Homeward Bound Trip Recap
Overview
Mileage:1,870
Nights:8
Diesel Fuel & RV Parks Daily Average: $97
Our Plans To Return Home
After spending a solid week in Vegas helping Ginny’s Mom around the house we were ready to head back home. The ride out proved to be a challenge with tire issues, leveling jacks not working, and long drives between stops. The return was laid out a bit differently with shorter drives between our destinations and a little bit of downtime.
Darn Weather
Our major concern on the ride back was the weather. Last year at this same time we were chased from New Mexico to Arkansas by severe weather. Some of which turned rather nasty with high winds, Tornado Watches, and Warnings. As it turned out, this year we had some similar issues but not until we got to Oklahoma City. I will run this all down in the recap below.
Itinerary
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Holbrook Petrified Forest KOA – 102 Hermosa Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025
- Overnight
- Park Review – Coming Soon
- Park Web Site: Holbrook Petrified Forest KOA
Holbrook KOA is a short drive off I-40 and is going through a few changes to upgrade the property. We choose this location for convenience and proximity to Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert. The Park could use the TLC it is getting, and I am sure it will be a better place to stay once the upgrades happen.
They look to be upgrading the property to a KOA Holiday with a handful of Patio Sites and a bit more landscaping around the pull-through sites. They have spread a fresh layer of gravel around the entire east side of the property leveling out most of the sites. You will need to unhook as the sites are short or park your toad to the side.
Day Trip – Attractions
Petrified Forest National Park is about a 35 min drive or so from Holbrook east on I-40. The weather that day was not the best to be visiting a park, but we decided to go anyway. We had stopped there last year and wanted to visit a few of the sites we missed. The park did not disappoint. Hiking in the many trails that dot the main road is the easiest way to see the specimens.
We particularly like Jasper, Rainbow Forest, Agate Bridge, and Blue Masa. Plan to spend at least ½ day exploring this portion of the park. While you’re driving through Petrified you will be passing the Painted Desert. Take the time to pull over at Chinde and Kachina Points.MAP
- Holbrook, AZ. – Your ten mins away from one of the RT-66 treasures, the Wigwam Motel. Now this not be where you want to stay for a night, but you surely will want to take photos. If you’re a fan of the Disney movie “Cars” be sure to be on the lookout for Tater.
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Los Suenos de Santa Fe RV Park – 3574 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 8750
- Nights – 3
- LTW – Park Review – Los Suenos
Day Trips – Attractions and Food
We are back for round two in Santa Fe and can’t wait to explore the city a bit more. Again we are staying at Los Suenos RV Park, not the garden spot but minutes from the heart of the city. There were a number of museums that we did not get to see on the last trip, they are first up on the list. As for the restaurant choices we wanted to go local. Where do the locals eat in this town? I will share a couple of locations below.
- Tune-Up Café – 1115 Hickox St. Santa Fe, NM – This casual neighborhood hangout, west of the Railyard where the chef adds his own twist to classic New Mexican and American brunch favorites. Try the fish tacos, chili Relleno, or any enchilada he is serving. MAP
- The Shed of Santa Fe – 113 ½ E Palace Ave. Santa Fe NM – The Shed a convenient half block from the Plaza, has been dishing up their take on traditional New Mexican fare since 1958. Set in a historic former home on East Palace Ave, we were greeted by a warren of small, watch-you-head charming rooms. They were busy when we arrived for lunch at 11:30 am. I dove into a Spinach Enchilada and Gin had the Burrito. Both were fantastic. MAP
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – 217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 A great American artist with a great American story. This museum is a treat with a great collection of her work. Sit through the video presentation at the entrance to get a feel for the artist’s personality. MAP
This is one of many museums downtown and possibly the best. We did visit the New Mexico History, and Art and found them both to be very interesting. If you plan to visit a number of museums in Santa Fe or New Mexico, in general, I would suggest looking into a Museum of New Mexico Foundation Pass.
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Big Texan RV Ranch – 1414 Sunrise Dr, Amarillo TX 79104
- Nights – 2
- LTW Park Review – Big Texan RV Ranch
- Park Web Site – Big Texan
Hello Big Texan RV Park the last time we were the wind was howling, there were tornado watches and we had to pull the slides in to stop the rig from rocking. This time we had picture-perfect weather. Earlier in my other life, I called on a number of Music Distributors in this town. I wanted to show Ginny some of the landmarks around the area that I had visited.
