Hello from New Mexico! After checking off, with WELL Done. all the health and dental issues- I hit the road on December 4th after getting my permanent crowns. The van has been updated with 200watts of solar, furnace is working well, motion detector porch light installed, a new cloth covering for the air conditioner, a new shower floor cover. My first stop was from my bucket list- I stayed at Joyful Journey Hot Springs! Yes, it is pricey but my soul would have paid much more to soak in the evening and again in the morning with vegetarian dinners and breakfast. The weather has been brisk so far on this trip. I have already winterized (remove the water from the van and add RV antifreeze) so I don’t have to worry about my pipes freezing since the nighttime temps have been under 20 degrees.

Notice the Sangre De Cristo Mountains in the background. Joyful Journey has yurts and rooms to rent. Also notice the cloth cover on the back of my van. Designed by Steven, Susan and myself. Marine snaps hold the cover in place- waterproof and hopefully dirt and wind proof! If your eyes noticed a For Sale sign- it is true- MollyG is for sale. The solar panels are on the top of the van. Ready for rolling!

I left Joyful Journey to meet up with Rose & Steven near the four corners area. We stayed at a Harvest Host in Blanco, NM- Wines of the San Juans. Great to catch up with R & S to enjoy an afternoon/evening of sipping wine, swinging and being back with family.

We spent the next morning at Aztec, NM at the Aztec Ruins. The reconstructed ruins and the verbal descriptions from an automated phone system gave us a good idea of what was in store for us over the next few days. I do not take many pictures since others do a much better job and I really need to watch my own feet to stay safe. If interested- Go to my daughter’s FaceBook page to see the great pictures and descriptions. Rose Pon- Facebook.

The 2nd part of the day was checking out petroglyphics in Crow Canyon on our way to Chaco Canyon. Here is a picture Rose took.

The days have been in the 50’s and can get cold quickly so what you see is my warm bag lady outfit. Long johns and cordaroy pants on the bottom and a sweatshirt, a long sleeve shirt with long johns on top. Backback has water, scarves, gloves, hat, etc.

Met a young American native photographer at Crow Canyon. His work is used in creating stories to help people understand the land. Trying to help others protest all the oil & gas rigs in New Mexico. It is not pretty! Also told me about a book to read “House of Rain. John told me about Changing Woman who I felt a kinship- I am going to research her. John was looking for hourglass petroglyphics that represent Changing Woman.

The day we spent at Chaco was full! We walked to all the ruins but two which the distance was too far for our time span. Interesting, to see the ruins and how people lived hundreds of years ago. The road in to Chaco Headquarters is horrid and I will never take an older van down those roads again. I wonder if 4 wheel drive would help the drive?

We spent the night at the parking lot of AH-SHI-SLE-PAH. I was tired from all the walking at Chaco Canyon and it was a chilly morning so I thought I would not go but I had woke up real early and was actually ready to go at 8:30. I am so glad I went because this area is my ALL time favorite place! It is magical! Every piece of blown sand created a piece of art! Every where I looked I saw Mother Nature in her wonderous ways! Not ONE bit of manmade anything. I want to come back when there is water- that trip is now on my bucket list!

We had an amazing experience with wild horses- my first time seeing wild horses. Steven is a hero I will share on another blog.

Looking forward to get to Quartzsite by Christmas.