I woke this morning and had no where to go. While I'm really glad to be home, there is a bit of an empty feeling. I have no journey to plan for the day.
Total states visited: 20
Total days for the trip: 65
Total miles traveled: 11,530
Total value of the trip: PRICELESS!!
The following is a very random collection of thoughts from the trip.
The bed in the camper is comfortable, but my bed at home is REALLY, REALLY comfortable.
I stepped on the scales and I lost 5 or 6 pounds. Maybe it was the exercise of walking Zoey, or not snacking on junk food, or just maybe its because I'm a lazy cook. Often I would be tired at the end of the day and instead of taking the effort to make a nice meal, I would just grab a peanut butter sandwich.
There are nice people everywhere. If you extend a warm smile, nine times out of ten you will get one in return.
I was surprised and amazed at the number of Europeans touring the National Parks of the United States. Many of them were young couples in rented Class C RV's. The ones I talked to just can't get over how beautiful our country is.
Get off the Interstate Highways now and then. You will see and learn so much more.
A list of miscellaneous attractions that I visited:
- Had a drink in the oldest bar in the state of Washington
- Shopped in the oldest pharmacy in the state of California
- Visited the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
- Drove through the highest automobile tunnel in the United States
- Stood at the Geographic Center of the lower 48 states
Life is more fun when you can share it. That is one of the reasons I wrote this travel blog. I want to thank all of you who commented on the blog, sent texts, emailed, commented on Facebook, or just called on the phone. That interaction was really appreciated, especially when you are so far from home.
Finally, always travel with a dog. Its even better if they are a blonde Golden Retriever. They are the worlds greatest social lubricant.
Lets see, where do I want to go next................
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 65, Saturday 10/29
561 miles and parked in my driveway at home, Gouverneur, NY!!!
My original plan was to end the trip with a two night stay at Justin and Amy's home in Queensbury, NY. However the storm predictions came true and my route through central Pennsylvania was scheduled to get 6 to 12 inches of heavy wet snow. It was already snowing at Matt's house.
I packed up and was on the road by 8:00. It snowed a good share of the morning, but by the time I reached Erie, PA I drove out of it. I didn't seen any more snow for the rest of the trip home. According to the radio, however, the east coast was getting pounded by the unusual late October storm.
I pulled into my driveway right at 6:00 PM. Zoey was beside herself. She grabbed a toy and ran circles around the house for probably ten minutes. I unloaded a couple of things, made a peanut butter sandwich for dinner and was in bed by 8:00.
Its great to be home. I'll write an epilogue Sunday............
My original plan was to end the trip with a two night stay at Justin and Amy's home in Queensbury, NY. However the storm predictions came true and my route through central Pennsylvania was scheduled to get 6 to 12 inches of heavy wet snow. It was already snowing at Matt's house.
I packed up and was on the road by 8:00. It snowed a good share of the morning, but by the time I reached Erie, PA I drove out of it. I didn't seen any more snow for the rest of the trip home. According to the radio, however, the east coast was getting pounded by the unusual late October storm.
I pulled into my driveway right at 6:00 PM. Zoey was beside herself. She grabbed a toy and ran circles around the house for probably ten minutes. I unloaded a couple of things, made a peanut butter sandwich for dinner and was in bed by 8:00.
Its great to be home. I'll write an epilogue Sunday............
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 64, Friday 10/28
0 miles and still camped in Matt and Jaime's driveway.
It was cold this morning at 28 degrees. In fact, the only other time on this trip I've seen 28 was at the Grand Canyon in Williams, Arizona a couple of weeks ago. There was frost on the grass. As the sun warmed the ground, a light fog settled over the lawn. Matt had deer grazing in his front yard. The day started out beautiful, but soon clouded over and the temperature never went above 44.
Jaime had to work today. Matt's job basically works four, ten hour days, or some version of that. That means he has Fridays off. He is chief babysitter on Friday and I got to help. Chasen, at two and a half, is all boy and a handful. He is at the age of no fear and he runs, climbs, dives, and anything else to scare the adults. He has a huge toy truck collection and constantly wants to play "park the trucks." Kaylin is a low maintenance, two month old baby who sleeps, eats, and on rare occasions will cry.
