Friday, October 25, 2013 Packing, unpacking, repacking
So, this entire week, we have been unpacking the cargo trailer, truck, motorcycle trailer, and caravan. Then, after taking out what we need for our temporary stay here in South Carolina, (which may be 6 months or may be 1 year), we packed it all into the cargo trailer so we can take it to a spot where it will be out of the way. Once that is done, we can do some visiting with our kids and grandkids. It has been almost a year since I have seen them and I am very excited.
While blueberry picking (one of my favorite things to do in Alaska), I thought about the many blessings (despite my constant protests) that God has given me during the last 16 years. That is what I want to remember, and I look forward to the blessings that tomorrow holds. ("Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9)
Friday, October 25, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
THE FINISH
October 19, 2013; Day 20; Mile 4917 -5,273: Journey's End (for now)
We were up at 0430 and on the road by 0615 after breakfast and a No-Doz. We crossed into the Eastern Time Zone as we entered Georgia at 0752. It was a cloudy day (Thank you, God). We finished listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is a sad story but at the same time it has a happy ending that Mom & I are pleased with. I recommend you listen to or read it. We arrived at our destination around 1615. Dad was so happy to be back in warm country. Mom & I were so happy it was a cloudy day because temperatures reached about 72 degrees today and the air conditioning doesn't work in the caravan. Dave had to back the trailer about 250 yards (not miles-thanks Colleen for catching this mistake) into the front yard since the road is too narrow to turn around. It was a little tricky.
We were up at 0430 and on the road by 0615 after breakfast and a No-Doz. We crossed into the Eastern Time Zone as we entered Georgia at 0752. It was a cloudy day (Thank you, God). We finished listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is a sad story but at the same time it has a happy ending that Mom & I are pleased with. I recommend you listen to or read it. We arrived at our destination around 1615. Dad was so happy to be back in warm country. Mom & I were so happy it was a cloudy day because temperatures reached about 72 degrees today and the air conditioning doesn't work in the caravan. Dave had to back the trailer about 250 yards (not miles-thanks Colleen for catching this mistake) into the front yard since the road is too narrow to turn around. It was a little tricky.
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| Atlanta, Georgia in background. |
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| Cloudy Georgia skies. |
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| Caravan at rest. |
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| A very dirty trailer in front yard. |
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
On the Road Again
Day 14 and Day 15. R&R.
Feels good to sleep late. Feels good not driving. Feels good to get dressed in the warmth.
Day 16; Mile 3,387-3,675: October 15, 2013 Leaving Fort Collins, Colorado & entering Kansas.
By 1117, we were in our vehicles and continuing our journey. As the day goes by, it is very sunny and windy too. I forgot how flat eastern Colorado is. Driving through the Denver area is not very interesting-typical large city scenery. Stopping for fuel in any town-large or small-has been quite a challenge. It was not unusual to pull into a gas station and find out that they don't carry diesel so Dave would have to find another station. And when you are driving a full size pickup pulling a 26 foot trailer, weaving through city streets and small gas stations, you can't do it very quickly. Once it took us about an hour to finally get fueled. But it has been easy for me. Everytime I pulled up to a pump, dad jumped out of the truck and ran over to do the fueling. Quite nice, especially since I dislike pumping gas. At 1835, we stopped in Colby, Kansas at a Walmart (of course) for the night. I bought some "Nature's Harvest Oat Bran & Sesame Sticks" at Walmart. They were delicious. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them again in the next Walmart we stopped at. We are in Central Time Zone now.
Day 17; Mile 3,675-4,026: Windmills & Sorghum.
We were up early today and left Walmart at 0655. Kansas is very flat on the western side but changes over to rolling countryside. There must be thousands of acres of windmills in Kansas. I have never seen so many windmills. I think there must be thousands of acres of red sorghum, too. I read that Kansas grows more sorghum than any other state. Mom and I finished listening to the Mitford Books on tape (by Jan Karon). We enjoyed them very much. In Topeka, Kansas, we had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse with a friend of Dave. And then we parked for the night in--you were going to say Walmart, I bet--a Sam's parking lot-next door to Walmart. It seemed more level-turned out to be very noisy and too much light.
