Loaded up and Gone

After breakfast Saturday morning, Don and I tackled loading the rest of my stuff into the POD,  We gave ourselves the goal of being pack and on the road Thursday morning.  As I would pack a box, Don was loading in into the POD.  We was also looking at other things I may want to load and thigs he might like to take off my hands.

We put in some long days and were exhausted after dinner time.  We took time off for making the usual Sunday and Tuesday coffees at Panera Bread.  Thursday early morning, we were packed up and the POD was locked.

Said my "good-bye" to my house for the last 30 years.  Was an emotional "farewell".  Off to Panera for coffee.  Spent about 1 1/2 hour there visiting and saying "good-bye". 

Then, it was on the road heading southwest.  We decided to take it easy on the way back, spending the night in Dodge City.

Made Dodge City in planty time to tour the old Boot Hill museum.  Had a pint of beer at the Long Branch Saloon.  Checked into the hotel.  Walked across Wyatt Earp Blvd to Bad Habits for brew and burger.  All the times I had been in this bar, never seen it so busy.

We were exhausted and crashed into bed.  On the road about 6:30 in the morning.  Drove to Liberal where we had breakfast.  When we got Don's place in Albuquerque, my nerves let loose - my stomach rebelled from the nerves.  Got my car out of Don's lot and drove to my Rio Rancho house.Saturday morning, Don came up and we unloaded his van.

Holiday and Final Move Plans

Dodge City, KS became the regular overnight stop for me.  The desk clerk at the hotel knew me when I drove up.  I was looking forward to the burger and brew across the the street from the hotel.  For your information - my favorite hotel was the Rodeway Inn and food was at Bad Habits Sports Bar & Grill.

For a little variety, I would drive either US 56 or US 54 out of Dodge City area to I-25 or I-40.  I still have not found out what this structure (pictured here) is in Hooker, OK.

In Albuquerque, I picked up a desk and file cabinet from Office Max.  Started assembling the file cabinet. 

I was invited to a 4th of July cook-out.  Hosts were the owners of the house I rented in January and friends of cousin Don.  Was and enjoyable evening.  We were treated to a personal/family fireworks show.

Cousin Don offered to come to Iowa with me to help me finish packing the POD for the move.  We made plans to head to Iowa, driving through - 900 miles in one day.  Made it for Saturday breakfast. 

House Closing Trip

As usual, I was out of the house early this morning for my drive to Albuquerque.  Reason for this trip is closing on the new house.

Chilly morning.  Was in the upper 30s as the sun came uo.  Nothing exciting on the first day drive.  Got a little tired in Kansas and pulled in at a rest area for rest and walk around. 

Early arrival in Dodge City.  Checked into my hotel room and crashed into bed.  Ended up with about a 3 hour nap.  There is a sports bar & gtill across the street from my hotel.  Walked over for a pint of Amber Bock, bacon cheeseburger, with chips.  Great beer and food.  Long time since I have been serve a burger with such a large, think slice of onion!  Check out Bad Habit Sports Bar & Grill on W. Wyatt Earp Blvd

Filled my water cup at the hotel when back.  Think i am sated and in for the night.  Another day on the road (probably early start) to Albuquerque.

A Chilly Morning

I was not ready for the cold this morning.  Was thinking of wearing shorts driving from southern Kansas to Albuquerque.  The weather channel was reporting 14 degrees when I got up and ready to get on the road.

Light breakfast (bowl of cereal) and coffee.  Not hungry as I are so much yesterday.  The drive was straight down US 54 from Liberal to Tucumcari, NM.  Along the road, I saw "Tex", which last trip I identified being in Tucumcari.  Really, it was a little area NE of Dalhart, TX.  corrected my photo blog and photos on the web site.

Continhes taking photos of old, abandoned buildings on this trip.  Tucumcari is a treasure trove of these buildings.  The New Mexico map shows a "ghost town" near Tucumcari along old Route 66 called Montoya.  There are more abandoned buildings in Newkirk, just down the road.  Got off the interstate at Newkick and drove the frontage road to Cuervo (took photos there last tine through here).