After Jaime got home from work, we all went out for dinner at Outback. Jaime's dad and brother were deer hunting in Ohio, so her mom Linda joined us. During dinner Jaime and Linda received text messages and photos of the seven point her dad Gary got this afternoon.
My original plan was to go to Justin and Amy's in Queensbury, NY on Saturday. But, there is a huge winter storm predicted in my path, so my plans are in limbo now. The weather service is predicting 6 to 12 inches of snow, depending on the temperatures, in some of the mountains of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the Catskills of New York. I may just head north to Buffalo, Syracuse and then home and avoid the storm. I'll see what the morning brings.........
It was cold this morning at 28 degrees. In fact, the only other time on this trip I've seen 28 was at the Grand Canyon in Williams, Arizona a couple of weeks ago. There was frost on the grass. As the sun warmed the ground, a light fog settled over the lawn. Matt had deer grazing in his front yard. The day started out beautiful, but soon clouded over and the temperature never went above 44.
Jaime had to work today. Matt's job basically works four, ten hour days, or some version of that. That means he has Fridays off. He is chief babysitter on Friday and I got to help. Chasen, at two and a half, is all boy and a handful. He is at the age of no fear and he runs, climbs, dives, and anything else to scare the adults. He has a huge toy truck collection and constantly wants to play "park the trucks." Kaylin is a low maintenance, two month old baby who sleeps, eats, and on rare occasions will cry.
After Jaime got home from work, we all went out for dinner at Outback. Jaime's dad and brother were deer hunting in Ohio, so her mom Linda joined us. During dinner Jaime and Linda received text messages and photos of the seven point her dad Gary got this afternoon.
My original plan was to go to Justin and Amy's in Queensbury, NY on Saturday. But, there is a huge winter storm predicted in my path, so my plans are in limbo now. The weather service is predicting 6 to 12 inches of snow, depending on the temperatures, in some of the mountains of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the Catskills of New York. I may just head north to Buffalo, Syracuse and then home and avoid the storm. I'll see what the morning brings.........
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 63, Thursday 10/27
249 miles, and camped in the driveway of Matt and Jaime Sipher, Shinnston, West Virginia. Poor Zoey. I had her sit in the rain for the picture.
When I went to bed last night in Ohio, the temperature was 65 and the stars were shining. When I woke this morning, the temperature was 44 and it was raining. Either the Weather Gods are telling me that its time to end the road trip, or else I'm way too far north. :-)
It rained the entire trip today. The flat corn fields of Ohio turned into the rolling hills of West Virginia. Some of the leaves were still on the trees, so I got to see some Fall color.
Once I arrived, I almost felt like I was home. Matt and Jaime's house was my first stop on this trip 63 days ago. Now I'm back. My daughter in law Jaime was intent on carving a pumpkin this evening, and it turned out really well. However, getting Chasen to smile on command is another issue. Believe me, he does smile a lot when the camera is not around.
Kaylin slept through the carving ceremony. I did grab a couple of pictures as she was waking up. I last saw her when she was six days old. She has changed so much during the last two months.
Friday I take the day off and hang around the grandchildren, Chasen and Kaylin.......
When I went to bed last night in Ohio, the temperature was 65 and the stars were shining. When I woke this morning, the temperature was 44 and it was raining. Either the Weather Gods are telling me that its time to end the road trip, or else I'm way too far north. :-)
It rained the entire trip today. The flat corn fields of Ohio turned into the rolling hills of West Virginia. Some of the leaves were still on the trees, so I got to see some Fall color.
Once I arrived, I almost felt like I was home. Matt and Jaime's house was my first stop on this trip 63 days ago. Now I'm back. My daughter in law Jaime was intent on carving a pumpkin this evening, and it turned out really well. However, getting Chasen to smile on command is another issue. Believe me, he does smile a lot when the camera is not around.
