Pike's Awesome Journey Across America

 The sun was out & the wind stopped. It was the first day we were able to actually eat breakfast outside. We went to the International Balloon Museum. Every year they have a gathering of more than a hundred balloons around October. The museum particularly meant something to me, because my step uncle Ron Clark went with a crew across from Japan to California breaking the record of miles at about 5700  These photos are of the balloon they used, Double Eagle V. His ground crew were his family. The other pictures were about different balloons & flights. It was great!! We drove to Old Town Albuquerque & had lunch at a very good Mexican Restaurant. Then walked off our lunch at the square & shops. We toured Route 66 but only got a couple of shots. This statue was called The Madonna of the trail. Dedicated to pioneer women.   We stopped for a treat at the 66 Diner. We actually got done & were able to relax tonight. Steve even got to watch TV

We woke up refreshed & no pain. That is the way to start a day!! We had a nice big leisurely  breakfast for a change! While we were still at Red Rock Park we drove to see the Church Rock, hoodoos, & Pyramid Rock. We did not hike as it was cold & windy. We went to Fort Wingate but it was closed up. It's pretty old!! Next stop was the Continental Divide We went to New Mexico Mining Museum. They have a uranium mine set up underground which was very interesting. Here is a drive through Route 66 sign. The road to get on it had a sharp turn so Steve didn't want to take the trailer through. Lastly, we went to Grant's  Riverwalk Park but it was very cold & windy so we didn't do the Riverwalk & the picnic was in the car. Last stop Albuquerque. We are staying at Coronado Campground, very nice, run by the city.We have hookups & were ready to end the day. Steve BBQ 'd in our campground shelter, but alas, still no s'more weather. I'm thinking we d...

 When we got to Flagstaff Monday night it started raining & a little snow mix. ❄️ This happened all night. I was sure we would be stuck in Flagstaff.  Steve hooked up our electric & the heater didn't work. So we froze but survived. He thought maybe the heater only runs on propane but he hadn't hooked up our tank. Soup in the microwave was dinner. The snow started coming down Tuesday AM so we were glad to put Flagstaff in the rear view mirror. We had snow, slush, hail & almost constant rain but it was a long ride through the desert & not worrisome at 60mph for our car. So to top it off, I had back spasms all day. It really hurt to sit! This wasn't the part of my back that I got shots in. I took a muscle relaxer & a 1/2 pain pill so I hope to sleep tonight as I have been terribly sleep deprived! Some of you might remember the TV series "F Troop" We stopped at Fort Courage in Houck, New Mexico. The next pictures are of the Gallup Murals depicting ...