Gone to New York

Leaving Michigan was hard. It's not just the little piece of heaven that Cathy and Greg call home, or leaving Cathy and Greg, it was trying to catch the cat! Fluffy did not want to leave. Who could blame her? Not me, or Coco either. She was so pissed about it she told me off and then hid under the seat for the entire drive.

Cathy mapquested the trip from her house to Alice's (Long Island, NY) and on the road, I mapquested the route from Cathy's to Helen's (Randolf, NJ) which should have been on the way. Travel time: 10 hours Okay- I left Cathy's about four, and that should work. I wanted to get in at about six am so we could have a cuppa tea before she went to work so I dawdled a little bit. The route selected by mapquest traveled roads I'd never driven before, but then i always went to NJ from NY so, okay, new roads, cool!

When I got there (according to the directions) I was in the completely wrong part of NJ - uh oh, so I quick re-did it and sure enough, a new route that was two hours away was pulled up. This would cut tea to a quickie, so I went directly. Got to that location, it was no where near where I needed to go! Tired and pissed off at myself for not using the freaking atlas, I stopped a cop who politely told me that I needed to be WAAAY north of here, so much for tea - and I headed north. By noon, I was so mad, I can't go into it. Suffice to say, I stopped at Barbara and Lou's (unannounced and unexpected) and Louis prevented a complete and total melt down.

It was after 2:00 and I was out of patience, the animals were hot and tired and I was still no where near Helen's, I went to Alice's - with apologies to Helen, and although I was days early for this visit, Alice was her gracious self, even though my feet were beyond swollen and I was a total cranky butt. Total driving time 14 hours

A good night's sleep can do wonders and so I am wonderful, the rest of the swelling should be gone by Christmas :D the animals are fine, Fluffy may speak to me sometime later in the week, you never can tell, and Coco is just happy to be anywhere besides the van. Tomorrow we visit Mom, and Barbara but Alice is driving, and we'll be at her house at least through the family reunion 7/11.

Michigan Is Under Construction

Driving from Ohio to Michigan is a straight shot up the I75, as I left Ohio, of course, it was raining. Fluffy believes that I am in charge of the weather, and she filed her complaints loudly while anxiously moving from her carrier to under the back seat, looking to Coco for reassurance. Coco is just happy to be on the road, and looks out the window with anticipation of - I have no idea, what. I am a little too close to the memory of the storm on the way in, but the National Weather Service has no disturbing reports and I carry on.

About fifteen miles out, the road construction signs start, which is okay, I guess. Then we go down from three lanes to two, two to a dead stop. I actually put the car in park and listened to a complete news program on the radio. After not quite forty-five minutes, we begin moving again and now we are moving! Speeds here have nothing to do with the posted signs, which I believe are considered decor around these parts. Wait for it, construction, stop, wait, start, fly. Repeat. By the time I got to Cathy and Greg's, I had parked on the freeway three times. I am not exaggerating.

Cathy had directed me to take a particular exit, to avoid construction, and that is the only reason that I wasn't in construction for the entire trip, but it was surely worth it! Cathy and Greg's house is two steps beyond gorgeous. Not only are my animals welcomed, they are immediately adopted and indulged as only animal lovers can do. Fluffy took this opportunity to spend her days and nights hunting chipmunks and squirrels, even if she had never seen a chipmunk before. I don't know if she caught any, she isn't saying - though she has been talking quite a bit, but Lorraine isn't here to tell me what it means.

For the next four days, I am fed all of my favorite foods, which I didn't know Cathy even knew, and of course, they are prepared wonderfully. I am so delighted that I listened to Carin, who told me that I had no excuse not to take advantage of this set of circumstances and visit everyone on my journey. My only claim to doing this right is that I listened to her, and took the opportunity to see Andrew and Sue, who made it possible for me to see Patrick and Jodie (and family of course), who all encouraged me to see Cathy and Greg. I guess I'm getting better at listening, but the fact is that they are the ones who have made my trip so amazing and I am so grateful! What a pleasure to renew relationships and maybe even make some new ones.

Michigan is so much more beautiful than I remembered. As lovely as it is, I could not describe my happiness in spending time with such incredible people! I last saw Cathy and Greg at Carin's wedding, which was fantastic but went by in a wink. I so enjoy spending time one on one with each of them, it is an opportunity I have never had before and will, surely, make certain to do again. It occurs to me that each leg of this trip has been amazing in its own right and though I am reluctant to move on, I am excited to see everyone. Fluffy and Coco may object to moving on but they don't get a vote, they're only animals.

