LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPadEF15wjljsQv5C8f5UAkm2FyfOC15hWh42mgXhLFhcuRmzMpftVY19AOzpqDfCMmo3BSAI30SBB26ZBBKAKDfYhBeWRQoQZyun0jtk3MzgVVZ68SfBWo00Nd3p_yIPLXfZI5mtSfVY/s1600/GOPR0311-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPadEF15wjljsQv5C8f5UAkm2FyfOC15hWh42mgXhLFhcuRmzMpftVY19AOzpqDfCMmo3BSAI30SBB26ZBBKAKDfYhBeWRQoQZyun0jtk3MzgVVZ68SfBWo00Nd3p_yIPLXfZI5mtSfVY/s640/GOPR0311-3.jpg" width="472" /></a></div> <br /> The drive from Santa Fe to Los Alamos was quick and full of sights.  Los Alamos sits on top of a mountain and has a very explosive history.  Our first stop was the <a href="http://www.lanl.gov/museum/index.php">Bradbury Museum</a>.  We learned all about the making of the atomic bomb and the history of Los Alamos National Laboratory.<br /> <br /> From there we explored the town for a little bit in search for some atomic bomb souvenirs and then headed to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm">Bandelier National Monument</a> in Frijoles canyon. <br /> <br /> We camped in the parking lot of the Visitor's Center.  They actually had RV camping which was nice.  We woke up early the next morning ate our breakfast in the EP, bought our park entrance tickets and waited for the bus ride up.<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaSADwHgEj5BILWhZu8kA5wz_VMS4K_goBd60v8XEqS53Ib5rTne6I0zHk-C25BGjTFBq96D3sWWPU5QBWekLSCNp7D14b0wPiWowCcr-KIpyH32qyvEAyaFMUToHNHpzM1ExY-2u2vQ/s1600/GOPR0293-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaSADwHgEj5BILWhZu8kA5wz_VMS4K_goBd60v8XEqS53Ib5rTne6I0zHk-C25BGjTFBq96D3sWWPU5QBWekLSCNp7D14b0wPiWowCcr-KIpyH32qyvEAyaFMUToHNHpzM1ExY-2u2vQ/s320/GOPR0293-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>We had a fabulous time hiking around Bandelier and learning about the cliff dwellings we even climbed the 140ft (up 4 ladders and several stone staircases) to Alcove house.<br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxyn9lG1LxfKwbDc3dvIYX08F2HJ45vYxf7YDjSQAn39xFvc9tAskIr9LtgaJiQRxPXxSS9B98MF8ltXAJoX4jbpN2QPxFscUGfZM0MhqMJeeAECMrFBoVxlewHFzyVagBZA5ixoFv-E/s1600/GOPR0297-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxyn9lG1LxfKwbDc3dvIYX08F2HJ45vYxf7YDjSQAn39xFvc9tAskIr9LtgaJiQRxPXxSS9B98MF8ltXAJoX4jbpN2QPxFscUGfZM0MhqMJeeAECMrFBoVxlewHFzyVagBZA5ixoFv-E/s320/GOPR0297-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><i>(Checking out the view! LOL!)</i></span></td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> Before leaving Santa Fe we had to make a quick pit stop for new hiking boots, paired with our awesome socks that we bought at a boutique on the Plaza, just perfect for hiking at Bandelier.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp0qL6TlzLXxY9LuoKoWEf8qztAAG8iCeClYqzGSymgGw1pqWtNaUY6-5rDVv-4cp1t332MwTrTHujKOh9rGvaiRgiOLuuO_NQ9h3-8VTpO9_LvXREVNLWt2fcG4TXOmrk2yy8nsQ1bg/s1600/GOPR0349-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp0qL6TlzLXxY9LuoKoWEf8qztAAG8iCeClYqzGSymgGw1pqWtNaUY6-5rDVv-4cp1t332MwTrTHujKOh9rGvaiRgiOLuuO_NQ9h3-8VTpO9_LvXREVNLWt2fcG4TXOmrk2yy8nsQ1bg/s400/GOPR0349-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><i>(Heading back down the 140 ft. climb to Alcove house)</i></span></td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <br /> Anywhere that the boys could romp and run free was an excellent stop.  The first cliff dwellings that you come to on the hike to Alcove house had lot of rocks, holes and tight spots that the kids could have played in all day.  There was even a little steam that we had to cross that the kids enjoyed.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="text-align: left;">Just down the road from the Bandelier Visitor Center is a wonderful overlook with beautiful views of the Rio Grande.  Check out 2 of our photos from our stop.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEbW24iNXiua5uYOUv46KV_JS5KRsDTXmycb7sWY14UFui3fV7kh1VQOc1yIDaBLjGk1CuaXd1eapNLrdpkpZN7jnkbRVbH05W5kRffoGkUrjHudwzL-E2gWmabxIZOiW_QENL6F63bQ/s1600/IMG_1132+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEbW24iNXiua5uYOUv46KV_JS5KRsDTXmycb7sWY14UFui3fV7kh1VQOc1yIDaBLjGk1CuaXd1eapNLrdpkpZN7jnkbRVbH05W5kRffoGkUrjHudwzL-E2gWmabxIZOiW_QENL6F63bQ/s640/IMG_1132+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3keCXmseaN6hYpC8-4xT8WQuzv9TURnH5AFm7ScsnU5GJiKg6R91ZCj5LjwrDqTDec9qaoOV9UuVXAqbv_KGDoYXr9ldzWDJwgFMOkUKT6dh-NheJAo0sBVd0Dz1SGywjepj6Ff2q_E/s1600/GOPR0372-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3keCXmseaN6hYpC8-4xT8WQuzv9TURnH5AFm7ScsnU5GJiKg6R91ZCj5LjwrDqTDec9qaoOV9UuVXAqbv_KGDoYXr9ldzWDJwgFMOkUKT6dh-NheJAo0sBVd0Dz1SGywjepj6Ff2q_E/s640/GOPR0372-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /></div>