Day 18; Mile 4026-4462: Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and a full moon.
We were on the road again by 0720 and were in Missouri by 1000. Missouri has lots of farms. We couldn't always identify what was growing in the fields. I think farmers should put up large signs telling those who are sightseeing what they are growing. Mom agrees with me, I think. But she may be playing it safe; after all, I am driving and would one disagree with another who has one's life in their hands? We started listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a historical novel, by Mary Ann Shaffer. After the first 15 minutes I didn't think I would like it but it has become very interesting. I think we will continue listening tomorrow. Darkness, once again, came on quickly while we hurried to reach our next stop. There was a full moon visible. We spent the night (no, not at Walmart) at the Phillips Motel in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. No internet, though-can't expect much for $48.
Day 19; Mile 4462-4917: 4 States-Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississipi, and Alabama
In the morning, on our way to McDonalds for breakfast (remodeled McD's-very nice), Dave noticed the tire was flat on the motorcycle trailer, again! This time the problem was the steel wheel. It had several teeny, tiny holes that allowed air to escape. But we still managed to get going by 0830. In Birmingham, Alabama we had to detour after the highway ended and drove through some of the worst roads of the trip. I had the clutch smoking when I had to go up a very steep driveway after pulling off to look at a map. Daniel helped us get back onto the correct path. Mom and I continue to listen to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. We really enjoy it and are hoping Juliet doesn't marry Mark. We contacted our special travel agent via cell phone to find the closest Walmart and once again he comes through and skilfully guides us, as the sun is setting, to our next rendezvous with our good friend: a Walmart parking lot--this time, in Leeds, Alabama. Thanks Daniel!!! And thanks again, Walmart.
Feels good to sleep late. Feels good not driving. Feels good to get dressed in the warmth.
Day 16; Mile 3,387-3,675: October 15, 2013 Leaving Fort Collins, Colorado & entering Kansas.
By 1117, we were in our vehicles and continuing our journey. As the day goes by, it is very sunny and windy too. I forgot how flat eastern Colorado is. Driving through the Denver area is not very interesting-typical large city scenery. Stopping for fuel in any town-large or small-has been quite a challenge. It was not unusual to pull into a gas station and find out that they don't carry diesel so Dave would have to find another station. And when you are driving a full size pickup pulling a 26 foot trailer, weaving through city streets and small gas stations, you can't do it very quickly. Once it took us about an hour to finally get fueled. But it has been easy for me. Everytime I pulled up to a pump, dad jumped out of the truck and ran over to do the fueling. Quite nice, especially since I dislike pumping gas. At 1835, we stopped in Colby, Kansas at a Walmart (of course) for the night. I bought some "Nature's Harvest Oat Bran & Sesame Sticks" at Walmart. They were delicious. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them again in the next Walmart we stopped at. We are in Central Time Zone now.
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| Colorado |
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| Lots of windmills in Colorado, too. |
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| Colorado (see train on the right). |
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| Sunset in Kansas. |
Day 17; Mile 3,675-4,026: Windmills & Sorghum.
We were up early today and left Walmart at 0655. Kansas is very flat on the western side but changes over to rolling countryside. There must be thousands of acres of windmills in Kansas. I have never seen so many windmills. I think there must be thousands of acres of red sorghum, too. I read that Kansas grows more sorghum than any other state. Mom and I finished listening to the Mitford Books on tape (by Jan Karon). We enjoyed them very much. In Topeka, Kansas, we had dinner at the Texas Roadhouse with a friend of Dave. And then we parked for the night in--you were going to say Walmart, I bet--a Sam's parking lot-next door to Walmart. It seemed more level-turned out to be very noisy and too much light.
