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New Mexico, Utah, Colorado
  • Shelley Pruitt
  • Shelley Pruitt

New Mexico, Utah, Colorado

An open-ended adventure by Shelley Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 24, 2023
    Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day One -Arkansas Rest Area

    June 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Left Ridgeway with odometer at 135,200 at 10:15am. Drove all day and into the night. By the time Greg decided to stop, the next rest area was over 100 miles away. Finally got there and crashed. We drove through South Carolina, Georgia. Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas a little over 800 miles:)Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler
    1

    Day Two-KOA Albuquerque

    June 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Woke up early and back on the road by 6:05. Entered Oklahoma at 6:57 am. Stopped to fill up with ⛽️ and got breakfast at McDonald's 8:30 am. Entered Texas at 11:44 am. Entered New Mexico at 2:33 pm. Got stuck in traffic jam outside Santa Rosa on 40 West for about 40 minutes around 4:00 pm. Looking for Mexican food for dinner. Since it's Sunday most of the restaurants are closed or close at 2. After giving up we found one that was open "Fredrico's Mexican Restaurant " it wasn't fancy looked like an old Hardee's building converted. The food was Absolutely Devine, Great, Fantastic, Amazing. I got 2 chili relenos the had a batter and fried crisp. It was served with beans, rice, guacamole sour cream, 2 hand made fresh flower tortilla. Greg got tamales 🫔 loaded with shredded chicken and beans and rice on the side. He also got 2 shredded pork tacos 🌮. The shells were hand made and fried fresh to order. We would both eat here every day if given the opportunity. We left Fredrico's and headed to our final destination for today. KOA Albuquerque New Mexico with our own dog pen, patio and furniture. We both got showers. Sat outside and enjoyed the serenity and went for a walk around the campground. We crashed around 10 both slept Great.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Three-Mexican Hat

    June 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 37 °C

    Slept 😴 💤 Great woke up around 7:20. Leisurely got us and the bus ready for today's trip. We decided to go back to Fredrico's for breakfast Greg got the Ultimate breakfast burrito and I got the Chorizzo (cheese, potato and egg) they were Humongous. Could have split one and still had leftovers. Again the Best Mexican food I have ever had. Today we are headed to Mexican Hat. A short 5 hour drive compared to what we have been doing. We just reached 7000 ft in elevation my ears are popping.data. Entered Arizona at 2:05pm. Greg decided to take the bus off roading. He saw a bunch of trails down by the river we crossed over so he decided to check it out. We got to place in the very narrow path where it seemed to be exceedingly muddy. Greg got out to walk it and came back covered in mud. He hadto back out for a bit then got the bus turned around. We are now back on the road 20 minutes from Mexican Hat. Fingers crossed we find a camping spot. Arrived at Mexican Hat 4:03. Drove down to the river very narrow, winding, steep roads, not sure we would get back up. Went to the end of the road to the last campsite. You could see the river and completely surrounded by towering red cliffs and Mexican Hat behind us. The wind was blowing so hard (about 40mph) it almost knocked you down. The sand was being blown around and giving us a Great dermabrasion :) The temperature was 99 and kinda hard to breathe, Miserably Hot!!! The clouds were getting dark and we were afraid if it rained we would never get out. So we decided to move to higher ground. We camped for the night still in Mexican Hat but on much higher ground. Once the sun went down we opened the windows and it got nice and cool in the bus for sleeping 😴Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Four- The Wedge (San Rafeal Swell)

    June 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Woke up about 6am this morning. Slept well after we got settled in our new spot. Got packed up and decided to head to the Wedge. Stopped in the town of Mexican Hat ate breakfast and Greg got me a pair of native american jackalope earrings. 8:00 on our way to the Wedge. GPS was taking us up a switch back mountain going 25 mph 😳 for 3 hours with no gas for 200 and some miles. Greg decided that was not a good idea the bus doesn't have that kinda gas range and he was worried we might run out. So we turned around and are trying a different route. We just got onto interstate 75 and the speed limit is 80.
    Arrived at The Wedge around 3:45. It was a very bumpy, washboard, dirt, potholes and rocks road. It takes 1.5 hours to go 30 some miles. It Absolutely beat the stuffing out of Greg and I. The bus took a huge beating. Blessed that Greg is such a good driver and that for the most part all the parts are new on the bus. But it was worth all the stress and Anxiety. It is peaceful, there is a breeze and we are camped on the canyon rim. Absolutely Gorgeous! We stopped on the way up at Buckhorn Wash which is a petroglyph site. Good break and very interesting seeing these 1500 to 4000 years old petroglyphs.    Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Five-The Wedge (San Rafeal Swell)

