BFN - 2017-12-06 11:53 PM

Des Moines, IA-- you may not need to stop so close to MSP but there is a convenient horse hotel that is cheap and has a couple large pastures for multiple horse turn out. PM if you need name, etc.

Kansas City-- Just South of KC there are large cattle pens right off the freeway to the South. Beautiful place to stop with very large secure pens. Nobody there usually...just occasional semis that stop...and people taking pictures, lol.

Guymon, Oklahoma--I always used to stop at the sale barn in Guymon but I haven't stopped there for awhile now so I couldn't say for sure that it's still a good "layover" spot. (If the weather is questionable, you may want to consider the slightly longer route south down the I-35 to OKC to hit I-40 West. The backroads through southwestern Kansas can be slow going in the winter time and there is nothing out there or no-one to help you if you need anything or break down. Going through Guymon and Dalhart...2 lane windy roads with lots of little unincorporated towns to go through until you finally get down to Moriarty.)

Moriarty, New Mexico-- (Currently you have to get into the fairgrounds in Moriarty before 4 pm bc they have started to lock the gate because people have been stealing stuff.). Covered pens and stalls at this location and nice folks.

Albuquerque Fairgrounds--Enter at Gate 6 and turn to the left after you enter the gate and then make an immediate right to travel along a concrete wall just on the north side of the indoor arenas. You can unload right next to the cattle pens, which are usually empty, and there is room for a ton of horses, lol. Nice safe clean place with security. You can also get stalls here by calling ahead if you need to lay over for awhile. The gate person will probably ask if you have reservations but let them know you are just making a "brief stop without stalls" which doesn't require reservations. If you come in "after hours" and gate 6 is closed just travel south passed gate 6 and enter at the main entrance by the track, which is always open, and just work your way back north through the little streets to the arena section.

Holbrook, Arizona--Head South on the main drag from the I-40 and the fairgrounds will be on the left just before you head out of town. There are old race horse stalls here for use. Clean up after yourself type of situation if you stop here.

There's several places for ya! just in case...you never know when you may need to stop. ;-)

*** Check ahead on the weather in Northern AZ... If they have snow, you may have to go to Flagstaff and then down I-17 bc the routes through Payson may be closed. I'm sure you are used to icy snow covered roads but the roads up in Northern AZ are not roads you want to be on in bad winter weather. And if they have closed a road, you may not know about it until you are half way down the mountain, and where they set up the barricade, you probably will not be able to turn around with a truck and a trailer. Yes, it has happened to me, lol. Middle of nowhere and nothing at all out there but a lot of trees and elk. Check with ADOT.

If u r dropping down from Holbrook, fuel up in Holbrook and then again in Payson.

Questions or need more of my crazy insider info, just pm me....or if you have problems/questions along the way, just holler.

Good luck!!