April 1: we began our day in Tucson at the Doubletree near the airport. After a morning treadmill and swim session we left the hotel at 7:15. Stopped for a McDonalds breakfast then off to Rodeo NM, 160 miles away. We made a few stops for birding etc, but the wind picked up at about 11:00 am. By 1:00pm it was really brutal. we could not see and pulled over as there was a dust storm with the high winds. After a few minutes we were able to follow some semi's.
We finally got to Rusty's RV Resort at about 3:15. Back to our little house #22.
We were able to sit outside for a while, as the house blocked the wind for the most part. Dinner at home. Not the best travel day but we got here in one piece!
Wed April 2: off to Portal and the mountains. We got 3 new year birds... the morning was cold and the afternoon was windy.. the forecast for this week was warm and sunny, of course it changed after I packed for the trip. I expected to wear shorts for 1 1/2 weeks, but only got to wear them 1 1/2 day. Flannel lined jeans for the next two weeks.
Acorn Woodpecker storing acorns!
Turkeys in the trees!
Broadtailed Hummingbird
Dinner at home again.
Thur April 3: final day in Rodeo NM/Portal AZ. The day began about 34 deg.. but no wind to speak of and the sun was out. We went up the mountain, not to the top but up pretty far. got a few birds but it was tough. They were not cooperating and make us work pretty hard to get them.
Long Horns in Arizona:
Nice afternoon/evening for a fire. The wind picked up a bit but not bad enough to stop us from having a fire. Needless to say our weather has not been great the last few days.
Fri Aril 4: off to Las Cruces NM today, 140 miles. Pretty good journey today. We stopped at a few places, one of them was completely dry. No water in the area. We have seen it a lot this year. The drought is really bad and rain is badly needed in the southwest.
We got to the Las Cruces area by noonish, went hiking along a nice path by the river, that had some running water, went to a local park to look for a very rare bird that was in the park from March 15-31. of course it left...
After checking in, Eric took a quick swim, the 3 treadmills were out of order so I watched TV. Dinner at Que Paso, about 1mile away. the food was good, the service was great and the prices were cheaper than we seen in a while.
Sat April 5: rain and showers forecasted all day but will it really happen? yep! we had a good walk before the rains began. went back to look for the Tufted Flycatcher from Mexico. no luck. Went for another walk before heading north to Hatch NM.
The clouds ate up the mountains!
we stopped at the state park but it was really raining so we headed to Sparkys in Hatch for the Green Chile cheese Hamburger. Eric really enjoyed it..
back for a nap as it was still raining. I managed to get a 1:45 nap in! Went for another walk along the dry Rio Grande before trying to go to Picacho Peak brewery. hmmm.. it was not open? so we went to the Ice Box Brewery. they were having a fund raiser for the Search and Rescue team. good blues band and great beer.
Sun April 6: heading to Albuquerque today. 230 miles. Pretty clear freeways, not too much traffic. We stopped a few times, didn't get too much walking in but plenty of birds.
Zone Tailed Hawk
We arrived at the Homewood Suites in Uptown Albuquerque at about 3:30. After unpacking we went for a walk around the area. nice afternoon to take a stroll. Dinner in the room, salad from Trader Joe's. The weather is still cool, hoping for warmer temps this coming week.
Mon April 7: We headed up to the top of the mountain. 10,000+ feet above sea level, 30 deg and sunny. no to little wind. great day to check it out. Yes there was snow at 5000 feet.
We ended up getting 7 new year birds. did not get any lifers. A bird we had seen in Alaska was just a few miles down the road, so we had to go look for it. Found it! we are not normally good at target birding.
Northern Wheatear
After a nice nap, a little time swimming and treadmill then off to dinner at the Alien Pub, which was walkable.
Tues April 8: our final full day in Albuquerque. We hit a new walking place and a few old ones today in Albuquerque. Our weather finally changed and I am back to shorts! According to the forecasters I should be able to wear them through Kansas! we will see...
Rufus Crowned Sparrow
Dinner at The Original Cocina Azul on the other side of town. Food and service was very good. We stopped at the Uptown Sports Bar near our hotel for a beer and to sit outside. beautiful evening to enjoy a few more minutes of sunshine.
Wed April 9: off to Tucumcari NM (170 miles) for one night. It's east on I 40, so shouldn't take too long to get there. We stopped a few places to bird and to walk. It was getting pretty warm by 11 am.. had our sandwich in Santa Rosa NM at the Blue Hole. Arrived at our hotel by 1:30. Checked in, and since we are in Tucumcari, did laundry! We seem to do laundry on this route home at this hotel. Discovery Best Western near the freeway. We usually go to Del's for dinner but we adventured out and went to La Cita, food, service and price were all good.
can not resist taking a picture of Route 66 in Santa Rosa
Thurs April 10: today we head to Shamrock TX, 205 miles today. Breakfast was pretty good at the hotel this morning. We stopped a few times including at Puro Duro SP in Texas. Ran into a young lady who had seen a Great Horned Owl yesterday and was hoping to see it today. We followed her to a secluded path, but no Owl.. she told us about a Western Screech Owl at a different location, no luck there either.. We did get 3 new year birds while walking with her..
We made a stop at Buckee's in Amarillo. they purposefully send the smoke brisket smell throughout the store. Of course we bought a chopped brisket sandwich to share in the car!
We arrived at our hotel at 4:00 central time, lost an hour when we crossed the state line. But we are back on Central Time. Best Western in Shamrock TX, nice hotel with pool and fitness room that opens at 6 am! most don't open until 9 or 10 am. And they have a Keurig in the room! I did not notice until I had mine all set up. What another unexpected pleasure!
Dinner at Mesquite Canyon Steakhouse, just up the road less than a mile. Dinner and service was very good. I had the best Chicken Fried Steak, melt in your mouth, flavorful and no gristle.. Eric had a sloppy but very good Texas Club sandwich and homemade fries.
Friday April 11: 1 week left on the road, We have a 190 miles to Enid on the journey today. We began our day at the pool and fitness room before breakfast. Our weather is expected to be very warm for the next few days. We had a great journey today. 14 new year birds! We were on fire!!! Nothing exciting but new for 2025.
We arrived at our hotel, Hampton Inn, at about 4:00.
Great dinner at Enid Brewing Co in downtown Enid
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