    June 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Woke up around 7:30 to a beautiful morning. We both slept well it got down to 55. We put the windows down to cool the bus before bed and it worked Great. So nice to wake up and not have to get back on the road. We are going to make some Mountain House for breakfast then go exploring a bit. Walked about 2.5 miles to the end of the canyon rim. What spectacular views. The canyons split and continue on in many different directions. We saw a few wild flowers, cactus, scrub trees, lizards and lots and lots of rocks. We are currently sitting in the bus hiding from the 🌞Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Six-Goblin Valley

    June 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    Woke up about 6 got everything cleaned, packed and loaded. 7:00 we are headed back down the All but smooth road. I know "Special Needs" isn't looking forward to this 30 mile rough dirt road 😕 We stopped at Buckhorn Wash Petroglyphs (2000 year old pictographs) site and got pics. Then we stopped at San Rafeal River Swinging Bridge which was built in 1937 and the only bridge over the San Rafeal River until the 1990's.
    Made it, 8:53 and were back on the Hwy, yeahh! Arrived Goblin Valley 10:30. Signs said Campground Full but Greg asked when we arrived and we were able to get a spot. We rode our bikes to go hiking in Goblin Valley it was absolutely Amazing. Had steaks and macaroni and cheese for dinner, yummie :)    Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Seven-Wild Horse Canyon

    June 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Star gazing at 4:30 am. This campground is a Dark campground. No light pollution at all. So the star viewing is just incredible. Got back up about 7 and had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Woke up to a deer standing on the dune rim overlooking our campsite. 10:00 am headed to Little Wild Horse Canyon. ( slot canyon) What an Incredible day. We hiked for about 4 hours. Back to the campground for a shower and to fill up with water. Now we are headed to boondock camp in the valley with some goblins. Got our campsite surrounded by hills, valleys, canyons and Goblins. Found a small slot canyon and put our chairs there and hung out in the shade. Went for a walk and saw mountain lion tracks all around. Greg found where we think the den is (Pictures attached) Greg built a fire and we went for several walks exploring around the camp.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Eight- Colorada

    July 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Another beautiful day! Woke up around 7 and got packed up for today's road trip to Colorado (between 5 and 6 hours). Went back to Goblin Valley campground (we had paid for a spot but camped in the canyon so we still had access to water, shower and trash disposal). Just crossed into Colorado 10:29. Stopped and got gas in Avon Colorado gas was $4.99 gallon. We are driving thru Vail (money, money, money)! I can see ski lifts everywhere. All the moutain, creek ski areas were jammed up with traffic. Everyone coming in for vacation into these small moutain towns and there was no where for the traffic to go. So it started backing up on 70 West for probably 15 to 20 miles. Luckily we were going East. All the camping areas were reserved and even the dispersed camping was full. So we decided to just keep driving. We stopped at a Taco John's for dinner and it was terrible 😫. Found a KOA campground about 30 minutes into Nebraska. Made a reservation online. Got to the KOA and the office was already closed. There was no check in envelope for us. Finally a guy shows up about 20 minutes after we called for help and we discover there are 2 KOA'S within 3 minutes of each other. So we drive to the other one and it is right next to the interstate and we are the last slot in the park closest to the interstate. The other park was much nicer, lol. We are set up and ready for bed. Hoping for a better day tomorrow. All the pictures are while driving and out the window of the bus.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day Nine- South Dakota

