Day 7
Location: Farmington, NM
Gas Price: $3.15
Miles Driven: 2599 miles
Today was the most beautiful by far!
We woke up at 7:30 to call Midas to make sure our car was still there and they could get started on it right away. After telling them our situation they decided to go ahead and look at it immediately instead of waiting until 10:00 which is when they originally said they could! We were out of there with new brake fluid and clean brakes by 9:30! It was awesome.
We drove back up to Bandalier Monument with our new GOOD working brakes to see the ruins and cave dwellings there. They were incredible. You could still see some paintings in some of the cave dwellings and you could still see the blackened tops of the caves from where they smoked them in order to keep the rock from crumbling as much. You could climb up ladders into a few of the caves which was neat. The most interesting thing to me was to see the holes above caves they had made which would hold the ceiling beams. There were straight horizontal rows of holes up to three stories high that would have made their celings/floors.
Next, we took New Mexico Highyway 4 through the Jemez mountains towards the Aztec Ruins about 3 ½ hours north of Bandalier. This was by far the prettiest countryside I have ever seen. You must look at our pictures of the Vallas Caldera. It was breathtaking.
The Aztec Ruins were amazing. One kiva, place of worship, was rebuilt based on excavations made of the original one. We were able to go down into this one which was neat. We were also able to go into part of one of their buildings. The doorways were very low between five feet at the tallest and three or three and a half feet at the shortest. The most interesting part of the Aztec Ruins to me was that the original ceilings made of wood were still intact in some places!! These were built in the 1100’s and 1300’s!!
After the Aztec Ruins, we found a LOWE’S and bought a very large rain tarp in case of rain again. We are set on being able to keep our stuff dry and not sleep in the car!! We then drove over to Mom and Pop’s RV Park which is the cutest camp ground I have ever seen.
Look’s like we are going to stay dry for the first night!!!
Alison
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
On the road again ...
Brakes are fixed and we are back on the road!!!!!
More updates next time we have internet!
More updates next time we have internet!
Pictures
We will be updating the same website with pictures that we posted in the Day 4-5 post. We will hopefully be updating it every time we update our blog. So check both!
Day 6, June 28, Thursday
Day 6
Location: Back in Santa Fe, NM
Gas Price: $3.15
Miles Driven: Not sure b/c our car is at a Midas shop
So today was quite the adventure .. I’ll start with the good parts.
We woke up early and took HOT showers before heading down to the historic district in Santa Fe. We saw the oldest house in New Mexico and the oldest church in continuous use in the entire USA. It was very interesting! There was a buffalo hide from the 1300’s with a depiction of Jesus on the cross – very neat! We also saw the miraculous staircase in the Loretto Chapel. It is a double spiral staircase with no middle piece (column) and no attachments to the wall or other structures. We also got to see some Native Americans and their jewelry and crafts by the Plaza in Santa Fe.
After Santa Fe, we went back to the campsite to slightly dryer camping gear and then packed up and headed up to Bandelier Monument where there are ruins. We laid out our wet stuff to dry and then Megan went down to the visitors center to get some maps while I took a nap. After our naps, we headed down to White City overlook to see the Rio Grande which was beautiful then headed back up to Bandelier to hike to see the ruins.
This is where things started to go downhill…. While trying to turn back into the park I realized we had NO BREAKS while driving in the mountains …. Not good. So we turned around eventually to head back down to White City when we decided it would be best not to drive down a curvy mountain without breaks so we pulled off the road and called AAA. Jeremiah (the tow truck driver) came to pick us up and was nice enough to take us back to the park to get our tent and stove before going to the Midas store in Santa Fe. So needless to say, we stayed in a hotel 2 blocks from the Midas store and are waiting for it to open to see what the damages are going to be! Until then we are stuck in Santa Fe at a Super 8 with no car. We brought our electronics to charge and a change of clothes so we should be good for the day and hopefully our car will be fixed quickly!
We will keep you updated!
Alison
Location: Back in Santa Fe, NM
Gas Price: $3.15
Miles Driven: Not sure b/c our car is at a Midas shop
So today was quite the adventure .. I’ll start with the good parts.
