Halloween - 2017

Hope you've all had a great Halloween and lots of cute kiddies and costumes to share your treats with!!!

 

We've had a very fun last day here in New Orleans starting with laundry....ugh!    But the little brown building is very close to Daisy and we were up bright 'n early.   Got 2 loads done, fixed sausage and eggs for breakfast and by 9:45, we were on our way downtown to ride the 10:20 "Hop-on, Hop-off" bus taking us to 18 different stops around the city and learning so much about NOLA.    And, today, no issues with the parking meters.    $5 for 10 hours - can't beat that!

 

It was a perfect day to ride on top the double decker bus and just a delightful 1.5 hour trip.    We got off at the Flea Market and walked around, then to the French Market and finally onto the Central Grocery where Mark wanted another muffuletta sandwich like Sunday.    So we shared another delicious sandwich - salami, ham, mortadella, cheeses (provolone and mozzarella) and that good olive spread on their round Sicilian sesame bread.    This sandwich originated right here at Central Grocery in 1906.     Along with the muffuletta, the po boy are the 2 signature sandwiches of

 New Orleans.

 

We walked around the French Quarter and a much more pleasant experience today with fewer crowds and picture-perfect weather.    We walked into St. Louis Cathedral about 1/2 way thru the noon mass.   What a beautiful church and so glad we got to see it.

 

Onto the Hotel Monteleone where we saw the most interesting and beautiful carousel bar that actually turned.    Super neat and glad Jackie told us about this.

 

Beautiful revolving carousel bar

 

Last stop was LaFittes Blacksmith Shop, built in 1711 and operating as a bar since 1772, the oldest continually operating bar in the USA.    It was so packed Sunday, but today we could get a table, enjoy the OLD and Halloween décor and a beer (Mark) and hurricane (me.)

 

Enjoying drinks at oldest bar in the USA

 

Beautiful ferns around lovely cast-iron balconies

(I stand corrected as yesterday I called them wrought iron).

 

Walked back to Daisy - what a fun, interesting, delicious day again in NOLA.     We stopped at Winn Dixie for a few groceries for Mark these next 10 days or so and then rested a bit before off to 4:00 Mass at Our Lady of Divine Providence for tomorrow's feast of All Saints Day.

 

What a fun evening with our New Orleans friends.....Jackie was my Tiger Cruise roommate on the USS Stennis in March, 2012.   She and her friend Darryl met us at New Orleans Food and Spirits for a final yummy dinner and so fun to catch up.     After dinner we went to Brocato's for gelato and little cookies.   What a neat place full of "my favorite things"!

Very enjoyable evening!!!

 

Jackie and Darryl

 

Tomorrow I'm flying from New Orleans to Chicago and Mark will continue on with Daisy heading east to Florida.   We won't be together till the 12th.   UGH!    I'm looking forward to hanging out with Liam and Connor while Anne is away and Patrick is doing his music, visiting family and friends and Sisters' Weekend.

 

So thankful for friends, Claire, Nadine and Kathy, Blue Angel Tyler and native Jackie for giving us so many awesome suggestions of what to do and where to eat while here!!!    It's been a super stay in New Orleans.   Visiting the southwest this past month has been so memorable and fun!!!

 

New Orleans will celebrate its 300th birthday in 2018.    WOW....they are planning a huge celebration.   I can only imagine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - October 30

We had a really fun and "oink" "oink" day.    We left Daisy around 9:30 and drove to the Garden District.    Oh my....so many lovely huge homes dating way back!    It was a spectacular day and we first walked thru Lafayette Cemetery.    These New Orleans cemeteries are so interesting with all the graves above ground    We strolled around with Mark as my tour guide and giving me the facts on some of the homes that would be on a guided tour 

(several tours going on for both homes and cemetery).

Just a few above ground grave sites in this large Lafayette cemetery

This is actress Sandra Bullock's home and it's a beauty, mostly hidden by high hedges.

There are only 3 of this design built in all of NO cause of the unique architecture and it's not conducive to hot weather.   Sandra's adopted son, Louis was born in New Orleans.    She seldom spends much time here but invites her friends to come and stay....there was a BMW from Beverly Hills parked out front?

