To Tallahassee (Mississippi)

To Tallahassee 

Louisiana route.

Once we reached I-10 we stayed on the interstate to arrive in Tallahassee on November 16.

We added 8575 miles to the motor home and 6500 to the car in this five month trip.

We have now visited both portions of the 

Gulf Islands National Seashore. 

 (Florida  and Mississippi)

The entrance sign and our pose.

The Visitor's Center is our usual first stop.  

We see the introductory film, pick up a map, postcards, 

  and the all-important passport stamp.

On the bay.

Overlooking the bayou.

We are back into the land of alligators. 

 This one seems to be enjoying the fall colors.

Our son, Brian, will join us for Thanksgiving celebrations

 in southern Indiana.

Thursday with Judy's side of the family and Saturday with mine.

Priceless

New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas

The New Mexico route.

http://www.seeroswell.com/index.php/ufo-attractions-a-events

Aliens are everywhere!

One even tries to get fresh with Judy!

They deliver.

And phone home.

The Texas route.

In Bridgeport, the Stagecoach capitol of Texas.

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgb11

Decatur's "perfectly" designed courthouse.

World's first Junior College.

We visited Ike's place on Veteran's Day--seemed appropriate.

http://www.visiteisenhowerbirthplace.com/index.aspx?page=5

The birth house, in Denison.

And, of course, the pose.

The Oklahoma route.

We spent a glorious fall day touring this site.

http://www.nps.gov/chic/index.htm

On the trail to one of the many springs.

Buffalo Springs

Antelope Springs

Little Niagra

  This artesian well has a very strong sulfur smell, 

but folks drink the water for the minerals. 

 We had a hard time posing for pictures because of the smell.

Overlooking the Park.  

This portion was Platt National Park from 1906 to 1976.

The Chickasaw Tribe gave/sold the lands surrounding the many springs

 to the federal government to protect them.  

In 1902 there were over 100,000 visitors taking

 the "cure" from the mineral rich waters.

The Arkansas route.

http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/

The diamonds we DID NOT find.

You find one?!

I did not, even after crawling around on a beautiful day.

However, it was Friday the 13th.

http://www.nps.gov/wicl/index.htm

We think that this is our 355th National Park visited.

The birthplace home, and National Park site.  

The Clinton Foundation bought, restored, and

donated the site to the National Park service. 

Bill moved here when he was about 4 years old.

Arizona and Mexico

Arizona

The route

Verde Valley Thousand Trails, one of our favorite.

http://www.thousandtrails.com/

The first pickleball in several months.

It was great to see friends Oland and Tom on the courts.

Jim and Wilma came the next day. 

 Judy and I have been playing with these folks for several years. 

A site seeing ride through Oak Creek Canyon ends at the over look.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=74380

A short hike to the creek. 

 Yes, I'm barefoot, but just for the picture.

Jerome, a revived ghost/copper boom town is always 

a good time for the shopping and the views.

http://www.azjerome.com/jerome/

Near the House of Joy brothel, now a "unusual" gift shop.

Jerome ruins.

Gold Strike ghost town is just up the mountain from Jerome.

A little further up the mountain on a gravel road, 

the views become even more stunning.

Our favorite hike in Sedona is really 

a climb up to a saddle at Cathedral Rock.

http://visitsedona.com/

A look back down.

The pose

We climbed this basalt intrusion between sandstone spires. 

 I often carry glasses and a small bottle of wine for the occasion. 

 It makes for an exciting return hike! 

A new friend shouted to ask if we wanted a picture. 

 I shouted yes and my email address and this is the result. 

 We are just above the "t" in toast.

A close up of the toast.

On the left of basalt intrusion.

On the saddle of Cathedral Rock.

The  pose taken from the saddle.

A little contemplation. 

Pointing the way down.

At the Chapel of the Holy Cross (Chapel of the Rocks).

Beauty is everywhere.

After hiking nearly all day, we shopped a little downtown.

  Plenty of beauty there too.

Off to Yuma and trips to Los Algodones.

We both got haircuts, food, drink, and dental work.

  I got a crown replaced, Judy got a bridge replaced,

 and we both had our teeth cleaned.

My shrimp tacos are ready.

Our new smiles were ready in a day!  

Celebrate.

In the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

http://www.nps.gov/yucr/index.htm

Yuma Territorial Prison.

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/YUTE/

We walked the Ocean to Ocean Bridge.  

When built in 1913 this was the only highway bridge

 over the Colorado River for 1200 miles.

Our last stay in Arizona was in Voyagers RV park in Tucson.  

This park has been voted

 the nation's best for several years.  

We enjoyed the large hot tub, 

pickleball and the area for a few days.

http://www.voyagerrv.com/

Saguaro National Park is only 15 miles from Voyagers.

Sunset in the National Park.

http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

We are eastward bound!