Texas to Arizona...what a week!!!

     Well hello everyone.  I can't believe it's been 7 days since I've update my ramblings, but after Texas we started pushing westerly for several reasons.  But that will be explained later in this story.  After leaving San Antonio, we headed northwest to San Angelo where we met up with a BP classmate of mine who we haven't seen since 1983.  BP classmates are kinda like guys you served with in the military.  It's just a bonding thing, and unless you've been there, you wouldn't understand.  I had contacted Randy and his wonderful wife Retha last year just to give him a heads up that we might have been passing through Texas on our way to San Diego.  There was no way I was going to go by San Angelo without getting together with Randy.  After a little confusion by Satellite Sue, we pulled right up to the front door of Randy & Retha's house, blew the horn, and we were welcomed into their home like long lost friends.

Within minutes Retha made us feel completely comfortable and the visiting began!  And it continued for 2 days, till the wee hours of the morning.  Randy kept talking about a nap in the afternoon, but it never happened!  The photo to the left is a perfect example of the the drought that Texas and most of the southwest are experiencing.  We were actually standing at the boat launch at the State Park outside of San Angelo, and there used to be a lake there!  A nice deep lake also!  As you can see, they're a little dry out there.  So if anyone tries to sell you waterfront property online, you had better check it out first.  Randy told us that San Angelo has about 13 months of water left.  Need to get some prayers for rain started.  Reluctantly after 2 days we headed west but not until we got a promise from Randy and Retha to a visit in NY.  Looks like we'll be seeing them in Florida next year, and we know that will be a great time.  Thanks for everything guys!
     From Texas we headed for New Mexico.  By the way, if you've never driven across Texas, you have to do it sometime.  We spent about a week of driving time getting across Texas, and when Satellite Sue told me that I could be in New Mexico in 2 hours, I pulled up my boots and kept on going.

Still it took 2 days to get to Santa Fe which was our next planned stop.  Santa Fe is a nice little artsy fartsy town, full of galleries and museums.  Seems like every other building is an art gallery.  We stopped in at the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi which was an extremely beautiful church. The church was originally built in 1610, and was destroyed and rebuilt numerous times until finally the current cathedral was finished in 1887.  The Cathedral was elevated to a Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

      Also, one of the most fascinating churches we've visited is located in Santa Fe.  The Loretto Chapel is something one has to visit to completely understand.  When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, a staircase was needed for access by the nuns to the choir loft 22 feet above.  Local carpenters were contacted, but none were able to design a staircase that would not interfere with the small chapel.  The Sisters of the Chapel conducted a novena to St Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters for nine days .  On the ninth day a man appeared at the chapel with just a few tools. Months later a magnificent staircase was completed, and the man disappeared.

 The staircase has two complete 360 degree turns and no visible means of support.  There are reports that the type of wood used to build the staircase has never been identified.  Many believe that St Joseph appeared and completed the work.  The photo to the right shows the original stairway, while the one above is a what is currently there.  The handrails were added at a later time.  There are no nails in this staircase.
      We're presently in Yuma, AZ, so you can see I'm a few days behind.  We toured some wonderful National Monuments while in Santa Fe, and I will continue with that story on the next blog.  After 2 days of cold weather and a snowstorm, we headed south, and ended up in Yuma.  And of course I have another BP friend to visit.  Can you believe it?