Los Alamos, Museum, New Mexico, Rio Grande

LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO

The drive from Santa Fe to Los Alamos was quick and full of sights.  Los Alamos sits on top of a mountain and has a very explosive histo...

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMfvz37Oc8HBc86wNfmaxsHZaY48ZgbjRYhgJhRT0ilH-srek_Ytf7I5b7ALAHoO6mgsY6vuf7_5OFygkvhS7bdQH0l36lUHeUFopBLSOLXGSd8eAR9FeS7feDmYUKchYApPhrUd3zmQ/s1600/SantaFE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMfvz37Oc8HBc86wNfmaxsHZaY48ZgbjRYhgJhRT0ilH-srek_Ytf7I5b7ALAHoO6mgsY6vuf7_5OFygkvhS7bdQH0l36lUHeUFopBLSOLXGSd8eAR9FeS7feDmYUKchYApPhrUd3zmQ/s640/SantaFE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-2upDP9l05iYn1n_uQ0V6IA9TZhI1YG0d3sAexygNpAYinu-H4bvsWKFj3rGYf1oTmDKuF-qjZUCHu4ikr627wVz-yXCyozx7XbQUAmqKfL0XhP9WhkiThASRmnt8YeUmCgsg6RfqiA/s1600/GOPR0218-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-2upDP9l05iYn1n_uQ0V6IA9TZhI1YG0d3sAexygNpAYinu-H4bvsWKFj3rGYf1oTmDKuF-qjZUCHu4ikr627wVz-yXCyozx7XbQUAmqKfL0XhP9WhkiThASRmnt8YeUmCgsg6RfqiA/s320/GOPR0218-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Our first night in Santa Fe was spent in the Santa Fe National Forest at Hyde Memorial State Park.  Hyde Memorial is New Mexico's first State Park and is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along the Little Tesuque Creek.<span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span>We could not have picked a better place to stay.  The drive up the mountain was absolutely beautiful, the campsites were nestled in the huge pine trees with beautiful hiking trails and even a play area for kids.  It was cool at night which in the EP is a huge bonus since we do not have air conditioning once we turn the engine off.  We walked along two of the trails and took photos of the beautiful scenery.  The kids played at the play area one night while I talked to some of the locals who were also camping.<br /> <br /> <br /> <i><span style="color: purple;">July 12, 2014</span></i><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i><span style="color: purple;"></span></i></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFNj4djdMKH7m_yH_6XpfHghMcbIOb-bz624eUHW9bJSNRS1b9yoJF5WSvnV_P5t1HdSlgcYtbFe34O8tzci3nOq4QBi75RdVp5f0HS2KcDkXTPvGWO6oAe7vpBdwWa0ooNGhYyqXX5s/s1600/GOPR0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFNj4djdMKH7m_yH_6XpfHghMcbIOb-bz624eUHW9bJSNRS1b9yoJF5WSvnV_P5t1HdSlgcYtbFe34O8tzci3nOq4QBi75RdVp5f0HS2KcDkXTPvGWO6oAe7vpBdwWa0ooNGhYyqXX5s/s320/GOPR0202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> It was so nice and cool when we woke up in the forrest that morning.  We took a short hike to explore before heading into town.  On the drive back down the mountain to Santa Fe you start to see all of the adorable adobe homes dotting the scenery.  We made our way directly to the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-fe-plaza-santa-fe">plaza</a> which was packed with people.  The most thrilling for the boys were the Indian craft makers who were selling jewelry, leather crafts and clay crafts that they made.  This was one place that they definitely wanted to buy a souvenir so they made their way down all of the selections before choosing.  