Kaylin slept through the carving ceremony. I did grab a couple of pictures as she was waking up. I last saw her when she was six days old. She has changed so much during the last two months.
Friday I take the day off and hang around the grandchildren, Chasen and Kaylin.......
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 62, Wednesday 10/26
242 miles, and camped at Buck Creek State Park, Springfield, Ohio. I'm finally back in the Eastern Time Zone!!
Well, as of today the road trip is basically over. Tonight is the last night I camp in a strange place. From here I spend two days at Matt's in West Virginia and then two days at Justin's in Queensbury, NY and then home. I'm both sad and excited. I will be really glad to be home to see friends and family. On the other hand, this trip has been a real adventure. I've met new people, seen new places, and pushed the envelope on my comfort level. When I left on August 26th, I could not imagine staying on the road for 60 plus days. Now I wonder where all those days went.
Today's travel was uneventful. I ran Interstate 70 the entire way. It was busy, crowed, and not at all relaxing. The major interstate highways have turned into the equivalent of railroad tracks for tractor trailers. I'm not complaining, just saying. I'll bet two-thirds of the traffic was truck traffic. I did a quick bit of research on the net, and this Iowa study says a lot. I don't know what the answer is. As the world population approaches seven billion, more "stuff" will have to be moved. Some of the "stuff" we need, some we do not. Speaking of stuff, here is a great link I used to use in class about "The Story of Stuff." Sorry, I'm getting on my soap box again. About this time my students would be groaning, "there he goes again." :-)
On another note, someone I met earlier on this trip asked me I could travel alone without a dog. I think the answer is no. We humans are social creatures. We need companionship. We need to care. Zoey has been a great traveling partner. Of all the travelers I have met, more travel with a dog than do not. Some go overboard in my opinion, and have three or four of them. Zoey has been a social lubricant. I can't tell you how many people have come up and asked if they could pet her. She insists that I go for walk a couple times a day. I have to roll the window down when I slow down for a city or village. She never complains about my driving or making a wrong turn, And, last of all, I talk to her while we are riding in the truck. Relax, I'm not going crazy. You dog lovers will know what I'm talking about.
OK, that's enough rambling. On to see Matt, Jaime, Chasen and Kaylin Thursday...........
Well, as of today the road trip is basically over. Tonight is the last night I camp in a strange place. From here I spend two days at Matt's in West Virginia and then two days at Justin's in Queensbury, NY and then home. I'm both sad and excited. I will be really glad to be home to see friends and family. On the other hand, this trip has been a real adventure. I've met new people, seen new places, and pushed the envelope on my comfort level. When I left on August 26th, I could not imagine staying on the road for 60 plus days. Now I wonder where all those days went.
Today's travel was uneventful. I ran Interstate 70 the entire way. It was busy, crowed, and not at all relaxing. The major interstate highways have turned into the equivalent of railroad tracks for tractor trailers. I'm not complaining, just saying. I'll bet two-thirds of the traffic was truck traffic. I did a quick bit of research on the net, and this Iowa study says a lot. I don't know what the answer is. As the world population approaches seven billion, more "stuff" will have to be moved. Some of the "stuff" we need, some we do not. Speaking of stuff, here is a great link I used to use in class about "The Story of Stuff." Sorry, I'm getting on my soap box again. About this time my students would be groaning, "there he goes again." :-)
On another note, someone I met earlier on this trip asked me I could travel alone without a dog. I think the answer is no. We humans are social creatures. We need companionship. We need to care. Zoey has been a great traveling partner. Of all the travelers I have met, more travel with a dog than do not. Some go overboard in my opinion, and have three or four of them. Zoey has been a social lubricant. I can't tell you how many people have come up and asked if they could pet her. She insists that I go for walk a couple times a day. I have to roll the window down when I slow down for a city or village. She never complains about my driving or making a wrong turn, And, last of all, I talk to her while we are riding in the truck. Relax, I'm not going crazy. You dog lovers will know what I'm talking about.
OK, that's enough rambling. On to see Matt, Jaime, Chasen and Kaylin Thursday...........
