Roswell, Santa Fe and beyond

Roswell was a kick. There is definitely an alien presence in Roswell, even McDonald's has space age decor. We spent the morning examining the exhibits at the International UFO Museum and Research Center and the rest of the day traveling to Santa Fe. Most of the area around Roswell would present a perfect landing area, if aliens decide to come back. Bill thinks this is where the government filmed the moon landing 'cover-up'. (He still isn't convinced we really went there!)

Santa Fe was a wonderful surprise, lots to see. The history of the area is amazing. We took a short city tour and were lucky enough to get a personal guided tour of the New Mexico state capital. Did you know they meet only 30 days a year and they still manage to get their State's business done? The Federal Government should be so efficient. Everywhere we looked there was a mission, a historical building, art and turquoise jewelry. We could have spent another week there and still have missed something.

We drove to Taos and explored the Taos Pueblo. This pueblo has been continuously inhabitated for over a 1000 years. It is hard to imagine, but there it was..... It was a hot day so we had lunch in Taos but didn't spend much time in town. With the exception of the pueblo, I think we both preferred the town of Santa Fe.

On Saturday we headed out towards Oklahoma. Driving through New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma on the freeway was an easy haul. We stopped in Clinton, Oklahoma for fuel and had a spot of trouble..... no names will be mentioned, but by Monday afternoon I had an insurance check in hand and we were discussing repair alternatives.

Bartlesville, OK is where we are hanging our hats for now. We had some routine maintenance done on the coach and are discovering how hot Oklahoma can be in a heat wave. We have been in Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona but Oklahoma has been the hottest. Currently they are breaking records set in 1994. I was surprised at how green this area is, I thought it would be much drier, but here there are trees, trees, and more trees. They call it Green Country... very appropriate.

Bill's parents lived here for many years surrounded by friends and family. We are enjoying the best of Oklahoma hospitality from Bill's good friends, Dave and Sue Weldon. They have gone out of their way to entertain us.

Bartlesville is the home of Phillips 66 and is a wonderful town. There is much to see here. Last night we had dinner are the world famous restaurant, Murphy's ("gravy over all") and after dinner drinks at the Price Tower. The Price Tower is the only cantilevered skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

This morning we went on a "breakfast ride" to a small town called Bowring. Both Dave and Sue have Goldwing motorcycles, so we have the best Oklahoma tour guides, as well. In the afternoon Bill and Dave managed to straighten out parts of the coach that had been damaged in the "incident". The plan is get it fixed enough to continue and repair it fully when we return to Washington.

Now if I could remember to bring the camera, we might be able to show you some of the sights. Tomorrow we are going on another "breakfast ride", this time to Claremore, home of the Will Rogers Memorial. His actual birthplace is Oologah, OK.