Elvis, Graceland and Grand babies!

It is time to go home soon--as you can see from the picture--too many snacks!

We went to Mission San Jose which was SO interesting.  This was one of five Catholic missions that protected the indians from Apache raiders, educated them in Spanish and Latin and converted them.  It was a whole community.  Lots of artists painting this famous area.
We left San Antonio with happy memories!  We were taking some of our grocery bags out to the car Thursday night--under cover of darkness.  There was a pan handler on the way to the RV that usually asks for money--but he took one look at us and just shook his head!  Maybe he was thinking of giving us a dollar!  Ha!

Buckhorn Saloon

Mission San Jose

San Antonio to Columbus route goes right through Memphis so we stopped at Graceland.  It was so much fun.  What an amazing talent and generous person Elvis was.  Some one gave me an extra ticket on the way in so only had to pay for one ticket.  Saw his personal planes and multiple cars and home.  We were very glad we stopped.  Elvis lives!

Graceland entrance

At Graceland with earphones

Graceland living room

Sunday we arrive back in Cincinnati where we started seven weeks ago.  We left with one little face looking out the door as we left and we arrive to two beautiful grand babies!  I am staying for two weeks with Carrie, Nate and the girls.   Pete has to head home to take care of the RV, grass and leaves.  He will be back for Molly's baptism in two weeks.

C, Anna Grace, Bailey

C, P, Anna, Molly

 Pete and I are happy to be home but what a wonderful adventure it was.  Verizon phone and internet service were terrific 90% of the time---and we used them everyday to keep in touch.  We live in such a beautiful diverse country.  Pete and I are already planning our next adventure out west!

Thank you for coming with us on this adventure!  It was so much more fun sharing it with you!

Statistics:

Total cost for 7 weeks  $4129.00
Total miles 7000
Gas cost $1371 --33% of total expenses
Food costs $988--24%
Campgrounds $250--6%
Entertainment  $800--19%
Misc $722--17%
Gas average about $3.20 per gallon
Gas mileage was 15 miles per gallon.
Gallons gas used 470

We'll see how we do next trip!

San Antonio is TERRIFIC!

Arrived at Wyndham timeshare on the River Walk and it is such a great location!  We hauled all our bags of food, everything in the refrigerator, clothes and Bailey's paraphernalia discreetly into the hotel in plastic grocery bags--very classy!  This room is two stories with a spiral staircase with the bedroom and bath upstairs and a jacuzzi on the balcony!  Time to get the desert dust out of our bones!  Bailey even looks a different color with the Sedona red sand in her fur!

We took a trolley tour today around to 10 regions of the city and surrounding area.  You can get on and off.  We stopped at the Market Square (all Mexican crafts).  There was a really neat restaurant there that has Christmas decor all year.  We met the founder's grandson who explained the mural in the restaurant.  It is huge and they had an artist there adding more faces to it.  These are all important Latinos.  See the two "DOG WHISPERERS"--Pete is one of them--just not the Latino part.

San Antonio Market

Dog Whisperer

Mia Tierra decoration

Also stopped at San Fernando Cathedral--second oldest functioning cathedral in U.S.  Beautiful "All Souls' Day" display in front of the church.  Gorgeous altar and all this built 90 years before the Alamo. Cremated remains of three Alamo heroes on display in the cathedral ... Davey Crockett, Sam Bowie, and the military commander Col. Wm Travis.  The Alamo was right near to hotel and we did guided audio tour there.  Free to go in and nice movie there.  We had seen the IMAX movie about the Alamo the night before so we had greater appreciation for the battle--well worth it.

San Fernando Altar

The Alamo

The River Walk is so AMAZING!  It is almost 15 miles long.  In the city area, it is LINED on both sides with restaurants, hotels, waterfalls and people!  We had the best Mexican food at Casa Rio, the first restaurant on the River Walk after its construction, as we sat right next to the water (San Antonio river).   Later we took the $6 river barge tour twice, once at night and then during the day--about 35 min and beautiful.  There is a picture below of the barge SWEEPING debris out of the river--quite ingenious we thought.  It always looked perfect.  Wednesday we took shuttle over to Guenther house for great breakfast with 6 inch cube of great cinnamon roll.  Mr Guenther founded Pioneer flour company and we took a tour of his home.  It turns out there is a lot of money in grinding flour!  We walked back to hotel on Riverwalk.  We stopped at the other Wyndham Cascada to check it out--right on Riverwalk, out a bit from the central city, better parking near front door for RV and less traffic around that area. When we return we may stay here next time.  (Writing this done so we'll remember!)

Riverwalk

Riverwalk

Cleaning river

Riverwalk crossover

Casa Rio on Riverwalk

Tonight we had Texas BBQ ribs at County Line BBQ--very good--lots of food!  We split a dinner and still took home doggie bag!
Tomorrow we are going to see some missions and eat some more Mexican food!  One more day to enjoy this amazing journey!

To our faithful readers---just so you don't go into WITHDRAWAL--want to warn you that there will probably be  no more blog entries until we get home as we will have long days driving the 1200 miles home.  We will be able to sum up all we have learned on this expedition!  We are anxious to get back to our grand babies and meet Molly!  Good times are ahead!