I found a darling children's shop "Mignon" and enjoyed a little retail therapy fix.   We also stopped at a cute coffee shop "Still Perkin'".

The highlight of our day was having lunch at Commander's Palace.    Oh my.....over the top in ambiance (we were in the Garden Room), service and food + 25 cent martinis which is their specialty (3 flavors to choose from or the usual plain with gin or vodka).    The martinis were flowing all around us.    3 is the limit and they are full size.    I had one and it was excellent especially the price!!!    I had their fish special and Mark had roast pork (all excellent) and then we shared their signature creole bread pudding souffle poked with warm whiskey cream sauce which was

 "to die for" !    Do not miss this place if you're ever in the Big Easy!

Commander's Palace  *****

"melt-in-your-mouth"

bread pudding souffle

The Houmas House

Then we were off on I-10 west towards Baton Rouge and the Houmas Plantation in Darrow, LA.    What a beautiful place and interesting tour by Don, our docent.   The home was built in 3 parts and originally covered 300,000 acres.    Most of the land was sold during the depression to pay off the debts.   There have been 14 owners and the current owner, Kevin Kelly (in his 60's) lives by himself in the house but happy to share it with the public!

It was a gem!!!    Plus the grounds are beautiful with trees hundreds of years old.   In fact this spring, a very huge tree fell during a storm - it was 450 years old!

There are 3 restaurants on the property and one of them "Latil's Landing" is one of the top 20 restaurants in the country (according to Don).

It was a delightful afternoon here at the plantation and would highly recommend this place, too.

So, it's back to NO, but first we have to pick up some po boy sandwiches (another "must eat" when here).    The Parkway Bakery and Tavern has been around since 1911 and according to our friend, Jackie who lives here, "thee best place for a po boy".    We were still stuffed from lunch, but this was our last chance as the Parkway is closed Tuesdays.    So, we got 2 sandwiches to go (shrimp for me and roast beef for Mark) - they have 21 different choices of Po Boys

Back to Daisy and chowed down!!!!   Excellent!

Big pig out day today!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Mark says I need my eyes checked - APPARENTLY!!!!    I missed little Jack in this pic from last night.    Guess I was focused on Maeve!    Here he is down in the corner on the left....

A houseful of cuties 

 And 2 more cuties - my 2 great nieces - Kaylee and Leia all decked out for Halloween

Sunday - October 29

Traveled 216 miles today from Boyce to New Orleans West KOA Campground in River Ridge

 (12 miles from the French Quarter).   Another pretty day but still on the cool side (63).

After we got settled, I talked to the lady in the office about where to go and kind of mapped out the next 2 1/2 days.   And so we were off to the French Quarter...

Coming into downtown....Superdome (Saints were beating the Bears as we drove by) on the right

So our first visit to NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) and what an experience......not the best 1st impression as after finding a parking lot, the meter would not take our credit card(s) or cash???    Finally, after moving to 3rd lot, we were good to go.    Sooo many people out and about this beautiful day and many in costume for Halloween with lots of fall and ghoulish décor.     It was definitely a "younger" crowd and apparently can drink on the streets as many had their alcoholic beverages and smoking on the streets and sidewalks.   Maybe they were celebrating their Saints victory?   Several of the streets were really nasty, too with trash and litter.    Only a very few small children in strollers; otherwise, no kiddies (not a place for them) but plenty of dogs. 
Cannot imagine what Mardi Gras must be like???

 St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square - locked!!!

Interesting house décor just a block from all the crowds

Pretty décor for fall

Love all this architecture and wrought iron

We shared the required Muffaletta sandwich (the original at Central Grocery) - very delicious and 1st time for Mark to have one of these.    Then we walked to Café DuMonde for coffee/hot chocolate and beignets (French donuts covered in powered sugar and nice 'n hot).     Again....all yummy!

Delicious beignets

We walked all around Jackson Square and all the artists were painting away and musicians entertaining the crowds.    We had wanted to go inside St. Louis Cathedral, but all tightly locked up!