We woke up early and took HOT showers before heading down to the historic district in Santa Fe. We saw the oldest house in New Mexico and the oldest church in continuous use in the entire USA. It was very interesting! There was a buffalo hide from the 1300’s with a depiction of Jesus on the cross – very neat! We also saw the miraculous staircase in the Loretto Chapel. It is a double spiral staircase with no middle piece (column) and no attachments to the wall or other structures. We also got to see some Native Americans and their jewelry and crafts by the Plaza in Santa Fe.
After Santa Fe, we went back to the campsite to slightly dryer camping gear and then packed up and headed up to Bandelier Monument where there are ruins. We laid out our wet stuff to dry and then Megan went down to the visitors center to get some maps while I took a nap. After our naps, we headed down to White City overlook to see the Rio Grande which was beautiful then headed back up to Bandelier to hike to see the ruins.
This is where things started to go downhill…. While trying to turn back into the park I realized we had NO BREAKS while driving in the mountains …. Not good. So we turned around eventually to head back down to White City when we decided it would be best not to drive down a curvy mountain without breaks so we pulled off the road and called AAA. Jeremiah (the tow truck driver) came to pick us up and was nice enough to take us back to the park to get our tent and stove before going to the Midas store in Santa Fe. So needless to say, we stayed in a hotel 2 blocks from the Midas store and are waiting for it to open to see what the damages are going to be! Until then we are stuck in Santa Fe at a Super 8 with no car. We brought our electronics to charge and a change of clothes so we should be good for the day and hopefully our car will be fixed quickly!
We will keep you updated!
Alison
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day 4-5
Day 4
Location: Guadalupe Mountain National Forest
Gas Price: $2.82 (Dallas) - $3.39 (Western Texas)
Miles Driven: 1859 miles
Today started out awful but has ended great. It rained all night and we woke up around 5:45 to pack up our tent and sleeping gear in the pouring rain – not so much fun. I slept in the car most of the night last night due to the horrible sounds the wind was making – Megan toughed it out in the tent. We have made it to Guadalupe National Forest which is about 100 miles east of El Paso and just sound of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. On our way out here we stopped in Odessa for some Mexican food, to go to the grocery store, and to see the Odessa Meteor Crater and Musuem. The crater was pretty interesting but was mostly filled in so not exactly what I was expecting but still pretty neat. The countryside changed drastically as we drove farther west. We saw fields of wild sunflowers and lots of oil things (wells? diggers? Not sure of the name for them but there were millions of them). They looked like see-saws to me. We also saw a lot of large windmills on the top of hills in the distance.
We set up tent here at the park around 3:30 Mountain time and then went to see an old ranch and school house. We then made dinner – our first camp dinner was pasta! After dinner, we walked a ¾ mile nature trail near the park visitor’s center. So far we have seen jack rabbits, deer, and a snake! Also lots of HUGE flies – that bite!
We plan on waking up pretty early tomorrow to take a hike to see 2 springs before heading up to Carlsbad Caverns.
Alison
Day 5
Location: Outside of Santa Fe, NM
Gas Price: 3.15-3.59 in New Mexico
Miles Driven: 2199 miles
Ok, so the rain is following us – It is hailing – yes HAIL, lots of it so once again we are hanging out in the car for the evening. Our rain tarp does not work very well.
We did lots today – We woke up very early to do a 2 ½ mile hike to see two springs in the Guadalupe Mountains. It was beautiful – look at the pictures. We saw a rattlesnake on our way! Then we went to another site in the Guadalupe Mountains and did another one mile nature hike before heading to the Carlsbad Caverns.
At the caverns we decided to take the natural entrance down to the “Big Room” where the many formations were. It was very interesting and we saw lots of cool formations and some pools still inside the caverns. That was another 2 ½ miles down to the bottom and then you take an elevator back up.
So our feet are a little tired this evening. After leaving the caverns around 2:30 we decided to go ahead and start driving towards Bandalier Monument which was our next stop but along the way we decided that we wanted to see a few things in Santa Fe since we are ahead of schedule! So we have stopped about 15 minutes outside of Santa Fe to “camp” aka sleep in our car b/c its hailing and lightening and our stuff is wet.
So we will see Santa Fe tomorrow and then head to Bandalier.
