We started our Christmas journey in heavy rain. Although not conducive to picture-taking, the steady rain made a valiant attempt to green up the landscape. We were  pushing hard to get as many miles into our trip while dodging snowstorms and severe thunderstorms. Chester, the moose, helped navigate our way!

We stopped for gas in Kansas at Petticoat Junction! Do you remember that TV series about the events that took place at Shady Rest Hotel in Petticoat Junction? This wasn’t the same Petticoat Junction, but it brought a smile to our face when we pulled in to get gas. The price of the gas also made us smile –  below $2.00!

The first night, we just made it over the Kansas border into Oklahoma. We pulled into a rest stop, ate our dinner that had been cooking in the crockpot as we traveled. Then quickly fell asleep listening to the gentle serenade of the raindrops dancing on the top of the camper van, Gram-per Camper. Suddenly, we were loudly awakened as thunder crashed and lightning flashes illuminated the van. We tried to get more sleep, but it was futile. We pulled out early in the morning, before daylight. We were hoping for a beautiful sunrise, but it didn’t appear.

We stopped at a rest stop by Pampa, Texas to let the dogs get out and stretch. We needed to stretch too, but after sitting for such a long time it took a bit to get all our limbs cooperating! The landscape was continuing to change. We pushed hard and made it to Gallup, New Mexico before we stopped for the night.

I called ahead and the proprietor said that he would keep the door open until we arrived. It was dark by the time we pulled in. The man was quite nice and answered our questions about the forecast, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon. He let us know that there would be a warm pot of coffee waiting for us before we left in the morning.

When we checked out in the morning, I noticed the dried red-hot chili peppers framing the entrance to the office. The grandkids would have gotten a kick out of the blow-up Christmas camper with the door that opened to reveal Santa waiting inside.

Interstate 40 parallels the old Historic Route 66. Remember the saying, “get your kicks on Route 66”? There was even a TV show, “Route 66” about two men that traveled in their convertible across the United States on this highway. This highway was one of the original highways in the US. It was established in 1926.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon as we set out for the day. I would definitely recommend this RV park. It was extremely clean, with nice warm showers, and spacious campsites. The owner was tremendously accommodating and helpful!

As we left Gallup, we were treated to a beautiful rocky plateau right outside of town. Soon, we were seeing more and more rock formations. This one had a Native American settlement. The sign advertised saddle blankets and sand paintings, but there was no time to stop.

The colored striations marking each sedimentary layer in the rock cliffs were gorgeous. It foretold of the magnificent landscape and incredible beauty waiting for us at our next stop, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.