Another Day Traveling East on I-40 (Before Easter)

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

We are presently parked at the Sayre City RV Park. We pulled in here on Easter and will leave on Thursday. More about that as I get the blog caught up into real time.

Good Friday, April 3, 2026

We pulled out of the Bar S RV Park in Milan, NM just after 10:00AM. This was not a bad overnight stop, as I think I mentioned in the last blog, but it is fairly close to active railroad tracks and if train noise keeps you awake then be sure to have earplugs, if you stop here. For whatever reason being parked where we can hear trains never seems to bother either Tom nor I. Our first stop this morning was the Love's just down the road to top off the diesel. 

This was parked just to the side of us when we were getting diesel.
Not sure what this was but definitely something to do with
 the 250th USA Anniversary. We caught up to and passed them a
short distance down the road. 

After our tank was full and the windshield was clean we headed towards I-40 and turned left and continued our trek East. For the first hour or so the scenery was very similar to yesterdays. Scenery, that I honestly can say, neither of us gets tired of seeing. 

Camping World does fly 
some great US Flags.

Then in the distance we could see Albuquerque coming into view.

Then we were on the East side of Albuquerque and going by Tijeras and the
 Exit for the Turquoise Trail. The first time we came this way we had our
5th Wheel, the Crusader, and stayed in Tijeras and we took a ride to Santa Fe
on the Turquoise Trail, nice memories.

Then the land became flatter and when this happens it seems like you can see forever.

Then something we had not seen in awhile, Turbines, came into view.

When we stopped for diesel then parked in the truck parking lot at Clines Corners to eat our lunch the turbine below was in our view. I just thought it looked interesting and decided to do some research to find out what kind of turbine it was. Some of the information I found is below. 

What I found out is this is a type of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) specifically a Darrieus wind turbine design often referred to as an "eggbeater" turbine. In 1931, French engineer Georges Jean-Marie Darrieus filed a patent for a vertical-axis wind turbine capable of spinning through aerodynamic lift, generated by the motion of its blades in the wind. At the time, Darrieus’s invention remained largely theoretical and on the fringes. It was too far ahead of its time and was quickly overshadowed by the rapid development of horizontal-axis wind turbines, which were easier to design for large-scale installations in wide-open rural environments. (There is a lot more information out there about the VAWT turbines and the Darrius Turbine but this is all I will make you read...lol)

The advantage of a VAWT is it does not need to be pointed into the wind to operate. This removes the need for wind-sensing orientation mechanisms. Plus, key components like the generator and gearbox can be located close to the ground, facilitating easier service and repair.

Santa Rosa is in the distance.

We had planned on stopping at the Pajarito Rest Area for the night. It was one we had stayed at in the past. Not the best one we have ever stayed at but it works. Pulling in we knew it was not going to work for tonight. It is parallel parking versus angle and there were no close to being level spaces available. So we kept going to the next rest area which is the New Mexico Welcome Center in Glenrio. 

What it looked like in the distance then as we got closer and
I zoomed in.

We said goodbye to New Mexico and hello Texas as we crossed
 over behind the sign to I-40 going west.
Then we crossed back into New Mexico, under one of my favorite
state signs and exited into the Welcome Center for the night.

The question could be asked why not stop at the next Texas Rest Area going East versus back tracking West? The answer would be the first rest area in Texas is the Amarillo Travel Information Center a nice stop but another 84 miles and we had, had a long enough day. 

It ended up being a 296 mile day, about 75 miles more than we had planned, but it was an uneventful drive. Those are the type of travels days when we park say, it was a good day.  

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If you have enjoyed the pictures I have put out there 

or the words I have added that makes me smile. 

If you have time to leave a comment they are always special to read. 

No matter what I am glad you stopped by!

Happy Easter!

 Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026

We began today where we parked last evening at the Oklahoma Welcome Center on I-40. In a little bit Tom will start the engine and we will head over to Elk City and see if we can park any where near St, Mathew's Catholic Church so we can attend Mass. Finding a parking spot for this rig with the Jeep towing behind is not always possible but we will try. This was not the morning we planned several days ago when we left Meteor Crater Park in Rimmy Jims, AZ but it is the morning we are dealing with. So many times living this lifestyle, we do love, life is about Plan B or C or D....etc. What we learned from the beginning is if you cannot roll with what life throws you the disappointment and stress will overwhelm you. 

When we started this journey of living our retirement dream and decided to write a blog the big question was what to title it and the quote below was one of the reasons we chose: "Celebrating the Dance"

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.”

― Vivian Greene

For several moments yesterday it felt like life was throwing us a small "storm" but here we are surviving and still enjoy the dance and the journey.

To all our family and friends:

A Blessed and Happy Easter!

May Your Day, and The Days Ahead, 

Be Filled with Love and Sunshine!

The Journey East Continues after One More Stand on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

We spent two days, Monday and Tuesday, at the Meteor Crater RV Park relaxing and listening to the wind. When we stopped here we thought we would back track to the Grand Canyon and then we just were not feeling the trip. So even though it is on our bucket list it will wait for another time. We talked a lot about where to next. Monument Valley was our first thought but again we were just not feeling it so a second bucket list stop will wait for another time. Instead, we decided to continue the journey east and decide as we go. We have always tried to enjoy the journey and not get to caught up in the destination. These last few months, mainly buying the new to us motorhome and getting it ready to live and travel in, means we have not relaxed while letting life flow and the days come as they will and we have been missing that. That does not mean we have not enjoyed all the moments with friends and where we have been because we have. We have just felt rushed. So these next moments in our lives will unfold as they will with no rushing. We will be just enjoying the journey where it leads us.

The view out the window as we sit on our couch.

We have relaxed and enjoyed our days at the Meteor Crater RV Park. No wind and being able to sit outside more would have been even more enjoyable but just the same it has been a nice stop along the way.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Today we decided to take one more ride into Winslow. We had a small package to mail to our children and grandchildren. Plus, I wanted a couple more pictures of the corner. When I was putting the pictures of the corner together for the last post I realized neither of us had taken a picture of the "flatbed truck". 

A couple more pictures of the drive between the RV Park
and Winslow, Arizona

Winslow

The Corner and top left the flatbed truck.

One last picture,
Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Thursday, April 2, 2026 

This morning we pulled up stakes, as the saying goes, pointed the motorhome east and continued the journey. We will eventually pull into the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville, Michigan and spend time with our children and grandchildren but for now we will follow the road and decide as we go. The goal these next weeks is to enjoy the journey.

Below are the views of today's beautiful ride. There is a wind but we have lucked out and for the most part today it was pushing us along.

Merging onto I-40 and heading east.

We did have one stop to make to top off the diesel and at $5.89 a gallon we did leave a few dollars behind. It is part of the cost of this lifestyle so we accept and move on.

We stopped at the Petrified Desert back in 2016 and enjoyed
the visit. Seeing the petrified wood, experiencing the landscape
and the Painted Desert.

The beautiful views out our windshield kept coming.

Then Arizona was in our rearview mirror and New Mexico
was in front of us. Plus, a hour disappeared in a breath.

As we headed into New Mexico the wonderful views continued.

This is my picture of the sign in the median stating we are 
crossing the Continental Divide.
As I clicked this semi went passing by...lol

Our stop for the night in Milan, New Mexico

When we checked the weather on Wednesday it showed an overnight temperature on Thursday of 28 degrees at our planned stop. When it is below freezing we like to be hooked up to electricity so I had made reservations here. The temperature did not drop that low but it is always nice to be in full hook ups. This was not a bad stop, we did not need to unhook the Jeep, for one night which is always a plus. Even though we were hanging out both ends of our site the woman at the desk said do not worry about it. The roads in the park were plenty wide and we were not the only ones hanging out. Though just to be clear there was a mention online that the sites were 80 feet long not sure what ruler they used to measure.

