When we left Alameda we set our first day lodging sight to Benton CA, thinking there would be motels. As soon as we spied Benton from above the mountain range we knew we were in trouble. There were a few houses and that was it. As soon as I saw a Bed and Breakfast I turn in. At first the proprietress said that she did not have a vacancy, but then she discovered one available room; otherwise we would have to drive 90 miles of mountain roads to the next town. Benton also has one cafe which closed the kitchen early, but we were able to beg two turkey sandwiches.

Getting over the lodging scare, I tried to make reservations at Cedar City UT our next planned stop, just to find out that every motel was full.

We departed Benton that we would have to drive up the I-15 in search of a place to stay.

Looking across Mono Lake NV

I will try to make short posts as this app keeps dumping me.

We decided to take the secondary roads across Nevada Sierra. Taking CA 120 it gave us a chance to cross Yosemite Park. We were lucky this time of year as the close this road in winter. The trip through this terrain was magnificent.

Yosemite sight

Yosemite

At 10000 Tiago Pass with setting sun

Can you tell how much we are enjoying the trip.

I tried to repost my lost messages but no such luck, consequently the pictures will have to tell the story.

After unloading the stuff and returning the trailer the girls kept us busy with unpacking and various jobs. Light fixtures had to be hung, beds assembled, etc.
We had time though to explore the neighborhood and loved it.

The time to leave came too soon as we left on Thu Oct 4th. For Ridgway Colorado.

Below are some of the pix we took after leaving Austin and arriving in Alameda.

Rest stop in New Mexico. The terrain apruptly changed fri the gentle rolling hills of Western Texas.

Texas Canyon in New Mexico. Notice the strange rock formations.

Straight roads throughout the west, except in the mountains.

Monster cacti