Day 45 - Home at last...

Not that I'm thrilled with that - I really like traveling in the motorhome and would be quite happy to just keep going down the road.  Anyway, arrived home around 4:30PM which was earlier than we thought.  I drove the coach a bit but still not comfortable with it. 

We unpacked the majority of our stuff in just a little over an hour....except for the food in the cabinet behind the TV which requires opening the left hand slide to get to it.  So, we took the coach to the storage lot and went over Mon morning to open the slide.  Not only did I take way too many clothes, I also took way too much food.  I'll know better next time.

So....all in all, we had the time of our lives and can't wait to plan the next venture.

Signing off for now.

Day 44 - Golfing with friends



Jais amd Bob


Today we we stopped at our dear friends, Bob and Janis' house.  It was great to see them again, however, even though the garage door is open, that doesn''t necessarily mean that it's OK to enter through the "back door"...ahem...my bad.

The four of us played a round of golf at Callahan Golf Links which is just a few miles from their house.  We have not played this course before and it is a typical mountain course - hard!  We liked the course but, not having played in 6 or so weeks, I think it played us.  Had a good time in spite of the score.

After golf, the four of us went for mexican food and, yes, a well deserved pitcher of margaritas.  After a fun evening with lots of laughs, it was time to say goodbye until next time - which is a trip to Lake Blackshear in the Fall...a location that is pretty much in the middle of where the 4 of us live.  See you guys then!

Day 43 - Lazy Day

OK everybody needs a lazy day every once in a while so today was mine.  I slept late then did a wash load, fixed lunch, then took a nap.  What a day!  We were supposed to have dinner with my nephew, David and wife Cornelia but they were not able to get away from work so we will see them on the next trip.

Ladies, you should all be proud of me.....it occured to me today that I have been on a 6-week trip with the same purse!  It's my favorite Coldwater Creek purse I bought last fall and just seems to go with everything.  I can't say the same about shoes, however (don't ask). 

I have learned something about packing for a long trip though.  Pack what you think you need, then cut that in half.  There are clothes I brought and never wore, oh well.  I was also happy to learn that the coach provides plenty of closet and drawer space.  Overall, it's been great traveling in this coach.  If I could change anything, it would be (1) add a washer/dryer (2) get a larger fridge with more freezer space.

We ended up grilling the sausages that Houser gave us yesterday.  Mine was perfect but George got the chorizo and it was a bit too hot for his taste.  Watching the Braves but I'm falling asleep....

Day 42 - Friends Day

Houser

Had lunch with Houser today...an old friend from ASGA.  George couldn't join us as he had to go into corporate headquarters.  We reminised about old times and caught up with each others lives.  Son Jason is doing well...Katie has been teaching school while Jason plays "Mr Mom" and teneds to his recently formed meat business which is going well.  Jason happened to call during lunch so I got to say hello.  He showed me some recent pictures of Julian who is 13 now.  Also pictures from the Tim's Ford Cup which was held last weekend.  The last day of the tournament was called due to rain so they ended up with a tie and Atlanta will hold The Cup for another year.

Shopped a bit around North Point Mall before picking up George and going to the Mactec softball game.  It was good seeing the Mactec team again.  As vote for Gwen as most improved player!

Les and Pat

Left there and met Pat and Les for dinner at the Village Tavern.  It's always great to spent time with them.  Pat and I have known each other for 30 years, yes, that's 30 years this year!  We were "runnin' buddies" back in our single days.  I was there when she met Les, witnessed their wedding and the rest is history.  Don't worry, Pat, I'm not going to tell any stories.  She is my dearest friend and I miss her terribly, however, I am considering dis-owning her if she doesn't come to FL to visit me.

Day 41 - Ahh.... Atlanta



Harvest Moon RV Park

We are in Atlanta and have a busy schedule this week but looking forward to seeing lots of friends.  Actually, we are in Harvest Moon RV Park in Adairsville, which is the closest RV park to North Atlanta.  George worked today...I knitted and did a little laundry which is gratis here -can you believe?  This laundromat gets a 10 in my book. 