My oldest DS chose a decorated tile and key chain while my youngest DS a leather wallet.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE98tt3kva34Iibn4TAFxKIZR8g0kWwAJAGjSNLpahOA7X0iI5IYp-odF_WSGz-wyjjgyKWuJ_9zC9VA741SpAVaGeX9G5LMetkfh3MTNXc9G71C8KERqoAADv-DOq1gLYwKPcwSRVXs/s1600/20140712_161219-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE98tt3kva34Iibn4TAFxKIZR8g0kWwAJAGjSNLpahOA7X0iI5IYp-odF_WSGz-wyjjgyKWuJ_9zC9VA741SpAVaGeX9G5LMetkfh3MTNXc9G71C8KERqoAADv-DOq1gLYwKPcwSRVXs/s320/20140712_161219-2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /> <br /> The plaza is surrounded by adorable shops, restaurants and live music.  We had lunch at <a href="http://m.mainstreethub.com/thefamousplazacafe">The Plaza Cafe</a> and then discovered <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/dream-cakes-santa-fe">Dream Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes</a>, the best cupcakes that we have EVER tasted.  The cupcakes were so good that we were back on the second day waiting for them to open so that we could have one more before hitting the road again. If you find yourself anywhere near Santa Fe you have to make a beeline for the cupcake shop, you won't regret it.<br /> <br /> We purchased fun socks in one of the shops, took pictures with a grill that was made to look like a bull, danced to the live music and explored the plaza.  It was a great two days<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT3-tKnzUMPPN0u4BdbtSyXGs8QQG9ka2izoP1eoCG1UDinJhUQadaSVsOzCXUD3twUG07VQUwSBSKTFNnJC0lbPuMsLzV9l0QKx4PEuTqhSy5B8IBss3752V4W-RggQvMCZ_sBmnT24/s1600/20140712_162017-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyT3-tKnzUMPPN0u4BdbtSyXGs8QQG9ka2izoP1eoCG1UDinJhUQadaSVsOzCXUD3twUG07VQUwSBSKTFNnJC0lbPuMsLzV9l0QKx4PEuTqhSy5B8IBss3752V4W-RggQvMCZ_sBmnT24/s320/20140712_162017-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br /> Just down the street from the Plaza is the <a href="http://churches-sf2.nm-unlimited.net/">The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis</a>.  We were able to go inside of the beautiful church and snap a few photos.  We went back up the mountain to Hyde Memorial for our second night and the people that we had shared our campsite with the first night were still there thankfully because the way that they parked their cars made it look like both sites were taken when they were really only using one.  They were really nice and scooted their cars over so we could join them as well as offering us food and the use of their fire.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosv08fCS-PIxHClb7iEo-l1GSugj6QAEjp50-j8bTIDC1uJs2p99zOIGyxFXLbag8Cb_9NkIh6NvoRvmbZIt4avFkadeCDRrTaOE3hWTaQTo6aJwXXt6JwSCTR5epqLdqIQXX0o-wl5E/s1600/20140712_183053-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosv08fCS-PIxHClb7iEo-l1GSugj6QAEjp50-j8bTIDC1uJs2p99zOIGyxFXLbag8Cb_9NkIh6NvoRvmbZIt4avFkadeCDRrTaOE3hWTaQTo6aJwXXt6JwSCTR5epqLdqIQXX0o-wl5E/s320/20140712_183053-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Santa Fe is a beautiful city and a great place to visit.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></div>

