July 25 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Road from Kansas to Oklahoma

Yesterday we left Kansas City about 9am...we had only intended to drive a few hours and find another KOA or Holiday Inn Express....we ended up driving a lot further than intended. We finally pulled into a 'Days Inn' in Dalhart, Texas (just south of  the panhandle of Oklahoma).  I need to tell you this hotel was in STRONG competition with the 'Bate's Hotel"(not real name) we stayed at in Albany NY about 15 years ago. The little refrigerator in our room made so much noise we had to turn it off around midnight so we could see, the remote on the TV was minus a battery so did not work and the bathroom was so small one could hardly turn around in it.  We went for the complimentary breakfast this morning - 3 tables, 2 of which were empty and dirty.  I had to find someone to come and clean them off.  NO napkins, flies galore....I refused to eat.  Howard had a bowl of cereal. 

Crossing int Oklahoma

Texas here we come

8:30am we planned on staying at a KOA in Tucumcary NM but alas, since we haven't done reservations since we let home our luck had run out and they had no room for us.  Feeling that since it's Friday night maybe we'd better check with the KOA in Albuquerque and make sure they had a cabin for us...they did. We made reservations immediately and then drove the approximate 250 miles.  After unpacking we drove into town and found a WONDERFUL little restaurant called "Mannie's" - the food was delicious! Southwestern cuisine....yummy!!!

We'll stay here until Sunday and then head for Arizona....we're not sure we are going home immediately though...we are talking about staying in Flagstaff (where it's much cooler and less humid than Phoenix).  After resting a few days we are planning on a quick trip to California to see family.