Grand Canyon with Mom - Alabama Bound

Friday, May 8,2009

After arriving home from the trip we rested a few days and today we headed to Alabama. Liz will be joining us this time. We decided to rent a car instead of stuffing all of us in my truck. The car is pretty nice it's a Hyundai something. It's a full size car with a hugh trunk. It's ok, but it is a car which makes it difficult for me to get in and out of.

The route is simple. Head east on I-10 to Biloxi and find a casino. We departed around 9:00 am, and after a lengthy lunch, we arrived in Biloxi around 5:00 pm. We checked into the motel and headed directly to the casino.

Liz and I managed to drop around $40.00 and of course Mom came out with more than she took in. We ate at the casino's buffet, which was $17.00 each, and though it was pretty good, to me, it was not worth $17.00. We all had a good time though. This was my first time in a real big time casino, and I must say it has no attraction for me.

Tomorrow we meet up with my brother and then head out to visit my fathers grave. We also are going to inspect our property we still have down here. After that it back to another motel for the night.

Grand Canyon with Mom Day #9

Sunday, May 3, 2009

We got a bit of a late start this morning. We actually slept in to 7:00 am. I guess we both were a bit tired.

My plan for today was to head to Abilene to get a steak at Lytles. For those that don't know, as far as I am concerned, Lytles is the best steak house in Texas. I try to never miss a chance to stop and have one as I pass through Abilene.

To get to Abilene, I planned to take Mom to Paloduro Canyon. We headed out Hwy. 287 to Claude where we picked up FM 207 to the Canyon. In Claude we wanted to stop and eat, but the only place we could find open was a Mexican restaurant. I like Mexican food, but not necessarily for breakfast. We decided to take the chance anyway.

The breakfast was great, eggs cooked to perfection, crisp bacon, and great hash browns. I had a plate that was a mixture of shredded beef, egg, bell peppers, onions, and jalapenos, served with potatoes and beans. Great meal.

We drove through the canyon and stopped to take a couple of pictures. Sorry the battery in my digital went south, so we had to use the 35mm. We then took a back way into Abilene.

We arrived in Abilene around 2:00 pm. We made it to Lytles and had our steaks. Mom was impressed she agreed that it was probably the best steak she has ever eaten. After lunch our plans were to go to Comanche and get a room for the night. Comanche is about 80 miles south of Abilene.

On the way to Comanche Mom asked me how far it was to home. I could see where she was heading, so I told her if she felt like it, we could drive on in tonight, but not at the expense of her getting overly tired. Mom said she was feeling great and she was tired of motels, so she would rather drive on in. We decided to head to the house, but if either one of us got tired we would stop.

We made it home at 9:00 pm and we both felt pretty good. It was a great trip, and we are already planning another trip for next year.

Grand Canyon with Mom Day #8

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Another great day of driving. We left Taos fairly early, there was a little confusion over the time difference, but we were up and loaded so we left. We took NM 518 towards Las Vegas. A beautiful drive. We came arrived at Mora around 7:00 am local time and found a restaurant that was open. Matter of fact I think it was the only restaurant in this small town.

The name of the place was the Family Kitchen and the meal was excellent. Mom and I both had clean plates when we left. The service was also the best we have had, even the cook came out and said hello. Actually he was coming out to sit with some of the locals having coffee. The funny thing is another local came in and sat down at the same table, and proceeded to give the waitress his order. All he had to do was turn his head to the right and tell the cook himself.

After breakfast we headed out and I wanted to check out some roads I have never been on. While doing this we came upon Fort Union. We decided to stop and check it out, and it turns out Fort Union played an important part in the history of the southwest. It also was next to the Santa Fe Trail, where some of the wagon ruts are still visible.

After we left Fort Union we just took some back roads towards Tucumcari. These roads are a must for motorcycling. I am already planning a trip back on the bike.

At Tucumcari we jumped on the interstate to Amarillo. On the way Mom and I discussed that we would like to find a Mexician Restaurant near a motel. It just so happens that we found a motel with a Mexician Restaurant in the parking lot. The meal was excellent.