Alison Goins
Look at our pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/travelinsisters1
Location: Guadalupe Mountain National Forest
Gas Price: $2.82 (Dallas) - $3.39 (Western Texas)
Miles Driven: 1859 miles
Today started out awful but has ended great. It rained all night and we woke up around 5:45 to pack up our tent and sleeping gear in the pouring rain – not so much fun. I slept in the car most of the night last night due to the horrible sounds the wind was making – Megan toughed it out in the tent. We have made it to Guadalupe National Forest which is about 100 miles east of El Paso and just sound of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. On our way out here we stopped in Odessa for some Mexican food, to go to the grocery store, and to see the Odessa Meteor Crater and Musuem. The crater was pretty interesting but was mostly filled in so not exactly what I was expecting but still pretty neat. The countryside changed drastically as we drove farther west. We saw fields of wild sunflowers and lots of oil things (wells? diggers? Not sure of the name for them but there were millions of them). They looked like see-saws to me. We also saw a lot of large windmills on the top of hills in the distance.
We set up tent here at the park around 3:30 Mountain time and then went to see an old ranch and school house. We then made dinner – our first camp dinner was pasta! After dinner, we walked a ¾ mile nature trail near the park visitor’s center. So far we have seen jack rabbits, deer, and a snake! Also lots of HUGE flies – that bite!
We plan on waking up pretty early tomorrow to take a hike to see 2 springs before heading up to Carlsbad Caverns.
Alison
Day 5
Location: Outside of Santa Fe, NM
Gas Price: 3.15-3.59 in New Mexico
Miles Driven: 2199 miles
Ok, so the rain is following us – It is hailing – yes HAIL, lots of it so once again we are hanging out in the car for the evening. Our rain tarp does not work very well.
We did lots today – We woke up very early to do a 2 ½ mile hike to see two springs in the Guadalupe Mountains. It was beautiful – look at the pictures. We saw a rattlesnake on our way! Then we went to another site in the Guadalupe Mountains and did another one mile nature hike before heading to the Carlsbad Caverns.
At the caverns we decided to take the natural entrance down to the “Big Room” where the many formations were. It was very interesting and we saw lots of cool formations and some pools still inside the caverns. That was another 2 ½ miles down to the bottom and then you take an elevator back up.
So our feet are a little tired this evening. After leaving the caverns around 2:30 we decided to go ahead and start driving towards Bandalier Monument which was our next stop but along the way we decided that we wanted to see a few things in Santa Fe since we are ahead of schedule! So we have stopped about 15 minutes outside of Santa Fe to “camp” aka sleep in our car b/c its hailing and lightening and our stuff is wet.
So we will see Santa Fe tomorrow and then head to Bandalier.
Alison Goins
Look at our pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/travelinsisters1
Monday, June 25, 2007
Day 2-3
Day 2
Location:
Gas Price: 2.99
Miles Driven: 1186
We drove through most of
We got to see some old family friends in
Tomorrow we plan on seeing Dallas and Fort Worth – In Texas, museums and such are closed on Mondays for some reason so we will hopefully still be able to see some things. We plan on eating either at a
Anyways, I’m exhausted so I’m off to bed.
Alison
Day 3
Location:
Gas Price: 2.79
Miles Driven: 1273
Quote of the Day: “Follow the dots and don’t hit any Mexicans!” Megan
Today we explored downtown
Today, we learned that the rain tarp is an important part of the tent – otherwise your stuff gets very wet! Fortunately, all but are pillows are dry now!
Tomorrow, we will head towards the western part of
Alison
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Day 1
Day 1
Location: Meridian, MS
Miles Driven: 554
Gas Price: $2.82
We have stopped in Mississippi and are spending the night in a hotel so Megan can catch up her rest and do laundry!
This morning she got nominated to be HONOR LEADER at BRLS 2008! One of the top 6 leaders of over 700 leaders and I am so proud! So that was a great way to start our trip off. We ate lunch with some fellow friends in Black Mountain before heading off. We drove through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Tomorrow we plan on making it over to Texas for our first big stop in Dallas.
More updates in Texas!
Alison
Location: Meridian, MS
Miles Driven: 554
Gas Price: $2.82
We have stopped in Mississippi and are spending the night in a hotel so Megan can catch up her rest and do laundry!
This morning she got nominated to be HONOR LEADER at BRLS 2008! One of the top 6 leaders of over 700 leaders and I am so proud! So that was a great way to start our trip off. We ate lunch with some fellow friends in Black Mountain before heading off. We drove through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Tomorrow we plan on making it over to Texas for our first big stop in Dallas.