New Mexico, Santa Fe, State Park

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Our first night in Santa Fe was spent in the Santa Fe National Forest at Hyde Memorial State Park.  Hyde Memorial is New Mexico...

ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/bottomlesslakesstatepark.html"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FUUD5OcAQz5wFlzfPGhTm3tHFP7Ruulj7Rj09OJRwLcDyNp9_Xne0apSKF5TS9X_WIsU3IgjXZdEgEWQdXJ5mVvN3hlc34Qakps5ai6dSc0Ri-xTFKSSutssi_AehDGejV3lOM3zxbI/s640/HeaderBanner_Bottomless_002.png" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/bottomlesslakesstatepark.html">Photo Courtesy of New Mexico State Parks</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2YW3_zDpvY1bgBBM7-535gbXmKblENe2cNqm6VeGr8e5Kf7LgunlYmQBauogxAg7z7uUqQluw4NbdztljVg4vKKMGfy18Sm39D2DaH1xx70rptsdclSOk0dcOafUkGabIdpqUnfAkr8/s1600/20140710_101539-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2YW3_zDpvY1bgBBM7-535gbXmKblENe2cNqm6VeGr8e5Kf7LgunlYmQBauogxAg7z7uUqQluw4NbdztljVg4vKKMGfy18Sm39D2DaH1xx70rptsdclSOk0dcOafUkGabIdpqUnfAkr8/s320/20140710_101539-2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /> Well, we rolled into Roswell, NM after dark and gorilla camped in the parking lot of Walmart our very first night.   It was a good first day on the road!  Being new to the road life we realized very quickly that we had grossly over packed so before we could begin seeing the sights we had to spend some quality time with the organization section of Walmart.   It is awfully convienant to shop for your house that is parked in the parking lot. LOL! We also filled up on Diesel and a lovely gas station attendant prayed for us on our trip.<br /> <br /> After a few trips back and forth from Walmart we decided to see what this alien thing was all about.  The UFO Museum was great but we were seriously under dressed, the other tourists were wearing aluminum foil hats.  We had to check out the McDonald's shaped like a UFO, the hotel welcome signs shaped like aliens and even the lamp posts. <br /> <br /> In the gift shop the boys picked up some fun UFO paraphernalia and bought some pressed penny books so they could start a penny collection on this trip.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJK2xPQy3_BePdMqqVJc3VVLs73GlLvmSzwjwOR_V4U8gf-7XW-vslgemdtKVMsAqEDbZ_XzMRW916_HInmHOoTpjvnc0jHRGxQ70W3M60yoCtKZ8xrk4B8L1w2ggvEXddn2ufY1NIdo/s1600/20140710_115621-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJK2xPQy3_BePdMqqVJc3VVLs73GlLvmSzwjwOR_V4U8gf-7XW-vslgemdtKVMsAqEDbZ_XzMRW916_HInmHOoTpjvnc0jHRGxQ70W3M60yoCtKZ8xrk4B8L1w2ggvEXddn2ufY1NIdo/s320/20140710_115621-2.jpg" width="240" /></a>We didn't want to stay in the Walmart parking lot again so we found a state park near by that looked interesting.  