Hitting the Highway

Walmart, Deming, NM

On Friday, March 28th, as scheduled, the Jello was set well and good. We were up, packed and pulling out of site #39 at 8:05. Our neighbours were out preparing for their wash and wax so we exchanged information.  I've really enjoyed meeting them, Sue especially. 🤗

Good morning!
Leaving Yuma Lakes RV Resort.

Some very pretty views on today's
journey.

It was a pleasant 61F/16C under a blanket of cloudy skies. A good day to travel.  We turned onto Araby Rd. and jigged the roundabouts and hopped on I-8E. Yup, there it is.  Our first step towards the east and home. 

These Ocotillos were not even bright green
but their flowers were gorgeous.

The interstate was smooth and once we were out of rush hour, it was clear driving with little traffic. We watched Saguaros disappear, temporarily, but the Ocotillos were beautiful in their blooming glory. I couldn't get a picture worthy of showing until we stopped at a rest area near Dragoon. 

Sitting at the rest area, I asked Lila
what she thought of the trip so far.
She was enjoying it!

It was 10 am and the leg stretch felt good for all of us. Business taken care of, we pushed onward. We arrived at Denny's/Flying J Truck Stop at 11:30, fueled up, parked in behind the store, opened slides to let Gibbs inside and went in to meet Ken and Nancy.  How good to see them again!💕

Making the correct turn toward
Eloy and Tucson

Eggs Benedict and hash browns and
avocado. Yum!

This is the 3rd time we've met here
and hope to continue seeing them each year,
for as long as we all can!

After a great catchup and delicious meal, we were on our way again. They live at Picacho Peak RV Resort, just 15 minutes down the road. It was 1:15 when we got back on I-10E. We got a few rough areas but nothing bad at all. Bill was keeping our speed around 60mph in the 75 zone. He is monitoring our new tire minder, learning how it works. 

the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Farm that
Ken works at.
A pretty dragonfly overpass and the streets
of Tucson.

Pictures of Saguaro along the way.
They returned near Tucson and beyond.
Teddybear Cholla cacti here too.

We stopped at the Dragoon (?) Rest Area, aka the big boulders for another stretch and facilities break. I don't know the real name but it is 'the big boulder r.a.' to me.  They are amazing all along that route. 😁 We were on the road again at 3:25. 

About 10 miles before the New Mexico state line, I-10 got rough again.  Once into the new state, it was much improved. Their welcome sign was also new to us, it's large and beautiful! It was a loss of an hour for us when the time jumped from 4:55 to 5:55. 

Dust storm!! Not really, there was
construction to the right of the highway and it
was windy. We mostly missed it.

The Continental Divide was not very close to the well-advertised trading post so I missed getting a picture of that sign. However, we did see that it was 4,585' elevation. Whenever I see those large advertisements it reminds me of the trip Bill and I took in our Toyota Corolla to see Michael, my little brother in Cold Lake, Alberta. The signs there were for WALL drug store. Nice memories. 

The 'big boulder' rest area.

At 7:00 MDT we found a spot at the Walmart in Deming, NM for the night. We are not alone but settled in nicely, away from interstate traffic noise. Now, if the truck beside us would only stop running…,…🤔🤔  

Gibbs, was unimpressed.
He looks pretty scruffy here.

Neither is us is hungry for a meal so we may only be snacking before we crash for the night. We do have a few groceries too pick up in the store. Gibbs was pretty good all day and I may have found a solution too make the long drive more accommodating. One more day and I'll share it if it works again. 

We crossed into New Mexico, lost an hour
and it looked like we stepped into another world.
The land was flat for miles and all the cacti
and shrubs were gone.

We are sitting at 73F/21C and it is a clear sky tonight. This was a great day!

this greenery really struck me odd.
All the trees are brown............not!
Arrival at Deming for the night and a water
tower for my blog.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in.