Some of the bars....Pat O'Brien's and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (oldest bar in New Orleans) had long lines waiting to get in.

We spent almost 3 hours in the French Quarter and then ready to head back to Daisy.  

Tomorrow....more sightseeing and good eating coming up!

Maeve, Luke and Mommy are visiting friends in Georgia for a few days (Daddy is working in FL).    Here they are watching Mr. Jeff carve pumpkins (by drilling??) as Maeve, Luke, Taylor and Maddie watch).    Missing little Jack. 

 Maeve is all bundled up in Georgia near the fire

Saturday - October 28

A cold wake-up to the day but sun was shining and that's always a treat!   MUCH better than yesterday's weather!   After breakfast we were on our way and drove 300 miles.    Stopped in Shreveport along the way and had lunch at Wendy's.    Tonight we are in Boyce, LA  at the very small (9 sites) Alexandria RV Park.   

We went to 5:30 Mass at St. Rita in Alexandria and then to Cajun Landing!    Yeah....we are in bayou country, so bring on the Cajun, creole, etouffee, jambalaya, etc., etc.   We had great dinners and our waitress, Theresa (awesome) gave us some complimentary white chocolate bread pudding for dessert delicious!!!

2017 Blue Angels and us all bundled up in Fort Worth, Texas
10-27-17

Wednesday-Friday - October 25-27

We so enjoyed our whirlwind 3 days away from Daisy and spending time in McKinney and at the air show today.     We returned a short time ago (7ish) and slowly thawing out!    More on that later!

Wednesday - we left Caddo Mills on a warm sunny day around noon.    We arrived in McKinney at Paul and Kathy's at 1:30 and sooo good to see them.    Sat and chatted awhile, went for a walk and then drove downtown and sat outdoors at Landon's Winery sharing a delicious bottle of red wine.    Then we were off to Hutchin's BBQ (one of the top 50 BBQ places in the country).    It was very good (ribs and brisket) with great sides topped off with warm peach cobbler and ice cream.

Kathy and Paul in front of their lovely home

Back home to continue our yakking and play a game of dominoes which Paul won.
  

Thursday - Another pretty day with those deep blue skies and climbed to the upper 80's.    We walked to Starwood, an excellent place for breakfast/lunch.    We had brunch and then a nice leisurely walk around the Adriatic area (beautiful stone/brick homes and businesses built to resemble the architecture of Croatia).   

Lemon tree along our walk

 Back home and just enjoyed a relaxing day catching up on all that's been going since we were last together in February in Fort Myers.

Elizabeth (P and K's daughter) stopped in - good to see her and later, her little ones, Sydney and Jacob came by.    We had drinks and snacks on the patio and Paul grilled filets while Kathy whipped up delicious goodies in her kitchen.    Awesome dinner followed by dominoes (won by Kathy) and then a yummy assortment of desserts and coffee.

And just like that....it's Friday and as the song goes, "What a difference a day makes".    It was very cold and windy and no sun.    Kathy fixed eggs, fruit and muffins and after a leisurely breakfast, we left at 9:45 (God willing.... Fort Myers in February till we meet again).   Soooo enjoyed our time with these dear friends!

 We stopped at the Hilton in north Fort Worth to pick up our tickets for the show.    Then drove to the Alliance Airport for the air show sponsored by Bell Helicopters to scope it all out.   Left for Schlotzky's and delicious lunch of soup/1/2 sandwich or flatbread (hadn't been to one of these in eons and ours back in Bloomington is now closed).    They were founded in Austin, Texas.

Back to the show and lo and behold, it started raining to add to the misery of the cold and wind.    I had 5 layers on, + earmuffs, hood to my jacket and gloves - Mark had 4 layers.    Our Blue Angel clothes were not on display today with all the layers.  Ha.....it did stop raining about 45 minutes before show time.

Met our friends Richard and Linda from McPherson, Kansas and fun to watch the show with them and visit again.    Their son Lance flies #4.    Even though Ryan is not flying, it is still such a thrill watching the Blues perform and they did not disappoint today!   