Construction on I-40 getting into Albuquerque.  Got off the highway and took Central Ave to Nob Hill and picked up mail in my mail box.  Checked into the motel and started settling into the room.  Short drive for a Blizzard and in for the night - exhausted.

Heading to Buy a House

Had a little delay getting on the road to Albuquerque - waiting for meds from the VA.  departed the Iowa residence a little before 4 am.  Drove in the dark for a good 3 hours.

Could not find a place suitable for food (convenience and not a chain) until about 11am.  Had a chili-cheeseburger and fries at the Cozy Cafe in Mullinville, KS.

After lunch, saw a sign for a historic round barn.  It was just 5 miles from the cafe.  Shot a couple photos.  Caught this photo of the old windmill at the barn property with the modern windmills in the distance.

Ended up in Liberal, KS for the night. A little over 500 miles and at the lodging before 3pm. Was going to grab a beer at a honky-tonk.  But, it was a membership club and only has bottle beer.  Ended up downtown at the Bricks for a pint of Fat Tire with a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings for supper.

Getting Home, Again

Monday, I headed back towards home.  Was a chlly morning, was out of Albuquerque about 5am.  First stop was Santa Rose for breakfast.  Had blueberry pancakes, sausage, and coffee at the Sun & Sand Restaurant on Historic Rt 66.  Much better service than the diner I ate at in Santa Rosa the last time traveled through there.

My book of things to see in New Mexico showed The Blue Hole in Santa Rose.  I found out the attraction was just back of the restaurant I was eating at.  The Blue Hole is a spring fed 81 deep hole in the earth.  I understand it is popular with local swimmers and divers.  A bit too cold for a swim that morning!  In the photo here, you see the full moon over the Blue Hole.

From there. it was a short drive East on I-40 to the "ghost" town of Cuervo, NM  Old buildings are on both side of the interstate.  I was able to recognize some of the buildings (ruins) from photos in my book about ghost towns of New Mexico. I understand the little church in the lower photo is still in use. Like mant of the other "ghost towns" in New Mexico, most have a couple residents. 

On long the highway, I saw another cluster of buildings.  No town on the map, but seemed to be another will way-station in the old Route 66. 

My route had me exit I-40 at Tucumari.  Took time to detour to look at old Main Street of Tucumari.  More signs of the bygone era along the "Main Street of America".  Many ruins of businesses along the street.

Settled into my lodging in Dodge City.  Frustrated from one of the e-mails I received.  More questions from the other person handling my proposed mortgage. 

Could not sleep, so figured to get an early start towards home.  Abouth 15 miles out of Dodge City, I got a "low tire" light.  Waited at a convenience store until it opened where I could get some change to feed the air pump.  Only place for tire repairs are back in Dodge City.  Killed some time in Dodge City by having breakfast in McD's.  Eventually, the tire store pened and I was able to get the tire fixed.  Was back on the road about 8am.

Without any other adventures, I arrived home about 4pm. 

Change of Plans

Woke up about 2:30, nature calling.  Checked my e-mail and the weather forecast.  Not good for traveling in the East side of New Mexico.  MAJOR storm in that part of the state starting Saturday afternoon and continuing to Monday.  Cousin Don had talked with his friend (owner of the house I am renting) saying if I could get to Albuquerque by middle of the afternoon, the weather should cooperate and I can change plans and start into the house tonight.

Calculating miles and times, It would work if I just showered, packed the car, and head toward ABQ.  That, I did.  On the road out from Dodge City a little after 4am CST.

Pretty lonely across SW Kansas and a section of Oklahoma at tat time of a Saturday morning.  Not even a place to get breakfast until I had been on the road for over 2 hours.  Found a place in Clayton, NM.  The sun was just up when I got there.

After breakfast, I started looking for abandoned building and ruins (see upper photo).  Helps keep my mind on the road.  Strong wind from the NNW and temperature dropping across the high plaines of NE New Mexico.  Even saw some blue sky!

