AS WILLIE SEZ...

we're on the road again! We are in Acoma, NM now, but before our new spring came in, we still had a few things to see around Winslow. South of town and out in the boonies one of our friendly park rangers told us about a place to rockhound. We didn't find much there, but on the way back we stopped at this little gem of a park. This is Clear Creek Municiple Park, even though it is located about 4 miles south of Winslow. Clear Creek looks more like a river than the Little Colorado, doesn't it! The park is well maintained and clean with several concrete covered concrete picnic tables scattered around, a large group picnic area, a little playground, and some really good large mouth bass and trout fishing. Swimming was allowed at your own risk since there is no beach or lifeguard and boats are allowed. It was a beautiful and really refreshing little spot. I think the bridge below is one of several that replaced the original pioneer crossing bridge.

Another spot we visited is the original site of Brigham City, the sister city to Sunset which was within Holmolovi State Park. When the Mormon settlers arrived at Sunset, they decided to split into two groups. The other went across the Little Colorado about 4 miles and set up Brigham City. Someone had started to restore the site, but didn't get very far. Below is a small building and another larger one just behind the tree. Directly to the right of these is

This building which was probably the meeting hall. This place was beautiful with mature trees, a small creek with water running in it, and an irrigation ditch still in place.

To the left of this sign was a beautiful field of freshly cut alfalfa. I don't think there is a more wonderful smell in the world!

That was our last place to visit. Fortunately, our spring came in on Tuesday, so we headed to Flagstaff to pick it up. We left our high desert (5000') and climbed another 1000' into the Coconino National Forest.

It was interesting to watch the trees change from little pinyon pines to the bigger pines and firs.

We only visited the far eastern edge of Flagstaff. We picked up our parts, found some pretty good pizza at a little strip mall place called Roma's, visited the JoAnne Store to feast our eyes on fabrics and get a really good deal on batting and headed back home. Typical of this area are the stores selling Indian souveniers. These are original "Rt 66 trading posts" just like the ones Duane and his travelin' granny visited many, many years ago on their trips west. This one is of course, Two Arrows, and is actually on the map. (No pic of the building, I just thought the giant arrows were cool.)

I thought this was cool, too. This is the rest area. The buildings were artfully placed among these wonderful rock formations. You can just see the main building. Parking is around back.

Another trading post. This is Meteor City. It is also on the map.

We've passed a couple of these things. Does anyone know what it is? We haven't a clue, but thought it interesting sitting out there all alone.

Back home we spent a very long, hot afternoon putting on our spring. It took both of us. As it happened, Tues. was one of two in the ten days we were sitting that the wind didn't blow. We really needed it cause the temp went into the upper 90's and the broken spring was on the west side in complete sunshine! We got in on and everything put together by dark, though. This morning we went to town to mail some birthday presents, then hitched up and went east. The scenery was interesting this way too. We drove about 210 miles and passed a couple of large lakes,

interesting rock formations,

Holbrook from the highway,

a pink house in the desert (for our grand daughters who love pink),

lots of billboards advertising trading posts (each one had a long line of them like these)'

trading posts,

mesas,

buttes, (these were the only ones we saw that ware jagged like dinosaur spines),

acres and acres of grass and trees,

a few very neatly cultivated fields!

and lava rocks.

We arrived safe and sound with all springs working at Sky City Hotel, Casino, and RV Park on the Acoma Indian Reservation. The hotel and casino are across the access road from the rv park. It is a very nice park with level 70' pull-thrus, 50 amp full hookups about 1/2 mile from I40 but the noise isn't bad at all. It is a Good Sam's park. They offered us a summer rate of $19 a night but we could have boondocked free in the casino parking lot. It was too hot to do without air until the sun went down. Then dark clouds gathered, lightning flashed, thunder rumbled, and a sprinkle of rain pattered by. Now the air is very cool and refreshing (we're at 6000' here). Tomorrow, more touring.

Basta por hoy!

Louise and Duane