Bottomless Lakes State Park turned out to be fantastic.  The kids saw the swimming area and immediately threw on their suits.  We were too late that day to rent any fun water things so swimming had to do.  That night was rough sleeping because of course New Mexico is not cool at night in the middle of July. <br /> <br /> <span style="color: purple;"><i>July 11, 2014</i></span><br /> <br /> The next morning we rented a paddle boat and explored the cliffs around the lake.  We had a fantastic time playing.  We had a hard time however trying to take pictures without the camp host's grandson in the pictures. LOL!  Poor kid was so lonely he was so excited to see other kids.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OVXNmZMTh09H2xf6dAG6Z08-xfuvjiEWMB457esC8bt_8D0GdnnGol0fvu6sVIgNTXBhaehcEr-uuhMdz6LK_FVBz3rkZBfCFRQbPv4ev8e5uebLkp9TufXdi5w-PWIYg4CUCT3oyjI/s1600/GOPR0162-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OVXNmZMTh09H2xf6dAG6Z08-xfuvjiEWMB457esC8bt_8D0GdnnGol0fvu6sVIgNTXBhaehcEr-uuhMdz6LK_FVBz3rkZBfCFRQbPv4ev8e5uebLkp9TufXdi5w-PWIYg4CUCT3oyjI/s320/GOPR0162-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The water in the lakes was brine water which makes for a nice coating on your skin and your hair.  By day two of swimming in the lake we were on our way to having a nice set of dreads each. LOL!  I had a brilliant idea to copy something that I had seen on Pinterest in hopes of a cooler night sleeping, the cooler full of ice with a fan on it.  It worked, well sort of, not well enough to actually keep doing it.  Have you seen those social media posts that contain Pinterest fails, well, we have a winner. LOL!<br /> <br /> We had some body wipes and my oldest had the brilliant idea of putting them in the cooler so we would wipe ourselves down with ice cold wipes or sprits ourselves with one of those water bottle fans and then sprawl out in the floor with the fan blowing on us until we went to sleep. Ahhhhh heat relief!!!  On to Santa Fe tomorrow!<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGZSp2_3UtKPBWlvusASeXil6OzjcNCfXSSgqLFFU8c_6B2P_RGqj0h1LDdoDl8yWjdcVqcxCWNiky6ERTLsN3PezJilQD2m3yP6v7Vc3C5cBBZ4SRBf2wvAwOurRremvhcRmzmIoT24/s1600/GOPR0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGZSp2_3UtKPBWlvusASeXil6OzjcNCfXSSgqLFFU8c_6B2P_RGqj0h1LDdoDl8yWjdcVqcxCWNiky6ERTLsN3PezJilQD2m3yP6v7Vc3C5cBBZ4SRBf2wvAwOurRremvhcRmzmIoT24/s320/GOPR0175.jpg" width="217" /></a></div> </div>

New Mexico, Roswell, State Park

ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO

Photo Courtesy of New Mexico State Parks Well, we rolled into Roswell, NM after dark and gorilla camped in the parking lot of Walmart...