As I got to Las Vegas, NM, it started snowing.  Mostly blowing across the road.  Drove with that until about Glorieta Pass.  Once again, some wind-driven snow as I get into Albuquerque.  Stopped quile at a Verizon Store on the way to the house.

Found the rental house and got keys from the owner.  He grabbed the wring keys, so a little delay getting into the house.  Cranked up the heat and started unloading the car.  While taking breaks to that, I checked e-mail, facebook, and processed the photos from the day.

Called Don about eating, but he was in for the night,  Actually, I was a bit tired from the driving, so not looking forward driving for a brew and burger.  Satisfied my cravings with some of my snack I had in the car.

Christmas on the Road

Thursday, between napping and checking the weather, I was able to get the bag pack and the car loaded for my trip.  Was able to get some sleep.  Did not need to make a early start, only about 450 miles to Dodge City.

Had some concerns when i headed out from the driveway.  The gravel road was icy under the snow.  I was not able to back up from the mailbox to drive down to RT 92.  Had to take the alternate rouse via US 6.

Once i got on the road, there were some unusual sounds from the front end of the car, specially when turning.  Everything had been fine until the car sat in the driveway during the snow storm.  Figuring there is nothing majpr wrong with the car, I took it easy as I headed out.  As i drove, the noise was abating.  Leaving Omaha, it was gone.  Think it bust have been some snow/ice accumulation giving the problem.

Was foggy this morning.  Not too cold (in the upper 20s).  The route for today was I-80 to York, NE, then South into Kansas and Southwest to Dodge City.  The temperature strated dropping after I went through Lincoln.  At about the Nebraska/Kansas line, it was down to 18, 

Salina, the temperature started to rise again with hints of sun to the Southwest. Did stop for a couple photos along the way.  Checked in my Dodge City hotel at about 3;30.  Temperature was a reasonable 47 deg.  Spent some time on the computer and then off looking for some food.  Opted for sub, chips and Gatorade from a convenience store.  Wanted to pick up a new water "go" cup, so one stop was all I had to make during my shopping trip

Checking weather.com, it seams that the southern storm is intensifying.  At last check, Roswell is expecting about a foot of snow and traveling is not advised from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning.  Looks like I will have to skip Roswell in this trip.  Thinking of driving to Santa Rosa and re=checking the weather and roads.  Stay in Santa Rosa or drove on to Alamogordo.

A White Christmas

I have been bust getting ready for a trip (month long) to Albuquerque.  Goal is to see how it goes, living in the city, in a house, for a month in the Winter.  Decided the best schedule is to head out Christmas Day. Only bringing the hybrid bike with me on this trip.

Had most stuff sorted that I want to bring.  Just pack the car.  Wednesday we had rain with forecast 1" snowfall for early Thursday.  Surprise, we got a major snow - reported 7 inches. With the freezing rain under the snow, I had problems getting up the hill off Rt 92 to head back to the house.

I still planned to get on the road Friday.  Just was not fun packing and loading the car in a first major snow storm of the season.  Forecast is showing another storm hitting home Sunday/Monday.  I needed to get on the road - with some cushion for getting to Albuquerque on the afternoon of Dec 30th,

Set tentative itinerary for stops in Dodge City, KS, Roswell, NM, and 3 nights in Alamogordo, NM.  Have to watch the weather because forecast is for South routh storm through El Paso, Roswell, and Amarillo over the weekend.

Return Drive - Day 1, Santa Fe to Colby

Did not sleep much last night.  Felt like the altitude was getting to me, though I have been at about 5000 ft for a week.  Cold morning, was 39 deg in Santa Fe when I was packing the car.  Sunny but cold.  Dressed in BDU pants.  Filled the gas tank on the car and headed North on I-25.

Was a bit tired at time, stopped at a couple rest areas to get out of the car.  At Trinidad, CO, turned NE onto two-lane roads.  By the time I was at Trinidad, the temperature was into the 70s.  Felt like overdressed for the temperature.

