6 months in NA

[SherryNPaul]

Lex & Rita,
Well on your way! Have a wonderful time. So glad you've worked everything out.
Sherry
PS The Volvo looks great... We tow with a Vovo XC90 or Dodge Ram half-ton 4x4

[Mary F]

For those of you who have been following Lex & Rita's weblog, you know Skip and I met them in New Orleans a few days ago. We were there on vacation, which coincided perfectly with the early stages of their journey across North America this spring and summer.

Skip and I are now back home, and L & R headed out yesterday to Natchez, Mississippi and points beyond. It was great to meet them, after being acquainted through this website for several years. We showed them a couple of our favorite things about New Orleans, and now I know what the Crescent City area's KOA is like.

Plus (big plus!) we were able to have a look around their Biod trailer. So similar, yet so different!

[Mary F]

For those of you who have not yet checked out Lex & Rita's weblog, you should give it a look. He's posting great photos (except perhaps for the one of me! ha!), and even translates the descriptions into English for us!

I think they are also interested in taking the "scenic routes" in their travels, so if anyone has a particular favorite - please post it!

[Roger C H]

Welkommen.

As to the food, ask for "senior meals" They are generally cheaper and smaller.

The mansions are antebellum, that is 'before the (civil) war'. Antibellum would be against war.

I see you go not too far from Carlsbad and the Carlsbad caverns. I reccommend them:

http://www.nps.gov/cave

For music, you may pick up a copy of my favorite, Spike Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvt4b_qwC_Q

(I had no idea there was a video) He is probably not available in Europe.

If that don't keep you awake on long drives, nothing will. He, he.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, be sure to see the Loretto Chapel with the spiral staircase assembled without nails. The legend is St Joseph built it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretto_Chapel

In Utah, I hope you will visit Bryce Canyon, which is not a canyon but a cliff. It is beautiful. The columns are called 'hoodoos'.
http://www.nps.gov/brca

You plan to go through Seattle, Washington (state). We live just southeast of Seattle and you would be welcome to drop anchor here at the house for a few days. I am told I am a good tour guide...

Roger

[Lex M]

The mansions are antebellum, that is 'before the (civil) war'. Antibellum would be against war.

You plan to go through Seattle, Washington (state). We live just southeast of Seattle and you would be welcome to drop anchor here at the house for a few days. I am told I am a good tour guide...

Roger

Hi Roger,
Thank you for correcting a stupid mistake.
And for your recommandations.
And for your invitation. It is noted. :-)

Lex

[Alf S.]

Hi Lex& Rita...Thankyou sooooo much for the great pictures...we are following your travel adventure!!! You seem to have your share of problems and MIRACLES!!!! I thought it was just us that this happened to!!!
My favorite saying when traveling is " For every mile of road there are two miles of ditches". Keep SAFE.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[George Cathcart]

Just a reminder, Lex, that you will soon be traveling in higher altitudes for a week or two. (Santa Fe I believe is 7000 feet above sea level.) It usually takes several days for your body to become accustomed to the high altitude and you probably won't feel as peppy as you hoped for. So relax, keep well-hydrated (with water), don't over-exert and enjoy. Your vehicle may seem a little less powerful, too, but that's normal and also nothing to worry about.

You probably know all this already because of your extensive travels. When we have visitors from Texas or the west coast, they always wonder why they feel tired when they first get here, so that's why I'm reminding!

We all want your trip to be the "Trip of a Lifetime!"

[Donna D.]

I for one (of many I'm sure) am really, really enjoying reading your Blog, Lex & Rita! In some cases I'm able to relive some long ago memories. My father was career Army and as I child I saw some of the same places you've seen recently. Thank you so very much for posting the wonderful pictures and all the great stories.

[Lex M]

Just a reminder, Lex, that you will soon be traveling in higher altitudes for a week or two. (Santa Fe I believe is 7000 feet above sea level.) It usually takes several days for your body to become accustomed to the high altitude and you probably won't feel as peppy as you hoped for. So relax, keep well-hydrated (with water), don't over-exert and enjoy. Your vehicle may seem a little less powerful, too, but that's normal and also nothing to worry about.

You probably know all this already because of your extensive travels. When we have visitors from Texas or the west coast, they always wonder why they feel tired when they first get here, so that's why I'm reminding!