On to New Mexico and Questions from our Readers!

After leaving Sedona a short drive to Show Low, AZ camping at lakeside and walked a trail along the shore. Up the next morning and watched OSU vs Purdue compliments of the Big Ten Network and our android phones connected to the flat screen tv in the camper. The game started at 9 am our time so we watched it in sleeping bags while eating breakfast in bed!  Somehow Pete has managed to watch ALL the OSU football games on this trip!

Another short walk and off to New Mexico where we stayed at a BLM campground called Datil Well. Was a stop on the cattle drives of yore as there was water available. Had a nice hike and a beautiful sunset.  This camp site was $2.50 for seniors--hardly pays to live at home!  I lost my good sunglasses on the trail and Pete went back the next morning and found them--just a little bent (probably mountain lion pawed them---in the area per the trail sign)--but fine.  We're back in business!  Pete, my hero!

C hiking Pinion-Juniper trail Datil Well

Campfire at Datil Well

Sunset Datil Well

QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS:  So far we have over 700 views on our blog!  Here are some answers from your many questions.

What do two active and HAPPY seniors eat while camping in a very small vehicle?

 Well, you would be surprised.  We eat very well.  We have had roast chicken, green beans, corn--spaghetti and carrots--sausage with onions and peppers, chile, BBQ ribs, beef brisket, stroganoff,
and stew---all of these I made ahead and froze in those food saver suction bags.  We buy those grocery roasted chickens, frozen veggies, fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, and yogurt along the way.  Occasionally Marie Callender cooks for us also.  Breakfast is sausage, eggs, bacon, bread, cereal with fruit, yogurt--but not all at once.  I brought a slow cooker, skillet and sauce pan---NONE of which we have used!  It's all done with the magic of the microwave!  If these microwaves are deadly, then we've probably lost a few good years!  :)  We also have a LOT of snacks--it's takes energy to be retired!

What do well-dressed seniors have in their camping/Wyndham wardrobe?

We each have four tee shirts, four long sleeved tee shirts, 2 pair of jeans, dressy jeans, fleece jackets, sweater, windbreakers and down vests.  Sandals, tennis shoes and our new hiking shoes that we really needed on this venture.  We wore everything that we brought except one nice outfit each.  Never needed to jazz ourselves up much!  You might notice that we have the SAME clothes on several days in a row--that is NOT your imagination--just easier and then we do a load of wash at the next Wyndham.  Even Bailey gets a wash once in a while so it is all good.  She gets a lot of trail dust on her.

We will try to answer more questions on a later blog.  Arriving in San Antonio tomorrow!  Today Molly is one week old and she and Anna are doing great!

Sedona

Driving into Sedona is a real treat!  Just so darn beautiful.  This is one place we could spend a week enjoying the exceptional scenery.   We are staying at a Wyndham for four nights with a great view out our balcony.  We did a CD guided driving tour of the Sedona area and a short walk up to the "Bell Rock" formation.  We've been to Cathedral Rock,  Frank Lloyd Wright Chapel on the mountain, the Airport mesa "vortex", Boynton Canyon and Red Rock Loop drive.  All great places and would recommend the CD tour.  There is also a trolley that covers some of these spots.  A "vortex" is a big deal in Sedona---a location with lots of energy to help you to find your inner self.  We were at three of these areas and so far neither of us is feeling any new vibes!  We'll keep you posted!

There was a geology talk at the Wyndham in the evening which was so well done.  We drove up Oak Creek Canyon Wednesday which is another "not to be missed".  We stopped at Tlaquepaque --shopping area made to look like Mexican village.  This was very relaxing and pretty.  Tonight we went to a taco party and we were able to compare notes with other travelers--lots of good ideas!

There are so many beautiful hiking trails here.... over 500 miles.  Wish we had time to do more.  My back started complaining about all the hiking but resting and a daily jacuzzi in our room have me almost back to normal.

Verde Canyon Railroad was the great adventure of today (Thurs)---we got basically free tickets for listening to a time share pitch.  The first class coach was so comfortable with soft easy chairs, champagne and snacks.  There was a commentary as we travelled 4 hours and since it was 72 degrees we were able to go to the outside open railcar to get a 360 view of the beautiful Sycamore canyon.  A naturalist was aboard each coach to answer questions. Saw two pair of bald eagles along with great scenery. Well worth the cost even at no discount.   There was a wedding on board the train--the last car was the wedding party! The picture of the caboose was taken while the train was stopped and the ceremony in progress.

Tomorrow we leave for San Antonio, Texas and we'll be camping for four days so not sure it we'll have internet.  We have been pleasantly surprised in the most isolated camping areas--we have internet and Verizon--who knew!

The last two pics are from our balcony.








Addendum: As we left Sedona we hiked Boynton Canyon, a beautiful canyon just west of the city with an exclusive Enchantment Resort on the valley floor at the canyon entrance. You can hike up the canyon beside the lodge and look down on the resort while passing.

C at Boynton Canyon

P at Boynton Canyon

Phoenix--and Molly's Birth!

