No Monuments and Hurrying Home

 October 26 - 31, 2025

Albuquerque - Hatch, New Mexico; Tombstone, Arizona

I'm happy to find that I 40 is in much better condition than expected. It's a nice drive to ABQ, and to another familiar park. Enchanted Trails is directly off the Interstate, and still reasonably priced. Unfortunately there is no reliable WiFi, including from my Hotspot that has always worked elsewhere. I also wouldn't want to be crammed in here when the park is full - there are inches between some neighbors' slides. I probably look at other options in the future.

Several nods to Route 66 throughout the park, including this fun hubcap tree.

There are several options to see here in ABQ, but none that don't require more walking than Tessa is up to. As a result I've cut the length of my stay here to just two nights. Getting her back to her familiar world is the priority now. So we take a drive up Hwy 14, Turquoise Trail, to the village of Madrid. Hoping to get some fabulous chocolate from Sugarman's I'm delighted to score a parking spot right in front! It's also exciting to learn we can now order from them online. So dangerous!

White with ginger and hybiscus, dark with orange flakes, white with strawberries, dark with cashews and Thai chili, and white with honey toffee. Unique and delish as always!

Brunch across the road (a short walk) at Refinery 14 is a tasty and peaceful break before making our way back to PJ. There's more Fall color on this back road, but no place to pull over and enjoy it. It's also very dry with the wind making the air crackle. They need rain soon.

A refreshing poke bowl hits the spot.

A quick pop of color along the way.

With some wind break and warm sunshine we hang outside with a good book and a doggie bed for the afternoon. Can't leave New Mexico without a stuffed sopapilla so I try Los Compadres which doesn't disappoint! 

Dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. 

Back at PJ I pull up just right and connect the Jeep for tomorrow's departure. Love it when that happens! 

Unfortunately the next morning I'm wishing I hadn't hooked up. Tessa can't stand on her own, doesn't recognize me, it's very scary. I get her in the Jeep and unhook quickly. After traffic, missing two turns, and more misdirection, I finally carry her into a veterinary office. It's very stressful. They don't have anyone who can see her for another hour. Great.

But it turns out to be just fine - back in the Jeep Tessa is just fine. Standing, moving around, wagging tail, knows me. So I drive back to the park, walk her around to confirm the crisis has passed, and hook up. This time it takes five tries to get lined up. Of course. I dump and break down camp. We're on the road by 10:00. I'm glad she's bounced back, but I'm going to get home with one more stop instead of two. 

On the way I make a reservation for Hatch RV Park in the little chili-famous town. It's a nice drive with one stop for fuel, and I'm pulling in around 1:00. Another end, pull-through, site in a tiny, quiet and clean park. The morning's drama has caught up with me and I'm grateful for the time to get a nap.

Yep, more gravel. 

My drive days have been about 150 miles this route (180 miles yesterday), but I'm ready for this 240 miles to get us home. We pull out at dawn. Tessa is still fine.

Getting home before 11:00 is great. So good to see Bill and Jeff. Best of all is Tessa's reaction. Running around and bouncing, clearly happy to be back where she knows where everything is! My shoulders relax.

Overall it has been a wonderful adventure, seeing so many beautiful places. PJ took good care of us. Even with the failed furnace, everything was easy. Planning a route around national monuments, or parks, etc., is highly recommended. I also recommend more stay time at each stop if you have the option. 

Henry and Cassidy hamming up Halloween with the parents.

Oliver is too cute with Zero on his shoulder.

Elliott and Ezra (it's really him) take Mom trick-or-treating.

Mason embracing his inner-Slytherin (love the hair!)

His mom assures me this is really our sweet Maximus.

The cutest skeleton ever, Miss Magnolia.

Big sisters Reese and Penelope with a pile of Halloween pals.