Late afternoon the sun peaked out just a bit - we had our pictures taken with the pilots (all bundled up in their jackets and we kept hearing this was the coldest show they could remember -
certainly for us).

Despite the cold, so glad we could be here and see some of the Blues, family members and meet some of the new team members. 

Pretty little pansies out in this cold and wind at the airport

Traffic was awful on a Friday night getting out of Fort Worth and then Dallas and finally 2 hours later (63-mile trip) back to Daisy in Caddo Mills.

  

2017 Blue Angels

It is cold across most the country....bundle up and enjoy your weekend!

We are off to New Orleans tomorrow (2-day trip)!

Tuesday - October 24

Sunny, 50 degree start to the day here in Caddo Mills and then the winds started blowing!   Whew wee.....glad we are not driving Miss Daisy today!

We drove to Greenville (10 miles) which is the biggest and closest town.    While I was getting some "body maintenance" (haircut and manicure), Mark ran a bunch of errands.    Back to Daisy for lunch and then I did 3 loads of laundry,

We walked around the park and the lake, but it is still so crazy windy!

Tonight we heard about the nasty storms/tornadoes/flooding that hit NC and SC yesterday.    Asheville and the Biltmore had severe flooding and some nasty damage at the Hickory airport.

25 years ago today, Mark's sister Carol (Michael's Godmother) passed away from MS at the young age of 45 (10 days shy of her 46th birthday).    What a treasure she was....

Tomorrow we are off to McKinney to visit friends, Paul and Kathy for a few days!    Daisy will stay here at the RV park.

 

Monday - October 23

Sunny, warm day for traveling.   It's so strange as it's almost 8:00 AM in SE Texas before it gets light out!    Mark got his exercising out of the way and after breakfast, we were leaving Sweetwater.   After days of driving thru the dessert and boonies, we were very much back in the hustle and bustle of big-city life.    Big cheers to Mark for maneuvering Daisy and Toad thru Fort Worth and then Dallas traffic!

We are settled at the Dallas NE Campground in Caddo Mills for the next several days.    Looking forward to checking out this area, visiting friends and seeing the Blue Angels.

We are 3 miles south of Caddo Mills (pop. 1,338) and Bucky's is the #1 place to eat, so...off we went to this little café on the outskirts of town.    Good home cookin',  good prices and popular spot!

Walked around the park this pretty evening - nice lake here, too, and just about everyone is from Texas with the exception of MO, NY and IL and we Floridians.

Ryan on stage to speak at his high school homecoming assembly

10/20/17

Sunday - October 22

Yeah for Ryan who finished his first marathon in 4 hours, 12 minutes, 27 seconds this morning!!!
So proud of him and all the runners who gave their time, perseverance and love for this great cause!

Beautiful cool, sunny day here in Sweetwater with a high of just 71.    We stepped out into 49 degrees for 8:30 Mass (Spanish/English) at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.    Quickly checked over Toad and Daisy and doesn't appear to be any damage from the hail.    Thank you God!

After breakfast, we dug in and started a deep cleaning of Daisy washing vents, filters and all the light covers + more.    My best friends were old toothbrushes and magic eraser!
Feels good to have things sparkling once again....

After lunch we went to Wal Mart for a few piddlies and then drove around Sweetwater's downtown.    There are lots of windmills in the area and when we arrived yesterday, one of the large blades was by an entrance into town with painted sign
 "Welcome to Sweetwater - Sweetest town in Texas"

Today Mark saw a big billboard proclaiming Sweetwater as home to the
"World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-up".   It is quite the big 3-day event sponsored by the Sweetwater Jaycees and next year's event will be March 9-11th if you are interested!
   

Pretty fall day in NC and what fun working on a special project!

Luke and Blair making a map for a treasure hunt?

Liam and Connor won their hockey game this morning and Liam got a hat trick (scored 3 goals)!

We went to Buck's Steaks and BBQ for supper.    Food was good but S L O W service!


 

 

 

 

 

Saturday - October 21

Beautiful day in Texas!

Mark exercised, we got Daisy and Toad hooked up and left the McMillan Campground.

