15-21OCT23 - Various (LA, TX, NM, UT, ID, OR

Sunday AM, 15OCT, slightly late start from Joe & Behtany’s house since everyone was a little slow moving from yesterday’s b-day event for g-daughter Coraline.  We decide not to do full day of driving, and headed back to Coushatta Casino in Kinder, LA, which we left Sunday, 08OCT.  After drive, it is dinner in casino and few minutes gambling, before calling it a day.

Monday AM we really begin the long drive back to the Pacific NW.  We decide not to take our “normal” route via I-10 west to LA/LB, then I-5 north to Seattle area.  To shorten drive by 400 miles we will take Texas roads along the Oklahoma border to I-40 west into New Mexico.  Then angle northwest thru New Mexico, Utah, Idaho and Oregon.  First stop was at Hidden Grove, TX, at Hidden Grove RV.  Only hiccup during drive was hazardous balsamic vinegar spill from improperly stowed bottle, that needed clean-up after arrival at Honey Grove, TX.

Tuesday back to the Big Texan RV Ranch in Amarillo where we stayed 02OCT.

Wednesday all driving on I-40E to Sky City Casino RV in Acoma, NM.  Making great time until interstate reduced to one lane 24 miles from exit (thirty minute delay).  Casino very small; dinner at mickey d’s before short time playing games of chance.

Very friendly staff; note - the casino and surrounding lands make up the Acoma Pueblo; part of that Pueblo is Sky City – as their website states:

“Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum rich in cultural architecture, serves as the reception center and museum for visitors to the Pueblo of Acoma. It is the gateway to Acoma “Sky City”. Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico is more than just a tourist destination. Its part of New Mexico's cultural heritage, as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America and the 28th Historic Site designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Acoma history is also the story of the Southwest, from its initial role as the home to the Anasazi people, to the thirteenth century founding of the Pueblo, which is still alive and well as a community and touchstone for Native Americans in the area and nationwide.”

Home (acomaskycity.org)

Next time we will need to allow enough time to tour Sky City and the other parts of the Pueblo.

Thursday, 19OCT, back on the road and retracing our drive down from Washington in reverse as we head home.  We were going to stay in Moab at same RV park as drive down, but no room at any of the Moab RV Parks.  Dan asked why because weekday and school in session; answer was – fall and spring are high season because weather is still good and not HOT like summer!  So we drive on to Green River, UT, to spend the night.

Friday back to driving back to Pacific NW hoping to get out of Utah today.  At the start of the drive we are retracing out route on US6 & US191 to the Salt Lake City (SLC) area; but this time we decide not to go around the “backside” of SLC and chance the traffic on I-15 North from Provo to North Ogden.   Maybe not the right decision?  Ran into traffic delay of 45 minutes; tried using phone app with some luck; finally into Idaho and camping at Eden, ID.

Saturday long day of good driving gets us back to the Wild Horse Casino in Pendleton, OR; small meal at casino food court and little gaming.  Corrie had five dollars on her Player Card at end of our “evening”; so she found a new slot machine and played all her bonus money and won big!  So for the entire trip and all casinos visited we are ahead; tomorrow Sultan, WA, and home.