I have driven this route several times, so mot much new subjects to photograph.  Did snap this one of an old Union Pacific caboose on display in Sugar City, CO. 

Checked into the Quality Inn, Colby, KS.  Grabbed bags and pulled a pair of cargo shorts for the drive tomorrow.  Decided check out the Mexican Restaurant (El Dos de Oros) at the hotel.  I knew there was a problem when my food was served in under 10 minutes.  Food was just tolerably warm, not hot like I am accustomed to getting at Mexican Restaurants.

Hoping to get a good night's sleep.

Manitou Springs. CO

I am on the road again.  Just over 600 miles yesterday from home to Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Was a stormy night at home Saturday.  That, and the normal problems sleeping before a trip, made it a long night.  There was a little rain in the air as I finished packing the car. Got on the road 3"45am CDT.  Stopped in Council Bluffs to gas the car.

The upper photo was taken along I-80 around Wood River.  The sky was getting light and the full moon was setting.  Did not get the focus quite right.

Stopped in Kearney for breakfast.  At Elm Creek, I dropped off the Interstate for the more "scenic" drive on 2-lane roads.  I have driven a couple times this route.  I just enjoyed the drive.  The weather has cleared and temperature climbed to 79 degrees.

I found some more old, abandoned buildings on the route.  These little towns of the plains have a treasure trove to photograph.  Got off the main road in Jennings, KS.  During scooping on block, I shot several good shots.

Another boring drive on I-70 from Colby, KS to Limon, CO.  I still J-76 from the Nebraska boarder to Denver is still worse.

Not much to see along US 24 from Limon to Colorado Springs. Saw several abandoned buildings like the lower photo. here.  I had to pay close attention as I neared the Springs. Route 24 takes a rather circuitous route..  It did not help there was a traffic jam near the I-25 interchange - sign indicated they were cleaning up a vehicle fire.

Found my Motel in Manitou Springs.  Had a problem with the room, I could not get a good internet connection. Interference with WI-FI from another motel.  Move from a room with a King bed to a room with 2 Queens.  The internet connection for more was more important than the size of the bed.

Headed a mile or so up the road to find beer and food.  The hotel desk clerk had suggested The Keg.  I was in heaven when a pint of Mass Transit Amber Ale was placed in from of me. The brew was crafted by Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs.  There were a couple of problems.

First, I had not seen any parking meters.  Another customer told me where to pay parking - as the police in Manitou Springs love their parking fines.  Took care of that, but the place was only serving a limited menu because of a kitchen fire in March.  No fried food (could not have my burger).  I settle on for the french dip.  Had a second pint to wash it down,

The town of Manitou Springs looked like an interesting place to shoot photos and wander around,  but, I was just too tired and had left the D-SLR in the room.  i headed back to the room and crashed into bed.

Bicycle Festivals

Its time to check out the bicycle festivals for the 2015 season.  Last June's storm put a cramp on my bike festival attendance.  The only festival I made was Outside Bike & Brew in Santa Fe.  Hoping to get to more this year.

This list is no way meant to be all-inclusive.  I am concentrating on those in the "Heartland" and those I have or may attend.  Dates of RAGRAI are only included for reference.  It would be to sacrilegious to omit the biggest in Iowa (my home state).