You would not be surprised to know that Cathy took me house hunting, and believe it or not, there are many homes in my price range here that bear serious consideration. None as gorgeous as theirs, but hey, I'm a beginner. Cathy now has my vital statistics for a permanent residence, so who would be surprised if Michigan ended up being my new home...only me. Potential residency count is now two: Colorado Springs and Michigan. Can you say winter, boys and girls, sure you can...:D
Next stop New Jersey, after a rest stop in Pennsylvania of course.

Family Reunion Part I?

Five days at Andrew and Sue's beautiful home turned into a family reunion of sorts. It really worked out perfectly, I arrived Wed. afternoon and got settled in by Andrew who scooted off to work after a short visit. I ensconced myself in their RV since all their bedrooms are on the second floor and I don't do stairs. Sue came home about an hour later and we had a wonderful visit as she prepared dinner for the three of us.

Thursday and Friday, they worked and I rested my feet and took some short drives to investigate the area. It is certainly green and lush, surprisingly, the rain did not bother my foot as I had expected - a welcome surprise. During the day it is a bit of a sauna, but air conditioning makes it very bearable.

Coco and Rosie (their golden) got on right from the start, and Fluffy who escaped upon arrival, dutifully reported to the RV at bedtime, thought Andrew and Sue never saw her for a minute the entire visit. I do believe they think I have an imaginary cat :)

On Friday, with very little notice, Patrick, Jodie, Ian, Devan, and Liam arrived in the wee hours for a welcome weekend visit. It is the first time I've met the boys and they warmed up immediately and we had a wonderful visit that went way too fast. They left Sunday afternoon, reluctantly, and it is a testimony to the quality of the visit that no one was prepared for them to leave so soon! It was so good of them to make the trip from Georgia, and Sue and Andrew were excellent hosts. The two guest rooms were perfect for Pat and Jodie's family, and being in the RV worked out wonderful well for all.

Monday, I got to have a wonderful visit with each of them, and tomorrow I head to Michigan to visit with Cathy and Greg. It has been near twenty years since I last was in Michigan, and I look forward to it. For the first time, my next leg of the journey is less than a five hour drive. Nice!

Indianapolis 70/70

Leaving Colorado was probably premature. I could very easily settle nicely 50 to 100 mile west of Colorado Springs. I will certainly be going back to investigate housing there. God, such beauty! I swung by Aunt Joan Helm's to surprise her on her birthday, but she wasn't home-so I left a sweet note and carried on. I hopped onto I70 and made a bee line for Kentucky...at least that's what I thought.

It took all day to drive through Kansas, and by the time I stopped for dinner-everything was closed. Oh yeaha, this is Kansas and with a two hour time change my eight-thirty was their 10:30 and the only thing left open was Arbys. I gave it a shot, and let's just say that Coco loved all of it. He had nuclear farts the next day but what can you do?

I grabbed a few hours in the van and woke up to open the windows...God Coco, take it outside. He was smiling in his sleep, I just know he knew that he was blowing wind...yuck. No more Arbys for us!

Being as I was awake, and having been talked into Ohio as my next stop, I powered on down the 70 into and through Illinois and into Indiana. It began to rain in that way that is so puzzling to Californians. It was sunny, hot as could be and raining a hot fast drizzle. In my rear view mirror I saw the biggest thunderhead I have ever seen. The national weather service started issuing sever weather warnings for the area I was going through and I started to freak out just a little bit.

I was traveling 70 on 70 and the storm was moving at 55 so it should stay behind me all the way. Every time the report was issued, they changed the location just that much closer to where ever I was and it really started to pour. It got really dark, and the truckers started hauling ass. I took this as my cue to do the same, and all rules of the speed limit were abandoned by everyone as we all raced ahead of the storm. The wind was with us, and I got excellent gas mileage, but as the day wore on-I became more than a little frightened. At one point the storm was announced to be ten miles behind me! So much for their calculations of how fast it was moving...

I started sweating it. I was down to a quarter tank and now the National Weather Service was advising-get this- it is advised that you go into the center of your home and stay away from the windows and remain on the first floor...oh, S***, I don't have a first floor, and I don't even have enough gas to weigh down the van. I was so happy for every rock in the van (of which I have many) and put the pedal to the medal. My speedometer only goes up to 90, so I drove 90 - ha!
I drove to one eighth of a tank, which happened to be back in sunny showers and pulled into a gas station. Filled it up, and found a Days Inn that accepted pets. The only problem is that the pets did not accept the Days Inn. If it smelled that bad to me, I can only imagine what they got out of it.