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr71pAJ5gmTP7MfhwGtDQVR2kn-hXHn3832rBOhOjJY0OevRhWDjkqU3ivESyf7MFufO-G7aaz_GRJBSY-ymGPre9JSXvpvR4xBpyQHlJNS3sD0JC3abGemaARrDVpYTfISOH9BAeOfKs/s1600/2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr71pAJ5gmTP7MfhwGtDQVR2kn-hXHn3832rBOhOjJY0OevRhWDjkqU3ivESyf7MFufO-G7aaz_GRJBSY-ymGPre9JSXvpvR4xBpyQHlJNS3sD0JC3abGemaARrDVpYTfISOH9BAeOfKs/s400/2-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> Our family doesn't seem to be much for planning.  We tend to fly by the seat of our pants and I can't imagine life any other way, however that usually makes us have to do double work or cost us more money at least.  </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> I knew that I was going to take my two boys on a road trip because goodness knows I had talked, no bragged I'm just going to call it what it is, about it for months preceding the event.  If you didn't know, once you put something on FB you have to go through with it or buy a green screen and pretend that you did at least.  My hubby couldn't go with us due to his most recent employment with a new company.  Hey, someone had to stay home and make some money to support our traveling habit.  All joking aside we really do wish that he could have joined us, we sure were happy to see him when we got home.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> I had arranged to borrow my brother's Sprinter van.  The van is a stripped out cargo van.  Even cargo vans come with plastic panels on the inside to make them look nice and clean but that was missing from our mode of transportation. The clean plastic panels had been removed the year prior so that my brother could put in spray foam insulation to make the van cooler in summer.  The lights in the top of the van were never reattached so they dangle from the roof by their wires.  Hey it is ugly but way more functional. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90pUgYfFNQPs9FXYh7A_DIa7sr5FNVlXzr9YI1GB-ufzlZmU3CTNC0iTjqQP4guvZJRIGkawjCi0_2wl3ImCGwDOoC2IJA5bymNWpNGiF9NSwNfSpl93bfjaer3tUVyrbnMmk-oVg7wA/s1600/GOPR0051-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90pUgYfFNQPs9FXYh7A_DIa7sr5FNVlXzr9YI1GB-ufzlZmU3CTNC0iTjqQP4guvZJRIGkawjCi0_2wl3ImCGwDOoC2IJA5bymNWpNGiF9NSwNfSpl93bfjaer3tUVyrbnMmk-oVg7wA/s320/GOPR0051-2.jpg" width="275" /></a></div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Since we were in the middle of a move from AL to TX and wanted to save as much money as possible we were ALL and I mean my husband and I, our two boys, my brother and two large dogs were living in a one bedroom apartment until we could buy a house.  Let me tell you, you cannot pass gas in a place that small with that many people and not create a problem.  So now you see why we took the road trip.  We were simply trying to escape the tiny, over crowded apartment.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> I had no idea we were leaving on the day that we left.  The day before I had thought well we might leave tomorrow but it wasn't set in stone.  As a matter of fact I had not even started packing.  When we decided that that was the day we started shuffling stuff, stuff and more stuff into the van.  My brother had warned me that if we had more than 3 outfits each we were taking too many clothes.  Ha! only 3 outfits, NEVER!  We have to have some cute outfits in case we eat in a real restaurant or what if I take the kids photo, they have to look nice and for the first time in my life ever I was not going to dress like I was exercising 24/7.  So we threw all of our stuff into the van along with a few emergency items required by big bro to repair the van if needed.  We had a cooler that plugged in so we stocked it with snacks and hit the road, well kind of.  I never seem to be able to get all of the prep work done prior to the actual trip so that meant that after we were fully packed we still had to go fill up with gas and buy drinks in styrofoam cups at the local Valero so that our beverages would stay cold all day.  </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> Now we were finally on the road.  