GETTIN’ OUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66

Day 17, 2015-05-07

Today started pretty cold.  Not freezing, but not far from it. After we warmed up with coffee and showers, it was time to check emails at Docs and hit the road for The Catwalks.  But first, Bettie discovered an interesting sight – nesting Blue Herons just outside our campground.  They are a little hard to see in the picture because they were so far away, so try enlarging it.  There were about 5 nests in the tree, but I think we only got 2 or 3 in the picture.

Next came the drive on NM Hwy 15 from the cliff dwellings to Silver City. The sign said “Trucks and Trailers Might Seek an Alternate Route”.  Sounded like a challenge to me so away we went.  This was one of the most fun drives we have ever taken.  Mostly 2^nd and 3^rd gear (out of 6 gears on the truck), but what fun to climb and descend and swing through the hairpins surrounded by the beautiful scenery. Motorcycles would have a great time on this road.  Slow and easy prevailed and we made the trip with no problems except the fingernail marks around Bettie’s seat.

Our next stop was supposed to be The Catwalks in the Mogollon Mountains outside of Glenwood NM.  We went here once before and really liked the way the catwalks and suspension bridges had been strung up the canyon so everyone could access it. Unfortunately, one of the rangers at Gila told us The Catwalks were closed due to a major flood a couple of years ago, and sure enough, as we drove by the site was closed.  Change of plan.  We decided to check out the area around Eager and Springerville AZ.  We ended up at Benny Creek campground just outside of Greer AZ, no services here, just a place to park in a level area among the pine trees next to a meadow around a lake.  We are the only campers here out of the 30 or so available sites.  Pretty nice.  Our first night without any utilities.  So far, it’s looking good.

You might notice a new feature on this blog post. I’m keeping track of the miles we drive each day and our total mileage.  I’ll note them like this 204 (2589).

Day 18, 2015-05-08

We drove from Benny Creek to Holbrook, AZ today.  Bettie spotted the first elk of the trip just before we got to Show Low, AZ.  The wind in Holbrook got absolutely relentless after we arrived, has been blowing 40 and gusting over 50 non-stop for hours.  I’m really glad we got here early and did not have to pull the trailer through it.  The trailer is parked, but moving all over the place.  Grocery shopping and a lot of internet work filled the day since we have a great connection at the KOA.  However, we did venture out and find ourselves on the famous Route 66 in Holbrook for a bit.  Take a look at the iconic Wigwam Motel.  Unchanged since who knows when.  

Dinner tonight was at the not-quite-so-but-still-pretty-famous Joe and Aggie’s Mexican Restaurant just a couple of blocks down from the Wigwam.  

We promised ourselves we would try local craft beers whenever possible on this trip.  Tonight it was Grand Canyon Brewing Company Pilsner for Bettie and IPA for me.  Both were winners.  111 (2700)

Day 19, 2015-05-09

We toured the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert NP today.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Yes, this is a petrified log.

Agate House, one of the few pueblos that was constructed from petrified logs.

Painted Desert

More Painted Desert

Joe and Aggies was closed tonight so we ate across Route 66 at Romo’s.  It was full of locals and the food was even better than yesterday.  Beer was Doghead IPA (Doghead Brewery, Minton Delaware) for me (I rate it good) and Barrio Blonde (Barrio Brewey, Tuscon, AZ) for Bettie (she liked the Grand Canyon Pilsner better). 84 (2784)