Spring Break Trip - Day 1

Spring break is here again! This time, goal is the Grand Canyon! But we'll also have to make our plans as we go because we want to coordinate visits with several different groups of relatives. One thing that did work last night in this area: we found out Bonnie and Kathy that they would be available to meet for lunch. So we left for Hobbs around 0830L. Our drive out on I-10 was pretty uneventful - hardly any traffic. Switched to US-84 just after Sweetwater and then got on US-180 in Snyder. This route has gotten pretty familiar - and we know when we need to get gas (see JUL 2008)... Made it to Hobbs around 1230L (with the time change) and had a very nice lunch with Bonnie and Kathy at Saturday's Restaurant. Spent a little time in the warm weather in Bonnie's garden before we hit the road again (around 1500L). Decided to take a different route to Ruidoso this time - via the Lovington Highway (NM-18). Drove through Lovington (saw Smokey Bear with his Fireman Friends at a carwash in the city center) eventually changed to US-380 near Tatum. Drive west from there was even more desolate than anything we usually see. In fact, we kind of missed the short delays we usually get in Artesia... Saw lots of flat, featureless land - along with some antelope-looking animals on both sides of the road. Bathroom breaks were impossible, so we stopped in Roswell to remedy that problem before continuing out on US-70 into Ruidoso. Had dinner at Denny's just after passing the race-track. Everyone in good spirits - and looking forward to seeing everyone. Up to that point, had only seen small amounts of snow on the low hills (mountains obscured by clouds & darkness) - but when we got to the condo we found ICE. And it was COLD! Luckily, the condo was warm and inviting. Spent about an hour trying shovel the stairs and a small part of the driveway - made a little headway... Part of our plan for the trip was to meet up with Mary, Leo, Shannon and Sean - who were also planning to be at the condo for the same weekend. They arrived soon after we did and everyone really had a nice time (with some of Mary's martinis - adults, bunk-bed "cave" - kids). Around 2200L, I went down to check on the five "young-uns" and found they had fallen asleep without telling us (nice!). Bed kind of late...