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| Windmills along the horizon in Kansas. |
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| Eisenhower Museum in Abilene. It was closed due to the US government shutdown. We were very disappointed. |
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| Kansas countryside with stone fence. |
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| Stone fences dating back to late 19th century when free range was abolished in Kansas. |
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| Good incentive for all the work that goes into building stone fences. |
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| I love stone fences. |
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| Kansas countryside. |
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| Kansas. Truck and trailer are ahead of us. |
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| We didn't get any good pictures of the sorghum fields so I copied this off the internet from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5_Q2qgrGYRfDejnu_Kaqe0ApAE7U4pQGMCwr8tdSolrn7YjPtxkF4bUR9PNHztE-50Js1PN3ey5iRJQgCiYUbNA8vPlbnzzJmgThP1lZCo-1cYlrt0nSKHbZlJ4JMZB49393Iwq9pcx5/s1600/sorghum+plant.jpg The leaves look very much like corn plant leaves. |
Day 18; Mile 4026-4462: Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and a full moon.
We were on the road again by 0720 and were in Missouri by 1000. Missouri has lots of farms. We couldn't always identify what was growing in the fields. I think farmers should put up large signs telling those who are sightseeing what they are growing. Mom agrees with me, I think. But she may be playing it safe; after all, I am driving and would one disagree with another who has one's life in their hands? We started listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a historical novel, by Mary Ann Shaffer. After the first 15 minutes I didn't think I would like it but it has become very interesting. I think we will continue listening tomorrow. Darkness, once again, came on quickly while we hurried to reach our next stop. There was a full moon visible. We spent the night (no, not at Walmart) at the Phillips Motel in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. No internet, though-can't expect much for $48.
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| Sharing the road with horse & buggy in Missouri |
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| Missouri's gently rolling countrside. You can see the road in the distance. |
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| More Missouri. |
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| Arkansas and full moon. |
Day 19; Mile 4462-4917: 4 States-Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississipi, and Alabama
In the morning, on our way to McDonalds for breakfast (remodeled McD's-very nice), Dave noticed the tire was flat on the motorcycle trailer, again! This time the problem was the steel wheel. It had several teeny, tiny holes that allowed air to escape. But we still managed to get going by 0830. In Birmingham, Alabama we had to detour after the highway ended and drove through some of the worst roads of the trip. I had the clutch smoking when I had to go up a very steep driveway after pulling off to look at a map. Daniel helped us get back onto the correct path. Mom and I continue to listen to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. We really enjoy it and are hoping Juliet doesn't marry Mark. We contacted our special travel agent via cell phone to find the closest Walmart and once again he comes through and skilfully guides us, as the sun is setting, to our next rendezvous with our good friend: a Walmart parking lot--this time, in Leeds, Alabama. Thanks Daniel!!! And thanks again, Walmart.
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| Dave changing flat tire. |
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| Arkansas |
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| Crossing Mississippi River. |
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| Mississippi |
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| Alabama |
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| Alabama |
Looking back at Days 10 to 12
Day 10; Mile 2300 (?)-2573 Leave Canada & Welcome to Montana.
We awoke to a frosty morning with temperatures in the mid 20's-our coldest morning. But the skies were clear and soon the sun was shining brightly. After melting the ice off the windshield, we were on our way to the U.S. At 1245, we crossed the border into the U.S. and this time, it was trouble free and all the tires stayed inflated. Dave had forgotten to check the tire pressure on the two repaired tires (got them, supposedly, repaired in Grand Prairie at a tire shop). What a surprise that neither had enough air in them to support anything!! Found out that the patch put over the hole leaked so it was useless and the other tire was never filled properly. Major problem if had another flat. If you ever get a tire fixed, make sure it is filled to the proper air pressure. It was dark by the time we got to Bozeman-after 2000, and we spent the night in Walmart's parking lot.
Day 11; Mile 2573- 2848 Bozeman and Katherine's Storage Bin.
We spent about three hours at the storage place and loaded most of Katherine's things into the trailer. Any thing left behind will go on CraigsList. This night, once again, we stayed in Walmart's parking lot in Laurel, MT.
