We finally left Kansas and drove across “no man’s land” AKA the Oklahoma Panhandle, a 34 mile wide and 166 mile length  of land that until 1890 was abandoned by Texas as slavery was not allowed due to set boundaries and Texas was willing to give away land to remain a slave state. Oklahoma had spent a decade or two trying to acquire this piece of land, leaving the area lawless.

Once ownership of the territory was settled and government stepped in, mortgages were offered and land put into production. New settlers came into the area and agriculture began to change from subsistence farms to grain exporters and a rail line was built from Liberal KS to Dalhart TX. Unfortunately due to poor farming practices and the plowing of native grasses which had held the fine soil in place the dust storms began to materialize and by 1935 the area was largely known as being part of the “Dust Bowl” which caused mass emigration.

We arrived in Dalhart TX. Known as the XIT City because of its relationship with the historic XIT Ranch. The ranch was 3M acre plot of land traded in exchange for the construction of the Texas State Capitol building in Austin.

We arrived at the Corral RV Park, the first of many travelers staying just one night before traveling on to the next destination, this was not a destination town

Cattle packed into pens for as far as the eye could see. Not a pleasant sight.

On to New Mexico

Our next stop was the Silver Moon Cafe in Santa Rosa NM. Which turned out to be a Mexican restaurant, and very popular.

Wide open area behind the cafe to park when we arrived, so we parked in the back

Nice view of a junkyard.

Not so wide open during the night and the morning. We really didn’t hear them coming in but the lot was packed when we woke up.

Reminds us of all the signage for Wall Drugs in SD

Another Harvest Host stop took us to the Wildlife West Nature Park and Zoo.  A tad different from Columbus Zoo, there was no-one there and it was a little cooler

Ample parking here.

It was a quiet little park, all the animals and birds had been rescued and signs were posted at each enclosure with their individual histories.

Chris found it a little unnerving being alone in the park and kept looking over her shoulder

The landscape was starting to change. From green trees to red rocky mesa’s

Still traveling west on I40

Ok yet another Harvest Host stop and another junkyard in Grants NM.

Car seats set up for a concert

First Rest Stop in Arizona from New Mexico on I-40 and the north end of The Petrified Forest.

Back in AZ

We stayed at the Petrified Forest Gift Shop & RV Park. The temperature was in the mid 90’s, so electric hookup was needed

Another National Park and stamp

Some petrified logs

These are known as The Teepees

Some petroglyphs on what is called Newspaper Rock

Ring around the tub

Interesting rock formations, but it’s not Badlands

Flagstaff RV Park. A tight little spot

Nice flower display down I-17

A view of the red rocks of Sedona from the highway..

Next stop was White Tank Mountain Regional Park-Family Campground. It was a nice little park and the spots were very well spaced with water and electric.

This is an area on the west side of Phoenix! Surprise that’s being heavily developed. The roads are in and the plots are marked, homes probably sold by now

Spa day for the coach

Indoor storage

We waited all day for the wash, checked in at 8am, checked in with them at noon, still not washed. Turns out they fired the team that were washing and had to wait for another team to show up. At 3pm they finally completed the job, to their satisfaction not ours

Now it’s time for service in Mesa, and having been here before, we know it’s going to be another long day.

We were able to get the awning fixed by a mobile tech who had a used one for 1/2 the price, YEAH!!

Finally we’re back in Mesa and in a familiar spot looking nice and shinny.

We’ll stay at this resort for the winter season and then decide where the next adventure takes us.
We had a wonderful summer with family and friends, well worth the 6,400 miles we travelled, but need to rest awhile before we do it again