April Expenses

Well, it was an expensive one, so we're going to get April out of the way quickly so that we can concentrate on May!

We knew April would be higher than normal. Travel months always are. But we didn't really expect it to add up to this much.

A better look at our "cabin"...

Okay, I think we've got the interior of our cabin in good enough shape that we can show it to you! Spent much of the day yesterday cleaning windows, vacuuming and washing the floor, and Ruth gave the bathroom a spotless once over.

When the snow melts, it causes erosion!

We had a great weekend, and a lot of snow has disappeared compared to when we arrived here on Friday.

The only problem is that they had a lot of snow here, and when it all melts at once it causes problems!

We have water...sort of.

The water lines here at the campground are still frozen. Despite the fact that we had a gorgeous sunny day yesterday with a high of 18C (65F). But even with weather like that, we're expecting it will be at least another week before the lines are thawed out.

But, we need to be able to flush the toilet!

We have arrived!

Well, we made it. We are now at our summer home at Sturgeon Lake Regional Park in the middle of Saskatchewan, Canada where we are the campground managers for the next five months!

First impressions? It's going to be a great summer!

Well, today is finally the day!

Only 183 kms (114 miles) to go and we will be at our home for the next five months. So we're heading out of here around 9:00am and we'll be at Sturgeon Lake Regional Park before noon. Our long drive will be over!

We're pretty excited!

We're not in Mexico anymore!

And we proved it yesterday when we bought a package of 50 corn tortilla for $6.95!! We actually had gone to a Mexican grocery store here in Saskatoon and they even have fresh corn tortillas. But those are 6 for $2.95! You can't afford to eat like a Mexican while in Canada.

Attention Walmart Shoppers!

We headed over to the nearby Walmart Superstore to do some grocery shopping. We were prepared to be shocked by the prices up here in Canada, but it wasn't as bad as we expected.

A meeting with the boss!

The original plan was that we would be going up to the campground where we're working for the summer on Wednesday. So yesterday morning I phoned the guy who is on the board of directors that we've been dealing with. Turns out he was on his way in to Saskatoon for the day on other business, and he suggested we meet for lunch.

Just another driving day...

And the good new is, we only have one driving day left. We're almost at our destination!

It was a cold and windy drive yesterday, and we were fighting a strong headwind the entire way. So glad we weren't driving the motorhome.

Back in Canada!

Happy to be back in Canada? Not really.

Excited about the next five months? You bet!!

Hello, Montana!

Another new state for us. Too bad we're not getting to spend more time exploring, but at least we're seeing a new part of the U.S. that we've never been to before. In fact, this whole drive has been new for us, so despite the length of the drive, at least it's been different scenery.

Why are we up in the cold???

We've had some comments and emails recently from quite a few new readers asking why we're so far north in the cold when it looks like we don't really need to be.

So we just thought we would explain again, in a little more detail!

Accidents on the I-25, but we made it through!

So we left Fort Collins yesterday morning and the snow had finally stopped. We checked the highway website and they said the road was open, but with "blowing snow and icy sections".

And boy, they weren't kidding!

Snowstorms, icy roads, and beer!

Those three items probably don't go together very well. But we had to find something to do in Fort Collins yesterday, and one of the things Fort Collins has become popular for is beer!

Stranded in Fort Collins!

When we woke up yesterday morning, we found out that they had opened the road leading back to Denver from Winter Park Resort. In fact, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining bright.

That would not last long though!

Our stay at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge

"As close as you can sleep to the chairlifts without sleeping outside!"

Totally true. The two lodge buildings are located right at the base of the mountain and are the most convenient location in the village. The ski rentals and lift tickets are also available in the lodge.

Spring skiing at Winter Park Resort

When we found out that we were going to be spring skiing at Winter Park Resort in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, we had visions of 60 degree temperatures and short sleeve shirts, and sitting on a patio in the sun while having a cold drink with our ski gear on.

It wasn't meant to be.

Snow, cold,...and a great dinner out!

We didn't have much in the way of a lunch yesterday, so after we got ourselves settled at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge we were about ready for an early supper.

Denver to Winter Park Resort

We left Kent and Lynn's place around 10:00am and headed west. Thanks for everything Kent!

We knew it was about an hour and a half drive from Denver to Winter Park, so we had enough to time stop along the way and go for a hike!

Butterflies and Giant Spiders!