May 13-17, 2015 Outside Bike & Brew Santa Fe, NM

http://outsidesantafe.com/

May 29-31, 2015 Tour of Kansas City, Kansas City MO

Gran Fondo on Monday, May 25

http://www.tourofkc.com/

June 19-21, 2015 Black Hills Fat Tire Festival Rapid City, SD

http://www.bhfattirefestival.com/

June 25-28, 2015. Crested Butte Bike Week, Crested Butte, CO

http://cbbikeweek.com/

July 10-12, 2015 Bicycles, Blues, BBQ Festival Clear Lake, IA

http://bicyclebluesbbq.com/

July 19-25 RRAGBAI Sioux City to Davenport, IA

http://ragbrai.com/

July 25, 2015 Tour de Fat, Twin Cities, MN

http://www.newbelgium.com/Events/tour-de-fat/minneapolis.aspx

August 15-16, 2015 Kraus-Anderson Bike Festival, Duluth, MN

http://bikeduluthfestival.com/

August 22, 2015 Gran Fondo Cedar Valley Cedar Falls, IA

http://granfondocedarvalley.com/

September 4-7, 2015, La Crosse Area Bicycle Festival LaCrosse, WI

http://www.explorelacrosse.com/event/la-crosse-area-bicycle-festival/?instance_id=8890925

On The Way Home

Tuesday I started having some mouth pain - upper corner.  Feeling light it might be starting of needing a root canal.  Had a rough night in the room in Albuquerque.  Early on the road y\towards home.  Called my denstists\'s office when they opened.  The will squeeze me in Friday morning.

Weather turning bad as I drove Northwest on I-25.  From Glorieta pass until Trinidad, CO,  I drove through periods of snow,  Thankfully, it has been warm the last week so it was not sticking on the highway.

By the time I was near La Junta, the sun was shinning.  Had a couple of "tylonol" to east my tooth ache (which had turned into a headache).  Bough a new bottle of the store=brand pain relief.  Took another couple pills.  Checked into my room in Oakley, KS.  Not up to eating dinner, just crashed into bed. 

Nothing much to see along the highway on this route.  Stopped a couple times to take photos of old, abandoned buildings. 

Home Again

OH, I got a good night's sleep.  Not sure if it was the lower altitude, the bed, or both.  It was alount 8am before I got in the road.  Started on the road when I realized I needed gas.  Out in this part of the country, I figured I better get it in a town the size of Oakley, KS or I might have problems finding some.

Had a couple cups of coffee at the motel.  Passed on the waffle, looking for more for breakfast.  The temperature was climbing already.  The wind was blowing strong.

Headed down the road about 100 miles when I hit the town of Norton, KS.   Was exiting town when I saw Town & Country Kitchen.

I was a little hungry, so ordered their 3-egg scramble.  I was very pleased when my order delivered to my booth.  The scramble has sausage, ham, and bacon in the scrambled eggs,  Added hashbrown potatoes and toast.The scramble was awesome - impressive amount of meat.  Washed down the food with water and coffee.  If you find yourself in Norton, KS, give the Town & Country Kitchen a try.

During this trip, I have taken many photos of old and abandoned buildings.  Old, abandoned machinery and vehicles also can be photogenic.  Had to turn around and come back to shoot this old GMC truck. Interesting contraption on the back of the truck.

Just before baking the turn North, I passed the "village" of Woodruff.  Not much is seen from the road except abandoned building scattered in tree.  Here's where I took moat of my photos for today.

I had thought of stopping Pioneer Village in Minden, NE.  It was obvious that I would needed to spend another a night on the road/  The time was also inconvenient - would need to spread the stop over 2 days. 

Got home a little after 4pm.  Will slowly unload the car.  Its Tuesday and NCIS night.  Don't remember if tonight's episode  is season finally. 

On the Way Home

While packing the room Sunday evening, I decided to drive basically North into Colorado and then cut East across the bottom on the state.  It gave me a chance to check out the new Rio Grande del Norte National Park.  Depending how the drive goes, inital plan would to aim for Oakley, KS asovernight stop.

The Monument was designated in just a year ago.  The upper photo here is Camel Rock, just north of Santa Fe.  Took the "low road" to Taos. From Taos, my route was North on NM 522. The Rio Gramde del Norte is near the town of Questa.  When I made plans, did not know the monument was so new.  As I passed in Questa, I saw a sign for the "wilderness area".  As a wilderness area, there would be nothing to see, so I kept droving into Colorado..

