April 1, in Sierra Vista AZ until the 4th. We slept with the window open and boy did I look like an ad for allergy medicine in the morning. I know better but do like the fresh air vs AC.
We headed to Ramsey Canyon for a bit of a hike and birding. it took awhile but we finally seen the White Eared Hummingbird! Lifer! It started out a bit cool but ended up pretty warm.
Dinner at the Landmark Cafe. We ate here last year on Friday for their Friday Fish Fry. Catfish and Cod was on the menu. Last year the outside dining was pretty packed, this year it was us and one other table.
Over to San Pedro House for some birding and hiking. For dinner we went to the 143 Street Taco. We went there last year but they had sold out by the time we got there at 4:30! Today they we still open, great owner and great food. Glad we went back. Of course way too much food...
The owner immigrated here in 1991 and learned English by watching Sesame Street, thus the sign
Sunday April 3 we went looking for the Scaled Quail, found a few right away in a known location. We had been looking since we arrived in Arizona.
Off to Ash Canyon Bird Preserve, we were there to find the Lucifer Hummingbird (Lifer). it appeared at a feeder within 2 minutes of our arrival!
Rufus Hummingbird on the left fighting with the Lucifer Hummingbird! Lucifer won this battle
We hung there awhile before heading up Carr Canyon to 7200 feet. it was a white knuckle drive up a rocky one lane road on the side of the mountain. but we made it and found our bird, we were hoping for another warbler but they have not come in yet.
Our breakfast lady at the Hampton told us about this wonderful Italian restaurant. We had to try it. and yes it was wonderful. Outside seating, Peroni on draft and wonderful wood fired pizza! Our new favorite place in Sierra Vista.
April 4 off to Rodeo NM/Portal AZ. We will be staying in Rodeo at Rusty's RV Resort in one of the little houses. 105 miles took about 6 hours with many stops. Our little house is so cute, and we have a fire pit and Dish TV! Did not expect either!! Oh we are excited...
the concrete pad is for telescopes, with electric and tie downs! Star gazing is big business here in Rodeo
Yes a fire pit, we ordered some wood to burn tonight
cute living room
cuter kitchen
little dining area
comfortable bed room, not sure what 3R means.... Rusty's Rv Ranch??
We did go do a bit of birding at the Willow tank and in Portal for a bit before settling in for our
First fire of 2022! No time to watch TV tonight.. beautiful day and evening
Off to the mountains, the day began a bit cool but good for hiking. Pretty quiet as for birds and people. After a much needed nap we headed back into Portal for a bit of walking and dinner.
April 6 our final day of birding in Arizona. We were able to get two more year birds, a beautiful walk in the woods and canyon. Our morning was again a bit cool but ended up at 84 and sunny. We are going to miss AZ but its time to move on...
April 7, 225 miles to Almagordo NM. Good travel day to the Hampton Inn. Before checking in we went to Pistachio Land to get some pistachios! We had been there in 2015, so no pictures of the largest Pistachio! For our evening we went to the 575 Brewery. Beer and large pretzel and music! Great place, pretty busy and very friendly.
April 8: 240 miles to Tucumcari NM. We targeted two year birds today and got both! We were not expecting to get them but we did!
Juniper Titmouse
We did stop a few places that we had been to last year including the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa. Lots of scuba divers and a few swimmers.
Tucumcari is a cute Route 66 town.
Catfish for dinner
Grilled for Kathy
Fried for Eric
They were both delightful!
April 10: off to Liberal Kansas today... 207 miles with multiple stops, birded in 4 states today, NM, TX, OK and KS! We found a few great places to walk and enjoy the hot weather. The day began with. flannel lined jeans and jackets and ended with shorts and tank tops. 89 was our high today! But that will change quickly.
Liberal is the home of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. We were here a few years ago but had the RV behind us so we were not able to stop.
April 11 off to Great Bend for 2 nights, 166 miles. We are hoping to find that crazy Greater Prairie Chicken. We stopped many times for walks and nature views. Finally got to the hotel at 6:00 pm. Long day, so we picked up soup from the local grocery store for dinner.
We did find the Prairie Chicken! Been looking for a few years mostly in Wisconsin without luck. But today we left the hotel at 6:00 am, drove for 45 minutes, got out of the car, heard the bird, then seen the bird within one minute of arriving! Great timing. there were about 5 of them dancing and acting up on the Lek before something scared them and they flew off. What a treat!
We then headed to Quivera NWLR, the wind was cold and we actually had a few rain/ice pellets fall while we were walking.
April 12: off to Lawrence for 2 nights at the Doubletree. Today is very very windy and very warm. Our dew point was at 62, temp 89 and winds at a sustained 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Thank goodness we did not have the RV as we would not have been on the road. We have not hand any moisture in the air since we left Texas! What a difference a day makes!
We did manage to stop a few times to walk and give Eric a rest from driving. Dinner at the Black Stag in downtown Lawrence.
April 13: oh boy, the high today is 39! a 50 deg difference from yesterday! We went to Baker Wetlands, a place we have been many times. Each time we go the weather is cold and windy and today was no different! We pretty much owned the wetlands today. HY-Vee for lunch and dinner. It was too cold and windy to stay out longer today. but a good day for an indoor pool! Pictures from our room. Since the pool was empty Eric thought it a good time to go for a swim!
Thurs April 14: off to West Des Moines Iowa today. 2 more nights on the road... 228 miles today, it started out cold but not windy so good for walking. that all changed by mid afternoon when the winds came in strong. up to 50 mph by the time we got to the Homewood Suites. There is a Hy-Vee right down the road from the hotel, so that is where we got our dinners! I have had allergies since the beginning of the year, but now I have a head cold! We did take a home Covid test that came back negative. Not sure how I caught it but I did! UGH....
Friday April 15: next stop Eagan MN, about 250 miles... the weather is cold but hopefully not as windy as yesterday. It never got above 35 as we were driving north. We expected to see snow on the ground but only a few patches when we neared the cities. We left at 7:30 and arrived at our hotel at 2:30. Luckily we could get into our room at the Hampton Inn. Ray flew in last night from California, we all went to visit sister Jenny who is in a Transitional Care Unit. When we arrived there both Todd and Hanna were there. Nice surprise to see Hanna and her little dog. We had a good visit, she has a private room so we did not disturb anyone else.
We had reservations at Axel's for dinner, great Friday Fish Fry, Walleye, Cod and Shrimp.
Saturday April 16: After 6 months we are ready to go home. Although the weather could be a bit warmer, don't think we will see 32 today!
We are home!!! Temp at 27 deg at 11:00 am. Yes that is snow on the ground.
After unloading the car and getting the house set up we headed into to Rice Lake to fill up the refrigerator and cabinets.
We felt the need to take a sauna, our neighbor John, (he watches the place while we are gone) stopped by to welcome us home.
What a great time we had this year, able to go to both Texas and Arizona for the winter. We ended up getting 14 new Life birds since we left in October including 8 new Life birds since Jan 1.
Always enjoy 😉
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