We recently returned from our “big trip” for this year. We started planning over a year before it. The goal was to meet Kari’s brother and his wife from Nashville, Tennessee in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the international Balloon Fiesta. It was great seeing them, meeting their new puppy Charlee, and spectacular watching hundred of balloons ascend (the event said it was 500+).
By the numbers:
Stops and visits in six states: Nevada (Las Vegas), Utah (Virgin, Cedar City, Cannonville, Torrey, and Moab), Colorado (Hesperus), New Mexico (Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Alamogordo), Arizona (Tombstone, Goodyear, and Prescott), and California (Newberry Springs, and of course, Clovis).
5 wonderful family members visited.
6 priceless friends visited (sadly only got pictures of three of them).
At our stay at a working ranch in Hesperus, Colorado we fed the goats and horses. We picked up some farm fresh eggs and learned about how the U.S. requirement of washing eggs before sale by commercial egg producers arguably makes them less safe than those in European countries. They had three friendly ranch dogs. Parfait had a very young puppy there, Ammo, wanting to be her boyfriend. Kari was a strict chaperone.
7 National Parks visited: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and White Sands (but only toured 6, skipping Mesa Verde after going to the Visitor Center and Entrance Station—it’s a story).
3,451 miles (video mileage is incorrect).
307.561 gallons of gas.
Total fuel costs: $1,296.98.
11.37 MPG average includes both with and without pulling the trailer.
$4.228 average per gallon of gas.
Two most expensive sites: $6.399, Chevron, Needles, Calif., and $6.299, Shell, Yermo, Calif. (east of Barstow)
Two least expensive sites: $3.509, Maverick, Albuquerque, New Mexico and $3.609, Love’s, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Unfortunately the Relive app only allows for 50 photos.
We’re already planning next year’s adventure, “Oh Canada,” a loop up the west coast to Banff and Calgary, and looping back from somewhere east of there (recommendations welcome).
The discussion for 2026 is to the east coast.