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 61, Tuesday 10/25
406 miles, and camped at Lincoln Trail State Park near Marshall, Illinois. I'm about ten miles from returning to the Eastern Time Zone. In fact, my phone thinks it is already in the Eastern Zone even though I'm not. Lincoln Trail State Park appears to have about 100 campsites. Would you believe there is only one other campsite occupied in addition to mine?
Zoey and I started the day with a nice long walk around the lake at Wallace State Park. A good share of the leaves were still on the trees and the color was beautiful. I have completely missed the fall colors at home, so this walk is probably the closest I'll get to experiencing them this year.
The weather is unusually warm today. That is due to a very strong southerly wind. By strong, I mean 20 to 30 miles per hour. I had to really hang on to the steering wheel as the wind buffeted the truck. For a good share of the day I was driving due east, and the wind was coming from the due south. The temperature hit 82 on the truck thermometer.
I crossed the Mississippi River today. The river is the border between Missouri and Illinois.
The drive today is the total opposite from my last drive here. When I traveled through Illinois two months ago, the fields were lush with corn and soybean. The trees were green and in full leaf. Now, the fields are bare. Most of the leaves have fallen. Part of me knows that things are good because the fall harvest is complete and the farmers have started to till the fields in preparation for next year. But from a visual point of view, life has gone from vibrant to dormant. Pretty soon the snow and cold wind will take over.
It seems like the harvest season in Illinois is pretty much done, while the harvest in Kansas is still going full blast. Maybe is is because Kansas is hotter and drier. I don't know why, but after driving across both states the contrast is obvious.
I avoided the interstate highways most of the day. The GPS did take me down some side roads. However, the side roads in Illinois are long and open. I got see so much more. I really enjoyed it.
Wednesday I'll keep drifting east. I plan to be at my son Matt's home in West Virginia by Thursday evening.
Zoey and I started the day with a nice long walk around the lake at Wallace State Park. A good share of the leaves were still on the trees and the color was beautiful. I have completely missed the fall colors at home, so this walk is probably the closest I'll get to experiencing them this year.
The weather is unusually warm today. That is due to a very strong southerly wind. By strong, I mean 20 to 30 miles per hour. I had to really hang on to the steering wheel as the wind buffeted the truck. For a good share of the day I was driving due east, and the wind was coming from the due south. The temperature hit 82 on the truck thermometer.
I crossed the Mississippi River today. The river is the border between Missouri and Illinois.
The drive today is the total opposite from my last drive here. When I traveled through Illinois two months ago, the fields were lush with corn and soybean. The trees were green and in full leaf. Now, the fields are bare. Most of the leaves have fallen. Part of me knows that things are good because the fall harvest is complete and the farmers have started to till the fields in preparation for next year. But from a visual point of view, life has gone from vibrant to dormant. Pretty soon the snow and cold wind will take over.
It seems like the harvest season in Illinois is pretty much done, while the harvest in Kansas is still going full blast. Maybe is is because Kansas is hotter and drier. I don't know why, but after driving across both states the contrast is obvious.
I avoided the interstate highways most of the day. The GPS did take me down some side roads. However, the side roads in Illinois are long and open. I got see so much more. I really enjoyed it.
Wednesday I'll keep drifting east. I plan to be at my son Matt's home in West Virginia by Thursday evening.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 60, Monday 10/24
486 miles, and camped at Wallace State Park near Cameron, Missouri. My trip passed the 10,000 mile mark today. The truck has rolled up 10,072 miles to date.
Bob Bailie let me know that there is a huge van Gogh reproduction in Goodland, so I had to check that out the first thing this morning. Yep there is, and is was only a couple blocks from where I camped at the KOA. The thing is HUGE with the total structure measuring 80 feet tall. The painting is part of a world wide project called "The Big Easel Project." Check out the link to learn more about it. Its kind of interesting.