Day 12; Mile2848-3196: Welcome to Wyoming (It's not ugly, Katherine)
We crossed into Wyoming around 1130. Wyoming started out hilly, then changed to flat land, then changed again to a little bit of everything. It is very dry but very pretty. I really enjoyed the scenery. But (except for the cities) I enjoyed all the country we have been driving through-both Canada and U.S. While trying to pull into the lane to get back onto the highway, we almost got clobbered by another vehicle that was in too much of a hurry to be kind. The stress of the trip must be getting to mom--she called the guy a dumbo!! By the time we reached Douglas Wyoming, it was getting late and we couldn't find a Walmart to park at. A very kind person at Shopko allowed us to stay in their parking lot.
Day 13; Mile 3196-3361: Welcome to Colorado
We were so glad to see Colorado. Our last shower was in Whitecourt, Alberta where we stayed at a hotel the night of Oct. 7. We arrived at Dave's sister's house in Fort Collins around 1215 and we relaxed for three days. Mom and Dad enjoyed three nights of sleeping in a real bed and not a camper table the size of a twin bed. Dave changed the oil in the Caravan; we went for a walk; ate good food (thanks Suzi & Justin); enjoyed good wine; and most important - spent time with family we don't see very often. Mom & I could kick ourselves for not taking any pictures of the family.
We awoke to a frosty morning with temperatures in the mid 20's-our coldest morning. But the skies were clear and soon the sun was shining brightly. After melting the ice off the windshield, we were on our way to the U.S. At 1245, we crossed the border into the U.S. and this time, it was trouble free and all the tires stayed inflated. Dave had forgotten to check the tire pressure on the two repaired tires (got them, supposedly, repaired in Grand Prairie at a tire shop). What a surprise that neither had enough air in them to support anything!! Found out that the patch put over the hole leaked so it was useless and the other tire was never filled properly. Major problem if had another flat. If you ever get a tire fixed, make sure it is filled to the proper air pressure. It was dark by the time we got to Bozeman-after 2000, and we spent the night in Walmart's parking lot.
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| Alberta, Canada |
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| Alberta, Canada |
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| Alberta, Canada (can see truck & motorcycle in side view mirror) |
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| Border Crossing |
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| Montana-early afternoon |
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| For you James-see motorcycle in rear view mirror. |
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| Bridge over an unknown river, in middle of picture. |
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| Montana |
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| Montana early evening |
Day 11; Mile 2573- 2848 Bozeman and Katherine's Storage Bin.
We spent about three hours at the storage place and loaded most of Katherine's things into the trailer. Any thing left behind will go on CraigsList. This night, once again, we stayed in Walmart's parking lot in Laurel, MT.
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| Loading Katherine's stuff. |
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| Montana early evening |
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| Montana sunset. |
We crossed into Wyoming around 1130. Wyoming started out hilly, then changed to flat land, then changed again to a little bit of everything. It is very dry but very pretty. I really enjoyed the scenery. But (except for the cities) I enjoyed all the country we have been driving through-both Canada and U.S. While trying to pull into the lane to get back onto the highway, we almost got clobbered by another vehicle that was in too much of a hurry to be kind. The stress of the trip must be getting to mom--she called the guy a dumbo!! By the time we reached Douglas Wyoming, it was getting late and we couldn't find a Walmart to park at. A very kind person at Shopko allowed us to stay in their parking lot.
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| Wyoming Welcome Center. It was sooo windy. |
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| Wyoming |
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| Look, Katherine, at the beautiful countryside in Wyoming. |
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| More Wyoming |
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| Lots of Windmills in Wyoming but wait until you drive through Kansas. |
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| Still Wyoming. |
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| Evening in Wyoming. You will have to take another look, Katherine. |
Day 13; Mile 3196-3361: Welcome to Colorado
We were so glad to see Colorado. Our last shower was in Whitecourt, Alberta where we stayed at a hotel the night of Oct. 7. We arrived at Dave's sister's house in Fort Collins around 1215 and we relaxed for three days. Mom and Dad enjoyed three nights of sleeping in a real bed and not a camper table the size of a twin bed. Dave changed the oil in the Caravan; we went for a walk; ate good food (thanks Suzi & Justin); enjoyed good wine; and most important - spent time with family we don't see very often. Mom & I could kick ourselves for not taking any pictures of the family.
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| Wyoming--Getting close to Colorado. |
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| Colorado |
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| Welcome Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. |
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