What a trip this has been. What an amazing two month long RV adventure we had, traveling from south Texas to New Mexico to Arizona, back to New Mexico, and home through Oklahoma and Texas. We have had a remarkable learning experience during our travels.
There was minor damage to the RV in Arizona when we went off-road at the old cemetery in Willcox, Arizona. Other than that, we had no RV or Jeep mishaps, no flat or blow-out tires, no broken pieces. Repairs will be relatively easy.
We did not expect to or plan to be in the Albuquerque area during its balloon festival. When we realized we would be there, we could find nowhere to park the RV anywhere close to the event, so we missed it. The good news is we have another place added to our lists of trips to take!
NM I-40 Anton Chico Rest Area Westbound
After leaving the amazing El Morro and the Ice Caves, we drove east toward Texas. We stopped at the Anton Chico Rest Area on I-40 near Guadalupe for our overnight stay. All of our highway rest stop boondocking nights have provided a comfortable night’s sleep in a safe area.
True, often there is noise from 18-wheelers at these rest areas. Still, you just can’t beat the luxury of pulling into a highway rest area and crawling into your very own bed for the night, with no checking in or hooking up. So easy, comfortable, and safe.
Cadillac Ranch
Ten Cadillacs area buried, nose first, tail fins up, along Interstate Highway 40, part of the famed Route 66, in 1974. Stopping here has become a ritual for travelers along this road, and we joined a crowd of people parked along the road that walked the one-half mile or so to the cars.
Spray paint and souvenirs are sold on-site out of a vendor truck. The smell of spray paint is noticeable long before you reach the cars. We did not add to the bazillion layers of paint, but we may have been the only ones just looking.
Stations of the Cross Groom, TX
We had happened on this huge freestanding cross just off the highway a few times before driving along Interstate 40 but never stopped. However, this time, we pulled off to take a look at this very unexpected and unusual sight.
The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries, a nonprofit organization, maintains this facility. It consists of a gigantic 19-story white cross that is visible 20 miles away in any direction. That is just what you see driving by from the freeway.
Once we pulled off the freeway and turned into the facility, we discovered a circle around the cross statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. These statues are remarkable in that each one is life-size.
The Stations of the Cross is found in Western Christian churches and is a series of images portraying Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion.
As they walk to each image, the objective is for believers to stop, reflect and pray at each image in their numbered order. These pilgrimages or processions are most prevalent during Lent and Good Friday before Easter Sunday.
Lake McClellan Campground
This little gem, just 18 miles from Groom, was another of those things we were fortunate enough to stumble on as we searched for an overnight stop. We will revisit this campground and plan to stay longer than overnight.
Visitors cannot make camping reservations here. It is a first-come campground, but there are 60 campsites with water and electricity and all for the magical price of $15/night! I am sure this campground gets crowded during the summer but was relatively deserted during our overnight stay.
We camped next to the lake and enjoyed the extraordinary views here.
Recap
Our magical month-long trip ended, and we started home in earnest, no longer stopping to look wherever we chose. It was sad our trip was ending, but it was time to check on our tiny home on the water.
Take a look at each of the posts from this trip, post by post.
RV Trips do not always work out as planned
Sometimes our RV trips do not always work out as planned. Here is an example of one of our planned routes, change the route, go back to the original planned RV route. We left WinStar Funtown RV Park, in Oklahoma heading to an overnight stop in Quanah, Texas, on our way to northern New Mexico.
Why vacation in Carlsbad, New Mexico?
We took a much longer route than was necessary (see, RV trips do not always work out as planned), but we finally made it across Texas to New Mexico. Why vacation in Carlsbad, New Mexico? Read my story of why we loved Carlsbad and everything about it.
New Mexico magic and Arizona wonders
After our few days in Carlsbad, we continued toward our destination of Tuscon. Along the way, we discovered New Mexico magic and Arizona wonders. I am forever amazed by the beauty we find every single day in our travels.
Ten great experiences to have in Tucson
Tucson is full of adventures, historical sites, great restaurants, and lots of fun, easy-going residents. Here are some highlights from our trip, describing ten great experiences to have in Tucson.
More places to visit in Arizona
We were finally able to tear ourselves away from the sights of Tuscon and discover more places to visit in Arizona. Our next adventure took us to Kartchner Caverns State Park, our home base while visiting Kartchner’s magnificent caverns and Arizona’s wild west.
What can you see and do in Globe, Arizona?
What can you see and do in Globe, Arizona? As we continue to travel in this state, we make remarkable discoveries each day, as we recently did at Kartchner Caverns State Park. However, we particularly enjoy small-town history and wonders, which we found in Globe, Arizona.
A spectacular RV trip in scenic Arizona
We had a spectacular RV trip in scenic Arizona – in one day. I had no idea Arizona was such a picturesque state. As we discovered during our visit to Globe, Arizona has a tremendous amount of beauty and fascinating history.
If you decide to take a wandering RV trip through these states, prepare for exceptionally scenic views, unique history, and all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Fun and unusual places in New Mexico
We did have a spectacular RV trip in scenic Arizona, but our meandering trip did not end there. After our long day from Globe, Arizona, to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, we headed east to discover fun and unusual places in New Mexico.
Historical landmarks in New Mexico
There are so many historical landmarks in New Mexico that we had difficulty choosing which few places to visit given our short time available. We satisfied ourselves with a visit to El Morro National Monument, a tour of a Zuni pueblo, and a brief visit to Grants, New Mexico, along famous Route 66.
Our time in New Mexico and Arizona was borderline magical. We saw so many of nature’s wonders during our travels. What an amazing two month long RV adventure we had. Return trips are already being planned!
What an awesome trip!! Glad you are home safe and sound.
It was amazing and, in my mind, an incomplete trip. So much more to see!
So I had my own little adventure in Arizona. My grade school friend, Joyce, and I were invited by my niece and her husband to stay at their timeshare at the Sedona Summit in Sedona. It is amazingly beautiful there, with clean, albeit thin, air. One of the highlights was going to the Holy Cross Chapel, which is built on the side of a cliff in a vortex. We also took a couple of side trips to Cottonwood, Prescott, Scottsdale and an old mining town built on the side of a mountain called Jerome. That was a scary ride for me. You know how I am with heights. We made it back unscathed, though. We had a great time and I highly recommend it.
That sounds amazing. I would love to see pictures. Sedona and surrounding area are on my future trip list for sure!