I jumped back on Highway 36 again this morning and managed to drive across the entire state of Kansas without ever touching an interstate highway. The drive was very relaxing. I like going through all the small farming towns. It was nice for a change to compete with grain trucks and tractors for the diesel pumps instead of other RV's at the gas stations. I enjoyed listening to the small town radio stations with the local market reports every hour. In fact, on one station where listeners could call in song requests, over half the calls were from guys on combines. When the DJ asked what they were doing today, the common answer was, "cuttin' milo." I can just visualize these guys on their giant machines calling in song requests from their cell phones while navigating the fields.
Speaking of milo, the corn harvest and milo (grain sorghum) harvest was in full blast. There were combines and grain trucks everywhere. In fact, corn was being piled on the ground because some of the bins were full.
Zoey and I did discover an attraction quite by accident. It is the geographical center of the lower 48 states. I had read about it, and knew it was in Kansas somewhere, but had completely forgotten about it until I saw a road sign. At a little park about four miles off Highway 40, near Lebanon, Kansas is the marker. Unlike some attractions of dubious validity, this one is actually certified by the US Geologic Survey.
I've had people tell me that traveling across Kansas is boring. To the contrary, I found it really interesting. You just have to get off the interstate highway to see the real Kansas.
That's all for now.........
Bob Bailie let me know that there is a huge van Gogh reproduction in Goodland, so I had to check that out the first thing this morning. Yep there is, and is was only a couple blocks from where I camped at the KOA. The thing is HUGE with the total structure measuring 80 feet tall. The painting is part of a world wide project called "The Big Easel Project." Check out the link to learn more about it. Its kind of interesting.
I jumped back on Highway 36 again this morning and managed to drive across the entire state of Kansas without ever touching an interstate highway. The drive was very relaxing. I like going through all the small farming towns. It was nice for a change to compete with grain trucks and tractors for the diesel pumps instead of other RV's at the gas stations. I enjoyed listening to the small town radio stations with the local market reports every hour. In fact, on one station where listeners could call in song requests, over half the calls were from guys on combines. When the DJ asked what they were doing today, the common answer was, "cuttin' milo." I can just visualize these guys on their giant machines calling in song requests from their cell phones while navigating the fields.
Speaking of milo, the corn harvest and milo (grain sorghum) harvest was in full blast. There were combines and grain trucks everywhere. In fact, corn was being piled on the ground because some of the bins were full.
Zoey and I did discover an attraction quite by accident. It is the geographical center of the lower 48 states. I had read about it, and knew it was in Kansas somewhere, but had completely forgotten about it until I saw a road sign. At a little park about four miles off Highway 40, near Lebanon, Kansas is the marker. Unlike some attractions of dubious validity, this one is actually certified by the US Geologic Survey.
I've had people tell me that traveling across Kansas is boring. To the contrary, I found it really interesting. You just have to get off the interstate highway to see the real Kansas.
That's all for now.........
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 59, Sunday 10/23
482 miles, and camped at the KOA in Goodland, Kansas.
I was up at 4:30 this morning. Karen was due at the Grand Junction Airport at 6:00. We left the campground at 5:40 and arrived right at 6:00. She had a 7:30 flight. After getting Karen checked in and saying goodbye, I was on my way. It was still dark, but the sun soon started to peek over the Rocky Mountains. The aspen trees were in full color, and the sun sparkled on the Colorado River.
Now, I'm not a big fan of Interstate Highways, except if you need to get from point A to point B in a hurry. However, I think the section of Interstate 70 that crosses the Rocky Mountains in Colorado is a spectacular drive. Some of the most famous ski resorts in the country are found along I-70. Places like Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek are just a few. In fact, Beaver Creek had snow on the trails when I drove by. At times, the Colorado River Canyon is so narrow in places, it seems like the interstate, the railroad, and the river just can't all fit. At other times the canyon opens up into wide meadows and villages.
I-70 actually crosses UNDER the Continental Divide via the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. At 11,158 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world. The downhill side of the ride, all the way into Denver, is just as spectacular as the climb. The mountain peaks were coated in snow.
After getting through Denver, I decided to try US Highway 36. It's a two lane road that runs parallel to I-70 and just a bit north of it. US 36 was an awesome drive. The speed limit was 65, there was almost no traffic, the scenery was beautiful and the drive was relaxing. As I crossed into Kansas a road sign announced that I had arrived in the Central Time Zone. I'm getting closer to home.
