The Packing List

So we are goiing to a grandchild's graduation in Albuquerque, camping out at some National Parks and staying in motels at others.  Here's our packing list:

CAMPING	COOKING	PERSONAL	TRAVEL
2-Person Tent	Camp stove, gas	1 Suitcase	Travel guide books
Dog pillow	Large pot	1 Travel bag	Atlas
2 Pillows	Med. Pot	Sunglasses	GPS
2 sheets	Coffeet perc.	Pills	Travel cups
4 foam pads	Perc. Filters	Laptop	Snack cooler
2 Water jugs	Utensils	Cell phone	Dog Food & dishes
Folding table	Large spoons	Toiletries	Dog medicine
2 folding seats (buy)	Potholders (2)	Towel	Dog shampoo
Butane lantern	Matches	Washcloth	Dog towel
Small flashlights	Spatula	Clothes	French Horn
Rope, var. sizes	Knives l/sm	Rain gear	Gig valise
Clothespins	Napkins	Cold wear	Bicycle
Xtra tent stakes	Cups	Hats	Leash
Sun shelter (buy)	Bowls	Hiking boots	Bicycle Hitch Rack
Insect repellant	Plates	Day pack	Flashlight
Hand axe	Tablecloth	Sandals
Hanging mirror	Glasses	City shoes
Large cooler	Dishpan	4 days camping clothes
Small broom	Dishwashing detergent	1 set nice clothes
Shovel	Dishrag	Camera
	Dish Towels	Tripod
	Egg carrier	Binoculars
	corkscrew
	Garbage bags

OY

What We Plan To Do

Mary and I are going to take a motor tour of the Southwest in May. We're a couple of old people but we're pretty healthy and we're going to take it easy and also camp out in a tent many nights, as if we were still young.

Mary has never been to the Southwest, and I only passed through quickly with my first wife many years ago. This may be the last serious travel we do together, and I want to record our experience and take photos and share this with anyone who is interested.

Although I had only a little time when there last I have never forgotten the huge spaces and bright light and places that looked like you were on an alien planet. And I've never seen the Grand Canyon!

Here's our plan:

28-Apr          Thu    Travel to Selma—civil war battle reenactment with friends!

29-Apr          Fri      Selma party

30-Apr          Sat     Selma Party

1-May           Sun    Church; Leave for Leland MS (maybe stay with Srovalls?)

2-May           Mon    Leland; leave for San Antonio, stay in Shreveport area

3-May           Tue    San Antonio: Alamo and River Walk

4-May           Wed   San Antonio to Big Bend NP

5-May           Thu    Big Bend NP

6-May           Fri      Big Bend NP

7-May           Sat     BigBend to Carlsbad NP

8-May           Sun    Carlsbad NP/Guadalupe NP

9-May           Mon    Carlsbad/Guadalupe

10-May         Tue    Carlsbad to White Sands NM (camp)

11-May         Wed   White Sands NM

12-May         Thu    White Sands NM; leave for Tucson

13-May         Fri      Tucson

14-May         Sat     Tucson to Albuquerque

15-May         Sun    Albuquerque

16-May         Mon    Albuquerque

17-May         Tue    Albuquerque Talin Graduation

18-May         Wed   Leave for Mesa Verde

19-May         Thu    Mesa Verde NP; leave for Arches NP

20-May         Fri      Arches NP

21-May         Sat     Arches NP to Zion/Bryce NP's

22-May         Sun    Zion/Bryce NP

23-May         Mon    Zion/Bryce NP to Grand Canyon NP

24-May         Tue    Grand Canyon NP

25-May         Wed   Grand Canyon NP to Monument Valley

26-May         Thu    Monument Valley

27-May         Fri      Monument Valley to Flagstaff

28-May         Sat     Flagstaff to El Paso

29-May         Sun    El Paso  to Houston

30-May         Mon    Memorial Day--Houston to Mobile

31-May         Tue    Mobile to Home

About 6000 miles--at nearly $4/gallon gas may be our biggest expense.

Anyone want to join us for a piece of the trip? BYO camping gear! Any comments on our itinerary?!