Thursday, March 28 - Quartzsite, AZ

We finally found warmth - 81 degrees. We all too off layers … a lot

We are boondocking just outside of Quartzsite, a little town built around snow birds. RV parks everywhere, some sketchier than others.  Went in town for groceries. Just a small market. Not quite what I thought it would be. Where we are tucked in, it’s quiet. 

The ocotillo is beginning to bloom. Not too many saguaros around where we are. 

Since it got warm, here’s how Lenny travels down the road. Usually he is covered with a blanket. We’re lucky that they can sleep at night as much as they sleep through the day. 

These bright yellow flowers greet us. They look like some sort of daisy. 

As soon as we got set up, we sat outside to soak up some rays. 

Then we took a walk. These purple flowers were blooming all over. 

A few saguaros 

Banjo is with us. Just couldn’t get him in the photo. 

A little sunset … good night. 

Wednesday, March 27 - Lordsburg, NM

Tonight we will stay in another Harvest Host - Shakespeare Ghost town, just south of Lordsburg, NM

Shakespeare Ghost Town is a mining town dating back to the 1850s when the first building was put here by the army.

The Hill Family has preserved the town since the 1930. They give tours of the buildings and talk about when Billy the Kid and others walked the streets. 

We took a hike among the cacti to stretch our legs. Much warmer here, high 50s. The desert cools down at night to about 35 degrees. A shot of the Ghost Town from our hike atop a hill. 

The pear cacti grow big here. 

A hillside of pear cacti. 

Yucca plants also grow tall. Lenny thinks there’s a good smell here. 

Tuesday, March 26 Portales, New Mexico

Bright sunny day for the birthday boy to drive towards New Mexico. 

Some of what we saw driving from Texas towards New Mexico. 

It’s been very windy as we’re driving. 

The landscape is a little more hilly

A few cotton fields. 

Tonight’s stay will be at the Oasis State Park, just over the border into New Mexico. Nice, quiet park for $18. 

A perfect place to have one of 814 Cider. 

Sunrise in the campground. 

Monday, March 25 - Wichita Falls, Texas

Still searching for warmer temps, we are headed to Texas. We’ll be staying at the Wichita Falls Fairgrounds. To make reservations, we needed to call the Police Department. 

On two-lane roads we drive through small towns, some vibrant, some almost ghost towns. 

Here’s what we see as we are driving, wide open spaces, no homes in sight. 

We see and hear a lot of trains as we head west. This one may be carrying your packages. 

We decided to stop near Wichita Falls, TX for the night. We’ve stayed at Fairgrounds before so we tried one in Electra. That was THE sketchiest place we’ve ever been to. The website said the cost was $15 and you had to pay at the police station. When we went there, they said it was $40. No way was the space worth that much. So we drove a little farther back to Wichita Falls and parked in the Cracker Barrel parking lot. Quiet spot, still colder than I was hoping. 

Headed to Portales, New Mexico tomorrow. 

Sunday, March 24 - Kansas City to Kingman, OK

Left the campground by 9. After looking at the map, we decided to go west on Route 50, a two-lane road to  keep us off the Interstate. 

Driving in the mid-west, we keep seeing these fields of tiny purple flowers called Henbit and Purple Deadnettle. Both are in the mint family.  

Passport Book showed that I could get a stamp at the Tall Prairie National Preserve which was only about 3 miles from Route 50. The site had a nice museum explaining the prairie. 

I learned about the prairie chicken but didn’t see one. Took a photo that was in the museum. See how cute!

As we continued our trek, it was extremely windy. We had to drive slowly so we didn’t weave all over the road. Decided to stop early. Found a full hook up campground in a field called Champion Ridge RV Park. Weather alert for high winds til 9 pm. Glad we aren’t driving now. 

Hunkered down watching Ghostbusters. 

Thursday - Saturday Kansas City

Kansas City is a great walking city. Lots to do, breweries, Cidery and restaurants and museums. Lots of parking. T-Mobile is the best venue for wrestling other than St Louis that we’ve attended. 

It’s been fun watching Nathan on these mats. It was 50 years ago that Bill was an All American   

HereHere are some photos I’ve taken while walking around with Drew. 

3 Trails Brewery in Independence. 

Night lights which make the city come alive. 

Sunset from the RV

Trolley cars 

Donutology in an old trolley car. 

They were small!

A walk to the river. 

How the other half lives … Drew’s hotel Hilton President. 

And coffee 

A walk to City Market for a beer and lunch with Drew before he flies home. 

Passed this on our walk. It was an old bus terminal. Now it’s a dog park for the apartments above. How cool is that!

Tonight are the finals. Penn State is so far ahead that it’s anti-climactic.  

Wednesday, March 20 - Independence, MO

Last night wasn’t quite as cold … 39 degrees. But when we started out on our walk to the Harry S Truman house, I was glad to have a coat, vest and hat. Still windy. We didn’t go the most direct course (GPS’s fault of course) but we got to see beautiful, stately homes along the way. 

The Harry S Truman house was an interesting tour. The house has been kept the way it was when they lived there, wallpaper, porcelain sink, grand piano, furnishings, photos, etc. No picture were allowed so if you’re interested, check out the website. 

We also visited the house across the street from the Truman house where Harry visited when he was courting Bess, his wife. Bess came from money, Harry didn’t. 

After a quick lunch, we drove into Kansas City to meet Drew at Torn Label Brewery. Fun catching up on all the research he’s been doing on social media. 

Kansas City is known for their BBQ so of course that was on our dinner menu. Andrea gave us a couple choices that a former student had told her. We chose Joe’s BBQ. Wow, that was great. The building was an old gas station and they are busy with people standing in line every day. We can see why. Still licking our chops. 

Great recommendation. 

Tomorrow the wrestling championship begins. Go Nathan. Can’t wait to watch you. 

Tuesday, March 19 - Independence, MO

Woke up to 28 degrees, coldest so far. Explore Valley was very quiet and peaceful, lots of open space for the dogs to sniff and smell. 

The pear trees were in bloom, giving me hope that spring weather would arrive soon. 

After breakfast, the sun was shining bright so we decided to get groceries and take a walk at Rotary Park. 

Since we don’t have far to drive today, we  didn’t get on the road until 10:30. For the next 5 days, we’ll be staying at Campus RV Park in Independence, MO. Drew will meet us there tonight. While we are at the wrestling sessions, Drew will be exploring Kansas City. 

Forgot to mention that as we came into Missouri, our GPS say “misery!

Stopped for gas about 3 minutes from Independence, just east of Kansas City and was pleasantly surprised that it was a balmy 65 degrees. Time to shed some layers. 

I took a walk from our campground towards town and saw this church. Thought Beth and Ken Raney would be interested. 

From our campground, I could see this unusual spire.  It’s part of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The sign said The Temple.