 

Task Cloths

I bought this "Task Cloth" at Bryce Canyon, UT...it's made of soft organic cotton and can be used to clean, dust, wash dishes, or whatever.  It caught my eye as it was hand-knitted.  There was a basket full of them, all sorts of beautiful varigated colors, each rolled up and tied with a ribbon and I just couldn't resist.  Actually, the one I bought has become my "pattern" for making some of my own so, they are pictured to the left.  I have become an absolute knitting fool!

Day 40 - A Beautiful Family Day

Aunt A's Garden

Aunt A's Garden

I drove up Signal Mountain to my Aunt's house this morning.  Her name is Evelyn but we have always called her "Aunt A".  Have no idea where the "A" came from as others before me named her.  Her daughter, Joan, was there.  We grew up together, me, Joan, brother Jon and younger sister Judy (from Albuquerque).  We had a lot of fun together as kids...never got into any real trouble outside of making up songs and jumping up and down on beds to the rythmn.  





What is Paradise but a Garden

 

Aunt A's Garden

Aunt A has a fancy for gardening and still tends to the most beautiful garden I've seen....these days with the help of Joan.  I won't reveal her exact age as she is a very vain woman but I do remember going to her 90th birthday party a few years back. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed them in person today.

Aunt A's Garden

Aunt A's Garden

I invited Aunt A and Joan to lunch today but, nothing doing, they fixed lunch for me instead....that's what families do.  When I first arrived, I went to the back door as family just does not come to the front door.  Joan and Aunt A greeted me and we sat out on the back porch for a time, talking and enjoying the garden and the birds.  Yes, the birds....when you have a beautiful garden like this, you attract some very nice birds.  She attracts 5 different varieties of hummingbirds.

Joan and Aunt A



Me and Aunt A

After lunch we moved into the den where we started looking through old family pictures and laughed till we cried.  It was just the most fun day and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

Linda, Hal, Emma, Keeley

Linda's Pond

 After saying our goodbyes, I picked up Keeley and Emma, two of my sister's grandchildren.  We headed to the campground to pick up George then on to Lookout Mtn to my sister's house.  We visited at her house for a while before going to a lovely dinner on the outdoor patio of Cafe on the Corner at the top of Lookout Mtn.  All-in-all a beautiful family day!

Day 39 - Home Sweet Home (Chattanooga, that is)

Beautiful TN River

I always get a tingly good, smiley face feeling when I cross the TN line and see the familiar sites of my hometown of Chattanooga and it was no different this time as we approached from I-24 East. As we curved around Moccasin Bend, I could see Lookout Mtn to the right and Signal Mtn to the left - both where I have family members.  I love seeing the mountains, the TN river, the greenery and all the beauty of the city.  It's good to be home...

MS River Flooding

 

There's a road there somewhere

Prior to arriving in Chattanooga, however, we took these photos of the mighty MS River flooding in the Memphis area.  Amazing how far the river is still over its banks.



MS River Flooding

 


MS River Flooding

 






Misy kissing Abigail!



On a lighter note, I caught a rare moment where Misty is cleaning Abigail's face....could it be love after all??



Day 38- Dodging Storms

We traveled 380 miles through 4 states (AR, TN, MS and AL) dodging storms.  The weather was cloudy when we left Russellville then we ran into a harsh thunderstorm in Little Rock so we pulled off the road to wait it out.  Problen is, we pulled into a school parking lot and got ourselves cornered and could not turn around.  After a while, the rain stopped long enough for George to un-hook the car, turn the coach around, then re-hook the car.  Oh well....these things happen but, most importantly, we made it safely to our destination.

It was a long day on the road so we stopped for a pizza before settling into Heritage Acres RV Park in Tuscumbia, AL.  I have a feeling we will sleep well tonight. 

Day 37 - Travel Day

We're running a day behind because of foul weather in Oklahoma City.  We managed 266 miles today and settled into Ivys Cove RV Resort in Russellville, AR.  Great little overnight park with the nicest laundry room I've experienced yet.  Talked to the couple next to us......they are from South Africa and spend 3 months in the US traveling in their motorhome.  Today is her 75th birthday and you could have knocked me over with a feather - she doesn't look anywhere near that age.  We've met so many nice people while traveling....all with different and interesting stories.