We drove downtown Fort Davis and had breakfast at The Porch - this place (breakfast/lunch)  is connected to "Blue Mountain Bistro" (last night) and they share the same kitchen.   In fact our waitress was working last night at Blue Mountain.    Cute place and loved our breakfast paninis and I was able to get a vanilla latte (no skinny as they only had whole milk - THAT's why it was extra yummy)!     We had planned to eat at The Drugstore as we had checked their menu when we were there 2 days ago....however, they are not open on Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath.
Not sure their religious affiliation, but the lady at The Porch thought maybe Seventh Day Adventists?

Great breakfast and latte
 

So, at 10:45 we were on our way traveling 274 miles passing thru beautiful mountain ranges (the Davis Mountains and probably others are so unique as the rock formations are narrow vertical strips).    Lots more hills and just like that, we were in flat country seeing oodles and gobs and bunches of oil rigs!!!    Also saw several cotton fields.    Some of the bales had been harvested and wrapped in yellow or pink plastic binding and other fields waiting for the best picking!

The speed limit on the interstate is 80 mph and even on 2-lane roads, in a construction, the limit is 65 mph!    Could not believe this with workers all around and vehicles just zippin' by!!!

We arrived in Sweetwater around 4ish and at the Bar J Hitching Post RV Park for the next 2 nights.

It was HOT today - 86 but tomorrow only 73.     We've had so much dust in New Mexico and Texas with all the gravel RV sites and roads.    Tomorrow, planning to do some fine-tooth cleaning on Miss Daisy and get to all her nooks and crannies.

I went for a walk after we got settled and Mark took a nap.

 

Forgot to mention yesterday that one of the mind-blowing facts from the observatory (there were several in relation to the sun) was that there are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on beaches and the deserts all over the world!!!!

 

 Tomorrow is the 2017 Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC.     This is in honor of Capt. Jeff Kuss (Blue Angel Marine who died in Tennessee in June, 2016), Travis Manion, Marine killed in the line of duty and for all our fallen heroes.    They are expecting 30,000 runners and Ryan will be there along with several Blue Angels and their family members running their 26.2 miles.   We wish them the best as they raise $ for the Travis Manion Foundation

 

Here's my bread pudding from last night (long gone)!

Simply deeelicious

Well just when I was about to post this blog, it started raining and then harder and finally, hail came fast and furious.    Not real big stuff but on Daisy's roof, sounded bad.    It's dark out so won't know till tomorrow if any damage to Toad or Daisy!    Yikes, that was a first and after it was all over, the weather radio went off telling that we could have damaging hail to vehicles???
Till tomorrow....

Pea size hail that sounded much bigger coming down!

 

 

 

Friday - October 20

Rained during the night and usually we sleep like babies when a nice gentle rain comes down on Daisy's roof.    But not the case last night when I could not get back to sleep for 2 hours!!!    UGH!    This morning the fog rolled in around 9, but 1 hour later, all was clear and we were on our way to the McDonald Observatory, 16 miles outside Fort Davis for our 11:00 tour.

What a beautiful drive thru pretty mountains with rugged terrain (some rock formations were not like we've seen before) as we kept climbing higher and higher reaching our altitude of 6,790' (highest point on Texas highways).

The McDonald Observatory is an astronomical observatory as part of the University of Texas, Austin and today, we spent almost 3 hours learning so much about our solar system.   We started with a movie, then a 1-hour presentation with slides explaining about our mammoth sun, planets, galaxies, stars, etc., with main focus on the sun.    Kelly did a great job of explaining and answering questions adding a touch of humor here and there!

We drove to the Harlan J Smith observatory to see this magnificent telescope built and put to use in 1968.   Onto the Hobby-Eberly Telescope which opened in 1998.    Mark guessed correctly (we played "Price is Right" with Kelly) as to the initial cost - $20m, but now undergoing a major renovation costing an additional $42m.

We had wanted to do the twilight and star party which is tonight, but all tickets sold out.    This was truly an interesting and educational day!

