THE THOMSON SCRAPBOOK

A YEAR ON THE ROAD IN OUR MOTORHOME
June, 1991 to June, 1992

NARRATIVE OF BOOK 4

USA Map Route
Canada/Alaska Map Route
Here are two maps that will show you the route we took, more or less as the maps are not detailed enough to show the actual highways.

Page 1 December, 1991 and we are in Arizona where we visit the Mannings, some friends of Jeanne in Phoenix. Clarance is kind enough to drive us around north of the city to see the sites, such as Montazuma's Castle and other indian pueblos. We spend Christmas in a nice Coast-To-Coast campground and then go on to Tombstone and Nogalas. But the best was yet to come as we find the wonderful National Monument, Chiliracahua!

Page 2 More of the Chiliracahua Monument. Walking is both climbing and walking and the weather is very cool. The past several days there has been snow and we see lots of it by the trail and in shady places. The rock formations are terrific, especially the one balancing rock. Then we had to Carlesbad Cavern, an experience all should under take.
Page 3 From Carlesbad we head south into Texas where the long drive to the Big Bend National Park is worth it. Although the landscape in Texas is flat and un-interesting we do manage to find some nice campgrounds on the way down. Big Bend is BIG! over 1350 square miles and the road from the northern entrance to the Rio Grande River is 23 miles. Javeline are seen on the road and a herd comes into the campground within 20 yards of us! We take a raft trip down the Rio Grande with goes through a huge canyon but since it is January, the water is low so there is no excitement on the 4 plus hour trip.

Page 4 We complete the raft trip and head down to the tip of Texas, Brownsville and then on to Padre Island where I photograph several great blue herons wading in the ocean looking for food one morning.

Page 5 On your way to visit Jeanne's sister and mother we stop in Tallahassee to see my son, Chris, who is studying International Business at Florida State University. After an all too short visit in Florida we head back out west, this time stopping at the Johnston Space Center. In Houston we visit with my old boss in the Research Department, John Van Dyke. Although John was my boss he was also a fine friend.

Page 6 Then it is on to Albuquerque where we are able to ski at the Sandia Mountains just a few miles north of the city. A great ski area and we almost wish we were living there. To get to the ski area you take a tramway or cable car to the top of the mountain. Then it is on to one of the nicest places, Canyon De Chelly. This you all should see.

Page 7 A complete page of 12 photographs of Canyon De Chelly.

Page 8 Monument Valley - Absolutely the greatest place to visit in Arizona-Utah.

Page 9 Another full page of Monument Valley. One great photograph after another.

Page 10 A few more photographs of Monument Valley and then we stop at the Navajo National Monument to see the ruins but, unfortunately, the trails are closed expect for the overlook. Continuing on to Flagstaff and then to the Painted Desert with its wonder petrified wood.

USA Map Route Canada/Alaska Map Route	Here are two maps that will show you the route we took, more or less as the maps are not detailed enough to show the actual highways.
Page 1	December, 1991 and we are in Arizona where we visit the Mannings, some friends of Jeanne in Phoenix. Clarance is kind enough to drive us around north of the city to see the sites, such as Montazuma's Castle and other indian pueblos. We spend Christmas in a nice Coast-To-Coast campground and then go on to Tombstone and Nogalas. But the best was yet to come as we find the wonderful National Monument, Chiliracahua!
Page 2	More of the Chiliracahua Monument. Walking is both climbing and walking and the weather is very cool. The past several days there has been snow and we see lots of it by the trail and in shady places. The rock formations are terrific, especially the one balancing rock. Then we had to Carlesbad Cavern, an experience all should under take.
Page 3	From Carlesbad we head south into Texas where the long drive to the Big Bend National Park is worth it. Although the landscape in Texas is flat and un-interesting we do manage to find some nice campgrounds on the way down. Big Bend is BIG! over 1350 square miles and the road from the northern entrance to the Rio Grande River is 23 miles. Javeline are seen on the road and a herd comes into the campground within 20 yards of us! We take a raft trip down the Rio Grande with goes through a huge canyon but since it is January, the water is low so there is no excitement on the 4 plus hour trip.
Page 4	We complete the raft trip and head down to the tip of Texas, Brownsville and then on to Padre Island where I photograph several great blue herons wading in the ocean looking for food one morning.
Page 5	On your way to visit Jeanne's sister and mother we stop in Tallahassee to see my son, Chris, who is studying International Business at Florida State University. After an all too short visit in Florida we head back out west, this time stopping at the Johnston Space Center. In Houston we visit with my old boss in the Research Department, John Van Dyke. Although John was my boss he was also a fine friend.
Page 6	Then it is on to Albuquerque where we are able to ski at the Sandia Mountains just a few miles north of the city. A great ski area and we almost wish we were living there. To get to the ski area you take a tramway or cable car to the top of the mountain. Then it is on to one of the nicest places, Canyon De Chelly. This you all should see.
Page 7	A complete page of 12 photographs of Canyon De Chelly.
Page 8	Monument Valley - Absolutely the greatest place to visit in Arizona-Utah.
Page 9	Another full page of Monument Valley. One great photograph after another.
Page 10	A few more photographs of Monument Valley and then we stop at the Navajo National Monument to see the ruins but, unfortunately, the trails are closed expect for the overlook. Continuing on to Flagstaff and then to the Painted Desert with its wonder petrified wood.