Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Friday, June 6, 2014

Touring the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque

Located in the heart of Albuquerque site sits a museum complex that has been on Ron’s Bucket List for some time, and we took time while in Albuquerque this year to visit it – the Unser Racing Museum.

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As a youngster growing  up in Salem, Indiana, Ron frequented the racetrack there, and remember a racer named Unser (he thinks it was Jerry, Jr.).

The Unser immigrated from Switzerland, settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The family began making news when in September 1915 they rode a motorcycle and sidecar to the summit of Pike's Peak, a mountain previously declared to be unscalable. Soon after  this conquest, the Colorado City police hired the three Unser brothers to teach them how to ride motorcycles, and in 1916 after a road was built, Spencer Penrose officially staged a "Race to the Clouds", a 12.4 mile race to the peak, which continues as an annual event to this day. 

In 1936, the Jerry, Sr. relocated the family to Albuquerque.  In addition to having their home base there, they also owned a repair garage.  Members of the family still make their home there. 

The museum, commemorating the family’s racing history throughout 4 generations, is a 2 building modern facility with multi-media exhibits.

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Out front on display is a racecar from the 20’s and another against an Indy simulated wall.       

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Inside the two buildings, the displays range from the earliest Unser racing vehicles to the most modern.

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There is even a simulator where you take a spin at being in the driver’s seat. (We both enjoyed the realistic experience.)

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The second building contains a locked room with glass walls containing many of the various trophies collected by the family members.

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A mock-up of Jerry’s Garage lets you get the feeling of having been there, right down to the checkerboard and stove.2014-06-05 - NM, Albuquerque - Unser Museum -010    2014-06-05 - NM, Albuquerque - Unser Museum -0112014-06-05 - NM, Albuquerque - Unser Museum -012

 

For more information, see the official site at Unser Racing Museum .  You can also view a virtual tour at Albuquerque Virtual Site.