Seeing the telescopes from a distance 

 

Along the drive

Kelly - there were 37 in our group

 Harlan J Smith Telescope

Quaint little shop in Fort Davis

 

Courthouse for Jeff Davis County in Fort Davis

We stopped at the Stone Village Market and shared a delicious deli sandwich and potato salad.   I walked around and checked the shops and Mark went back to Daisy.   It was a very pretty day.   I decided to walk back to Daisy - shortly over 1 mile. 



Catci along my walk

Forgot to mention that Fort Davis was designated a historical site by President Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson attended the official dedication 5 years later in 1966.

Tonight we had one of those special, memorable meals.   Once again, checking with Trip Advisor, we went with The Blue Mountain Bistro and Bar.    Mark and I both had Mountain Trout with rice and sweet baby carrots.   All delicious and then he had creme brulee which he really enjoyed and I  had peach/blueberry cinnamon bread pudding with southern comfort sauce.   Oh my....may be thee best bread pudding ever...

Tomorrow we'll be on our way but sure enjoyed our 2-day stay in Fort Davis.
Thanks Mike and Nadine!!!

Thursday - October 19

Hot 'n sunny day and after Mark exercised we were on our way around 9:45 driving 165 miles.    Almost the entire trip was out in the middle of nowhere with hills, scrub brush, desert and 6 cows.

We are at the McMillan RV Park in Fort Davis.    After lunch, we took off and toured Fort Davis,  which we had never heard of but enjoyed our time here.    As google described it....

Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail.    These wagons would travel around 10 miles a day, sometimes, 20 miles.    What a slow process to cover 600 miles, the distance from El Paso to San Antonio..

 Entrance to the park

 

 

Davis Mountains

Pretty pansies outside drug store

We went down afterwards and checked out the Fort Davis drugstore and hotel - very old-timey and neat with old-fashioned soda fountain.    Mark had a chocolate shake and I had a limeade.   We checked out the Stone Village grocery store and deli, drove around a bit and on back to Daisy.   

 Maeve and her pink cowgirl boots - wish she was out west with us!

 Hi ya Luke!    Miss you....

Wednesday - October 18

Mostly cloudy today with the sun occasionally peaking out!    It's in the low 80's with 30% humidity.

 

Since we were driving a short distance today, we didn't leave till around 11:45.    Rode our bikes around the park and into Mesilla (next town).    I had a nice chat with our neighbors from Washington State.    They are full-time RVers and we were talking about as long as we all stay healthy, to keep on enjoying all this travel.     I did not get their names, but the lady has only one arm and they told of their story back in 2014 when she went into the hospital for routine heart surgery (adjust valves)?     What was supposed to be a 4-day stay turned into 4 months, 4 days and a $6m hospital bill.     Everything that could go wrong, did and then some including getting blood clots in her arm which was a matter of amputating the arm or she would die.    She said all she could think of is "I'll never quilt again, but yes, take my arm".    And  she went onto recover and has made 14 quilts since that time.   Her husband cuts out the fabric and she takes it from there.   

 What a remarkable lady and story!

 

Since I'm on stories, so thankful to hear today that little Caleb (6-year old from IL) is recovering after being struck by a semi outside his home when he and his scooter ventured into the street.    He has had 9 surgeries with more to come, but miraculously, he called to his Daddy yesterday and has been watching some TV.

 

Okay....those are my happy news stories for the day!   In light of all the tragedy recently and so much negativity, hatred and violence in our world, just wanted to share these.

 

We came just 65 miles today and now at the Mission RV Park in El Paso, Texas.    We are still in the mountain time zone but that will change tomorrow.    We were blown away by the many, many, many Holstein cattle we saw today on confinement farms.    While we've seen lots of beef cattle and horses since we've been out west, nothing came even close to what we saw today!    Mark grew up with Holstein cattle so he, too, was mind boggled!    We googled and found out that along I-10 between Las Cruces and El Paso, there are 30,000 cows on 11 farms located one right after the other!

 

Daisy badly needed a good scrubbing and since most parks do not allow washing our rigs and since it's so dusty out here in the desert and since we still have so many bugs, it was way past time to clean Miss Daisy.    We figured a big city like El Paso would have a truck stop/car wash and sure enough we came upon 4 of them right off the interstate.    4 guys worked on her and 15 minutes later, she looks great!!!