More updates in Texas!
Alison
Friday, June 22, 2007
We are off....
I'm packed and off to Asheville to pick up Megs and then head to Texas. We will hopefully update in Dallas where we will stay Sunday and Monday night!
Alison
Alison
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Last Minute Changes
We have decided to scratch renting a car and take Megan's car - good ol' Tex.
Between not being able to rent out of Jacksonville for more than 30 days and being charged $25 a day for being under 25 anywhere else - it seems to be the best plan. It's a two door car which means a little bit less space than we were planning on but it should not cause problems.
Megan is off to Blue Ridge Leaders School which is making changes difficult to make but she is having a good time. I will drive up there Friday to give her a sixth year jacket during an awards ceremony and then we will be off around noon on Saturday.
We have also made plans this week to meet up with old friends and neighbors - The Hatchers -in Texas on our way to Dallas which will be our first real stop. They lived down the street from us in our first house and have two girls around our ages. Hopefully we will be able to see the whole family but I am not sure yet.
Thats all for now - maybe one more update before I leave if not we will try to update while in Dallas, Texas!!
Alison
Between not being able to rent out of Jacksonville for more than 30 days and being charged $25 a day for being under 25 anywhere else - it seems to be the best plan. It's a two door car which means a little bit less space than we were planning on but it should not cause problems.
Megan is off to Blue Ridge Leaders School which is making changes difficult to make but she is having a good time. I will drive up there Friday to give her a sixth year jacket during an awards ceremony and then we will be off around noon on Saturday.
We have also made plans this week to meet up with old friends and neighbors - The Hatchers -in Texas on our way to Dallas which will be our first real stop. They lived down the street from us in our first house and have two girls around our ages. Hopefully we will be able to see the whole family but I am not sure yet.
Thats all for now - maybe one more update before I leave if not we will try to update while in Dallas, Texas!!
Alison
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Two days or one week ...
Megan has 2 more days before she leaves for Blue Ridge Leaders School which leaves her packing for the next 6 weeks or so for two seperate trips!
I have one more week and am just beginning to pack up my things. I am bringing all of the toiletries, camping equipment, and cooking items for both of us so I have lots to do!
We have decided to leave straight from Asheville next Saturday, the 23rd and drive to Marietta, Mississippi eight hours away which will then put us six hours from our first stop which will be the Toledo Bend Reorvoir and Sabine National Forest. Yes, Lauren there is a forest named after your dog! We want to get pretty far on the first day instead of wasting 2 full days on driving to Texas.
Any more suggestions on where to go? what to see? who to stay with? or what not to forget to pack?
Alison
I have one more week and am just beginning to pack up my things. I am bringing all of the toiletries, camping equipment, and cooking items for both of us so I have lots to do!
We have decided to leave straight from Asheville next Saturday, the 23rd and drive to Marietta, Mississippi eight hours away which will then put us six hours from our first stop which will be the Toledo Bend Reorvoir and Sabine National Forest. Yes, Lauren there is a forest named after your dog! We want to get pretty far on the first day instead of wasting 2 full days on driving to Texas.
Any more suggestions on where to go? what to see? who to stay with? or what not to forget to pack?
Alison
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Change of plans
So we are now leaving a week earlier due to me needing to be back in time for some conferences in Columbia which I am hoping to still get our of and take later!
We will be leaving straight from BRLS in Asheville on Saturday, June 23. I will be leaving Charleston that Friday and driving to Wilmington and then on to Asheville.
The cool thing about the new schedule is we will be taking a trip down into the Grand Canyon of July 4th - can you think of a better way to spend July 4th!??!!? AND we will be in Yosemite on my sister's birthday and Yosemite is the one place she really wanted to go.
So all is well. Starting to plan out more details. Leave advice on where to stop, see, explore!
We will be leaving straight from BRLS in Asheville on Saturday, June 23. I will be leaving Charleston that Friday and driving to Wilmington and then on to Asheville.
The cool thing about the new schedule is we will be taking a trip down into the Grand Canyon of July 4th - can you think of a better way to spend July 4th!??!!? AND we will be in Yosemite on my sister's birthday and Yosemite is the one place she really wanted to go.
So all is well. Starting to plan out more details. Leave advice on where to stop, see, explore!
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