Choo-Choo and Chama

Early this morning we put down the trailer, loaded the dogs into the car and took off for Chama which is north of Santa Fe. The scenery was awe inspiring. We wound through red cliffs and up and down hills. Then we began to see large pines and green meadows as we rose in elevation to Chama. As we wandered through God's beautiful scenery we were listening to Celtic Women, music that both Chuck and I agree is beautiful. Between the scenery and the music, it seemed that God was in charge of the world and everything was going to be alright. It made me feel happy and calm. Quite a good feeling in uncertain times.

We arrived at the campground which is nestled in tall pines and cottonwoods right on the Rio Chama. We pulled into a nice campsite and the dogs gave their seal of approval as they sniffed happily all around the paths of the campground. So many new friends to make.

Tomorrow we catch a bus out of Chama for Antonito and then ride the train back to Chama. It is a wonderful trip crossing from NM to Colorado 18 times. I should get some gorgeous pictures tomorrow.

Catching a train to Lamy

As many times as we have been here, we never knew about this train ride, the Santa Fe Southern. This train runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Santa Fe to Lamy. It takes about 4 hours with a lunch stop at Lamy, NM and a return trip. Lamy is actually on the Amtrak route and you can purchase tickets there. We boarded at 11:00 and spent the first leg of the trip riding in the open air flat car. The train travels about 25 miles an hour so it was rather windy and shaky but a lovely wide open view. The train traveled through Santa Fe and then into the countryside which had some lovely adobe houses located here and there among the scrub pines and pinons. We were with a school group of lively boys who certainly were having fun. One of the youngster started asking his dad where the Flintstone house was. Finally it appeared...see if you can tell which one it is in the pictures below.

We arrived at Lamy and ate lunch there of pulled pork sandwiches with cherry bbq sauce. Really good. There is a restaurant there in a refurbished dining car that evidently is one of those cool places people drive distances to eat at. They had a buffet set up for train passengers so we could get our food quickly. On the trip back to Santa Fe my eyes began to feel awfully sandy and just kept closing... but, I wouldn't have dozed off, of course. But it did seem to be a much shorter trip.

The dogs waited patiently in the trailer for us. They have been very good travelers and seem to really enjoy the walks and new scents at each place. We've enjoyed having them along. Autie is content to occupy the couch for his siesta but Ulysses has tried sneaking up on our bed for his. He pouts in the big middle of the floor because we won't let him stay. Black and gold puppy puddles everywhere.

Santa Fe and two kind deeds

We've arrive at the Santa Fe KOA which is a very nice campground among pine and juniper trees. The dogs have enjoyed the fact that they get walked 3 or 4 times a day. We have breakfast - we walk, we get ready to see the sights - we walk, we get back- we walk and in the evening - we walk. We have taken it pretty easy and just looked around town on Wednesday and found a wal-mart for groceries. Thursday, we went into the historic district and saw the new New Mexico History museum which is next to the Palace of the Governors. Of course, we wandered by the sellers of Indian jewelry with their wares spread out on blankets on the porch. Then, we visited the museum which was very interesting especially when we got to the changing exhibit on the 3rd level. It was called Fashioning New Mexico and was a large room of original garments from the 1800s. The dresses were exquisite. We also met one of the docents who does Chatauqua which is a first person type of lecture about historical people and stories. We enjoyed talking to her for quite a while. After that we went out to the Plaza where Chuck decided to buy an ear of corn from a street vendor. The man saw Chuck's Marine Corps hat and asked Chuck if he was a Vietnam veteran. When Chuck answered yes, the vendor would not charge him for the corn saying,"I don't charge Vietnam vets" This man who was about 40 had served in Lebanon and had a brother in Vietnam. This really moved Chuck who said this was the first kindness he had had from a stranger because of his Vietnam service. Coming home from Vietnam was not a good experience with the political climate of the time.

Pictures at the Palace
Santa Fe has really changed since 37 years ago when we drove down the very narrow streets on our honeymoon. It is now a busy city with lots of traffic and has a lot more museums and shops. Lots of them are art related of course. They also have a train ride from Santa Fe to Lamy which we are scheduled to ride on Friday. When we went in the depot to buy our tickets, the young woman asked Chuck if he had a veterans card to give him an additional discount. Chuck said he was a veteran but didn't have a retired military card. The young lady gave him the discount anyway telling us about a family member who served in Korea. Maybe our country's ordinary people still understand about the sacrifices the military makes and its importance to us. Perhaps there still is hope for US.

Fort Union NHS, Las Vegas NM

Monday, May 25, we drove to Las Vegas, NM which is in the foothills of the Rockies where it has been cool and overcast. We've had some good showers with thunder and lightning and 48 degrees temperature. We parked at the KOA and drove through town and looked at some of the historical buildings there on Monday.

On Tuesday, we drove 29 miles north on I-25 to see Fort Union National Historic Site. This was a fort that protected the Santa Fe trail. You get off the interstate and travel through rolling prairie with high yellow grass. Just when you think there is nothing out there, Fort Union looms on the horizon like an adobe castle. It was built in the 1851 and was open 40 years with 3 different forts built in the area. We walked around the fort and saw most of it before it began to thunder and lightning and that strange stuff unkown in West Texas called rain pelted us . After hurrying back to the visitor's center we browsed the book shop which is always an expensive place for two history buffs.