We love when family/friends share a good restaurant we should try in our travels or some other site to see......tonight we were told by Linda in Kansas to check out Cattlemen's Steakhouse near El Paso (Fabens, TX.)   It's on the working ranch of Indian Cliffs (16 miles from our campground) and in the boonies.     We decided to go early and when we arrived at 5, there were several cars there and they kept coming and coming.    We had a wonderful meal - excellent steaks (Mark had ribeye and I had a filet) along with great sides (pineapple slaw and spicy beans are served family style).   I had an order of their "sweet" mushrooms - very good.   Our waitress was only told they were sautéed in burgundy wine but didn't know what else.    YUM!     It's a real western-style place (obviously) with friendly staff, great service and delicious food!!!    So glad we went off the beaten path and would highly recommend this place!    Thanks Linda!

Mark is on his way to a great experience at Cattleman's Steakhouse

Tomorrow we are off to Fort Davis, another recommendation by Mike and Nadine back in Bloomington.    Planning to stay there 2 days.

 

Sure wish we could magically be back in Bloomington on Friday......Ryan is flying in to speak at CCHS (our kids alma mater) for homecoming in the morning, and that evening at the football game, Liam and Connor's baseball team will be recognized for placing 3rd in the state championship.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - October 17

Bright and sunny morning - just day after day of waking up to deep blue cloudless skies is such a treat with cool mornings and evenings and warm day-time temps.

So Richard, the mechanic came at 8:30 to check our fridge....5 hours later, we have a brand new spanking fridge and choke choke....these cost as much as a full-size one in your house!!!   Mark was a big help as this was definitely a 2-man job to get the old one out thru the window and new one in same space.    But it is what it is and have to have it, so...

I did 3 loads of laundry in the afternoon and Mark ran some errands.    We had a nice visit with Janet and Patrick from British Columbia.    They are going to Hickory, NC and Patrick will be riding with Rusty Wallace at the Charlotte NASCAR race track and then gets to drive a stock car in Hickory.  (Christmas, Father's Day, birthday, etc....gift from Janet).

Tonight we went to Luna Rossa Winery and Pizzeria which was very close to our RV park and rated #2 for Italian in Las Cruces by Trip Advisor.
Mark's lasagna and my pizza were very good and we have leftovers!!! 

Nothing like a good chocolate chip pancake to start the day!

Monday - October 16

We left our park around 8:30 and just before we got on I-40, we saw 8 beautiful balloons flying!   This patriotic one was a favorite and flew right over us. 

Yeah for the Red, White and Blue 

And then we were off driving 250 miles to Las Cruces on a picture-perfect day!   Bye bye to Albuquerque and thanks for the great time, perfect weather and special memories of the
2017 Balloon Fiesta!

Somewhere along the way, we stopped at "Fats Sats" (strange name) Bar and Grill, convenient store, gas station, etc., in an adobe building in the middle of nowhere.    We got coffees and Mark grabbed a hot breakfast burrito with red chilies (we see these everywhere all wrapped tightly in foil and sealed).    In fact, yesterday at church, the youth group was selling them, too.    So we shared (it was big) and oh my.....very delicious!!!    The green chilies are just too hot!   We are so in love this this New Mexican fare...

We arrived at the Hacienda RV Rally and Resort around 2ish.  We were in Las Cruces in 2007 and looking forward to our 2 nights here.    Got the bikes out and rode around the park.     Later we went for a walk.  Mark had a hankering for chicken, so we drove a short jaunt to KFC and brought it back to Daisy.

 Silly, sweet girl

Sunday - October 15

Oh my...............woke up to another gorgeous day, but nippy at 39 with a high of 66 coming after 3 days of 80.    We turned on the TV to watch the fiesta happenings and lo and behold, there was no mass ascension today (last day) because of the winds (nothing yesterday and the balloons just hung up there and many were able to land right back on the field versus miles away).    But it was so awesome for those of us on the ground.     And then today, nothing!

