MAY 10
First stop on the way home is Albuquerque NM, a sprawling city connected by a busy network of highways. We dropped the Ollie at our Harvest Host, Starr Brothers Brewpub and drove to the Botanical Garden ( what else) It is a combination of gardens, kids space, and an aquarium. We focused on the gardens, then went to the 'Bugarium' showcasing some serious bugs!
Next up was the Bugarium. We want to bring some of these snuggly guys home!
We finished the day at Sandia Peak Tramway which took us 4000 ft up the Sandia Mountains that border Albuquerque. The timing worked out so that we saw the sunset over the city while coming down.
Walking out of the tram, we glanced down and saw the prettiest cactus flowers of the whole trip!
MAY 11
We leave Albuquerque early for a day of driving. The early hour allows us to see several hot air balloons being launched in the west of the city. We drive 550 miles to Oklahoma City, arriving in time to visit Skeletons: Museum of Osteology, the only skeleton museum in the US ( OK, they just opened a branch in Orlando, but we went to the original site ).
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| A last view of Albuquerque |
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| These Cadaver Beetles are a great intro |
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| Road Runner |
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| Barred Owl |
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| Hornbill |
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| Flightless Birds |
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| Snakes and Komodo Dragon |
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| Raccoon |
We end the day at our harvest host, Angry Scottsman Brewing in Oklahoma City
We camped in St Louis and in the morning, found ourselves in...........a botanical garden!
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| Imagine that. |
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| 'Lobster Claw' blossoms |
MAY 14
We are delighted to reach Charlestown, IN to visit with Nephew Danny and his wife Veronica. They have a lovely home bordering open land with a deck on the back overlooking the back yard and land beyond. Danny takes us into nearby Louisville, KY, then to the graves of Mohamed Ali and Colonel Sanders ( of KFC fame). We end up at Schimpff's Candy shop where we watch them make 'Red Hot's.
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| We get to sample the red hots |
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| Dinner out with Veronica and Dan |
MAY 15
Logging the miles. 650 today.
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| Beer and a rest at Prison City Brewing |
MAY 16
And now for the last leg of the journey.
--FIN---
