An extended trip back to Oklahoma

After the Escapade we headed south to Douglas WY to visit a dear friend, Fronie Hendren.

She has just about finished with the remodeling of her new (old) house in town. It is very well done and we were happy to be able to help her get some of the unpacking done and organized. While we were there Tom set up a geocache, outside of the back fence, which Frone will take care of, if it gets in need of maintenance. Her dogs will also help watch over it.

Moving on, we went to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. We had expected to stay the night in one of the campgrounds but they were all closed. Even though it was getting late we took the 35+ mile drive through the park and enjoyed many spectacular views and much wildlife. Sad to say, we didn't have time to take many pictures.

It was dark when we left the park, had pizza and parked at the bowling alley in Grand Lake.

Next on our agenda was Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico.

We experienced engine problems due to low octane gas purchased in the mountains of Colorado, both on the way in and the way out of the park, so we spent the night in Capulin RV Park. On Monday morning the Chevy dealer, 60 miles down the road, read the engine codes and advised me to buy better gas from now on – no charge!

That afternoon we arrived at Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Canyon TX. This is America’s second largest canyon – over 100 miles long. I feel it is a better place to visit than the Grand Canyon because you can drive down into it and even spend the night in one of the campgrounds at the bottom.

While there we went to the musical extravaganza “Texas”. It was great – especially the special effects – fires, lightning, thunder and many horses and wagons in the outdoor canyon setting.

On the way to Cathy’s house in OK we saw a different kind of rest stop on Hwy 287 in the Texas panhandle. It is made in the form of 3 tornado shelters.

Now I will have to get my affairs caught up before I can move on - probably not for a couple of weeks.