ONE MISHAP-NOT OURS!

We ended up being only a few miles behind Al and Shirley Ludeking from Decorah, on the way south. We spent the last two nights at the same campgrounds and had dinner together. It was nice. They left Socorro earlier than we did-at least they tried to. When Al pulled out of their spot, he somehow hit the faucet with his car tire and ripped it off. He tried to find someone at the office, but no one answered, so the water shot out with great force. Here he and Don are wondering how to find someone to shut the water off. (Great minds, you know!)

It took about 45 minutes and Ludeking Lake grew bigger.

The owner was very nice to Al, and told him to leave. We felt really bad for him. God knows we've had several mishaps! Before we left, the water had spread quite a way. We were parked back there where that 5th wheel is.

Of course the devil made me put this on-but I hope someone from the coffee group enjoys this! I also hope that Ludeking's still talk to me after they see this!

ON THE WAY TO ARIZONA

The last two days, going through New Mexico and AZ, you see a variety of things. We passed some dairies and a feed lot that seemed to go on for miles.

Cotton fields, picked and unpicked.

A little town that sells lots of chillies at Hatch New Mexico.

A pretty sunset.

And finally, our arrival at the park last Saturday. We've had a great time ever since.

Thank God-no problems along the way!

MORE CANYON

There were some curvy areas on the way down.


A pretty area.

There were about six areas that are prone to flash floods. This is an area where we drove through some water.

We saw our first prickly pear cactus.

On the way to the exit, they have a herd of longhorn cattle, but we only saw one.

It's not as big as the Grand Canyon, but it's grand in it's own way.

PALO DURA CANYON

Don wanted to see some real beauty, so we took an afternoon and went to see the beauty of nature at the Palo Dura Canyon. This is a view from the top.
The camera just doesn't capture the colors of the rocks like the naked eye.

The visitor's center and gift shop are in a building along the rock wall.

Quite a view through the window.

You're able to drive down into the canyon and take an 18 mile drive around. On the way, we saw several mule deer. This one jumped the fence in front of us.

ART OR JUST PLAIN UGLY

Another of those, "If you build it, they will come". I'm sure you've heard of the Cadillac Ranch-well, here it is! In a field outside of Amarillo, there are ten old cadillacs buried nose deep in the ground. You have to walk a little ways to reach it.

People spend time and money spray painting the cars and leaving the cans all over the field.

Here's a closer look.

Another "interesting" experience.

ON THE WAY

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving in Omaha with the boys. Thanks to Carrie and Russ for the delicious food. Thanks to everyone for the great Christmas presents! I took some really awful pictures, but had a great time. We drove back to Branson on Saturday and rested and shopped on Sunday. We started out from Branson yesterday, and stayed at Tulsa last night. Today we headed toward Amarillo, but stopped at Shamrock, Texas. We'll move on tomorrow to Amarillo-it's only about 90 miles, but Don wants to see the Palo Duro Canyon. Then to AZ so we can get warm!

MORE PICTURES

Jake, who is a senior, decided it was cheaper going in a group. Here he's pinning a leaf on his friend Dillon as a corsage.

Here's a nice picture.

This is Jake's group.

They all had a good time. We thought they cleaned up pretty good!