Musing Along The Way.....

In Chinese philosophy, in Taoism "The Way," or, "The Tao" is a central tenet: the ineffable principle that underlies all existence and the natural order of the Universe. Much of our journey has seemed to follow that path: we find amazing things to see, places to go, and land in spots that always seem to work out for us.

That's why this post has taken me this long to get out; we've been busy!

My Dad imbued me with the saying, 'it's best to ride the horse the direction it's going," and no single idea has been more central to our travels. Of course, we spend a great deal of time planning our routes, but rarely do they follow along a rigid, set path. Due to various externalities--not the least of which is the ever-increasing cost of fuel--we plot paths that take us to spots we'd like to see (trying our best to not revisit drives or parts of the country we've been before) but invariably, fate and the Universe sends us towards different destinations.

Why? No, really..this is Why, Arizona!

The double arch, near Organ Pipe National Monument.

We always take a photo of where we visit, so we'll know where we've been!

The tall skinny cacti are organ pipes, and the big one is a saguaro. DO NOT pee on them.

A few articles back, I spoke about how "we'll figure it out!" and that continues to this day.

We have been busy with short-term stays, one, maybe three or four days, as we wend our way back to our wintering spot of Yuma, Arizona. 

To recap..

We left Idaho in mid-August and have landed in southern New Mexico, as we sit. It's gotten progressively colder, even needing to fire up the furace on some nights! Up till about early October, temps in Yuma were still in the high 90s (~35C), so we wanted to slowly meander down south. We visited Organ Pipe, stayed at a few overnight Harvest hosts along the way, still in wonderment at the grandeur of this country.

We stayed at Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson, and were delighted to sped time with my brother and sister-in-law. I went to visit 'Dad's' plane again, still in absolute amazement it still exists.

Dad's Japanese "Oscar" fighter plane, 81 years later....exact same aircraft his squadron captured, rebuilt, and flew, to gather intelligence on. Oddly enough, my mom's favorite aircraft, in the back a PBY "Catalina"

Hard to explain, but touching the same plane that Dad worked on, 81 years ago....was transcendent.

A "Super Guppy" cargo transport plane, at Pima Air and Space Museum: Renee and Arlington, for scale..what? Can't see them?

Here they are!

In our travels, we allow for the unexpected, and in return, the Universe always provides us surprises.

Titan missile, in its silo.

Beautiful stark hills, near...

....HERE!

World's Largest Pistachio!

The seemingly endless waves of silky white gypsum, at White Sands.

Some of the sites were not as joyous, but important to step in the place; below is the monument where humanity exploded the first atomic bomb. The Trinity Site is only open to the public, the third Saturday of October, a date we had planned months in advance. 

Literally, in a flash, the course of the entire human race changed. The knowledge of that, knowing its effects upon Japan, was impossible to convey in words: it truly is a place where we, who visit it, can only stand on the spot, and think.

https://youtu.be/2dMeI-pyKPM?si=ScZyyNrS12LMM0VQ

It took 20 years for the radiation to lessen before this was built, in 1965.

Trinitite...the only time in this geologist's life, where I held a rock, where I knew the precise time of its birth.

Not to worry: We're not having kids...😋

We spent a few days near Albuquerque, east of town, in a Harvest Host, in Edgewood, up Tijeras Canyon. I'd been extolling the virtues of the cuisine in New Mexico, and this was one place Renee wanted to go! I've been coming to Taco Sal, since 1984, and I never pass up the chance to get some comida there.

Some of the best Mexican in Albuquerque! At Menaul and Eubank!

We visited the excellent Albuquerque Museum of Fine Art: 2026 is the centenary nof the "Mother Road," the storied Route 66 (along we which we drove about 20 miles of the original bit). Central Avenue through ABQ--as most locals refer to it--is the path of Route 66.

It is a city with a deep and highly-interesting history: they celebrate its age on the street access covers!

Another unexpected historical point came by as complete surprise; We overnighted in Socorro, NM, before our Trinity visit, and took a walk around town: on a curb I saw this...

For those who may not know, the Works Progress Administration was a New Deal program, began by FDR, and many of this nation's parks, public works, and public spaces owe a great debt of gratitude to it, plus, it helped millions not starve during The Great Depression. Nearly 90 years old, and the curb and sidewalk were in GREAT shape!



Going into our third winter--near Yuma, on BLM land--we remain joyous...grateful...astonished. The sights we have seen--the above are only a smattering--continue to be our guiding light, our raison d'etre, to keep on truckin'!

Cue Mr. Natural...

Yes, there has been the stress of the high prices of fuel, and its political causes, coupled with the terrible happenings all over the planet, but, we remain determined to continue this amazing adventure. The good results of the election, far from being a cure-all, has buoyed our spirits, and we will keep traveling, experiencing, re;porting.

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