We left Palo Duro RV Park after playing with and taking pictures of the cute black kitten. It absolutely broke my heart that we couldn’t take him with us, because he was the sweetest, cutest kitten (aren’t they all?) and I thought of him all day long. Eric said we should call up in a week and ask if anyone has adopted him yet. He loved him, too, and said we definitely would have taken him with us, if it wouldn’t make me sick!
Eric and his new best friend:
We stopped back at Albertson’s in Amarillo, so I could get another Starbucks, and Eric could get another iced green tea latte, which is a great drink he really likes! Then, we set off for Colorado Springs, so we had another three states-in-one-day trip: Texas to New Mexico to Colorado.
A gentleman at the campground last night told us to take an especially scenic route, so we went through Amarillo to Dumas to Dalhart (all in Texas). I was driving and told Eric if I saw an antique shop I was stopping, and we found a fabulous one in Dalhart called WAGON WHEEL ANTIQUES, LLC, which is actually a consignment shop! It was room after room of great stuff, plus a barn full of old furniture, etc.
Eric and I spent the better part of an hour looking at everything and even made a few purchases! Eric got a deck of AMERICAN WILDLIFE playing cards with 52 different images, and two vintage pocket knives. I got seven handkerchiefs and two 2-strand beaded chokers (browns and blues). I could have really bought a lot, but I have to remember we’re in a tiny RV!
They had lots of FIESTA WARE, HALL CHINA, head vases, green depression glass, and tons of southwestern collectibles.
I talked a lot with Ann, the woman who worked there, and told her that I had a consignment shop in New York. She explained to me that the woman who owned the consignment shop was rarely there and only took 30% of the selling price. The consignors get 70%, but have to work there 2 days a week without pay, so they make more when something sells, but supply free labor to the owner. I thought that was a pretty interesting way to do business! I don’t know how it would have worked for me, but it certainly seemed to be working for them!
After we finished paying for our purchases, we asked Ann where we could find the best lunch in Dalhart and she sent us to HODIES BAR BQ, where we had a delicious meal. I had the catfish and Eric had ribs. He hasn’t eaten meat in a few years, but we were told it was fabulous and it was (I even had a taste!). The meal came with a couple of sides, including Texas Toast, which is much better in Texas than it is in your supermarket freezer!
We had fresh peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert. Then, we were on our way to New Mexico, through Des Moines (yes, there’s one in New Mexico, too!), Capulin, where we saw the Capulin Volcanoes, Clayton and Raton (not Boca Raton, just Raton).
I don’t think I ever mentioned that when we were in Orlando visiting our friends, Frank, Gloria, Frankie and JJ, Frank gave us a “car ready” CD player for the RV, because the front cab only has a cassette player and radio (the CD player is in the back). We have been using it ever since and it makes driving so much more pleasurable. Eric and I have made a deal. When he drives, I get to pick the CD, but it has to be from his collection. When I drive, Eric gets to pick the CD, but it has to be from my collection. He says that rule won’t last forever, because sooner or later he’s going to run out of CDs he is willing to listen to from my collection. I have an awful lot of Broadway and pop music he just doesn’t like. Today, while I drove, we listened to JONI MITCHELL and while Eric drove we listened to THE DOORS and TALKING HEADS.
Finally, we entered Colorado and drove north for another two hours to MOUNTAINDALE CABINS & RV RESORT. We saw some of the best scenery yet. Spectacular ridgelines, mountains and cliffs. Eric can’t wait to ride the mountain tomorrow. We are in an unusually scenic campground, which is great – lots of big trees, mountains all around, etc. But there are bear warnings everywhere, which makes me REALLY nervous. Don’t leave food outside, don’t wear perfume if you’re sleeping in tents, back away slowly if approached by a bear. I’d like to think I could back away slowly, but I kind of think I’d be screaming and running for my life.
I also found out in Palo Duro Canyon that I don’t really do well on mountains. Actually, I found that out 23 years ago when Eric and I were on our honeymoon. We were invited to a party in Santa Barbara and the guy lived on top of a mountain. I was SO scared going up that mountain and even more scared going down. I’m wondering how well I’m going to do at the Grand Canyon. I’m really afraid of heights!
Tomorrow we head to PERFORMANCE BICYCLE SHOP, because Eric needs a part for his bicycle. Then, he will go mountain biking and I will try to find a place to either antique shop or get a manicure/pedicure. I haven’t had one since Chicago and I’m in DESPERATE need.
I haven’t been able to get onto the internet since Sunday, so my blogging is VERY behind. Nothing much I can do about it, but be patient and hope the next town has better reception!