We all want your trip to be the "Trip of a Lifetime!"

Hi George,
We are both in good health in Taos.
The temp is very nice.
Tomorrow we 'll head for Durango.

[David & Leslie]

Lex & Rita - Greetings from Nevada, USA! We want to add our appreciation for the delightful stories and wonderful photographs we find as we read your Blog. We wish you continued safe journeys and many more memorable experiences. L 'n D

[Lex M]

In a few days we will be less then 200 mls from Salt Lake City.
Is Salt Lake City worth the drive?

[Nancy]

Hi Lex,

Is your question really 400 miles, 200 up and 200 back down? Or, are you thinking of skipping hot Las Vegas?

I'll send you a private message.

Nancy

[Lex M]

Hi Lex,

Is your question really 400 miles, 200 up and 200 back down? Or, are you thinking of skipping hot Las Vegas?

I'll send you a private message.

Nancy

Hi Nancy,

Yes. No.

Lex

[George Cathcart]

In a few days we will be less then 200 mls from Salt Lake City.
Is Salt Lake City worth the drive?

No----Unless you are deeply interested in genealogy. The LDS (Mormon) Church, headquartered there, has one of the world's finest repositories of genealogical records at their Family History Center. (Note: many of their records can be accessed free on the internet.)

Salt Lake City has many other interesting and beautiful things and buildings, but primarily considering your limited schedule, S.L.C. wouldn't be high on my list for a detour.

[Lex M]

No----Unless you are deeply interested in genealogy. The LDS (Mormon) Church, headquartered there, has one of the world's finest repositories of genealogical records at their Family History Center. (Note: many of their records can be accessed free on the internet.)

Salt Lake City has many other interesting and beautiful things and buildings, but primarily considering your limited schedule, S.L.C. wouldn't be high on my list for a detour.

Thanks. We skip this detour.
We are in Moab (KOA).
Probably saturday return to Blandings (we can't stay here: memorial day, kampground fully booked).
And then route 95.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Lex& Rita... Love the pic's of your trip!!! We have a bit of the same landscape in the Badlands of Alberta, Canada complete with cacti and sage brush.
Looks like you encountered a couple of Mennonite Women on your hike to the Arches. We also have many Mennonite families living close to us. Some of them travel from Mexico to work in the fruit orchards and vegetable farms nearby.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Lex M]

Hi: Lex& Rita... Love the pic's of your trip!!! We have a bit of the same landscape in the Badlands of Alberta, Canada complete with cacti and sage brush.
Looks like you encountered a couple of Mennonite Women on your hike to the Arches. We also have many Mennonite families living close to us. Some of them travel from Mexico to work in the fruit orchards and vegetable farms nearby.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Hi Alf,
Cacti on that latitude? Wow :-)
Mennonites, that is what Nancy suggested also.

[CliveAlive]

Lex, thank you for continung to post your adventures and great photographs. I have been following your blog with interest.

I was interested in reading your European observations on American traffic. Here in Florida one can also legally pass on the right (provided one is not exceeding the speed limit) if traffic to the left is moving slower. Nevertheless I miss the predictability and orderliness of traffic and discipline of moving over after one has passed, as on the Autobahn for example (at least - when I was last there about ten years ago). My motto now is; ALWAYS expect the unexpected!

Anyway; safe travels to you both. I hope you contine to have a great trip.

[Lex M]

Tomorrow we 'll move to Torrey to sightsee Capitol Reef NP.
Campground http://www.thousandlakesrvpark.com

Then to Bryce.
We selected campground: Bryce Canyon Pines. Any comment?

I am looking for campgrounds for Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
Any suggestions?
If yes, how about reservations?

Thanks.

PS. We prefer campgrounds with electrics and wifi.

[Joy A]

It's strictly dry camping but on your way south towards Las Vegas you find Valley of Fire State Park. It's a nice spot.

Now if you are headed to Death Valley by any chance and are going through Pahrump, north west of Las Vegas, one of the absolutely nicest campgrounds ever is Terrible's Lakeside Casino and RV park. There is a Terrible's in downtown Pahrump but don't confuse it with the Terrible's Lakeside Casino and RV Park. This RV park is very popular so if you would be considering it, call ahead and make a reservation. It's just one of the nicest prettiest RV parks.