Sunday, April 22, 2012

Next stop....somewhere in Nebraska at McGreer's RV Campground

After leaving Santa Fe, NM, Kirk and I (mostly Kirk) wanted to get to Nebraska so that our drive into Iowa would not be so long.  Although, it is going to be a good 8 hour drive.  Our plans are to stay in Des Moines and visit with Nate and Lindsey (Kirk's son and his wife) once we get there.  We drove through Northern NM and eastern Colorado today.  The drive was beautiful until we got east of Denver, then it just gets "different" (flat land and farms).  I love the mountains and took many pictures on our drive.  Not sure of all the names of the mountains we saw, but did recognize Pikes Peak with Kirk's help....and the roadside sign :).   Along I-25 we also passed a historical marker area called Huerfano "the Orphan" Butte, named by the early Spaniards.  We decided to end the day at McGreers Campground in Big Springs, NE.  This is a campground (we were the only ones there) on a "working" farm.  We took Chuy and Lily on a walk to see the animals.  Chuy had never seen a cow, and wasn't quite sure what to think of that "big dog".  Lily met up with one of the farm cats and wanted to play until he hissed at her....forget about playing.  I also got to watch one of the baby calves being fed.  The mother had died, so the calf relied on the farmer and his little boy for all his nutritional needs.  A very unique RV campground.  Highly recommend it if you don't mind downhome friendliness!!!
 This little boy loved "helping" to feed the calf.....soooo cute!  At McGreer's RV Campground/Farm.
Hissssssss.....all Lily wanted to do was play!
 Love the mountains....eastern Colorado.
 Huerfano, the "Orphan" Butte along I-25
 Pikes Peak...this is the closest we came.
Our RV at McGreers RV Campground...kinda cool how it's on the "working" farm.

Green Chili Cheesburger Trail

Our first stop heading to the Midwest was Sante Fe, NM.  We only planned on staying one night and then leaving the next morning to continue our trip, which is what we did.  However, we did manage to take a drive to Old downtown Sante Fe which is quite "artsy".  We saw the Cathedral Basilica of Frances of Assisi, and lots of unique shops, parks, and people.  One of the things we were most excited about though was eating at the Bobcat Bite.  This is a very small, historical restaurant on old hwy Route 66, which just happens to be on the Green Chili Cheeseburger Trail, AND, the reason we ate there.  The burger was awesome!  The restaurant is called Bobcat Bite because back in the day, bobcats would come down from the mountains and rummage through the garbage from the restaurant, which was allowed by the owners.  They no longer come down to the restaurant because of the nearby highway and those dang poachers.  If you want to eat there, you better get there early as they only seat between 25-30 packed, or you can have a drink and wait.  It is well worth it!  We stayed at the Ranchero RV park which was just down the road from Bobcat's. 
 The Cathedral Basilica in Old Downtown Sante Fe, NM
 Green Chili Cheesburger at Bobcat Bite.....I seriously almost ate the whole thing!
 On old Historical Route 66 in Sante Fe, NM....Gotta try it!
Saw this on our way to Sante Fe...is it called Window Rock because people take pictures through the windows of their vehicles?  Cool, though....huh!!
As you can see we will be very busy next time we pass through New Mexico.  Just can't get enough of those Hatch green chili's!