Finally on the Road

We decided early on that we would only drive about 300 miles a day. We mapped out a route that will takes us through Scottsdale AZ, Gallup NM, Tucumcari NM, Pratt KS, and finally Sedalia MO. We decided to stay at ELKS lodges until we reached Sedalia. We originally planned to leave on Friday, but changed our minds, and left Thursday.

Day 1: The journey began on a cooler than normal May morning for El Cajon California. Carol and I were excited to finally begin a trip that took us outside California. The drive east on highway 8 is a beautiful in the morning once past the Alpine area. The hills are strewn with boulders and rocks that take on different formations, and during one part of the of the drive the boulders have an assorted array of colors, predominately pink. Driving through the pass the elevation reaches 4,000 feet several times before descending onto the desert floor. Our first break was at the rest area near Seeley CA. We stopped one more time before we arrived at the ELKS lodge in Scottsdale.

The folks were very friendly, especially a gentleman named Sid, who informed us that it was STEAK night. Steak is Carols favorite carnivorous meals. One had the choice of either a Filet Mignon, Ribeye, or New York. For another $2 bucks each we added salads. We didn’t order dessert, but that was only $2 bucks per person. Our two Ribeyes and salad only cost us $40.00. Where can you do that elsewhere?

Day 2: We spent the day in Scottsdale just relaxing, and, waiting for the FISH FRY Friday night. We did some eatin’ drinking, and socializing. After the fun it was off to bed in preparation our drive to Gallup NM.

Day3: A lot of wind and hills today on the way to Gallup NM. Driving up 87 was a nice drive with fantastic scenery. Our first break was at a pull out, where we enjoyed our lunch and an opportunity to stretch. It was just amazing how the land changed how its looks almost 180 degrees, to see saguaro cactus on side of the hills, and Ponderosa pines on the other side.

We were adventurous and fueled up at the “big truck” pumps at TA before we arrived at the ELKS lodge. While pumping diesel I looked at the semi-truck next to me and thought… you’re not that big, you only have to worry about clearing 13’6”, I have to worry about 13’8” … made me feel big for a few seconds.

We arrived at the lodge, it was an experience. I wish GARMIN had an option for the “easiest route” to a location, not just “fastest route”. To get to this lodge you need to maneuver residential streets. One of the streets they thought it was necessary put in an island. I do love a challenge getting 35 feet of trailer and 22 feet of truck down streets designed for Mini Coopers and Volkswagens. The lodge itself has one (first come, first serve) hook up. (a 100-foot extension cord plugged into a receptacle). Oh, by the way, we were not the first person there this night, we experimented with boondocking, and ran our new portable generator for a couple of hours.

The people were friendly, but no food available. They did recommend a place that would deliver. We did meet a neat couple … that did beat us to the extension cord … they are Escapee members also. We were lucky enough to arrive the night they had a booked high school graduation dinner function. The dinner was not the problem, it was the kids in the pool yelling and screaming after midnight. Sleep did finally come to the Arctic Fox. Having left the rigged together it was a quick good bye/getaway, and off to Tucumcari NM.

Day 4: Great drive, some gusty winds and grades, no problems. Awesome seeing how one area is volcanic rock, another is sand stone, still another look prairie. Traveling I-40 from Gallup to Tucumcari was pretty smooth, there has been a lot of road work done. We stopped at Flying J for fuel. The diesel pumps for RVs here in Tucumcari are located away from the pumps with the overhang. At these pumps RVs can dump, for a fee.

We arrived at the ELKS lodge which has four 30 amp and four 50 amp pull through sites. There is no dump station. There is food within walking distance of the lodge if one chooses not to un-hook the truck or “toad”.