January 7 - New Mexico and Texas

White Sands National Park, New Mexico 

White Sands

Rose at WS

Sledding at WS

WS

Rose and Jenn at WS

Pistachioland and World’s Largest Pistachio 

The BEST pistachio ice cream 
Rose wants to go back 

The moment when Ken said 
“I didn’t sign up for this”
Thankfully it got better after the 7,500 ft summit

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
800 feet below ground 

Rose at CC

CC

CC - Green Lake 

Jenn and Terria reunited with our families 
in Crowley, Texas
Terria moved from AK to TX in 2023

Well we finished up our stay in Phoenix and headed to New Mexico. It was hard saying goodbye to everyone. Since we stayed so long in Phoenix and our Naples, Florida reservation starts February 1, we won’t have the luxury of spending a week at each location, at least not for January. 

Thankfully Ken is a great driver and doesn’t mind driving long days. We had 2 days over 400 miles each this past week for a total exceeding 1,000 miles just getting from place to place. And now we are in Arlington, Texas. Go Cowboys (that’s for Rhonda).

I was really looking forward to White Sands and Ken was really looking forward to Carlsbad Caverns. Both exceeded our expectations. Rose and Jenn sled in the sand at White Sands in 40 degree temperatures and Ken used his charm to get all 3 of us on the King’s Palace (VIP) Tour at Carlsbad Caverns (we had reservations for 2 of us but Ken’s charm with older women never fails). Ken remembered CC from a youngster. He thought I would be enamored by the caverns and yes they were amazing but as I told Ken “I prefer being 800 feet ABOVE ground”. To which he asked “So you would prefer falling from 800 feet?” And I quickly replied “Yes.”

Sunday we attended church service with Terria and family who moved to Crowley, Texas from Anchorage. It was a great service at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church and Rose said she loved it. They said it was a longer service than usual and it was longer than we are used to. 2 hours. It was very lively and musical and Spirit led. We all enjoyed it very much. Then we had Sunday dinner aka lunch with them at their home. It was a great day. 

This week we will be in our current area (Arlington) until Wednesday when we move to Fredericksburg. Campground pools will be seasonal (aka not open this time of year) probably until we arrive in Florida. 

Have a blessed week. 




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