Day 6 - Chaco :( but El Morro :)

We tried to drive into the Chaco Culture area from the south, but the road was mostly rock and we decided to turn around. Right then, it started raining, perhaps as a sign of renewal (too much How to Read Literature Like a Professor!). Anyway, we headed instead to El Morro a jutting rock ridge on which history is written. (Though, first, an early people built a pueblo on top.) Anyway, Ancient Ones drew pictographs; Spaniards identified themselves from the 1600s, white English-speaking settlers (including a 12-year-old girl) provided their signatures in the 1800s, as did explorers, soldiers (one brigade came with camels, just pre-Civil War), and railroad surveyors. Finally, the railroad was laid not at the foot of El Morro but 25 miles away, leaving this outpost in the outfield. Besides being pretty easy to recognize at a distance, El Morro boasted a water hole, not spring-fed but naturally filled with rainwater. Everything adds up to a lovely spot to visit. But I've gotta see Chaco Culture next time!

Day 5 - NM - Tucumcari compared to Santa Fe

We happily drove into New Mexico this morning, and saw wildly different cities and topography through the day. Tucumcari's bit of Route 66 includes broken down hotels, partially scrapped trailer parks (with ancient electrical supply apparatus), and remnants of gas stations and souvenir stands. In contrast, Las Vegas is rebuilding itself, trying to make the most of multiple national historic register buildings. By the end of the day we were strolling along the streets of Santa Fe. Fun art, good food. The landscape changed drastically as well. We crossed from high prairie to mesas & buttes before climbing over the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The views were spectacular.

Day 4 600+ miles to Amarillo

From Missouri through Oklahoma to Texas (Amarillo) today. We have now made up the day we lost with the car repair.

Here's the SECOND Baldwin steam loco Maynard has found so far.

Ate at a hilarious Texas steak house -- all cowboy ambiance. If you eat a 72 ounce steak in an hour, it's free. A guy from Ohio was trying to succeed.

Day 3 - Cahokia

The Mississipian Indians from around 900 AD through 1200 AD created a complex culture. In the river bottom land just over the Mississippi River from St. Louis a huge city developed. Cahokia has many mounds of several sorts. Some were used as graves. The large central area (you can see down to it from Monk's Mound) was open for ceremonies and gatherings. Beyond that were many houses. Twenty thousand people lived here at its height. Monk's Mound is 110 feet high. Pretty, cool, huh?

Day 2 - Turning a lemon into a G&T (or nearly)

That drip turned out to be a broken water pump.

Fortunately, friendly people at a Starbuck's included a lady whose drives a VW beetle & whose husband owns a GMC/Buick dealership down the street. While they sent out for a new pump, they lent us an aged LeSabre. Also, a mechanic told us about good train-sighting places along the Sand Patch grade. Grabbed a rope to climb to a bench above the rails where this pic was taken; met the installer of said rope & bench who toodles around in a parachute plane. Lunched in an 18th c tavern which is now run by a Russian Orthodox priest & wife.

Finally hit the road at 3 PM, car repaired. Only made it to Columbus tonight. Needed a drink after all that!

Day 1 - to the SW corner of PA

Tooled down interstates to the Laurel Highlands of PA. Lovely, rolling ridges. The trees are already turning. Camped at Laurel Hill State Park near Somerset. Fun to use the Eurovan, but we brought too much stuff.

Strange dripping from the engine . . .

We're heading out today, pointing towards the Southern Pacific Railroad Convention in Sacramento (it's the weekend of October 2nd). This trip is in the Eurovan and we're camping, hopefully in state and national parks. There won't be internet access, so I may not post things often. I haven't decided what to focus on -- maybe pictures. The Grand Canyon will appear on the way.