This is an easy stop east of downtown Amarillo off I-40. The staff is friendly and accommodating, they a pet-friendly and have an indoor pool. Toss in limo service to the Big Texan Steak House on the hour and there you have it.
Day Trips – Attractions & Food
Palo Duro Canyon State Park – 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, Texas 79015 Welcome to the Grand Canyon of Texas, the second largest canyon in North America. Palo Duro consists of 27,000 acres in Randall and Armstrong Counties. What is unique about this canyon is you are driving down into the canyon rather than viewing from the rim.
There are a number of RV campsites available, be aware that the ride down into the canyon is narrow and steep. The weekends are very busy in the park. I would highly recommend if you plan to RV camp in the canyon you set up or leave during Monday – Friday MAP
Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum – 4341 Canyon Dr, Amarillo, TX – If you are in Amarillo and have some time on your hands don’t miss this free exhibit at the rear of Jack’s business. There are some incredible RV restorations in these collections along with a number of motorcycles.
As mentioned above this museum is a part of the Traveland RV dealership so you can scope out a few new rigs while your there. The atmosphere is casual so the sales staff will not be attacking you at the door. MAP
Big Texan Steak Ranch 7701 Interstate 40 Access Rd, Amarillo, TX 79118 – We had to go, the temptation to use the limo service from the RV park was considered, but we took a pass. A short drive east on I-40 you will see the brightly painted yellow building with a rather large Cowboy pointing the way to the restaurant. This is, of course, the home of the 72 oz steak, if you can eat it with a salad, potato, and side dish it’s yours for free. The restaurant is a very big hall with a focus on the raised table near the front of the room. There you will find the cook stations and a big digital timer for anyone who chooses the challenge. Trust me, there will be a number of folks that do.
Will this be the best steak you have ever eaten some would say heck yes. I had a bone-in rib eye and Ginny had the filet they both were very good and the service was second to none. Come with the family and enjoy the show, it’s worth the trip.
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Mustang Run RV Park – 11528 West I-40 Service Rd. Oklahoma City.
- Nights – Planed 2, Stayed -1
- Park Review Coming Soon
- Park Web: Mustang Run RV
You Have To Be Ready To Pick Up
Our intent on this stop was to stay for two nights. I was looking for a break and some downtime. Ginny wanted to catch up on some cleaning around the rig and a couple of loads of laundry. The weather took a turn for the worst and we decided to hightail it out a day early. They were calling for golf ball size hail and possible tornados. We wanted neither of them regardless of the onsite storm shelters.
Looking back the next day, we made the right decision. There were numerous tornados touching down in Oklahoma right in our intended travel path.
Oklahoma City
We arrived early on Sunday and decided we would head down to the National Memorial in downtown Oklahoma City. This might be the best time you could possibly pick to visit this location. The parking is plentiful, street parking is free and the crowds are thin. Here is a snapshot of what we experienced.
Day Trip – Attractions
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum – NW 6th and Harvey Ave, Oklahoma City – This truly was one of the most powerful places we have ever visited. From the Reflecting Poo, the Field of Empty Chair to the Museum itself you are emersed in that day. The entire presentation is tastefully done and extremely informative. Be prepared for an emotional journey through that day and the subsequent days after.
A day like any other begins the orientation to the museum. You explore the history of the site and neighborhood. Next, you enter a room to hear the only audio of the last two minutes into an Oklahoma Water Resource Board meeting. From there you are thrust into the day and aftermath. A must-see if you are in the area. MAP
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North Little Rock KOA – 7820 Kampground Way North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Nights: 1
- Park Review – Little Rock North KOA
- Web Site: Little Rock-North KOA
Having bolted from Oklahoma City a day early and we were happy to be in better weather and weather forecasts. Frankly, we got lucky when 
calling this location in the am. They did have a slot that could accommodate us, it was a bit more expensive but we just wanted happy to be out of the severe weather.
This KOA does a very brisk overnight business. They are located conveniently west of Little Rock City limits off I-40. It seems to be the go-to place for those looking for an easy pull in and out.
I plan to do a complete review of them as we have stayed at this location before. I had a little more time to visit all the facilities and walk the park to see what they had to offer.
Home Safe And Sound
We made it back to Homebase the next day without any incidents. This spring trip proved to be a gamechanger for us in a number of ways. We are seriously thinking about adding an additional spear tire for our rig. The 7 to 8 hours drive days are not for us, we will need to rethink that. More downtime has got to be built into the trips for us to relax a bit more as we travel. You are going to have trouble along the way, keep calm, make a plan to address, and expect to have your routine changed.