NM 522 turns in CO 159, thought San Luis - the oldest town in Colorado.  At Fort Garland, my route takes me across La Veta Pass on US 160.  There was nothing remarkable about the pass.  At Walsenburg I jad the option to drive Interstate via Denver to home or continues on 2-lane roads.  It was tempting to high-tail it on I-25/I-76/I-80.  It was already noon.

I was feeling pretty good, yet, so up to more exploring 2-lane roads.  It gave me to shoot more photos of old and abandoned building.  My route in Colorado took me on CO 10, North on US 71 through Rocky Ford to Ordway. 

From Ordway, I drove North and East on CO 96 to Eads.  From Eads, it was North on US 287 to Kit Carson.  Next turning East on US 40 toward Oakley.

By the time i needed Cheyenne Wells, I really needed a restroom break.  Further, I did not have a room reservation.  I get off the highway and found my way into the business district of Cheyenne Wells.  The town municipal offices and library filled both my needs.  Thanks for the friendly folks at the town library - no charge to use their computer. 

One and a half hour (and another hour loss in time zone) and I was in Oakley, KS.  Checked in at the Rodeway a little before 7pm CDT (in my hurry,  I had make the reservation for a day later - but they had a room available)..  The motel desk clerk suggested The Bluff for food.  The Bluff is a small town restaurant and bar only 4-5 blocks from my motel. 

Didn't take me much time to crash into bed.  Lower photo in this posting is an old Texaco gas station. Have not figured out what little town it is in.

Changing Weather for the Drive

As usual, did not get a good night's sleep before my drive.  Finished loading the car and was on the road just after 5am.  Threatening rain and in the upper 50s. 

The weather turned bad while driving I-80.  Had a head-wind (probably 20-30mph) all the way.  Add periods of heavy rain and dropping temperature.  It was down-right cold (41 deg) when I stopped at the Elm Creek Sapp Bros for breakfast.  (Photo is from the WB rest area near York, NE.  Note the standing water in the field)

From there, I got a break from the wind when heading South.  At the Kansas border, I missed a turn.  Ended up taking me about 10 or so miles out of my way.  Made changes to my route.  Stopped several times to shoot photos of old buildings.  Ended up with photos of over 30 such buildings.  Plan to post some are on facebook and more on my web site.

 

During the drive in Colorado, the sky cleared off and the temperature climbed.  Was in the low 50s when I hit Lamar.

Arrived my motel in Lamar, CO about 3:30 MDT.  Processed my photos and got recommendation for food by motel desk clerk.  Had a good Mexican meal at La Mission.  Tired from the drive.  Time to get some sleep.  Looking forward for a good photo day tomorrow.

Cowboys and Aliens

Different start of the day for me.  Woke up middle of the night, not getting back to sleep, so processed photos from yesterday and posted some of them on facebook.  Back to bed and finally got up about 6:30.  It was 11 degrees this morning in Dodge City - I was not in a big hurry to get out and on the road!

Changed lenses  on my cameras so that had the Rebel T1i set up with the Tamron 180200mm lens for the drive.  I gave up figuring you wny the 60D auto focus was not working.

Motel breakfast - sweet roll, coffee, biscuits and (very runny) gravy, and sausage patties.  Loaded stuff back into the car and checked out of the room.

Headed out towards Roswell, NM.  This was a day of non-interstate driving.  When I was at about 100 miles out of Dodge City, I realized that I was NOT on the right route.  General same direction, just not the planned route.  Grabbed the maps to figure out to get made changes without adding too many miles.

While the new route was still on US numbered highways, their conditions at times were typical for secondary roads.  That, and drove through some desolate countryside!  Surprisingly, US 70 out of Clovis to Roswell, NM is 4-lane highway with very little traffic and less to see.  Most of the scenery was desert grass and abandoned buildings. 

By the time I found and checked into my lodging for the night, I was just too tired and too late to play "tourist".  Particularly interested is exploring the International UFO Museum & Research Center.  As it was, the motel is a bit out from downtown - glad I checked my reservation.  My direction of travel was N to S, and had to turn West for over 20 blocks.  Anyway, I have to reccomend the Rodeway Inn of Roswell.  Very reasonable rate, large room with king bed and a decently sized bathroom.

