles away).
N 35* 32.725
W 105* 51.813
Alt: 7229
We travelled 164 miles in 2 hrs and 55 minutes @ an average 55mph
OCT 26, Wednesday, Santa Fe
Well, the day began quite nicely considering all the warnings about freeze and snow. We did have rain last evening but right now the sky has a few clouds but also blue patchy sky (7:30 am). The forecast is for rain later today and possible freeze overnight but improving and warming trend tomorrow.
We went to visit Santa Fe central and the historic square. I took lots of pictures and have uploaded them to folder #80. It was really interesting. Our tour began walking through the Capitol building (Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico) then on to a church built in the 1700’ but the Spaniards and the Indians. From here we walked to the Square where we saw local Indians selling their wares. Val ended up buying a pair of earring for herself. They sell at a fair price and there is no tax! From here, we went to “La Fonda” Hotel which takes a whole block and is famous for its art inside and its food. At the lounge, there was a buffet for $10; all you can eat, consisting of local dishes. We filled our faces and our stomach...it was delicious! Then it was more walking and sightseeing, trying to work off all that food. We visited the San Miguel church built in the 1800’s and the Loretto church, famous for its staircase which spiral up and makes two complete 360* turn. The story goes that the nuns wanted to build stairs to go to the balcony but no one could built one unless they took up a lot of room on the church main floor. Then one day, a mysterious man came along and offered to build it and he did it with just a hammer, a saw and some basic tools in a bag then left without saying anything and asking for money! (See Pictures for more details).
From here, we drove up to Taos to visit the Indian Pueblo. This turned out to be very disappointing. We were charge $10 each plus $6 for the camera, then we had a tour guide who gave us a story on the place and what they do to preserve it then asked for money and never took us for walk around. Most of the places were closed as they are private residence except for a few where they sell wares. We did buy two little local individual pies which we promptly ate: they were good! It was raining on and off which didn’t make the walking around very pleasant especially with all the mud. The town of Taos itself is known for its art and artist and we didn’t stopped as it was raining too much and by this time we were put off by the rip-off we had just gone through.
We drove via 518, a mountain pass that climbed to over 8000 feet and was very scenic even though it was raining. We finally arrived back home by 6:30 pm. A long day!
OCT 27, Thursday, new tires and on to Holbrook, Arizona
When I got up at 6 am, there was snow on the ground and the truck; 0*C outside! We got ready and were on the road by 8 am. We went to DISCOUNT TIRE in Santa Fe and just off I-25 where I got two new tires and had them put on the trailer and made sure all the tires were at 80 psi. We were back on the road by 9 am and after purchasing fuel @ $3.79, we drove south on I-25 then in Albuquerque, we headed west on I-40. We stopped for more fuel in Mila for 3.699. The scenery was more desert and prairie grass, kind of boring after a while. It did get interesting when we crossed into Arizona where we stopped at the Info Centre where the rock was sandstone and formed some interesting shape. We had heavy clouds for most of the morning but in the afternoon it began clearing up. We continued on I-40 and finally stopped in Sun Valley near Holbrook where we camped at a Passport America campground for $16. I was tired and didn’t want to go anymore. Seven hours on the road is too much especially being up at 6 am. Tomorrow, we will definitely be in Mesa!
N 34* 58.876
W 110* 03.0358
Alt: 5253’
We drove 296 miles (479miles) in 5.5 hours at an average 54 mph
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