Nita brought a cup of coffee in at 2:58 this morning so I could absorb the fact I was getting up in the middle of the night. I am proud to declare that I was dressed and ready to go by 3:30!
We met up with Deanie, Lonnie, Trish and Andie and we rolled onto the highway at 4:00!
We drove for hours in the dark and the rain.
I was excited to see the sunrise!
We stopped at least every two hours to stretch our legs and take bathroom breaks.
The first place was a Love's and I love this coffee!
Nita found a treasure in the bathroom hanging on the purse hook in her stall.
What a blessing someone left for a stranger....and Nita was the one who found it.
It says to keep it or pass it on. Nita did pass it on - to Andie.
Our second stop was Russell's Truck and Travel Center in Glen Rio, New Mexico.
It is an amazing place and so much fun!
We took pictures!
They had great bathrooms.....
and they had a wonderful museum!
It was free but accepts donations that are used 100% to provide food for needy children.
It was a perfect place to walk around and remember long ago times.
There were antique cars, lots of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, Roy Rogers and so much more.
Back on the road for another 100+ miles before stopping at Clines Corner Truck Stop and look what I found!
Hatch Green Chile Wine!
Produced and bottled right here in New Mexico.
$10 a bottle so I bought one!
I've had this wine before and it was good. HEB had it during their Hatch Chile Festival.
It was not that far from there to our hotel in Albuquerque.
It was about 2:00 when we arrived, checked in and regrouped.
We have three rooms and they are all close together on the third floor.
Nita and Mike together.
Trish, Andie and Deanie together and Lonnie and I are in the third room.
Lonnie, Deanie and Trish were pretty worn out and decided to stay in the room. But since it was early enough, the rest of us decided to go see a bit of the town.
The museum was not far and we managed an hour and a half visit there before it closed.
It is a really cool museum.
The walking around the exhibits was good for us after sitting in the car for over 10 hours.
Then we found Old Town and looked around there.
We heard the most beautiful pan flute music as we browsed which reminded us of the time we were in San Antonio on our Siblings Trip and heard Andean Fusion band on the Riverwalk.
Beautiful music!
El Sikuri Romantic Melodies.....I bought Volumes 1 and 2.
Then we went in search of a restaurant for dinner.
On our way I saw this perfect petunia growing out of a crack!
Crazy!
We chose Hacienda Del Rio Cantina and it was delicious!
The food was good, too!
Tomorrow we will dive to Prescott, Arizona where the wedding venue is.
It was a very good first day and we were happy to drive out of the rain.
There's been some beautiful fall foliage to see as well as the changing terrain as we drove farther west. We are family and travel well together. Always lots of laughing and plenty of talking.
Andie's birthday is tomorrow. She will be 15. Seems like she should still be a little girl.
She's becoming a charming and mature young lady wise beyond her years.
Gives us hope for the future with young people like her in this next generation.
Tomorrow is also Summer's birthday.
She will be celebrating in Puerto Rico with Rayne and Sabrina.
We will celebrate some more when she gets back to Texas.
So much to celebrate these days.
Weddings and new babies.
It's all about Nita's son, Bill, and his beautiful family.
Lots of family have traveled here to celebrate with him.
My heart is filled with praise and gratitude to the Lord for this happy time we can celebrate together.
It looks like you are making every minute count!! The flute music is gorgeous! The truck stop looks amazing! So you finally DID get up earlier than The Mad One!
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though your trip has been good so far. I am thrilled that you all get a long so well together. Enjoy the wedding and we expect lots of pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe pan flute is very pleasant. How cool that your family travels so well together and for such a wonderful occasion. Andie has certainly grown up since last I saw her. She is such a pretty girl with a million dollar smile. Happy trails to all!
ReplyDeleteLinda, Glad you have had a good trip. Family is fun and we should always try our best to stay close. Traveling is fun but very tiring. Good for you to be out of the rain. Take care, tell all hello. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a wonderful time. All those places you are visiting look so amazing. Ready to go at 3 am? Don't know if I could do that. By the way, Prescott, Arizona is named after one of my
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So glad you’re all traveling together! Makes a fun occasion even better! You’re making memories!
ReplyDeleteyour stories and trips and the things that happen along the way always amaze me. that cross is the most amazing of all. love it and what a great idea.. I would say have fun but you always do so no need to say it
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to be with your family and yes, it does look like you are having a great trip. You are blessed to have so many to celebrate with. I loved seeing all the pictures. You do a good job of saving great memories. Hope the rest of trip goes as smoothly for all of you.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have had a great start and want you to know I lived with my Grandmother in Prescott while I went to Beauty School there many, many years ago but Prescott was only 50 miles from where I grew up. You will like it. Take note of the Hassampa Hotel on the right as you head into town close to the courthouse. It is a favorite place for us to go and spend the night.
ReplyDeleteWe visited friends in The Big A several years ago and we loved it. We rode the tram to Sandia, ate lots of good food and visited the Acoma Indian reservation. Enjoy your trip...lobed the story of the little neckless. Sounds like something I might have to try on some of my trips. I love leaving surprises for people.
ReplyDeleteOh my, Linda, what a wonderful road trip. You just make me feel like I'm in the back seat traveling with you.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures and stories that go along with them. Stay safe and have a lovely trip coming and going. Love and Hugs.
I love the diner-style restaurant and I love the first photo with the light streaming through the window! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteYou are a trooper coping with 10 hours in a car on one day... Lovely pics. Cheers
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ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is to travel with family and travel well indeed ! I know how fun it is as we road-travel around Europe when we visit our daughter in Spain.
The restaurant diner is fabulous and I can imagine those bathrooms as you say. The pics are awesome, thanks for making us part of it.
Blessings to you all.
Fabby