Headed out for the trip of a lifetime, no plans, no schedule. We wanted to buy a Go Pro to document our family history making tour. Purchasing the Go Pro was one of those things that a proper planning person would have bought prior to starting the trip but oh no that would have made way too much sense. LOL!  I had no idea that the GPS had routed us through every back road, single lane bridge and po dunk town for hours to come with zero options for buying a fancy action camera.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGHLLNVLngnv1FTCSy4U0U2YBxsrsp1DDuYmd5q_UY3b6dQLwPDuDvamJexLMSI2tqpUTbBAaMaR_tM-_ad8m_dQBnAzwSi0F7uF7eenZX2QGa-rnJ9zYviuY3k3LZD4_KdineoKiDdo/s1600/GOPR0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGHLLNVLngnv1FTCSy4U0U2YBxsrsp1DDuYmd5q_UY3b6dQLwPDuDvamJexLMSI2tqpUTbBAaMaR_tM-_ad8m_dQBnAzwSi0F7uF7eenZX2QGa-rnJ9zYviuY3k3LZD4_KdineoKiDdo/s320/GOPR0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> About 3 hours after leaving the house we stopped in San Angelo, TX.  That is where we were finally able to make our Go Pro purchase, and of course wanting to be prepared we bought several accessories so that we could attach it to various things.  San Angelo had some unique, to say the least, vans parked in the Walmart parking lot.  The top picture is a sticker bus.  You can buy a premade sticker or create your own sticker.  The bottom picture is of well, ummm.. I'm going to say a local musician.  You can hear the music in your head can't you. LOL!  I know I know you all are so jealous that we got to see these and you didn't.  LOL!</div> <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn_SBABr3wFAXMfjqp3r5imKt3sLBIMjkOmEyDGJD8bTjlOfxrH5wzEwm-HONPsS21pjvNk2iR8CfKqMmNrs8kEwaODpPuRThIWC8xpHZ91a0FrJ_p8saeso6RyTWog_hzJroL4HlZOY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn_SBABr3wFAXMfjqp3r5imKt3sLBIMjkOmEyDGJD8bTjlOfxrH5wzEwm-HONPsS21pjvNk2iR8CfKqMmNrs8kEwaODpPuRThIWC8xpHZ91a0FrJ_p8saeso6RyTWog_hzJroL4HlZOY/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6No0VpmJiRofwejsJ1gIq3YMnJhL_HeQyRPSrPWM0P11SIpEEZU0m8O3p2YmLqIm-eyyVQ3fPzcrdDLxYvrq9afwk0NsxS3SOW1ChKGKPyoC4aAJ6LCcPk-6_VjHIsR6WbSPODMMhzj4/s1600/GOPR0039-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6No0VpmJiRofwejsJ1gIq3YMnJhL_HeQyRPSrPWM0P11SIpEEZU0m8O3p2YmLqIm-eyyVQ3fPzcrdDLxYvrq9afwk0NsxS3SOW1ChKGKPyoC4aAJ6LCcPk-6_VjHIsR6WbSPODMMhzj4/s320/GOPR0039-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <div> Once we got past San Angelo we started to see the wind farms.  I had forgotten that the kids had never seen a wind farm so once they were spotted there was lots of hooping and hollering.  I mean really who doesn't like to see giant windmills.</div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /> We were bound and determined to make it out of the state of Texas on the first day so we didn't make any more stops until it started to get dark and we stopped at a Casino in the middle of nowhere.  We were going to just gorilla camp in <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EMpOh8Er76hW8hUQ0GtS6lD1IwRZ7Ll4m7-awdLY_mBJ-GzI0Y2ww8AWGU92Ewh15C1ZEHFCQ71-7nxOBq8_qYSTAMejnhqe2uCrQbwViqTHolyUiGAlf-7nNbDfngkoiYrxXOf4sQI/s1600/20140709_212716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EMpOh8Er76hW8hUQ0GtS6lD1IwRZ7Ll4m7-awdLY_mBJ-GzI0Y2ww8AWGU92Ewh15C1ZEHFCQ71-7nxOBq8_qYSTAMejnhqe2uCrQbwViqTHolyUiGAlf-7nNbDfngkoiYrxXOf4sQI/s320/20140709_212716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> the parking lot but cell service wasn't good enough to get a message to my husband about where we were and since it was the first night I wanted to actually speak to him, not just send a message using the GPS Spot Messenger so we decided to keep going and we made it to the Roswell, NM Walmart after dark.  Ahhh!  We had survived the first day, more tomorrow....</div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> </div> </div>

New Mexico, Road Trip, Roswell

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Our family doesn't seem to be much for planning.  We tend to fly by the seat of our pants and I can't imagine life any other way...