Part Two Of Our Journey - Oct. 2012



I was relieved to get at the bottom of Pikes Peak.  Although, coming down did not seem as bad.  We drove just a few miles and came across "The North Pole"  Big sign displayed that anyone over 60 was free.  I talked Pudge into going in.  It was an amusement park and I thought it was really fun.  And I might add just what I needed after the harrowing ride.  We spent about an hour there.  

 

 

 We rode the little train around the theme park.  It was fun.

 Elmer the Elf.  He was adorable and sang a really cute song.

 Merry Go Round had reindeer. 

 I cannot tell you how pretty the aspen trees were.  They had both of us gasping.  So brilliant and gorgeous and so many.  I had to get a few branches.  Enjoyed them for about a week before they started falling apart.  Pictures cannot capture their beauty. 

 After taking off from "The North Pole" we found ourselves on this rustic road.  It was not paved.  It was 23 miles and took us 2 1/2 hours.  But it was so very picturesque.  No high mountains but a few canyons that were awesome.  The day was gorgeous making everything so much more spectacular. 

 Tried to get the beauty of these trees but pictures do not do it justice.  We are on our way to Cripple Creek, Colorado.  When we got to that town it was all casinos.  We got $10.00 worth of quarters to put in the slots.  And guess what!!!!  We walked out with $50.00.  That made it fun.

 After going through many mining towns we found ourselves in Florence, Colorado where we got a motel.  Found out they were having a "Kick Butt Barbecue Festival."  We decided to go there for our dinner.  It was different and fun.  There were chili and rib contests.  Different vendors selling their famous Barbecue whatever.  I had brisket and Pudge had rib eye. 

 Then we sat down at a picnic table and listened to the live music.

 This is in Taos, New Mexico.  Tried to find a picnic grounds to have lunch.  No success so we pulled over and fixed up the back with our picnic.  After we were done we went down the road toward the town and there was a beautiful picnic grounds.  Oh well--I didn't mind our tail gating.

 Taos, New Mexico.  Really liked this town.  Very artsy and unique.  The streets were so charming.  The shops were unusual and very neat.  After sightseeing around the town we went to Taos Pueblo.  This is where the Indians still live in very primitive conditions.  No pictures were allowed unless you paid an extra $6.00.  I wish I would have done that but I didn't.  The natives were selling some of their jewelry or other things.  Women were selling bread that they made in their ovens.  No electricity or plumbing.  It was fascinating.  I would recommend this to anyone. 

 Love the hanging chili peppers.  You can buy these and use them.  

 Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Known for their hot air balloons.  We saw about 14 in the air.  We went to the field and saw a few of them land.

 Hot air balloon museum.  This was fascinating.  And this was free because we were there at 9 am on Sunday. 

 Pudge in the basket of a balloon.

 Vendors on the sidewalk in Old Town, Albuquerque.  They spread their blankets with all their goods.

This picture is out of sequence.  Not sure how that happened.  This was "North Pole."  We rode this sky ride.  You can see the train down below. 

On Sunday evening we got a motel in Show Low, AZ. which is about 2 1/2 hours from Mesa.  It made for a short trip the next day.  We got to the condo about 10:30 which was perfect.  Unpacked and started in getting ourselves settled.  It was so good to see our neighbors, the blue sky, the warm sunshine, the airplanes flying over, our friends, Minnie (golf cart)  and many other things.