From a travelers point of view, it seems like Colorado can be divided into three regions, all running north-south. There is the Western Slope, the Rocky Mountains, and the Eastern Plains. The Western Slope is made up of high desert. The Rocky Mountains are, well, high and rocky. The Eastern Plains are farm lands. I'm sure that's a very simplistic description, but it basically fits. By driving east to west, or vice versa, on I-70, you can really get a cross section of the geography of Colorado.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you can not generalize Colorado. Most people, including me, think of the Rocky Mountains when you mention Colorado. A very similar situation occurs in New York. When I met some people in California recently they wondered if there were any rural areas left in New York. It is so easy to generalize. That's why everyone should drive across the United States at least once!
I'm not sure where I'll end up on Monday, but it will be in the direction of east from here...........
I was up at 4:30 this morning. Karen was due at the Grand Junction Airport at 6:00. We left the campground at 5:40 and arrived right at 6:00. She had a 7:30 flight. After getting Karen checked in and saying goodbye, I was on my way. It was still dark, but the sun soon started to peek over the Rocky Mountains. The aspen trees were in full color, and the sun sparkled on the Colorado River.
Now, I'm not a big fan of Interstate Highways, except if you need to get from point A to point B in a hurry. However, I think the section of Interstate 70 that crosses the Rocky Mountains in Colorado is a spectacular drive. Some of the most famous ski resorts in the country are found along I-70. Places like Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek are just a few. In fact, Beaver Creek had snow on the trails when I drove by. At times, the Colorado River Canyon is so narrow in places, it seems like the interstate, the railroad, and the river just can't all fit. At other times the canyon opens up into wide meadows and villages.
I-70 actually crosses UNDER the Continental Divide via the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. At 11,158 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world. The downhill side of the ride, all the way into Denver, is just as spectacular as the climb. The mountain peaks were coated in snow.
After getting through Denver, I decided to try US Highway 36. It's a two lane road that runs parallel to I-70 and just a bit north of it. US 36 was an awesome drive. The speed limit was 65, there was almost no traffic, the scenery was beautiful and the drive was relaxing. As I crossed into Kansas a road sign announced that I had arrived in the Central Time Zone. I'm getting closer to home.
From a travelers point of view, it seems like Colorado can be divided into three regions, all running north-south. There is the Western Slope, the Rocky Mountains, and the Eastern Plains. The Western Slope is made up of high desert. The Rocky Mountains are, well, high and rocky. The Eastern Plains are farm lands. I'm sure that's a very simplistic description, but it basically fits. By driving east to west, or vice versa, on I-70, you can really get a cross section of the geography of Colorado.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you can not generalize Colorado. Most people, including me, think of the Rocky Mountains when you mention Colorado. A very similar situation occurs in New York. When I met some people in California recently they wondered if there were any rural areas left in New York. It is so easy to generalize. That's why everyone should drive across the United States at least once!
I'm not sure where I'll end up on Monday, but it will be in the direction of east from here...........
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 58, Saturday, 10/22
130 miles, and camped at the KOA in Grand Junction, Colorado. I'm getting closer to home.
Well, Murphy's Law kicked in today. If something can go wrong, it will. My sister-in-law Karen woke this morning to a red, swollen and extremely painful leg. A week ago at her daughter's wedding she cut her shin and had to have a few stitches. She has been nursing it along, but this morning it appeared infected. I logged on the internet and looked for a local urgent care facility. I discovered that Moab has a hospital and emergency room. So by 7:30 AM we were on our way. The GPS led me right to it. Gotta love technology.
About two hours later, after a couple tests and a dose of IV antibiotics, Karen was discharged. Sure enough she has an infection and has to see a medical facility of some sort every two days to be checked. That was reason enough for her to decide to fly home. After a torrent of texts and cell phone calls her daughter Jaci arranged a flight. Gotta love technology some more. Her flight leaves 7:30 Sunday morning from Grand Junction, and thus we are camped there. The airport is about 20 minutes from the campground.