Dodge City, KS

On the road again...

Headed out this morning heading towards New Mexico.  Decent driving weather (was clean, cool morning, nice afternoon) today.

Was not ready to stop for breakfast when i hit York so turned South on US 81.  It was Ellsworh, KS before I found a little local eatery.  Small breakfast (1 egg, 2 sausage links, hash browns, 1 toast) and coffee for $5.25!  Ellsworh Steakhouse, Ellsworth, KS.

Surprised at the number of old abandoned barns and other structures along the highway.  I ran across one particularly interesting barn just North of Bruning, NE, even had to turn around on the highway and came back to take a couple photos.  Now with the look-out, I stopped a couple more times during the drive to shoot phots of old structures.

Checked into my lodging - Knights Inn, Dodge City, KS.  Time to play tourist and take photos.  The Boot Hill Museum looked like a great place to explore.

The museum is a recreation of the old Front Street,  Front Street was built over the original "Boot Hill" cemetery (if you could call it a cemetery).  Today's photo was taken in the Long Branch Saloon (of 'GunSmoke' fame). in the Museum.  Interesting as the shops (and sollon) is a living history museum.

After taking photos, problems with the new camera, it was time for food.  The Long Branch proprietor (sorry, no Miss Kitty) suggested Casey's Cowtown Steakhouse.  Had a pint of a very good amber bock (unknown brewery) and patty melt with fries.

Tried to correct camera malfunction/setting problem.  For some reason the auto focus in not working.  I can cause auto focus by hitting the AF ON button, but cannot get AF to stay on.  Early to bed tonight, just exhausted.  If i wake up early in the morning, will process more of today's photos.

Late Winter Snow

Last Thursday was the "big" snow storm of the season.  Early forecast was for a for or more.  That was scaled down to 8-12".  Eventually, we got about 8" - the bottom end of the forecast.

True - it was a nasty storm - but the bulls-eye was south of us.  Oklahoma and Kansas got walloped.  Better there, than here.

I stayed home Friday during the storm.  From a walk out after the snow, I could see that the road was passable, though not plowed (see photo).  Did not plan to shovel the drive - just drive on through the snow. Sometime in the afternoon, one of my neighbors came through and scraped the drive - leaving me a clear path to the road.

Was supposed to get more snow first of the week.  That kept being delayed.  So far, the storm has again stayed south.  Nothing here, except for warmer temperatures and melting (no complaints there!)

Overcast and highs in the mid/upper first half of the week (still melting in the afternoons).  End of the week is forecast into the 40s and sunny - that should get us rid of the rest of the snow. 

Fort Larned

Time for another trip to Albuquerque. With Spring weather, I wanted to play "tourist" a little on the way. Also, I have unfinished business at Palo Duro Canyon. With the help of the National Park Service I found Fort Larned National Historic Site about half-way between home and Amarillo.

Fort Larned was one of the forts guarding the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was established around 1860. The original buildings were constructed of adobe. Starting about 1866, the fort underwent a extensive construction effort. Buildings were replaced with those of sandstone and timber. Those buildings are the ones still standing at Fort Larned.

Stark contrast between the adobe ruins of Fort Union and what I saw today at Fort Larned. It was not just the construction. Fort Union had been abandoned and vandalized. Many buildings at Fort Larned were maintained and used as a ranch.

Fort Larned is a very interesting window into the life the soldiers along the Santa Fe. Most of the building are furnished with period furnishings. Many looked like the troops were just out on maneuvers, and might be returning any Day.

While in the area, stopped in at the Santa Fe Trail Center. Fort Larned tells the military story of the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe Trail Center concentrates on the transportation route, migration, and cultures.

If you find yourself in the area of Fort Larned, I recommend the Roadway Inn, Larned, KS. Room rates are reasonable. Large rooms, with mini fridge and microwave.

Today's photo was taken from the porch of the Officer's Quarters.