November 17-18, 2023 Travel to Benson Arizona

November 17, 2023

And the journey continues…

Just as we left Las Cruces, traffic came to a halt on 1-10 and then we were detoured for about 6 miles.  Both lanes were shut town. 

A cattle truck caught fire and most of the cattle got out but were roaming about I-10.  When we passed, the fire was out and it looked like they got most of the cattle corralled.  Hopefully no one was hurt.

Once past that..

Love this part of I-10 advertising all sorts of things…

One year we stopped at a couple of these shops..very corny and touristy. We had a blast.

Border patrol checkpoint:

Beautiful scenery:

THE THING!  Yes, we saw it one year with our friends, Bruce and Sue..  Funny!

Trains keeping us company:

What can I say about the scenery – Oh My!  I have missed the desert!

Dust Storm Area – Many signs to warn you!

This is the one area that there are many dust storms: 

And the scenery continues:

Into Arizona – my second home!

The road goes on forever:

Past Pecan trees:

Check out those clouds:

Past the Dragoon area – hope to check out that area while we are here:

Into the Benson area:

I put a picture of my Bella here to tell you what happened today.  When we first adopted Bella, she rode on the dash for two trips and then hid the last 12 years. Recently she hides then comes up on the couch while we are traveling.  Well today we hit a milestone.  She got off the couch and sat on my lap for a while just taking in the sites.  I truly hope it continues.

She has had a hard time after Dusty (her bonded brother) died – yes, animals do grieve.  I was concerned that I was going to lose her too.  The vet put her on medicine for a few months and we have been slowly weaning her off of it.  She is now doing much better so hopefully all will be good.

We landed at the Saguaro Escapee RV Park in Benson where we will be until November 26, 2023.

Our friend Bruce took us to our site.  After setting up, we had Happy Hour with our friends, Mike and Mary, and it continued thru supper at one of the local pizza restaurants. (We missed you Sue!)

What a great day!

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled:  230 Miles

New Mexico: Elks Drive; US-70; I-10 

Arizona: I-10; Ocotillo Avenue; US-80; Saguaro Drive

November 18, 2023

Today, I got the blog caught up – YEA!

And paperwork! YEA!

And did not do anything else. It was one of those stay in days!

We hope to visit some friends while we are here as well as do some sightseeing.  Stay tune and enjoy today.

November 14-16 2023 Travel to Las Cruces and Hang out

November 14, 2023

This morning was rainy and cold so we were on the road early to head west.

Past the oil and gas fields:

Looks like it is lifting….

Nice rolling hills:

 

 

 

The sun is coming thru:

This area of Texas is beautiful:

 

Instead of following I-10 thru El Paso (which can be a nightmare at times), we followed Loop 375 over the mountains:

 

Up we go:

 

 

And over the other side:

Into New Mexico:

Where the weather was BEAUTIFUL!

We landed at the Las Cruces Elks where we enjoyed Happy Hour and Tacos – Yum!

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled:  265 Miles

Texas:  West Easterbrook Drive; I-20; I-10; Loop 375

New Mexico: I-10; I-25; US-70; Elks Drive

 

November 15, 2023

Today, we did a couple of chores, couple of calls, and a resupply since there are so many stores here.

Tonight they had a craft market in the historic downtown.  In 2015, we stopped at the Moose Lodge downtown and walked around.  It is a very cute place.

So we made a stop at the Moose Lodge then headed to the market.  Lots of crafts and food trucks.  We both had hamburgers — Best hamburger I had in a long time.

The market:

November 16, 2023

We decided to have another down day – LOL!  So we did some more things around the RV and had supper at the lodge.  This Elks Lodge does a tremendous business.  They cook almost every night – chef’s choice.  Tonight was French Dip (like a Philly Cheesesteak) and French Fries.  Yep, it was delicious!

Their RV park is full almost every night and they have a number of other activities.  Everyone we met was very friendly.  Great time.

Las Cruces was always a pass thru for us..  Usually an overnight and a resupply.  But we found a number of sites to see and a number of places that the Elks members told us to visit.  So we will be back and plan it as a destination.

Tomorrow we head west so stay tune and enjoy today!