A few were inflated but stayed tethered to the ground.    The winds were only 6 mph, but they had difficulty even blowing in the cold air with large fan cause of the wind.

This was a near-perfect weather week for the fiesta - first one since 1996 when it went off without a hitch.    That had been the case till this morning and apparently, not all went off last night with the after-flow.    Each day starts with the national anthem and ends in the evening with fireworks.

Because of the large crowds and not wanting to disappoint, they did inflate 6 balloons but there were 8 people holding on for dear life to keep from going up....oh my!

20 law enforcement agencies were helping at the balloon fiesta!    8 countries were represented to broadcast the week-long balloon happenings back to their country.

Just a few of many "Rainbow Ryder" balloons which give rides

 ($400-500 and all the way to $800 - choke, choke)

We always use masstimes.org to choose the closest church near wherever we are and see what time is best.    Today was a bit challenging as several were only Spanish Masses.   We did find one 7 miles away, St. Joseph on the Rio Grande that was a fairly new church, great priest (he's 65 tomorrow) and wonderful choir.    As we were walking into church with a lady asking where we were from and if we had been to the balloon fest, we talked about the winds that cancelled the launch this morning.     She said she heard about all the people who were turned away yesterday (crowds were huge) because of no where to park!    My oh my....

After church we stopped at Wal Mart for a few things and then to Starbucks (had a maple pecan latte for 1st time....delish).    Just drove around on this gorgeous day....

Later we stopped at Route 66 New Mexican Family Café on the outskirts of town - nothing fancy, but got good reviews and the food and prices were outstanding.    Mark and I both love the sopapillas either stuffed or eat plan with his enchilada.    LOVE Mexican food and planning to get our fill while in the southwest!

Back to Daisy around 2:30, opened all the windows to let all this fresh air in!   We unhooked the bikes from Toad and rode up and down 11 long streets here in the park on paved roads.   Even visited with owner of Lazy Daze from Utah who had worked at the balloon fest.

Tomorrow we are off to Las Cruces...

Saturday - October 14

Another fabulous morning at the Balloon Fiesta.......we walked to the field at 7 AM with our several layers, scarves, hats, gloves, and coffee under clear blue skies to watch the "mass ascension" of the balloons.    Just beautiful and we face timed with Blair, Luke and Liam
 (+Brooke, Annette and Patrick).   
The crowds were off the charts today and we could not have had more perfect weather since we arrived on Thursday.   

Here are a few more favorites...

For Luke and Maeve

 Baby with pacifier

 and then, on back of hat

 Flip flops

 Miss Kitty

 All the way from New Zealand

 Pretty carousel

 Red and blue pig

Little baby in a carriage with toy elephant and bottle

"Sisters"

Brothers

Late morning we 4 toured the Balloon Museum which was right next to where Daisy was parked.    Very interesting pics and memorabilia on hot air and gas-powered balloons throughout history.    We especially enjoyed a 3D short video of what it takes to prepare the balloons for take-off, the blowing in cool air, firing up the burners and then taking a ride in the gondola.    Sooo cool.
Still hoping to REALLY do this one day!

Tomorrow will be totally crazy leaving the grounds with all this RV and regular traffic, so.....Mark and Jim called other campgrounds and we left around noonish.    Jim and Lydia are headed to Arizona and staying in Grants, NM tonight.   We moved to the American RV Resort in Albuquerque and enjoyed the afternoon in Old Town.     First stop was at Steve's for some delicious ice cream treats.    Mark sat in the shade and I browsed a few shops  and saw some BEAUTIFUL turquoise and silver jewelry!

This is St. Felipe Neri Church - the oldest building in the city built in 1793.

We drove to Sadie's for supper which my cousin Linda recommended.    The portions were sooo large (even though we chose small), and they only have one salsa - HOT, so....bring on the TUMS tonight!    But overall, it was good food and we have leftovers.

What fun we've had with Jim and Lydia and so happy we got to share our first Balloon Fiesta with them.    It's been a very happy, memorable family time to treasure!

And finally, our sweet little pumpkin "on the move" with her pretty yellow "duck" shoes!