It was an uneventful travel day and those are always the best.

If you have enjoyed the pictures I have put out there 

or the words I have added that makes me smile. 

If you have time to leave a comment they are always special to read. 

No matter what I am glad you stopped by!

Standing On The Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Sunday, March 29, 2026

If you are of a certain age a song titled, "Take It Easy" by the Eagles is one you have heard countless times. 

“Take It Easy” was The Eagles' first single, released on May 1, 1972. It peaked at #12 on the July 22, 1972 Billboard Hot 100 chart, spending 11 weeks on the chart that summer, after debuting at #79 on June 3. It also was the opening track on the band’s debut album Eagles and it has become one of their signature songs, included on all of their live and compilation albums. It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona

This area was dedicated on September 11, 1999, as a tribute to the memorable song by the Eagles band that made Winslow, Arizona a town to sing about on famous Route 66. The Standin' on the Corner Park features a two-story mural by John Pugh and a life-sized bronze statue by Ron Adamson named "Easy".

It is estimated 100,000 visitors stand on the corner each year! The park is located at the corner of Old Route 66 and North Kinsley Avenue.

Today Tom and I became one of those 100,000 visitors to stand on the corner in Winslow, AZ.

There we are Standing on the Corner.

The Meteor Crater RV Park we are at is about 20 miles west of Winslow.  We merged on to I-40 around 10:30 this morning heading East. Our first stop would be at St. Joseph Catholic Church for Mass.

The scenery as we rode East towards Winslow.

St. Joseph Church

This is a beautiful church. The Altar area is in the center.
Three of the stain glass windows. 
Bottom right: Statue of an Angel holding the Holy Water Fond
(there was on on each side of the aisle.

Growing up the statues in church where always covered in purple during lent. It is not something all Catholic Churches still do. Walking in today and seeing the crucifix covered along with the statues was a reminder that lent is a somber season. A time for self reflection and a call to repentance and spiritual renewal. A time of contemplation on the passion of Christ. A time to remember the sacrifice Jesus made so we could all be saved. 

After Mass we headed to the Flatbed Ford Cafe for Brunch. Tom likes breakfast and I prefer lunch so when we find a place that serves both and the food is good we are both happy. Today we were both happy...😊

The Corner is just ahead on the left.

Flatbed Ford Cafe, just down the street from the Corner

After breakfast a selfie on the corner.

While we stood on the corner we met a couple from Phoenix. We took their picture and they took ours. After the pictures we checked out a couple of the stores. We did buy a couple of magnets and looked at what was offered but we really do not need stuff.

Afterwards we went and checked out Winslow Rodeo Grounds RV Park, it was just down the road, for future reference. The price is right but we will not be staying there. When most everyone has a large propane tank next to their rig you know they are there long term. Plus, the sites are so close together we were not sure we would be able to put out slides. Glad we checked it out. After that we made a Walmart stop for a few groceries before heading back to the park and home.

Some more views between the Meteor Crater RV Park and Winslow.

Before heading back into the Park we took a ride to the end of the
road. It ends at the Natural Meteor Crater Attraction. 

I did look it up and they have different displays and various platforms to view the Meteor Crater. With the discounts it would cost us $42 for both of us to go in. I am sure it is a nice stop, there were several cars in the parking lot and we could see a group of people up on a hill which we are guessing is the edge of the Crater. Honestly though we saw a crater hole at the Death Valley National Park. We are good. Though, if we had our grandkids with us I can see this as a stop.  

It was a good day even with the cloudy grey skies.,  Plus, we checked something off our bucket list. Standing on the Corner in Winslow, AZ...✔️

If you have enjoyed the pictures I have put out there 

or the words I have added that makes me smile. 

If you have time to leave a comment they are always special to read. 

No matter what I am glad you stopped by!