Karen had to get her prescription filled, which took awhile. Then she had to buy some luggage to pack her things in. Then we stopped at Arches Nation Park Visitor Center for some last minute shopping. The drive took us from the fantastic red rock formations of Moab to the dry desert of the Western Slope of Colorado.
So the plan for visiting Mesa Verde National Park went down the drain. I have been there before, and I was excited for Karen to see it. But this is all part of the adventure, and now Zoey and I are back to living by ourselves again after tonight. Karen and I had a "Last Supper" of grilled wild salmon, baked potatoes and broccoli.
I guess my plan now is to keep driving east. I'll probably aim for the Kansas border by Sunday night.
Well, Murphy's Law kicked in today. If something can go wrong, it will. My sister-in-law Karen woke this morning to a red, swollen and extremely painful leg. A week ago at her daughter's wedding she cut her shin and had to have a few stitches. She has been nursing it along, but this morning it appeared infected. I logged on the internet and looked for a local urgent care facility. I discovered that Moab has a hospital and emergency room. So by 7:30 AM we were on our way. The GPS led me right to it. Gotta love technology.
About two hours later, after a couple tests and a dose of IV antibiotics, Karen was discharged. Sure enough she has an infection and has to see a medical facility of some sort every two days to be checked. That was reason enough for her to decide to fly home. After a torrent of texts and cell phone calls her daughter Jaci arranged a flight. Gotta love technology some more. Her flight leaves 7:30 Sunday morning from Grand Junction, and thus we are camped there. The airport is about 20 minutes from the campground.
Karen had to get her prescription filled, which took awhile. Then she had to buy some luggage to pack her things in. Then we stopped at Arches Nation Park Visitor Center for some last minute shopping. The drive took us from the fantastic red rock formations of Moab to the dry desert of the Western Slope of Colorado.
So the plan for visiting Mesa Verde National Park went down the drain. I have been there before, and I was excited for Karen to see it. But this is all part of the adventure, and now Zoey and I are back to living by ourselves again after tonight. Karen and I had a "Last Supper" of grilled wild salmon, baked potatoes and broccoli.
I guess my plan now is to keep driving east. I'll probably aim for the Kansas border by Sunday night.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 57, Friday, 10/21
154 miles and still camped at the Moab KOA.
I had every intention of camping at Dead Horse State Park tonight, but alas, apparently a lot of other people wanted to do the same thing. That campground was full, so we are back at the KOA. Darn. I have heard so many positive recommendations about it. Oh well, next trip. :-)
Like every other National Park I have seen on this trip, the views are outstanding! I guess that's why they are National Parks. Our first stop was Arches National Park. This park contains the largest concentration of natural arches found anywhere in the world. Over 2,000 arches have been cataloged. The largest is over 300 feet long. In addition to the arches, the rock formations are out of this world. I was not prepared for the amount of people and traffic. I just assumed that this is the off season. Wrong! We arrived about 8:00 in the morning, and all ready there was a busy line of traffic. When we left about noon, most of the vista parking lots were full and cars were parked along the road.
After lunch in the camper, Karen, Zoey and I headed for nearby Canyonlands National Park. Again, the views were incredible. But this time it was the huge, deep canyons that created the stunning views. The confluence (joining or merging) of the Colorado and Green River occurs within the park boundaries. Now, if two rivers join, which one keeps the new name? I've always wondered about that. Well, in this case, it was a political decision. Congress decided that the combined rivers would be called the Colorado, even though the Green River had a larger drainage basin. Unfortunately we could not see the confluence on the drive we were taking. One more thing to add to my bucket list.
Saturday we plan to head toward Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Ever eastward........