After that we drove back to the trailer and took the dogs for another walk. We must be walking them 4 miles a day so they will not be too uncomfortable when staying in the trailer and sleep wh

ile we're gone. So far it's worked. Their exercise is our exercise and I'm ready to sleep when we get through with the pet marathons.

We had a sandwich and went back into town to walk around and see the Old Town plaza which was not that interesting. Then we drove to the Rough Rider museum which held some military uniforms and accoutrements. It also had one pretty bustle dress and cape. I'm taking lots of pictures. Hope I can keep them all straight.

This evening the sky turned loose and we are listening to rain drumming on the roof. We've also retrieved coats and hunted down the heater from under the bed since it has gotten very cool.

Tomorrow we leave for Santa Fe for a couple of days. I think we are going to try to take a "Ghost Walk" one evening. The tours were featured on the Travel Channel and sounds like an experience.

On the Road-- An Altendorf Reunion

Friday finally dawned and we left Midland in our dust. With a nice tail wind for part of the trip, we blew up to the Panhandle to attend a family reunion for the Altendorf tribe. The reunion was held at my cousin, Cyndy Fennell's country estate ;). It was a lovely weekend with cool and beautiful weather. The wildflowers bloomed especially for the herd of Altendorfs desending on the area. Those attending were children of the three children of Phil and Kittie Altendorf. Those attending from my family, Phil Altendorf's children, were myself and Chuck, and my brother Mark and his wife, Leise.

My Aunt Hollis Tweed celebrated her 85th birthday among the mob with good cheer and sportmanship. Her children, Cyndy and husband Robert were the hosts along with brother Dick and wife Debbie.

Also attending were Dick's son, Richard, wife Serita and the great grandchildren, Hannah and Brianna who were real dolls.

Then there was Aunt Catherine, wife of Hollis and Phil's brother Harold. Her kids attending were:
Dennis and Karen Altendorf
Kathleen Norman
Kent, Carma, Laura Altendorf with son, James and wife Renee
Andrew and Joanie Altendorf
Tim and Laurell Altendorf with daughter, Megan
Christine Altendorf
Luke, Mary Altendorf with children Mathew, Jacob, Amelia, and Madeline

Imagine the din in Robert's large shop as everyone talked at the same time trying to get caught up on family news. When relatives weren't talking they were eating and eating. Hamburgers, hot dogs, brisket, ham cooked outside by Robert along with all the fixings and desserts of all kinds. We'll all have to diet for weeks... but it was so good.

We celebrated Aunt Hollis 85th birthday with great fanfare. I put together a family history presenation and walk down memory lane which everyone seemed to enjoy. We pulled out on Monday morning and headed for Las Vegas NM where we will stay for two days. Our plans are to see Ft. Union NHS and other historic sights in the area and head to Santa Fe on Wednesday.

Just About Time

Well, the days are speeding by and the trailer and truck are loaded. The dogs won't let us out of their sight. They know we're planning a trip and they don't want to left behind. Our first stop is a family reunion in Sanford, Texas. From there we will go to Santa Fe and ride the Chama Cumbes and Toltec train. After that we will head to Bent' s Old Fort in La Junta, CO where Chuck will spend 4 days camping out and attending a Topographical Engineers Encampment. I will stay with the dogs, the Internet and the Cable TV in the campground. I know, it's going to be tough but so am I.

I would like to hear from you all as we travel. If you know of places not to miss, please let me know by adding it in the comment. The comment section should work now, if you are signed in. If not, email me at adixon2003@suddenlink.net and let me know.

Time is ticking and we're waiting impatiently to take off.

Ft. Chadbourne

Ft. Chadbourne, a historic site at Bronte, Tx, had their living history on May 1 and 2, 2009. The event had several unique features not generally seen at other events... extreme heat one day, very cool raining weather the next and the aftermath of the flu scare with a little hail mixed in on Saturday night. We arrived on Thursday and set up Chuck's engineer camp. We enjoyed visiting with other re-enactors as they arrived.

This is a view from the hospital on the hill. One of the barracks is restored and they are working on the Butterfield Stage stop behind the restored building.

Friday, their school day dawned bright and warm, the temperature reaching around the mid nineties. Sadly, the student visitors were limited to about 200 because schools reacted to the flu scare and canceled their trips. Those kids who did attend had a great time and I'm sure the sunshine and fresh air did them a great deal of good. Friday evening the hosts, Lana and Garland Richards, took us via hay wagon to see their buffalo and new calves as well as other sites on the ranch. This historic site is on a private ranch with its owners doing a wonderful job of restoring and preserving it. I recommend a trip to see it any time you are in the area.

Saturday dawned cool, cloudy and misty. There was a good crowd of visitors, however. There were a good number of camps set up and many different impressions for the visitors to learn about. A brass band played in concert that afternoon filling the parade ground with music. We really enjoyed the event. We did not leave until Sunday morning. Saturday evening after midnight saw a loud thunderstorm with lightning, rain and !yikes! hail. It was just pea size and didn't cause damage to anything but our sleep. As usual, I'd rather be at a reenactment... I came home to deal with jury duty and get ready for our really long trip.

The dogs enjoyed the weather, all the new people and smells and, of course, being the center of attention .