We bought a set of books-on-tape last year while in Fort Myers written by a local novelist, Randy Wayne White.  The stories are set in South FL and encompass a lot of places I'm either familar with or heard of and are quite interesting.  We have one tape left and I can hardly wait to start that one.

Day 36 - Rainy Days and Fridays

It stormed well into the night so we opened the shades in the bedroom and watched the lightning show until eyes were drooping.  Finally got to sleep albeit periodically awakened by thunder.  It was still a bit stormy this morning so, rather than risk a bad travel day, we're staying over another night, giving the storms a chance to get ahead of us.  Also, George was very busy today so, you guessed it, I've been knitting and cooking all day long. 

I made blueberry pancakes for breakfast; grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch and have beef strogonoff in the crock pot for dinner.  Can you spell D I E T?  This is a word I'm going to have to get familiar with very soon....

After dinner, George drove me to Michael's to re-stock my yarn supply.

Day 35 - It's all about ME day

George worked today and had a conference call at 1:00 so I left to get out of his way and made my way to Penn Square Mall.  It's been a long time since I've been to a mall and I can report that nothing has really changed.  Afterward I got a hair cut and pedicure - ahhh........I needed that!

We were going to cook steaks on  the grill but nothing doing - there are storms in the area and it's raining cats and dogs.  First time we've been in the motorhome in a rainstorm...kinda spooky.

Day 34 - Made it to Oklahoma City, OK

We spent the afternoon on the road and are settled in Twin Fountains RV Park in Oklahoma City, OK for the next couple of days. 

While on the road, I knitted 4 coffee cup cozies!

Day 33 - Heading back East

Left Albuquerque this afternoon and began our trek back East and, in spite of loosing an hour by moving from Mountain Time to Central Time, we made it farther than we expected.  We're in Amarillo, TX for one night, then on to Oklahoma City tomorrow.  Staying at Oasis RV Resort which is on the East side of Amarillo and a very nice park.  Decided to take the I-40 route after all. It was a real bumpy ride through NM but pretty nice so far into TX. 

Marlene, don't worry, we stopped at Trader Joe's on the way out of Albuquerque and George toted your case of wine from pillar to post getting it from the store to the motorhome.  We miss our friends back home and will be home in a few more weeks.

Day 32 - A busy day in Albuquerque

Up and at 'um early this morning and took care of items 1 and 2 on yesterday's task list and working on #3.  This laundry thing is still a pain.  The laundry facility happens to be across the street from our RV site so I can go back and forth without sitting there waiting it out which is a good thing since it's around 82 today.

Judy and Karen

The highlight of my day was meeting cousin Judy for lunch at High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, which is a terrific little southwestern restaurant near her office in Old Town.  I had a shrimp enchilada and she had  a blue corn enchilada - both were yummm.  We had a great time catching up with each other's busy lives.  She looks great, daughter Catherine, now 24, is doing well and both love it here in Albuquerque.  I can certainly see why as this is a beautiful city.  Afterward, we strolled around the block and checked out some of the local American Indian art. 

After hugs and goodbye's, she steered me to Trader Joe's, one of my all-time favorite stores, where I replinished my wine stock plus a case for Marlene back home.  Couldn't leave there without our favorite crispy crunchy chocolate chip cookies (each cookie about the size of a quarter) and a fresh loaf of banana nut bread.

Tomorrow is a new day...

Day 31 - Back to Albuquerque

Today we travelled from Cortez, CO to Albuquerque, NM, some 266 miles and the weather was gorgeous ...plus no wind.  Total miles traveled so far: 3,124. We're staying at American RV Park, the same place we stayed on days 7 and 8. Real nice park off I-40 on the West side of town.  There are some cute little bunnies chasing each other around the park.

Tomorrow's Tasks: 

1. Get on the phone with the Suzuki dealer to see if we can get our A/C fan fixed.
2. Get on the phone with Tiffin to see if they can express mail a couple pairs of windshield wipers.
3. Find an Aveda Salon to see if I can get a hair cut.
4. The dreaded laundry day!

Day 30 - Durrango, CO

Today is our 30th day on the road so we took it easy...drove over to Durrango, walked around this cute little western town and had lunch at Carver Brewing Company.  George said it was the best ahi tuna sandwich he's ever had.