We had some shopping to get done yesterday morning. There's a few things we needed to stock up on before crossing back into Canada and Denver is likely the last really large city we'll be in before the border. One of the stores we went to was the big REI (Recreation Equipment Inc.) location near Confluence Park.

A Day in Downtown Denver

First plan though, was to figure out how to get there. Kent and Lynn's house is about 3.5 miles (5.5 kms) from the downtown core. They have a bus stop really close by, but the fare is $2.25. With the two of us going round trip, it would be $9.00, which is about the price of parking downtown for the day. Unless I could find free parking!

We're liking Colorado!

Some people like the desert, some people like the mountains. Ruth likes both, but I'm much more attracted to the mountains and the trees. I've been wanting to see Colorado for a long time, and so far, we're not disappointed at all.

A great spot to spend a week or two in the motorhome!

After our non ballooning adventure yesterday morning, we made the best of it and got an early start to our destination in Taos, New Mexico. It was only a two and a half hour drive, so we knew we had lots of time to explore along the way. And explore we did!

No balloon ride today...

Despite the best efforts of World Balloon Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico...we were not able to get off the ground! They really tried hard knowing that we were only in Albuquerque for three days. But the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

We got up at 5:30am this morning and so did our couchsurfing hosts Cheryl and Mike. Cheryl made coffee for everyone and we said our goodbyes. Thanks for being such great hosts Cheryl and Mike! Then, we headed out to the meeting spot for our balloon ride.

More to see and do in the Albuquerque area!

But the weather was not co-operating as well as it could. Not really hampering our activities, although it was a lot colder yesterday than what we're used to!

As my father once said... "the only thing you can change about the weather is your attitude towards it."

Albuquerque Balloon Museum

Our hot air balloon ride was cancelled again this morning due to bad weather. We've got one more shot at it Wednesday morning though, and so far it looks like it might happen! In the meantime, if we couldn't go up in a balloon ourselves, we figured we might as well learn as much as we could about them!

Wandering around Albuquerque

Mike and Cheryl, our couchsurfing hosts here in Albuquerque, live on the eastern part of the city that borders the Sandia mountain range. We were looking forward to a hike yesterday morning, and Cheryl took us out for an hour and a half in the foothills behind their home.

The Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Garden

These popular Albuquerque attractions are part of the "ABQ BioPark" which also runs the local Zoo and Tingley Beach. There's a $12.50 ticket that allows you admission to both the Aquarium and the Botanic Garden and it's especially worth a day out if you've got children.

Albuquerque Rattlesnake Museum

Okay, this was different. And a lot of fun!

In "old town" Albuquerque there is a museum officially called the American International Rattlesnake Museum!

Cancelled!

Well, we're supposed to be in the basket of a hot air balloon right now. Unfortunately, the weather didn't co-operate and it's too windy this morning so our balloon adventure has been postponed until Tuesday morning. So, slight change of plans, but we've got lots to see and do here in Albuquerque and we'll update you on our activities tomorrow morning!

Bright white sand. Everywhere!

Yesterday, we did a day trip out to White Sands National Monument. I think I had heard about this place before, and it was suggested by one of our readers, Poraka, in our comments section that we should visit. So we took him up on his suggestion!

It's always interesting crossing a border...

Let the bells ring out and the banners fly! We're in the United States of America! But they sure do make it interesting to get across a border. I always say that it's a bit of a circus, and the American border is a three ring circus. Barnum and Bailey would be proud!

Glad we came to visit Chihuahua!

Once again, we are overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people we meet. When all you hear from the media are warnings about danger and being told "don't go there", you start to question things. But then when you set out to explore, you find a city where the vast majority of people are just going about their daily business and everyone is friendly and helpful.

Four hours from the U.S. border

A bit of a long driving day yesterday. But in just three days we have placed ourselves only a four hour drive from our border crossing point! We did 550 kms (341 miles) yesterday, for a three day total of 1,263 kms (783 miles).

Aguascalientes to Cuencame

We did 390 kms yesterday to the little town of Cuencame about 100 kms south of Torreon. We were up early with our couchsurfing hosts Paola and Armando so we were actually on the road by 6:30am!

Aguascalientes

We have been to Aguascalientes before, but we wanted to see some more. Plus, we wanted to try and visit the huge Nissan factory on the outskirts of town. So, we set the alarm for 6:00am yesterday morning to try and get an early start for leaving from Hacienda Contreras.

Heading North!

We're heading north this morning!

Here's our approximate driving schedule for the next three weeks...