Last night at Quartzsite

Today we were awakened by the great news that MISS MOLLY SCHMITT has arrived!  Carrie and Molly doing fine.  She has black hair like Nate!  We are getting pictures of the happy family and all is well.  We will be there in about 2  1/2 weeks and can't wait to meet her!

The campsite we left at Quartzsite

We met with my cousin Barb Dysart for brunch and had a great time catching up and then continued on our way to Phoenix Botanical Gardens--really great display of desert plants with Chihuly glass (sp?) display--wonderful!  On to Lost Dutchman State Park--and it is so scenic.  Legend has it that a miner struck it rich hitting the mother lode. After working the mine he hid his treasure in the mine and then hid the entrance and went to town. He lost his life having never told a sole of the mine's location and it has never been found. All those millions are in these mountains near us at our campsite, if only ....... We are looking up at beautiful mountains and a fabulous sunset.  Barb asked us which place has been our favorite so far and we both agree--EVERYPLACE is our favorite.

We hiked up the mountain into a canyon (to look for that gold) and saw a rattlesnake off the trail.  Would have been scarier but it was dead--we think--didn't stay around to find out!  Stopped at old ghost mining town turned "touristy" but still really neat.  Our culinary highlight of the week was eating at the "In and Out Berger" in Phoenix---it really was good!  We stopped at Montezuma's Castle on the way to Sedona per Barb's suggestion.  It is ancient Indian dwellings built into cliffs about 50 feet from the ground.  Well worth the time.  Sedona is next and out of the Bailey Buggy and into the Wyndham Resort for four nights.  :)  Life is so good!

Chihuly at Botanical Garden

Lost Dutchman campsite

Sunset at Lost Dutchman

Arizona Desert--Boondocking!

I never thought I would be doing this--but we left the luxury of Kris's home to camp in the desert in the BLM areas (Bureau of Land Management)-- "camp areas"that are ALL over the west.  This is called "dispersed camping"...for you brave young wanderers!   It has only a rock fire pit and a dusty road... no water or electricity.  There were about 10 RV's around us and neat scenery.  People are very nice and gave us great information.  We hiked in the desert a short while and back to the RV for "dinner and a movie".  Any experience that can make a man "rave" about how good Tuna Helper is is a winner.   Pete turned our inverter on and we watched DVD of Rainman!

Craggy Wash Ariz. Campsite

We woke up to a saddled horse nearby and Pete explored the situation.  The horse was Anna and her rider was Jeremiah Brinkley who is referenced on the web.  If you want to know more--click the link.
Anyway, he has been riding his horse (this is the fourth one) for 25 years for 30,000 miles with all his belongings on Anna.  He just came from Missouri.  He reads his Bible--"the only book he needs" and taught his horse to eat anything including vegetables, bananas and cinnamon rolls. .. maybe even  from dumpsters. The diet is fortified with desert scrub plants.  He was once stopped on Interstate 40 by a cruiser who pulled him over saying "don't worry, it's not illegal to ride next to the highway, I just couldn't believe anyone would do it and wanted to talk to you"!  Jeremiah was very nice and a bunch of us enjoyed his company.  After we finish touring with the RV, maybe touring on horseback?

Our next adventure

Jeremiah Brinkley at Craggy Wash

Next was 2 hour drive to Lake Havasu City which is a large lake formed by a dam on the Colorado River in the middle of the desert.  It is a huge recreation area made famous by it's London Bridge.  It was torn down in London, brought over here and reconstructed by Mr. McCullouch (famous for chain saws and outboard motors).  It was constructed on totally dry land and then later a canal was dredged from the lake to provide "water under the bridge"! the canal created an island and the bridge goes to the island with beautiful homes.

London Bridge Lake Havasu City

On to the desert town of Quartzsite with beautiful sunset, Saguaro Cactus, and Mesquite trees.  This area is famous for 100,000 RVers who come to spend the winter here.  Right now, nice and quiet.

Quartzsite campsite

..

Las Vegas--Part Two

Here we are in "sin city" and going to church, grocery and hanging around Kris's beautiful home reading historical novels!  So much for the wild life!  The three of us went to see musical "Million Dollar Quartet" last night at Harrah's per Len Hibbards recommendation.  He is is on a roll, two for two with great entertainment tips!  We LOVED the show--so much fun, singing was terrific and all live music.  We had our picture taken with a couple of the stars!

Today (Monday) had a another breakfast feast and did some home projects with Kris.  I took a nap in her hammock that she uses for a bed and it was so comfortable!  Dinner with my cousin Nancy and her husband Dana and caught up with our family news.

We have had such a GREAT time with Kris,  She has taken such good care of us and we made some wonderful memories.  Her home is just lovely and she has worked so hard.  We thought you might like to see some pictures of her efforts!  Now we are rested up, well fed and ready to leave on the last half of our adventure as we move on to Arizona!  Bailey will be sad to leave her buddy Bonito--Kris's puppy.

Kris' home

Poolside covered patio

The picture says it all

The dogs love the patio too

Kris at Million Dollar Quartet

Not sure about internet access for the next few days. We'll be out in the desert boonies boondocking until leaving for Phoenix on the 26th.