Prisoner of Hopes

Category: Perspectives

  • Albuquerque Botanical: Rural Road Trips

    The Albuquerque Botanical Garden is an unexpected delight. The grounds are immaculate. It is a shady oasis in a desert landscape. As we walk among the trees by a large lake, I am refreshed. It is nice to visit the desert, but I am a hillbilly girl who loves the forest. This will have to…

  • Old Town Charm: Rural Road Trips

    Sometimes a road warrior just needs a little down time. In old town Albuquerque, a quiet stroll and a leisurely meal fit the bill. The old section of town is a bit ragged around the edges. Shops have closed and the tourist traffic is light. But the streets and adobe buildings have a magic all…

  • Indian Oasis: Rural Road Trip

    After a full day of driving, I was thrilled to pull off the highway to the Route 66 RV park on the Laguna Pueblo. Of course navigating two tight roundabouts in a large rv while towing a pick up truck was an unexpected surprise coming off the interstate exit. It was not a problem other…

  • Amarillo By Sunset: Rural Road Trips

    Amarillo, Texas is usually a drive through city. We spend the night, eat a meal and head for points further down the interstate. This trip we decide to stay a few nights. We select Fort Amarillo RV resort solely for its location. The roads in Amarillo are confusing with one way corridors that run parallel…

  • Birthday Special: Rural Road Trip

    My mother in law (who is likely reading this) just had a birthday. This year she insisted on taking all of her children and spouses out for fried chicken. In her world (and mine) family is everything. On her ninetieth birthday, all she wanted was a trip to a beautiful nearby state park with her…

  • The Canyon Remembered: Rural Road Trip

    We are standing in Palo Duro Canyon. A roadrunner follows us around the parking lot. He assumes an assertive stance on the red dirt hill just off the sidewalk and challenges us to follow along the trail to the river. Of course I tag along. He is cute and I love to hike. It is…

  • Iconic Texas: Rural Road Trips

    Rolling down highway 40, our big rig pulls into Amarillo Texas in late afternoon. After miles of rough road and cross winds, the rv park is a welcome relief. We quickly set camp and take a walk around the park. Like most RV parks along the interstates, this on is tightly packed and full of…

  • Claremore At Last: Rural Road Trip Oklahoma

    Our first day on the road in our new rv has come to an end, and I should be excited. But, it has been a stressful day as we were getting used to driving our “big rig”. We have lots of little issues that have cropped up in the rv (hopeful all minor and under…

  • Pompeii: Tragedy on Tour: Rural Road Trip

    When I have time between grown up responsibilities, I like to make my own fun. This often involves random searches for “things to do near me” or “things happening this weekend”. Today google suggested that we could check out the Pompeii exhibit at the St. Louis Science Center. We hadn’t been there in several years…

  • Roses in Bloom: Travel Goals California

    This week, I am in beautiful San Jose, California. My lodging is in the rose garden district, so named because of a beautiful public rose garden. I get a warm, happy feeling when I encounter intentional, beautiful public gardens. It is a signal that the community I am visiting values quality of life for its…