Bob & Sharon'sTravel Adventures

Monday, April 12, 2021

Amarillo, TX - 04/12/21

Amarillo is a city in the Texas Panhandle and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. The estimated population of Amarillo was 199,371 as of 2019.

The city takes its name from the Spanish word for yellow, thus, the city is also known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas."

Amarillo is a gateway to the vast, trail-lined Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The Cadillac Ranch is an installation of graffiti-decorated cars, partly buried in a field. With art deco and Spanish Revival buildings, the U.S. Route 66–Sixth Street Historic District is a hub for dining and antiques. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to the famous horse breed.

Travel Itinerary:
04/12/21 - Monday
Depart From: Sky City Casino RV Park
Depart: 10:20 am
Odometer: 139,258
Arrive: 6:00 pm
Odometer: 139,617
Trip Mileage: 359
Trip Time: 7 hr 40 min

Destination:
Texas Travel Information Center
I-40, Exit 76
GPS: 35.19166, -101.72590
Amarillo, TX
Google Maps: 348 miles - 5 hr 9 min
Campsite: RV parking site
Cost: Free

Gas Expense: None
Flying J at Exit 76

Comments:
Very nice place to spend the night.
RV parking separate from truck parking.
24-hr restrooms.
Nice area for walk with your dog.

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Sky City Casino, NM - 04/11/21

A favorite among Route 66 travelers, Sky City RV Park offers gorgeous views of Mt. Taylor all within walking distance to the Sky City Casino, nearby Sky City Travel Center, hotel seasonal pool and more.

Travel Itinerary:
04/11/21 - Sunday
Depart From: Cordes Lake, AZ
Depart: 10:00 am
Odometer: 138,913
Arrive: 6:00 pm
Odometer: 139,258
Trip Mileage: 345
Trip Time: 8 hr 00 min

Destination:
Sky City Casino RV Park
7 Sky City Rd Drive
I-40, Exit 102
GPS: 35.07948, -107.55738
Acomo Pueblo, NM
Google Maps: 344 miles - 5 hr 30 min
Campsite:
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
Flying J
Jamestown, NM
Price/Gal: $2.819
Gallons: 22.464
Amount: $63.33
Odometer: 139,195

Comments:
Very nice place to spend one or more nights.
Register at Casino gift shop, with casino card, for free camping.
There are 2 campounds here with free shuttlebus service to the casino.

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Cordes Lake, AZ - 04/10/21

Cordes Lakes is a census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona. A census-designated place is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. The population was 2,058 at the 2000 census.

Lying in the foothills of Prescott valley, at an elevation of 3,700 feet, Cordes Lakes has common terrain of a middle latitude desert, including but not limited to tall long stretching hills, mesas, several species of cacti, and large rock formations.

There is one shallow man-made lake that often dries up in the summer or all year, especially during times of drought.

The Cordes Lakes' back roads lead straight to the Agua Fria National Monument.

The Agua Fria National Monument lies to the east and south of Cordes Lake and Arcosanti is to the north. Agua Fria National Monument is approximately 40 miles north of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. Created by Presidential proclamation on January 11, 2000, the 72,344-acre monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Over 450 distinct Native American structures have been recorded in the monument, some of large pueblos containing more than 100 rooms each.

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Travel Itinerary:
04/10/21 - Saturday
Depart From: Imperial Dam LTVA - Yuma, AZ
Depart: 2:15 pm
Odometer: 138,659
Arrive: 7:50 pm
Odometer: 138,913
Trip Mileage: 254
Trip Time: 5 hr 35 min

Destination:
Pilot Travel Center #1175
I-17, Exit 262
Cordes Lake, AZ
Google Maps: 247 miles - 3 hr 41 min
Campsite: Back of parking lot, adjacent to resturant
Cost: Free

Gas Expense:
Pilot Truck Stop
I-17, Exit 262
Cordes Lake, AZ
Price/Gal: $2.829
Gallons: 23.732
Amount: $67.34
Odometer: 138,913

Comments:
Checked with a Pilot employee for permission to park here overnight. He directed me to park in the very back of the truck parking lot adjacent to the restaurant.

This is a small parking lot and fills up with trucks at night. There was a large, Class A motorhome tucked in between two trucks. We were the only two RVs to spend the night here. This is just an OK spot for a overnight stay.

Restaurant and a small private campground are located in back of the Pilot truck stop. The campground was full when we arrived.

Friday, April 9, 2021

Farewell Bonfire - 04/09/21

Another winter season is coming to a close. The BLM Imperial Dam LTVA will close on April 15. Daytime temperatures in the mid 90s are becoming very uncomfortable. Fortunately, once the sun sets, the temperature drops into the 60s making for very pleasant evenings.

We will depart for Chicago tomorrow, April 10. As is our tradition, we close this winter season with a farewell bonfire!

Until the next winter season, we wish all of our snowbird friends good health, happiness and a safe summer filled with wondrous adventure.