Getting our Rhythm and Learning

We left Texas and made our way across New Mexico before arriving in Arizona.  During that time, we have started to get into a rhythm about things.  Each day involves a drive to our next point of interest.  With Roadtrippers, I planned the route until we fly back to Toledo.  Each point of interest involves what would we do there (hike, bike, tours, etc.), what reservations are required and how far in advance, what is the best route, where do we think we may stay that evening, and how many diesel stations exist along the route.  In general, I think we have gotten pretty good at most of this.   I still get a little squirrely about not knowing exactly where we will sleep (Walmart, Travel Center, campground, BLM site).  That sometimes depends on when exactly we arrive, or how much driving John wants to do at the end of the day to get us closer to our next destination.

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Some things we are continuing to learn 

We still have work to complete each day, so a solid cell signal can be very important.   We struggle sometimes even with our cell booster.  We sometimes just drive around until we find a good signal that will allow me to complete office work on the laptop.  McDonald’s parking lots with free WIFI have been great.

A good place to shower and get some stretching and yoga in are important to me.  We have a tiny shower in the van but try to conserve the water as much as we can.  I have started scoping out Planet Fitness across our journey.  I have a Black Membership which allows me to access any center across the US.  This has allowed us to catch a shower a few times already along our journey.  A long, warm, shower goes a long way.  At least for me.  And John has found the room with the hot water massage beds, so he is happy too.

I didn’t really think about doing laundry.  Nor have I been strategic about how many times I wear a pair of pants, socks or a hoodie.  These things matter when you can’t just walk downstairs and throw in a load.  As you walk into the laundromat, plenty of quarters on hand and getting there 1.5 hours before close is important. John does the laundry while I make dinner in the van to optimize our idle time.

Carlsbad Show Cave and Biking Trails

We honestly weren’t sure what to expect when we headed to Carlsbad NP.  What we found was the largest chambered cavern in North America, formed from an interaction between sulfuric acid and limestone, creating some of the most amazing views.  We hiked down 1.25 miles get to the formations and walked another 1.25-mile loop underground to view the Big Room.  The site just goes on and on and on.  

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Mountain Biking 101…don’t fall off

From there we headed to a Mountain Bike track to try out our E bikes.  John is very into cycling. I was leery.  I am not a mountain biker, it was an intermediate trail, and I hadn’t ridden the E bike before.  Well, as you can imagine, not a great combination.  I was out of my league, hit a rock and fell off the bike into a prickly pear cactus.  My ego was bruised, along with an ankle, the cactus left me with some thorns to remove, but I know in learning to riding a bike you have to get back out there….so that’s what we planned to do.

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The Whitest of Sands

White Sands NP was beautiful.  We were overwhelmed with 11 miles of white, soft, clean, cold, magical sand against a beautiful blue background.  Kids with sleds traveling up and down the hillsides like they were snow covered.  There are trail markers everywhere along the dunes (like the snow marking poles people put up in the winter) so you don’t get lost, which would be incredibly easy to do.  It is white sand for as far as your eyes can see, in every direction. You can primitive camp out on the sand, and on a moon filled night the sand is as bright as it is during the day.  Something that would be amazing to come back and check out. 

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Arizona…We have Arrived!

From White Sands, we made our way to Arizona.  The drive along I-10 educated us on what to do during a highway dust storm (sounds scary, and the videos I saw on line confirm this).  I hope to never be involved in one!  

We decide to check out Kartchner Caverns State Park, thinking the caverns may be a repeat of Carlsbad, but heard it was a live cave compared to what we saw in New Mexico.  It was so different – vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows; active water sources and temperature sensitive rooms, no ability to take pictures given the moisture and humidity levels.   Well worth the trip.

We ended the day at Saguaro National Park, spending time amongst the mammoth Saguaro cacti – the largest in North America.  The symbol of the American West.  Their beauty magnified against the desert sunset.  There was an 8-mile driving trail, suitable for biking as well.  So, we got back out there.  And it was an absolute blast.   

John shared something with me that he read from Kurt Vonnegut, “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them.  I think you’ve got all these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them.”

Every day I continue to learn.  Some days it feels like a win, some days we run around in circles trying to figure this all out, some days I feel anxious, but in the end these experiences will make us interesting….with each other, and with everyone we interact with.

May we always strive to be interesting, wherever that path may lead us!