Dunfey Alaska Journey

After Santa Fe we headed east on route 40 across New Mexico and part of Oklahoma. We stayed overnight in Elk City, OK. In the morning, it was raining. We proceeded to complete our trip across Oklahoma to Arkansas .

We set up camp in the Ozark National Forrest about 15 miles away from the highway. The national campground was called Lake Shores near Boston Mountain. Before dinner, we went for a hike in the Forrest and noticed that we could feel the humidity. That night, it poured and poured. The noise of rain pounding on the roof all night made it difficult to sleep.

We headed across Arkansas in the rain to Memphis, Tennessee and then down to Corinth, Mississipi where we visited the Civil War Interpretive Center. This civil war center focused on the battles at Shiloh and Corinth. The Center is part of the Shiloh National Park. The exhibits there and their movies were worth the trip there!. We stayed at the “primitive” Battle Ground Campground right outside the park in the village of Shiloh, Tennessee.

In the morning, we visited the National Shiloh Battlefield Park. The vistor center showed an old movie of the battle which was well done. We took the auto tour of the battlefield. This was manificent. It gave you a good feel of the battle and the horrible slaughter of men that took place there.

That evening we arrived in Nashville and went to the Grand Ole Opry to see and particpate in a 2 hour radio show. Our participation consisted of singing along when asked. This was the Opry’s 84th Birthday Bash. The show participants were mostly older Opry members with a sprinkling of younger entertainers. It was interesting and entertaining.

The next day, we went to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage outside of Nashville. In the evening, we toured downtown Nashville Music places (Bars). We ate at the Wild Horse Saloon and watched the Tennessee Titans/Colts football game.

On Columbus Day, we travelled from Nashville to the Mountain Lake Marina & Campground in Lake City, TN just north of Knoxville, TN. We have an appointment at Trailmanor trailer factory to have a list of items repaired and adjusted. It may take a couple of days. Then, we head for our daughter Colleen’s home near Rochester, NY before going home to Eastman. We hope to be in Eastman by 10/21.

Arrived at Milly’s cousin’s home in Tucson late in the afternoon of Oct 1st. We were greeted by Arthur Havemeyer and partner Kathy. We stayed 3 nights there parking our camper on the gravel in front of their home.

We had three wonderful evening meals with the meats cooked on the charcoal grill by Arthur. We relaxed each evening in the privacy of their enclosed back yard enjoying beer or good wine.

On our first full day in Tucson, Arthur drove us up to Lemon Mountain. It was about an hours drive each way. The road wound up into the mountains along many cliffs and switchbacks. We reached a small village just beyond the mountain which had recently been rebuilt after being destroyed by fire. We had lunch of chilli and pizza before heading back to Tucson.

The next day, we went to Saguaro National Park near Tucson to hike among the local desert cactus.

We left Tucson towards New Mexico. We ended up staying at Elephant Butte State Park near Truth or Consequences, NM. Our campsite was located on a hill overlooking the lake. We gave up on kayaking and went for a hike along the lake shore. The winds were horrendous. They howled all night making sleeping difficult.

We decided to go to Santa Fe, NM after stopping in Albuquerque, NM at the Indian Pueblo Culture Center/Museum.

We stayed two nights at the Black Canyon Campground in Santa Fe National Forrest above Santa Fe.    

We went into Santa Fe for breakfast. We ran into special event detours and saw about 12 police motorcycles escorting a bunch of cars. At breakfast, we asked the waiter what was going on. He checked and reported back that Spanish Royalty was in town for the 400th anniversary celebrations. We wandered into the Basilica just before the Spanish Crown Prince and his Wife arrived there. We were given the last 2 tickets and attended the welcoming service.

In the afternoon, we went up to the mountains to hike among the Aspens. We visited the Santa Fe Ski area and discovered that they ski there from Thanksgiving to April. 

We found the Santa Fe shopping area outstanding. It’s too bad that we are not shoppers. We could have spent a fortune there.

On the morning of October 7th, we headed to Amarillo, Texas on our way to Tennessee.

We stopped for lunch around 3 PM at the fameous Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo before continuing on to Elk City, Oklahoma.

We just confirmed our Tennessee factory appointment near Knoxville for the day after Columbus Day. It may last several days.

Santa Fe and Spanish Royalty