367 miles under my Wheels!

My first day on the road went pretty well. Had to get back in the rhythm of pulling the trailer. It can be a little stressful with 3200 pounds of metal looming up behind you. It was slow going...any incline (ie..mountains, etc.) means I slow down to about 45mph. Plus it is interesting to watch the gas gauge move down. I am averaging only about 9-10 miles per gallon. Came very close to running out of gas before I hit my destination. On this route.. (AZ 93 to Interstate 40) it can be a long way between gas stations. But all in all things went well. I ended the day at a KOA (Kampgrounds of America) in Barstow, CA. It is windy and dusty...gee, reminds me of home. LOL. Now I am going to have some dinner, a tall cool drink and hit the sack early. Life if good!

On the Road Again!

Today is the day I head North. I had a great list of "To Do's" to get ready. Thought of everything.....almost. forgot to have the trailer checked out at the Dealer Service. Went in this morning at 7:30 and they fixed a couple of minor things and said I'm good to go. Sooooo, I'm going. Hope to make it to at least Barstow, Ca. today. I've got 756 miles to get to Carson City, NV. My first visit stop with my Niece, Tracy. I'm planning on at least 300 miles a day average. Sometimes however, I get a second wind after my 300 and want to keep driving. That's what I love about unstructured travel. I can just go with my flow of energy and joy and stop when I want to. So wish me well.......the journey begins!

Beginning the countdown to summer travel

Today the weather person predicts our first 100 degree day.! Actually, according to the temp sign on the local bank.....we hit it and how, yesterday. The sign read 113 degrees. Obviously a broken temp gauge but it was enough to scare me into action. I have a mile long list of "things to do before I leave". I am now working through it and quickly. There is much to take care of when you plan to be gone for nearly 5 months. fortunately I have hired a great couple to check on my place once a week and be sure all is well, water the plants, take in the mail, etc. They worked for me last summer with splendid results. Also my next door neighbor will be here through the summer and will keep an eye on things. Summer in Sun City West is very quiet. Lots of "snow birds" leave for home, others like me, travel to cooler climes. Most of the activities slow down or stop until we all begin returning in September.

I am sooooo very ready to get out of town. In RV circles they call it "hitch itch" and I've got it bad. This year I will be doing things a bit differently. I plan to head north, stopping in Sonoma, CA. to visit my granddaughter at her college, Sonoma State. Then on to Carson City, NV. to check in with my niece Tracy, Then a short hop to Nevada City, CA. to say hey to Shelley and Di. Then on to Sandy, Oregon to catch up with my cousins, Peni and Treva. From there I go north to Seattle to stay with my friend Marianne and attend a retirement lunch for Carla, an old work friend.

As of June 7th I check into the Fidalgo Bay RV park and plan to stay until Aug. In August I move to Oak Harbor to attend a high school class reunion. After that I will be traveling down the coast of Oregon and California and plan to be home mid to late September. I miss the Northwest so much and decided I needed a hit of water and trees, family and old friends this year. It will be interesting to see how it all sits with me. My traveling style has never been to stay long in one place but I will be able to take day and weekend trips from by base in Anacortes, Wa.

So,for now, back to my list.

Old Friend and Very Old Bridge

I'm back from my trip to Yuma to hook up with my high school friend Nila. Nila and I were a great song and dance team back in the day. We also were in the High School band and took some memorable trips with that band. She and I usually stayed together in various host homes and we always managed to "find the boys". For a while we both were chasing the same boy and she managed to catch him. At the time I was sooooo jealous but now I say, "you go girl". Anyway, Nila and I had a great catch up. We did a sleepover in Yuma, had a nice dinner and talked ourselves out until her husband Ron came to pick her up. We are looking forward to our High School reunion this coming August in Oak Harbor, WA.

After Nila left, I decided to do some exploring along the Colorado River. I ended up in Lake Havasu City. The big attraction is the London Bridge. Dismantled and brought over from, guess where?? It is a fine bridge but looks alittle out of place in the new location. But I guess it had been a good tourist site for the little town. So be it.

I drove home on Hiway 93 and traveled through some nice desert to Wickenburg. The trip was all new territory for me.....the best kind of trip. I'm starting to get "hitch itch" and am looking forward to my summer trip. This year I am leaving AZ the first week of May and heading to Washington. Can't wait to smell the salt water and enjoy the green.

God Bless America

I can't help it, I am very emotional about the Obama presidency. I've been glued to the TV for a couple of days watching the activity in Washington, D.C. This morning's inauguration was stunning. I so wish I had been there to soak in the joy and optimism that was surging through the City.

I was in high school, filled with idealism when the civil rights marches were happening in the South. I wanted to change the world then and over the years I've tried to contribute in my small way. The last 8 years have been such a difficult time for our Country....I've been so sad and unhappy about the political choices that have been made and the lives that have been lost in War. There were times when I truly wondered who my fellow Americans were. Today changed all that for me. My heart is full of love and appreciation for my Country and the ability we have to rise and choose to overcome ourselves.

President Obama said it all in his inauguration speech. America is back! The dream lives and the American people can and will do what it takes to clean up the mess we have created. We will get past our greed, our fear, our arrogance, our failures, our aggression, our smallness and grow into our bigger, better selves and be once again, the beacon of light and hope and freedom in this World.

It is a new America. An America that can embrace a Black man as our President and look to him for leadership and inspiration. President Obama has asked us to commit to the service of our Country and each other. I'm willing, are you??

Merry Christmas

I'm leaving in the morning for San Diego to spend Christmas with my son Dan and family. I've delayed my trip hoping to shake this bronchitis I acquired. I was going great, finished up the four Westernaire concerts....see me in my concert finery.

I had a wonderful open house party for about 12 of my neighbors. Met some great people and feel much more connected. I've also been enjoying hot tub time at my neighbor Janet's.

Anyway, I was in great shape until the morning after the party and wham....the old bronchitis came to stay. So I have been popping antibiotics, resting, and trying to get the coughing under control before I head for Dan's.

In spite of the bronchitis, I have really enjoyed this Holiday season. Starting with Sandy's Thanksgiving visit, time with Karen, the Westernaires and some actual entertaining. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy people and entertaining. More of both in 2009!

Well, best wishes to all for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year. I'll be on the road to San Diego in the morning.

Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday

It's been a while since I posted on my blog. I've been busy with my new life and that is a good thing. The choral group I joined, The Westeraires is rehearsing for a Christmas concert and that has been so much fun. There are about 100 members and we have a great sound. We are doing 4 days of shows beginning December 12th.

Thanksgiving was great. My friend Sandy flew out from Florida to spend a week. I was able to show her my new place for the first time and give her a tour of my new stomping ground. We spent two days, including Thanksgiving in Sedona, AZ. It is such a magical place, even in the rain. Yes, it rained almost every day Sandy was here. Go figure. It must be my Washington Karma. We did some good pictures in Sedona, including the rainbow.