Roping a Goat

Afterward, we drove over to the fairgrounds where there was a Spring Extravaganza of clothing, shoes, tents an other outdoor gear.  On the same grounds, there was a baseball field where little boys were playing, and a horse arena where we watched young girls compete in a goat roping contest.  Poor goat was bleating like crazy, desparately trying to flee.  Best time was 13 seconds.

Tagging a Goat

The second contest was for little girls.  They had to catch a goat, who had a rope tied around its neck and the rope anchored into the ground in the middle of the arena, then remove a ribbon made of crime scene tape from the goats tail...hmmm.  Best time 10 seconds.

Day 29 - Mesa Verde National Park

Cliff Dwelling - Up Close

Cliff Dwelling - From Afar

This afternoon we toured Mesa Verde National Park which is devoted to cliff dwellings and pithouses used by the Pueblo Indians. 

Cliff Dwellings are Pueblo Indian villages built into the canyon walls high unto the cliffs.  Some are as many as 10 stories high.  We hiked to one of them and were able to walk around inside....they are truly amazing.



Pithouse



A Pithouse is a virtual hole in the ground with a firepit, kitchen area (no stainless steel appliances), a storage area, post holes and an "antechamber". 

It's kinda shaped like a turtle with only one right front leg.

Oak Tree House Cliff Dwelling

Day 28 - Travel Day

Scootin' down the road.....

This is a travel day...we are headed to Cortez which is in the southwestern corner of Colorado.  It's close to Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners plus they have a Walmart - YEAH!

We have a couple of maintenance issues to deal with...first the RV - there is a rip in our windshield wiper blade which sounds like an easy fix, right?  Wrong.  Walmart doesn't have them, Advanced Auto Parts doesn't have them and we discovered that they are made by Tiffin and, you guessed it, you can only get them from Tiffin.

Next problem - the car.  A few days ago, the A/C fan quit so we've been driving around with windows down which hasn't been too awfully bad as the temps have been moderate, but still miss the A/C.  We really haven't found a reliable place to get this checked out and doesn't look like Cortez is going to be the place either.

Day 27 - Arches National Park

Visitor Center

I've been waiting for this day for a long time and the memories will last a lifetime. 

Arches is a virtual layer cake of rocks lying atop an underground salt bed that is responsible for the arches, spires, balanced rocks, etc.  There are some 2,000 cataloged arches in the park, however, we stopped at these favorites.

We got a little giddy and started applying our own names to some of these rocks which will be noted as "aka".  If you have any names of your own, let us hear from you.

aka Big Fat Pointy Rock

Park Ave/New York Skyline



The first stop is known as Park Avenue as it appears to look like skyscrapers. Elevation 320'.  I wish we could have had time to hike this trail into the canyon...it looked very interesting.

aka Queen Neffertitti

Courthouse Tower

Next stop is Courthouse Towers where we encountered these 4 rocks..... Not sure what they called "Queen Neffertitti" so I named her myself. 

Tower of Babel?  Got nothin' for this one.



3 Gossips aka These 3 Kings



Tower of Babel

We took a short .3 mile hike around Balanced Rock and took a couple of pictures from all sides....what more can I say!

Balanced Rock



Balanced Rock



Bill Gates just thought he invented Windows....get a load of these "windows"...



North Window



South Window



George at North Window

Turret Arch has many faces - take a look from different angles....



Turret Arch



aka Sunshine State Arch

















aka Half Moon and Star Arch

 

Sand Dune Arch is our next stop.  The (red) sand here has nothing on Destin....silky, sugary sand and thick as the beach sand.  The fun part was getting to this Arch...first you have to get past "Fat Man's Squeeze".

Fat Man's Squeeze-hmm...



Think I'll try this way...



Told you it was like the beach..

Girl buried in the sand

 

Finally...Sand Dune Arch



Other notable Arches...

Birthing a Baby Window

Another Balanced Rock





Delicate Arch



Double Arch




Fiery Furnace Overlook



aka Pinocchio (sideways)



aka Santa Rock

aka The Finger (you knew it was coming...



aka The Whale