Return to Show Low

On the last morning...

There were a couple of roadrunners in the parking lot of our hotel...

We didn't see any coyotes or boxes from Acme Explosives.

We stopped by the AirBnB house to see family one last time. Joan and family had a long drive (12+ hours) so had already left, and Scott and family had a 7+ hour drive to their overnight stop so we waved as they left at the same time we arrived. We helped clear out food from the pantry and refrigerator and bid goodbye to Steve and family, Kim and family, and Pamela (who had also come over to help with final clearing out).

On our way back, the GPS gave an option of different routes, so we decided to get off the interstate for much of the drive. We took I-40 almost to Grants, NM, and then headed south. 

This route took us through El Malpais National Monument -- a beautiful drive! Unfortunately, we didn't think to take any pictures! The road went between mountains on one side (right side of the route in the picture), and lava fields on the other (dark patches on the left side of the route). (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Albuquerque,+New+Mexico/Quemado,+New+Mexico+87829/Show+Low,+Arizona/@34.9023283,-108.121473,93055m/)

We tried to get a picture of the "Welcome to Arizona" sign on US60 as we were driving, but it came up too quickly and was too small -- so instead we got a picture on the GPS screen!

We got back to the rig safe and sound and enjoyed relaxing and recovering from a great trip!

Visit to Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument was not far away from the house in Albuquerque where the family was staying, so on the last day, while many of the guys went out to Top Golf and many of the ladies went shopping, Carl and I decided to visit...

We drove to the visitor center...

The signboard there told us that there was nothing to see at the visitor center, but there was a container with maps...

aka: "If you came here to see something, there is nothing to see!"

We decided that Boca Negra Canyon had trails that we might be interested in viewing and we picked up an info flyer with a map.

We drove a couple of miles to Boca Negra Canyon ...

Carl had determined that the Macaw Trail would be good to try -- it was quite short.

I guess that's a Macaw!

A paddle?

There was another slightly longer trail near the Macaw Trail so we decided to do it too.

We read in another place that it was not appropriate to ask what the meanings of the petroglyphs were... but since the information sign said that they might be "marking trade routes... or communicating to others using imagery", we decided to make up our own meanings...

"Lots of bugs here"

"A guy with a plume on his hat and another one with an interesting nose are following a star"

"Target store, this exit!"

"A place to sit" ?a restroom here? feel free to recline?

"Baker ahead" (looks like a baker's hat to me)

"M&M man!" 

It was quite warm (we should have visited early in the morning, instead it was around 11am) but we appreciated that there were a couple of short paths we could explore. 

Day 4 Albuquerque Family Reunion

Last full day of Williams Family Reunion, 2026 edition.

The "Cousin Crew" teeshirts had been handed out and the cousins posed for pictures.

Lining up in age order, or by height, were both attempted, but without success. They did end up with siblings next to each other.

Youngest grand Addi had been jealously watching her older cousins playing pool, so when they were out for a while, she took advantage of using the pool table...

... she had her own unique style of getting the balls into the pockets -- consisting of dragging the cue along the table and moving the balls around.

Considering that she couldn't really even see the top of the table, she did a credible job!

Day 3 Albuquerque Family Reunion

Day 3 had Patti visiting a friend and Carl spending time at the airBnB with family.

Carl sent me pictures of the lunch dishes some of his kids made... 

Joan created a beautiful charcuterie tray to share...

Kim fixed a healthy veggie tray for herself...

Scott made a lunch of champions for himself -- brat with mustard and Cheetos!

I drove up to Santa Fe to see my friend and former co-worker, Holly -- we had a great visit!

On my way back, I stopped off to get some cat food at PetsMart -- we have to change the canned food we are giving Miss Kitty frequently, and one of the foods that is in "rotation" I have only found at PetsMart. Unfortunately, there are no PetsMarts in Show Low, and I wanted to get some in our supply.

While there, I saw the adoption area and this tuxedo boy was up on the top of all the cages! When I first saw him, he was sitting bolt-upright like a statue of an Egyptian cat and I wasn't sure if he was a real or not! By time I got my phone out, he was crouched back down...

This picture shows how high up he was! There is a cat tree over to the left (outside of picture range) that he used to get up there (I had wondered if he had jumped that high, but the adoption agency person there said that he uses the cat tree).

Carl had a good time with his kids and grandkids and I enjoyed visiting Holly and getting some needed shopping done.

Day 2 Albuquerque Family Reunion

On Tuesday, there was more swimming and visiting...

In the afternoon, we headed out to a food court at Sawmill Market where we got snacks or late lunch.

The cousins were outside together.

One of the things Carl particularly requested is that a family picture be done. We decided to do it in the back yard of the B&B where there was a big Albuquerque sign.

Sign on the wall of the back yard

Williams family group shot, with the added "AL" of Albuquerque showing out the side!

Cropped down so "AL" isn't in the picture so much!

Then we did some family groupings...

Joan and Joel and their children and Rookie, the dog.

We decided it might be better for the people not to be blocking the Albuquerque sign, so the family moved to the side... but then they look tiny...

... so cropped to see them better.

Pamela and Dylan...

... cropped to see them better!

Steve, Shay, and Addi

Steve, Shay, and Addi

Patti and Carl

Patti and Carl

Scott and Kristen and their family

Scott and Kristen and their family

Carl got his family pictures and I think they came out pretty good for everyone!

Day 1 Albuquerque Family Reunion

Monday was the first full day of the Williams Family Reunion - Albuquerque edition, 2026.

The pool was quite popular!

Addi enjoyed jumping into the pool -- to her daddy, Steve...

... and to her cousin, Thatcher!

She also took a turn on the float.

Pamela still has school this week, so she and Dylan came a little late for breakfast, but still had plenty of biscuits and gravy!

Later in the day, son Steve was grillmaster cooking up burgers, brats, and dogs!

Serving up dishes in the kitchen - delicious watermelon!

Cutie Addi

Later in the evening, we gathered in the family room to watch Project Hail Mary -- all the cousins on the couch with Auntie (Pamela) and Dylan.

Kim was still "kitchening" - putting together the egg casserole for Tuesday morning.

Adults on various chairs around the room

"Intermission" was "make-your-own-ice-cream-creation".

Although we had seen the movie a couple of months ago, there were many parts that we had forgotten. We have gotten the audio book and plan to listen to it on our drive back to Show Low in a few days.