After we left the Grand Canyon, we went to Las Vegas for four nights. It is a different town from when we last visited. So far, it has been the low point of the trip. It has turned into a high-priced version of Pigeon Forge. We are currently in Victorville, California. We hope to go to Sequoia National Park tomorrow.

Since we left Santa Fe, Internet access and phone service have been sporadic. We spent two nights in Albquerque, NM, and two nights camping in state park east of Gallup, NM. We left Gallup in the rain headed across the Navajo Reservation. We stopped at a convenience store/gas station/laundry mat in Gando, AZ. While standing outside the laundry mat soaking wet contemplating our next move, we met two wonderful people, Chico and Rose Gonzalez. They escorted us to their Church where they let us spend the night in the church, The Seventh Day Adventist of Kinlichlee, fellowship hall.

We were going through Gando on our way to Tuba City, AZ to visit two of my Viet Nam friends, Elmer Jean, and Elmer Tomasiyo. Elmer Jean had worked with Rose’s sister, Rita, and they were able to contact him to let him know we were coming. We visited with both of my friends on Wednesday night. I had not seen either Elmer since July 1971. On Thursday, Elmer Jean showed us around Tuba City and Page, AZ. It was a great visit. Currently, we are camped in a USDA campground 35 miles north of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Chico and Rose, thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality. I can never express how much we appreciated it. Thank you Elmer Jean for the great tour.

Seventh Day Adventist Church of Kinlichee, Arizona

After we left Wiley, we went to Oklahoma City, where I was able to visit with another friend from Viet Nam, Terry Garrett. It was the first time I had seen Terry since July 1971. Since we left Oklahoma City, we have been moving west along old Route 66 and I-40. We are currently just north of Santa Fe, NM. We are not sure where we are headed next.

After we left Clarksdale, we spent two nights in Hot Springs, AR and two nights at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. We spent five days in Wiley. On Friday, we spent most of the afternoon visiting with a friend, Larry Martinez, and his wife from my days in Viet Nam. Larry is a great guy, and it was a pleasure to see him. On Saturday, we took the train to Dallas where we visited Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. We are currently in Ardmore, OK and headed to the Norman area.