    July 2, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Headed to McDonald's to get breakfast 6:45 am. Next, South Dakota 5 hrs anad 21 minutes ( on the road at 7:00). Nebraska is beautiful lots of rolling hills, very picturesque. In the picture of the train yard there is an Ole timey steam engine on the far right track. Just got to South Dakota state line and Yankton 3:00.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 10- Yankton, SD

    July 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Visiting with Greg's parents (Barbara and Chris) today in Yankton, SD. Greg did some repairs this morning he fixed the kitchen sink which was leaking and the toilet. This afternoon we went to Lewis and Clark Lake to go swimming. Got there and a Big storm rolled in and a couple lightning strikes so we decided to leave. Just heard on the news a tornado 🌪 rolled through the lake. Glad we left when we did. Barbara is making homemade Beef Stroganof (Gregs favorite) and corn 🌽 on the cob (my favorite).Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 11- Yankton SD

    July 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Rainy day in South Dakota. Been looking at family photo albums with Barbara, such a nice way to spend the afternoon. Chris (Greg's father) paints, I have taken some pictures of his paintings. Barbara also does drawings. Greg's father was in the airforce and got lots of awards, metals and certificates (picture below) Barbara and I went for a walk on the Meridian Bridge. There are padlocks all along the bridge, they are known as love locks. Couples put a lock on the bridge as a symbol of there Love. It is now a walking bridge it use to be the main (Draw) bridge from Nebraska to South Dakota, Yankton. The bridge was paid for with city funds by making the bridge a toll bridge. It rained this morning so it was a nice cool afternoon for a walk. The fireworks were canceled due to the rain 🌧 😔 😟 🙁 😥 😞.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler
    2

    Day 12- Maquoketa Cave State Park

    July 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Left South Dakota 9:45. Had a Wonderful visit with Barbara and Chris. Took some family pictures before leaving. We are headed to Maquoketa Cave State Park in Iowa. About a six hour drive. Arrived Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa around 5:00. Went hiking on the trails and caves. We are both Super Happy with this park. Will be a new stop on our visits from Indiana to South Dakota (and vice versa). We had so much Fun exploring the caves. Got back showered and Greg cooked Steaks and Mac & Cheese. Sat outside and relaxed on this cool evening watching the fire.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 13- Indianapolis, Indiana

    July 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Great stop at Maquoketa Caves State Park. Woke up about 8 and had moutain house for breakfast. Leisurely got everything packed up and on the road at noon headed to Indy. We filled up with water before leaving and there was a tree frog near the water pump he was waiting for some water. I acomidated by making him a big puddle. Driving through Illinois now. Stopped at Los Zaparas Mexican Restaurant it was delicious and we have leftovers 😋Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 14- Indianapolis, Indiana

    July 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Slept in this morning... 😴 we are both pretty exhausted 😩. My Uncle Don and his dog Lola came over for a visit around noon. Just sat around and chatted. Met my cousin Nessa and her husband Steve at Emporium Ale for dinner. It was delicious and really enjoyed the company.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 15- Indianapolis, Indiana

    July 8, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Slept in this morning, getting caught up on sleep. Spent most of the day cleaning and doing odds and ends for my Mom. We went grocery shopping and I made a turkey stir fry with rice for dinner. Greg noticed the tire on the bus looked flat. It looks like it may have been slashed. He spoke to someone at Firestone up the road and he is going at 8 in the morning to see if they can fix it?Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 16- Morgantown, Indiana

    July 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Spending the day with my sister (Debbie and Vince)in Morgantown, Indiana. My brother (Tony and Trea) will be here this afternoon when they get back from a boating trip. Debbie made stuffed peppers, macaroni and cheese and a yummie strawberry 🍓 dessert. Went for a boat ride and had a Wonderful visit. On the road 8:50pm headed for home.Read more

  • Shelley PruittNew Mexico, Utah, ColoradoTraveler

    Day 17- Home Sweet Home

    July 10, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Stopped at a rest area right across the Tennessee state line this morning about 1:45am. Slept for a bit and back on the road 6:45am. The fog is really thick this morning. Arrived home at noon.... We traveled 4788 miles on our journey. What a Fabulous vacation!Read more

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