Scribble World Travel Blog

Alligators and Sand Dunes

We slept in a state park that was deserted on our way to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. There were hardly any other people around when we got to the sand dunes and it was great fun running around in it (out comes the inner child when no one is looking).

We also went to The Colorado Alligator Farm and were amazed just how neat an experience that was for just $12.50/person. We each got to hold a baby alligator and were given a certificate of bravery for our efforts. Then we walked around looking at baby alligators through full grown adult sized alligators. It was a blast watching the medium sized gators chasing after the fish we’d throw them.

The biggest gators were the laziest, which is probably a good thing because when we were there, the fence was open on one end because a tractor was going back and forth moving dirt around. But occasionally he would leave for a few minutes and the gate was still wide open and if one of those gators capable of moving 30 mph had wanted to get out, it certainly could have. But I suspect the gators were quite content, well fed, and happy right where they were at.

Santa Fe

Steve took us on a great tour through the windy streets of Santa Fe.  A colorful place, and full of street vendors and performers. We walked through a church with a “floating” staircase, but we couldn’t walk on it.

We’re spending one more night in their lovely RV.  Our cats are starting to miss us.  Ox was so cute and soft-it’s been quite a while since he’s had to grow a winter coat.  He’ll need it, we’re heading to Minnesota next.

White Rock, New Mexico

Hello from White Rock, New Mexico where we get to spend the night in a family friend’s RV for the night.  It’s quite lovely-so this is what it’d be like to be traveling in luxury..sofa, bed, table, bathroom, kitchen….all of the pleasure’s of home.  Maybe someday eh?

Meanwhile, we had a great apple filled afternoon.  Julie made fresh pressed apple juice, it was the most delicious apple juice I’ve ever tasted, and the fun didn’t stop there-we had 2 different kinds of apple sauce (it tastes different depending on which tree it comes from), and fresh homemade apple pie.  We picked apples off the ground and saved them to feed some horses later.

We met some mini-goats and tried unpasteurized goats milk for the first time.

Steve took us to see the beautiful Overlook in White Rock.  The view was spectacular.

Why worry?

We have had a great time in Bonanza, CO getting to know Jack & Betty and getting spoiled with delicious country cooking.  I loved hearing stories and also Betty’s wisdom. She said she has learned not to worry, because in 20 minutes it will be something else.  I said that’s good advice, she said, “it’s been my experience,” with a laugh.

We told them our close encounter with skunks, and were told about a couple of their dogs getting sprayed once and how the smell got over everything.  Back then, their insurance company actually gave them money and sent oil to help repair the smell damage-new paint, needed to clean all their clothes, carpet, furniture, etc.  I can only imagine how undelightful it would’ve been had a skunk sprayed around our van that night, phew!

I was amused that despite living so close to Pagosa Springs, they had never gone to the hot springs. “What? Bath in the stinky waters?!”

We also toured some fascinating historic homes.

Joyful Journey

I went to my 3rd hot spring in in 3 days today-called Joyful Journey-about 30 miles from Salida, CO.  They gave us a discount because it was crawling with water beetles in one of the tubs-thinking “I’m not squeamish, sure I’ll take the discounted rate,” I got into the pool and immediately these beetles started swarming all over me and it feels like they’re pinching you. We got out of there and went to the next pool…this one was 113 degrees and was too hot for even us Arizonans.  So we went to the 3rd pool, which was just right, but also the most occupied.  No wonder.  We hung out for a while and then used the dry sauna.  We took showers and continued on our way to Salida, where I sit presently, on a broken bench, shivering in the cold by a payphone that never rings.  Our cell phones are out of range.

Treasure Falls

Treasure Falls turned into a better workout than we anticipated when we decided to stray from the assigned trail and crawl up the rocky mountain, hoping to get a better view of the fall.  Then we made our way through a steep and perilous forest until we finally came to the icy cold stream, but we had overshot the waterfall.  Hoping to find a shortcut across the large stream, we crossed balancing on a fallen tree.  Somehow I managed to slip, falling into the coldest water I’ve ever had the misfortune of being in.  Sopping wet, but with a smile, I searched for a spot of sun through the thick trees to help dry my stiff icy clothes.

It was a long hike back down the mountain, but we made it, and that is always something to be happy about.  We drove back to Pagosa Springs to soak in a multitude of hot mineral spring baths of various temperatures.  These relaxing waters had our spirits and sore muscles feeling much refreshed and ready to enjoy the conversation and comradery of other hot spring lovers.

A preacher from Chicago said he’d put us up for a night when we were in the area.  He told the group an amusing true story about a “frozen turkey” that was donated to the church.  He took it out of the freezer and was driving down the road when the box started to move..the turkey was still alive~!~

A kind faced vegetarian lady described how “ghee” was made: Put a pound of butter in skillet and then keep sifting off the fat until there’s just a yellow lump-let it burn on the bottom just slightly and it’s done.  No need to refrigerate and it’s healthier than regular butter.  I’ll have to try that someday.

Durango, CO

We parked at the visitor’s center in Durango, CO near Animas River. It was a nice day for a walk, so we explored the riverbank, went undeath a bridge and then walked across a pedestrian bridge to get to the other side of the riverbank.

There we spotted a quick moving little lizard, and Chris didn’t think I could catch him, so I had to prove him wrong, which is always fun to do

We walked around in old town Durango and stopped at a coffee shop for a treat. It’s a pretty setting with the mountains, Animas River, laid back atmosphere. Also nice just to explore a new town and get some fresh air.

