Get your kicks?

It’s been1,800 miles and tennnn….. days, since we took our cats away.… Trying to conjure up a little bit of the late and very talented Sinead O’Connor but it just isn’t working. If you don’t know the reference, then you are very much younger than me. 

The cats are doing well, with the exception of the odd cat quarrel and a minor Autumn “incident" with one of my slippers, which, of course, we will TOTALLY forgive him for.  Both Autumn and Beans are getting accustomed to our travelling days when breakfast is off the menu and a quick game of find and catch the cats takes place. It is truly amazing how a cat can find a hiding spot in a 45ft by12ft space.  

Santa Fe New Mexico is rich in Native American culture and the influence is everywhere. The landscape is equal parts desert scrub, pine forest and snow capped mountains. The low slung buildings made of red earthy coloured brick and mud are a stunning and signature style of the area.  Santa Fe is our second must stop destination and we will be there for 3 nights. There is so much to explore, including fabulous shopping and the best Mexican food outside of Mexico itself.  Bring on the chillies!!  

Our route from Memphis to the Santa Fe Skies RV Resort includes one night at a KOA (Kampground of America, think Holiday Inn for RV’s) just outside of Oklahoma City and one night at an “off the grid" Harvest Host winery in Canyon Texas. Canyon sits at the edge of the Palo Duro Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of Texas and part of the Texas Panhandle. Americans seem to love their Panhandles.

The weather warnings coming into Texas called for serve thunderstorms, golf ball sized hail and tornadoes, oh my!!  We could either continue as planned and hope for the best, or keep pushing another 200 miles and out of the danger zone. 

Definitely not wanting to miss our already booked and paid for wine tour that was awaiting us in Canyon, we decide to stick with the original plan. I can confirm that the drive through this part of Texas is big, wide and flat, with no where to hide should in fact these terrible things occur. 

We survived Memphis, we would survive Texas!  And by sheer luck we sure did.

The sunshine returned, the wine was very good, the setting sooooo picturesque and the wind was Texas style, BIG and STRONG.  

As we continued our drive though Texas and into New Mexico we travelled alongside historic route 66.

This famous stretch of road is not big rig friendly but we found occasional opportunities to jump off the main interstate and take in a little bit of history. Feeling like a drive-thru museum of abandoned roadside diners, gas stations and motels it was very cool yet somewhat depressing. There were some encouraging signs of efforts to revitalize parts of the route, new retro style lodgings designed to hopefully entice travellers aways from the off-ramp hotel chains to something with a lot more character, charm and nostalgia. I sure hope they succeed. 

Nothing compares to the Grand Canyon of Texas, Route 66 or the fascinating towns and areas in and around Santa Fe New Mexico. We loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend Sante Fe as an ideal setting for a destination wedding, girls trip or romantic getaway. 

BTW, I just finished “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters. This book got a lot of buzz and I was excited to read it. It was not as good as I was hoping but still a solid read, I give it 7 out of 10. A good part of the book takes place in Nova Scotia, a place near and dear. 

Until I write again,

Some pics from the road, definitely need to up my photography skills.

The 31/2 inch space under our dining table where Autumn hid and it took us a good 15 minutes to find him.

Texas before and after.

Getting our kicks on 66

Taos Texas, cool spot. fabulous lunch!