We’re back in the USA, Angel Fire, New Mexico

Once we left Montreal we started our journey home.  We had planned to spend one night at each of the RV Parks we stayed at on our journey to Canada.  We had made reservations in advance for a pull through site so we would not have to unhook the trailer.  At each of our one night stops we were able to hook up water, electric and sewer so we able to cook,  shower and watch movies on our TV. Most important of all we were able to run the A/C which made it very comfortable for sleeping.

Our first stop was at a KOA campground in Brighton, Ontario.  This was the first KOA  campground we have stayed.  It was pleasant with lots of activities for both adults and children which included a pool and a couple of giant trampolines for both kids and adults.  They also had a huge selection of DVDs  for people to borrow and watch in their RV’s.  We got up early the next morning and as we starting driving down the road to the freeway we crested a hill and witnessed a spectacular sunrise.  We watched that until the sun cleared the horizon.

Our plan was to head for the Windsor/Detroit border crossing however for some reason that did not go according to plan.  Either I made a wrong turn somewhere or Little Miss Know-it-all thought we needed to see something new.  Anyway we ended up at the Niagara/Buffalo border crossing which took us on the longest route possible to our next overnight RV Park.  We ended up driving through the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and finally Michigan where we had overnight reservations at Sterling State Park in Monroe, Michigan.   We knew it was going to be a long day from Bright KOA to Monroe, MI via the Windsor/Detroit border crossing (a distance of 364 miles and an estimated drive time of 7 hours) however our odyssey from Brighton to Monroe via the Niagara/Buffalo border crossing was significantly longer (514 miles and a drive time of almost 11 hours).

As Peter said Ms. GPS (Little Miss Know It All) led us into the US through a different route than we entered Canada back in May. For whatever reason we went through Niagara and crossed into Buffalo, New York instead of through Detroit the way we entered Canada. This did not seem so bad as I hadn’t spent much time in upstate New York. For the first 50 miles or so, the towns and scenery reminded me of Canada. This is until we passed an Amish family heading to church in a horse drawn carriage. It was a Sunday morning and there wasn’t much traffic. In fact we were on the New York Amish Trail. I’ve learned so much on this trip. Today over 12,000 Amish live in New York. Who knew?

As we neared the end of our odyssey we came to Toledo, Ohio one of the most depressing places we have ever traveled through.  There is a two stack nuclear plant there that is right next to the road with an unguarded perimeter fence and gate.  For some reason it seems we spent an ungodly amount of time in Ohio, especially the city of Toledo. As we were leaving Sterling State Park in Monroe, Michigan somehow we ended up back in Toledo again. There was lots of construction and detours.  It seemed like a cruel joke that we were caught up in this vortex of Toledo Ohio. You’ll get a kick out of John Denver’s song about this city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npC9c1hXVkQ

After a good nights rest we quickly packed up and headed down the road and stopped at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Our next stop was in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lake Haven RV Park.  Immediately after we arrived and finished setting up there was a thunderstorm and rain.  I was standing in the doorway of the trailer looking out and there was a lightning stick somewhere within the RV Park that sounded like someone shot a 44 magnum revolver inside the trailer.  Scared the b-jeez-us out of both of us and we were glad we were not standing outside.

Next morning we headed to Cottonwood RV Park in Columbia, Missouri where we spent a peaceful night then up early the next morning and off to Air Capital RV Park in Wichita, Kansas.  Air Capital is where June Yvonne and I ran into the guy who asked if we were afraid of Mexicans because we lived so close to Mexico.  However we did not see him this time as we ate at the same subway we had eaten at at the beginning of our journey back in May.  The next morning it was off the to Corral Drive-In RV Park in Guymon, Oklahoma.

On our way from Phoenix to Canada we stopped at a small gas station in Kansas where we grabbed a bite to eat.  On the counter was a picture of one of the local farmers who captured a rattlesnake on his farm.  I was impressed with the picture and just by chance we stopped at the same gas station on our return trip.  The photograph was still there and I took a picture of it.  I did not know that a rattlesnake could get that size – very impressive – glad I didn’t come across it in the woods.  Seems to me this snake eats pretty well and is very old.

From Guymon we headed to Angel Fire RV Resort in the small town of the same name.  We love this place and booked a site for 7 days but extended it to 11 days so we would not have to travel during the Labor Day weekend.

Our journey was relatively uneventful as we made our way to Angel Fire, New Mexico where we planned to have some R & R from our non-stop trip through eastern Canada. We spent a couple of weeks here last summer on our 3-month trip through the Southwest. It is located in the mountains of northern New Mexico with nearly perfect weather. Last year Peter met Ken who worked at the RV Resort. We were able to spend some time with Ken and his wife, June this year. We treasured our time together.We like this place because there is very little to do here.

It was not our intention to do a lot while in Angel Fire and we didn’t. We did drive to Santa Fe to take our truck in for scheduled maintenance. On the way to Santa Fe we stopped for breakfast in Taos, another fun artsy town. I told the waitress that we had been in Canada for over three months and she said; “We need to get some green chili into you.” My huevos rancheros were smothered with ambrosial hot Hatch chilies.  With this typical New Mexican breakfast I felt I was truly back in the USA.

Angel Fire RV Resort in Angel Fire, New Mexico

One of our late night campfires – From the left – Ken, June, Mark, Janet and June Yvonne

After the truck was serviced in Santa Fe, we decided to purchase some of the turquoise they are known for. Several of our loved ones are getting some of the bounty from our foray into the city.

Back at Angel Fire we relaxed which was the whole objective for coming here– went to Farmers Market, Library, Sporting Goods Store and campfires with friends.  I spent a day fly fishing with a guide and that was a lot of fun – caught about 20 rainbow and cutthroat trout in some high mountain streams.

The RV Resort has a weekly wine and cheese tasting reception every Thursday evening which we attended. It included entertainment by a local duo called “High Country Junkies.”  I met the husband of Melody, one half of the duo. He invited us out to their 600 acre ranch not too far from the RV Resort. In addition, Melody (aka Mel) also paints, mostly horses. We were able to see some of her paintings including one in progress.

What a treat! Cipriano (aka Cip) made us Chilies Rellenos and Spanish Rice for dinner. I’m going to try making them when we get home as they were “muy sabroso.” I made guacamole in their kitchen and it turned out perfect.  Then, he and Melody took us out to meet their horses.  That was magical.

It is now September 5^th and we have arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico where we will stay for the night.  Tomorrow, September 6^th, we’ll travel to Twin Arrows Casino just east of Flagstaff, Arizona where we will boon dock for one night.  The next morning, September 7^th, we will have a 2 and half hour drive to Phoenix and will sleep in our bed at home that night.  We have had an absolutely amazing summer and our journey will be 4 days short of 4 months