Jacuzzi Suite

Since my last writing, two very pleasant days have passed.  We spent most of yesterday at the Grand Canyon, spent the night in the van parked on the side of the road…the night before we spent at a rest area right before the Grand Canyon.  Tonight, we’re spoiling ourselves to a nice jacuzzi suite at a Best Western in Cortez, CO.  We also used the hot lagoon-like pool.  We’ve had a good time taking advantage of the room’s amenities (fridge, microwave, flat screen tv, internet access…civilization’s little pleasures.)

We checked out a couple motels first, but they were all in the $50 range, so for a little more we got the jacuzzi suite.  Rough it- then splurge, I think the contrast keeps life more interesting and then I take less for granted.

We ate out at the Mainstreet Brewery (another indulgent experience).  We prepare now for cuddling and rest. G’night.

Monte Vista Hotel

We had the luxury of spending two nights in the Gold Room at the historic Hotel Monte Vista this weekend in Flagstaff, AZ. The Hotel Monte Vista has been around since the 1920s and celebrated it’s 80th birthday this year.  It was neat how the rooms were all uniquely designed with different themes. The hotel girl let us take a peak at several to pick which one we liked best.

We chose the Gold Room, which had gold colored furnishings, bedspread, curtains, walls…it was a stimulating room for the eyes.  As a single room, the bathroom and showers were outside our room to be shared with one or two other rooms.  I liked the character of the place, almost like going back in time.

I hear there are even ghosts wandering the halls of the Monte Vista!  Our room rate was $65/night, which is the higher seasonal price-I believe the summer rate was around $50, and on up for the rooms with their own private bathrooms.

Running our errands we saw a thirsty bird trying to find a way into this littered Starbucks cup.

Skunks at Lo Lo Mai!

Last night, as the sun set we thought, what better way to relax after our long day than to relax in the jacuzzi at Lo Lo Mai Campground? So we walked the quarter mile or so to the jacuzzi and stopped dead in our tracks-there was a cat surrounded by 4 skunks! It sat there licking it’s paw and was in no apparent distress-even though the skunks hopped and danced around her. We cautiously continued to the jacuzzi amazed by our close encounter and the fearlessness of the skunks.
A few minutes later a skunk came even closer and began drinking from the pool. Could these skunks be someone’s pets? There was no skunk like odor so we thought perhaps they were tame and incapable of spraying.

The campground attendant came to turn the lights on and I asked about the skunks. “No, they’re wild,” she said.

It was a bit nerve racking walking back to our campsite as we could hear skunks in front of us, behind us…all around us..There was even one circling our van. I foolishly attempted to take a picture of one-I just couldn’t believe how close and fearless they were. Luckily we didn’t get sprayed, but sadly my picture came up empty handed.

*For future reference, I asked the lady at the front desk if she knew of any good skunk odor removing formulas. She said the most effective one she knows of is a home made mixture of baking soda, dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide.

She also said that skunks love to spray dogs, but for the most part leave the cats alone-except for the unlucky overly playful kitten…

Lo Lo Mai Campground Page Springs, AZ

4:21pm We are at Lo Lo Mai Campground. This will be our 3rd night on the road.  I’m in a tent with Ox & Paws-we’re about 8 miles from Sedona.  We have a lot of repacking to do-space is at a premium-I’ve been wearing the same shirt for 3 days now-it has been difficult to fish clean clothes out of the various bins & suitcases-which are all covered with other items as well.

It has also been more expensive than my projected budget of $15/day, but hopefully we’ll get more savvy the more we learn and travel.

Chris left to go find food, and accidentally left the tent flap half way open-I was surprised Paws didn’t try to get out.  Perhaps he is overwhelmed-when he heard Chris start the van he started frantically meowing and clawing at the tent-afraid he was being forgotten.  I came to console them & they are content now but with eyes wide and alert.  They need their shots.  They both slept next to me last night-Ox by my pillow, Paws by my feet-the nights are so cold at this altitude.

Jerome, AZ

We got lucky today, a couple nice people helped us out of a parking pickle today in Jerome, AZ -the same town Winston Churchill’s mom was born.  I was possessed to stop in a most awkward and dangerous spot because I was just so intrigued with how the houses appeared to be sitting straight off the edge of the cliff!

I was driving the car and managed alright, but Chris had followed me in with the van & the cargo box started scraping on the steep incline and we didn’t know if he needed to go forward or back up & he was starting to panic, but just then these two people walking by came & took it upon themselves to be kind and help us-Chris was able to pull forward while the guy directed traffic & dealt with the locals- who were rather snide, “residents live here ya know,” objected one lady.  Our new friend politely ushered her on her way and commented “angry hippies.”  And I always thought hippies were supposed to be nice?

It was the ladies birthday, they enjoy coming to Jerome, but don’t actually live there.  We gazed at the valley below and the surrounding mountains, such a vivid contrast of terrain.  She confessed that she believes in Creation and that it’s just incredible for her to imagine what it must have been like for Noah’s Ark with all those animals-with water covering all the mountains back in the day.  I nodded sympathetically, and continued enjoying the view.

We had brunch at The Mile High Grill.  The food was great, each selection is named after a person. The tables and walls were covered with interesting signs and pictures adding a unique character to the place.

Tonopah Arizona Hot Spring

We survived our first night on the road!  We slept in a huge parking lot at a truck stop in Tonopah. AZ.  We got our morning started right by heading over to El Dorado Hot Springs, a desert treasure with several hot springs pools to choose from.  We chose a private soak in the Sunset Pool.

We found a shady place with a nice breeze,  next to our hot spring pool, to park the van, where we could keep an eye on the wide-eyed Ox and Paws.  Our one hour mineral soak was $10/person, and we enjoyed a nice rustic view of the desert.  So this is what it’s like to not be expected anywhere..to not have a “to do” list, and to live without an alarm clock.  This is what it feels like to be free.  I love it!