Our Trip 2016 - The Beginning

Entering New Mexico

We started our 'yearly' trip this past Sunday, June 26 at 8am.  This year we are traveling southeast knowing we won't get away from the 'summer heat in Phoenix' but hoping to get a reprieve from it anyway with a different type of heat.  Our first stop was Tucson, AZ where we visited the gravesite of my brother Jim and his wife June (Jim passed away in December 1993 and June in 2003).  How I miss my big brother and his family!

After spending some time at the cemetery it was onward to Las Cruces, NM...beautiful area. We were going to make the trip to Carlsbad Caverns from there but decided not to as we had been there several years ago.  We stayed in a KOA (we stay in the KOA's when possible). We rent a one room cabin which has most of the comforts of home except the bathroom that we have to trek to when needed (TV, AC,  heater, Internet ceiling fan, small refrigerator, and most importantly a bed to sleep on!). You have to take your own bedding or a sleeping bag.  We've found through our travels that some of the KOA's are different...in California last year they offered nothing but a bed to sleep on (we stayed in several there).  Las Cruces we'd give a grade of 'C', it was ok but nothing special.  We did have a beautiful view of the city at night.

Tuesday found us traveling across Texas and miles and miles of nothing.   We drove to Ulvade in the Southwest part of Texas so I could do some research on my great-great grandparents who lived there in the 1880's...somewhat successful. While in Ulvade we discovered that not only was it famous for housing my great-great grandparents but it's other claim to fame was it was the retirement home of John Nance Gardner (vice president of the United States for FDR's first two terms in office).  We drove by his home but opted out of the tour that was available.

More blogging this weekend - I had intended to put in 3 pictures but the system will only take one for some reason.  I just wanted to get a start on this for you all.  I will be blogging about our trip through Texas from southwest to the northeast.  Hope you enjoy!

Howard and Mary 

The Wandering Warrens