I had every intention of camping at Dead Horse State Park tonight, but alas, apparently a lot of other people wanted to do the same thing. That campground was full, so we are back at the KOA. Darn. I have heard so many positive recommendations about it. Oh well, next trip. :-)
Like every other National Park I have seen on this trip, the views are outstanding! I guess that's why they are National Parks. Our first stop was Arches National Park. This park contains the largest concentration of natural arches found anywhere in the world. Over 2,000 arches have been cataloged. The largest is over 300 feet long. In addition to the arches, the rock formations are out of this world. I was not prepared for the amount of people and traffic. I just assumed that this is the off season. Wrong! We arrived about 8:00 in the morning, and all ready there was a busy line of traffic. When we left about noon, most of the vista parking lots were full and cars were parked along the road.
After lunch in the camper, Karen, Zoey and I headed for nearby Canyonlands National Park. Again, the views were incredible. But this time it was the huge, deep canyons that created the stunning views. The confluence (joining or merging) of the Colorado and Green River occurs within the park boundaries. Now, if two rivers join, which one keeps the new name? I've always wondered about that. Well, in this case, it was a political decision. Congress decided that the combined rivers would be called the Colorado, even though the Green River had a larger drainage basin. Unfortunately we could not see the confluence on the drive we were taking. One more thing to add to my bucket list.
Moab is a mountain bike/off road vehicle mecca. There were mountain bikes everywhere! As far as I can see, Moab is to mountain bikes as Sturgis is to motorcycles. In fact, I met a group who had just completed a six day mountain bike camping trip along the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands.
It was a wonderful day. The sky was blue, the air was crisp, and the views were stunning.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Retirement Road Trip 2011: Day 56, Thursday 10/20
353 miles, and camped in Moab, Utah at the KOA. I'm one time zone closer to home. Mountain Time Zone here, so I'm only two hours different from time at home. :-)
I don't think I have ever traveled a day with so many different changes in landscapes. We went from desert, to valley farms to red rock formations. Every turn in the road brought something different. We went east on I-40 from Williams to Flagstaff. Then north on 89, then east on 160 to Kayneta. Then we took 163 through Monument Valley to Bluff, Utah. Then it was 191 to Moab. By the end of the day, I was closer to home and in a time zone that is only two hours different from home, rather than three.
A good share of the drive took us through the Navajo Reservation. In fact, we stopped to shop at a artisan cooperative when when I had to get diesel fuel. The Monument Valley drive took us through some fantastic rock formations. I'm in awe about how they were formed.
I am gradually adjusting to sharing the camper with another human. Zoey and I are so used to having it to ourselves. but the adjustment has been positive. Traveling is so much more fun when you can share it. The system we have developed is that Karen shares the Queen bed with Zoey and the infamous tailgate from my truck. I get the dinette convertible bed. It is working really well. I wake earlier, so I can make coffee and surf the internet without waking Karen. Best of all, Karen organizes all the meals. Instead of the beans and franks that I would usually prepare, I now get pork loin, chicken breast and steak along with baked potatoes and real vegetables. :-)
Friday we are off to explore Arches National Park.
I don't think I have ever traveled a day with so many different changes in landscapes. We went from desert, to valley farms to red rock formations. Every turn in the road brought something different. We went east on I-40 from Williams to Flagstaff. Then north on 89, then east on 160 to Kayneta. Then we took 163 through Monument Valley to Bluff, Utah. Then it was 191 to Moab. By the end of the day, I was closer to home and in a time zone that is only two hours different from home, rather than three.
A good share of the drive took us through the Navajo Reservation. In fact, we stopped to shop at a artisan cooperative when when I had to get diesel fuel. The Monument Valley drive took us through some fantastic rock formations. I'm in awe about how they were formed.
I am gradually adjusting to sharing the camper with another human. Zoey and I are so used to having it to ourselves. but the adjustment has been positive. Traveling is so much more fun when you can share it. The system we have developed is that Karen shares the Queen bed with Zoey and the infamous tailgate from my truck. I get the dinette convertible bed. It is working really well. I wake earlier, so I can make coffee and surf the internet without waking Karen. Best of all, Karen organizes all the meals. Instead of the beans and franks that I would usually prepare, I now get pork loin, chicken breast and steak along with baked potatoes and real vegetables. :-)
Friday we are off to explore Arches National Park.
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