Next Day

After leaving the Hidden Valley RV Ranch we stopped at the first rest stop on I 10 to try and remove some of our accumulated dust. This is the first time that we used our compressed air hose since acquiring all the parts for it in Montreal. Under the dust it was wonderful to find that an engine still existed in the car and motor home! For several days after, Granny had a nasty rattle in the engine area, sort of like little stones being thrown around. It was great to get to a spray car wash when we arrived at Superstition Sunrise RV Resort, at Apache Junction, to wash the car and engine.

Entering Arizona

Interstate 10 only covers a small part of the most southern area of New Mexico. As you can see in the picture the road is almost perfectly straight, great to make good time on, but not too interesting.

Hidden Valley Ranch

Much to our surprise the road into the Hidden Valley RV Ranch was 8 miles of gravel with several 'cattle stops' on the way. The road was very dry and the dust like talcum powder. Once we were on our way in there was no turning back. To survive the 'wash board' road does one travel at 10 kms or 50 kms per hour, the jury is still out!

Note the picture of the entrance gate, in the lower left corner is a grave covered in stones, and on the cross was the inscription, 'Trespasser'. On arrival the owner met us for check-in with an arrow in her back pocket and carrying a bow! This is probably one of the most remote and most interesting RV Parks that we have stayed in. The wireless reception was excellent!

Dutchess and Granny

After setting up for the night we surveyed the state of our previously clean motor home and car. The Park owner told us that the dust prevented paint deteriorating from the sun! A garden could have been planted on the engine under the hood of 'Granny'.

There were abundant trails in the area for hiking and 'ATV' riding as well as numerous rabbits and other wild life!

The motto of the Ranch...'To enjoy the country life, you have to endure the country roads!'

Cactus

Some cactus beside the motor home at Hidden Valley RV Ranch.

Entering New Mexico

Western Texas was a long open landscape, with few changes when we entered New Mexico with more of the same long straight roads for miles and miles.

West Texas

From Houston, we set off west across Texas on the Interstate 10, miles and miles of nothing but straight roads, semi-trailers and motor homes and 5th wheels but very good roads. It is about 2,000 kilometers to Phoenix.