Tomorrow we head to Lytles in Abilene.

Grand Canyon with Mom Day #7

Friday, May 1, 2009

What a surprise today was. We started off by eating breakfast at a restaurant across the street from the motel. After breakfast we headed to Four Corners. We arrived at Four Corners around 8:30 am local time, and it looked like we were the first visitors to arrive, or should I say customers.

We took the pictures of Mom standing in all four states. I think she got a kick out of that. While we were taking pictures, a guy walked up and asked if I could take his pictures on the monument. After I took his picture we started talking and I found out he is a refugee from Cuba. He is currently going to nursing school in Florida, and during his breaks he travels the USA.

After we left Four Corners we headed towards Shiprock, NM via US Hwy. 64. I have been on 64 before, but that was about 15 years ago. How I forgot how nice this road was is beyond me. From Farmington to Taos this is a very nice and scenic road.

At we neared Taos we had to climb into the mountains, and boy what a sight with all the snow that was still present. Mom and I never expected this, and it looked like we were in a winter wonderland. We stopped for a couple of pictures, but they do not really show how much snow is still on the ground. The pull out where I took the pictures has two entrances, I had to turn around to exit because one was still blocked with snow.

We arrived at Taos at around 3:00 pm local time. The town of the enlightened ones. We decided to check into the Sagebrush Inn, which turns out to be a very nice motel. The rooms are hugh, and the rate wasn't bad. We ate in the motel's restaurant. I had a steak, but it was nothing to be compared to Lytles in Abilene.

Tomorrow we continue to head south towards Amarillo. I'm going to run Mom by where the cars are buried in the ground. I forget what they call it, but its something to see anyway.
We will probably spend the night in Amarillo. Our plan for Sunday is to stop for a late lunch in Abilene and then head to Comanche, TX to spend the night. We should arrive back in Houston on Monday.

The plan is subject to change of course.

Grand Canyon with Mom Day #6

Thursday, April 30, 2009

After yesterdays lame bus tour, I decided to take Mom back into the park for a drive through tour. We got started around 6:00 am local time and after leaving the motel went looking for a place for breakfast. We couldn't find anything open, so we headed to the park, and planned to stop in Valley where I knew there was a restaurant. When we arrived at Valley, there was a restaurant, but it wouldn't open for another 30 minutes, so we decided to grab a couple of sausage biscuits from the Chevron Store for now, and eat a late breakfast after we go through the park.

The weather was perfect, the air was clear and cool. I bet we stopped at 10 of the scenic points, and at each and every one Mom was just more amazed. She told me she saw more in our first stop than we saw on the entire tour yesterday. Mom was able to take her time and not be rushed, so she enjoyed this drive through better than the tour.

Mom and I discussed that the way to do this next time is to take the train and not the tour. When you arrive at the depot, go to the lodge and have a nice leisurely lunch, and check out the viewing area from the lodge. After lunch, take the train ride back, and then on the next day get an early start and do a drive through tour. We think that is better than taking the train and tour,

After we left the park, we drove to Cameron and had a late breakfast. This is a big tourist stop and I wasn't expecting much, but the breakfast was outstanding. Mounds of hash browns, sausage the size of frying pans, and to top it off Navajo Fry Bread. Excellent breakfast.

After breakfast we headed towards Four Corners. We made a stop in Kayenta for some shakes we didn't need and continue on. While on the way we noticed a Laundry Mat and decided to stop and do some wash. This turned out not to be such a good idea. Once we had the wash in we noticed most of the dryers were out of order. We finally got everything done, but it took a while.

It was not getting fairly late in the day, so we decided to head into Cortez and get a room for the night and check out the Four Corners tomorrow. We found a room at the Roadway Inn that stated they had Wi Fi, but after checking into the room the signal was so weak we couldn't connect. That is why this post is a bit late.

Tomorrow we plan to head to Taos via northern New Mexico. We really don't have a plan in mind we will just take it easy and toodled along.