I took the Therma del Sol bath oil which as a very strong peppermint note and filled the bath tub. This settled the animals down, but I put my pj's over my clothes and watched the storm pass over Indianapolis. There were more than twenty-five lightening strikes simultaneously hitting parts of the city and sirens were everywhere. It really was like a scene out of a movie! The storm passed and I passed out. I slept like a rock and the animals didn't budge though I didn't wake up until eleven-fifteen. It was okay though cause there was no possible way I was taking a shower in that room, it did serve its purpose though...I lived to tell the tale, so much for taking in the sights though...maybe next time I'll see what those states look like.

If you're thinking that I was headed toward Kentucky, you would be correct except that I missed the exit and was no way going back so...I'll go see Steve, the true American hero in a week or so...or something like that. I'll have to go back to my map and figure out how to get him and Patrick into some part of this trip.

I drove another hundred miles or so to Andrew's, and here I sit, well fed and looking forward to a great visit over the next few days.

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fridge?

When I left Santa Fe yesterday it was 94 degrees, the coolest it had been for the entire stay, this morning I happily put on jeans and a tee shirt and headed up Colorado 550. Boy am I glad I saved it for morning! It was so beautiful!I Ohhed and Ahed my way for at least fifty miles, then it began to rain-and it was still so beautiful!

The road ascends for at least twenty miles at a clip (or as I used to believe-goes north), then winds around any number of times and desends for more or less the same distance (or goes south-putting you right back where you started?) on the second or third incline it was raining steadily, but the road was hot from the sun. The rain began to whisp into small clouds off the highway, which looked a little like angels dancing. As I wound up the mountainside, the whisps thickened into a low level fog and coming around a particularly tight turn became full on fog.

I have never seen fog formed this way. I have seen it roll in like the ocean across the valley when I was driving up to see Trina and Bill in Morgan Hill. I have seen it descend on a hillside while driving across the the Rocky Mountains, but forming from the ground up? That is too cool! Actually, I was so enthralled by the experience that I forgot to be nervous about driving such a winding mountain road. The rain turned to fog, then hail, then SNOW! Oky, only for about five secondsand then it reversed the entire process as I descended the mountain. Someone forgot to tell the weather here that it is June. It really was fun, but also exhausting.

I found a cabin/motel that allows pets and checked in. I am 85 miles east of Colorado Springs. If I had Aunt Joan/Jean's number I'd see if she'd enjoy a visit. I may try anyway.

My Kingdom for Some Milk

I know you thought I was gonna say "tea"...but I have tea, I jut left the milk at Jack and Sue's...how long have I been drinking tea with milk? Oh yeah, forever...I just forgot.

I'm reporting from the Quality Inn in Durango, Colorado. I have a room with two kings, one for me and one for the pets...I am sort of wondering why I have a hotel room tonight when I've only driven for six hours or so. There isn't a good answer, but there is an answer. I especially wanted to drive Colorado 550. It is the most beautiful drive I have ever taken in my life (last August) so since I was in the neighborhood...

I left Santa Fe at about 2:00 as planned. Lorraine will be proud of me because I stopped at a car wash so that I no longer have an adobe car, and headed towards NM 550 which turns into Colorado 550. For some reason, I headed south to go north (no, I don't know why, but I did) and an hour or so into it, the map showed that I'd get there so what the hey...

It is not surprising that it took me forever to get through New Mexico (I am laughing at myself right now) and when I crossed the Continental Divide I remarked on it to Fluffy, who really didn't care. When I crossed the Colorado border both animals were sound asleep so I didn't even comment. It was well after seven and I wanted to see this part of the trip so, I found a room and here I am. A hot bath will do me a world of good, and I have Therma del Sol bath soak. What more could I need?

Tomorrow, Colorado 550 and at breakfast, I promise to make an itinerary for longer than one day. Honest Injun :D

Don't Leave Without Me!

Fluffy did not want to be left behind. And it is a good thing because she is fast and I am slow...which is to say that I couldn't have caught her without her cooperation. Next stop, Colorado...this should be beautiful, whether or not it is interesting... My next post will be done from my cellphone, so don't worry if I haven't got it down yet, I promise you I am trying :D

Lost In Disneyland

I think just about everyone has gotten lost at Disneyland or someplace like it. It is the strangest feeling to be both delighted - because you are in a wonderful place, and afraid - because you have no idea where you are or how to find your way out. This is Fluffy's current situation.

We are staying at Jack and Sue Warford's and they live in the most incredible place! There are trees, fields of wild grasses and a little pond or two which they call by a fancier name, acequia (?). Nonetheless, Fluffy went out yesterday morning at about eight o'clock. she was delighted to be outside after so much time in the van or a single room, and she has always gone in and out but...Jack and Sue have a wonderful dog, Ginger, whom they love like a child.

Fluffy does not trust Ginger one bit, and, in fact,will not come anywhere near where she might be. If you are thinking: Isn't Ginger always at the house? Well, then you have figured out Fluffy's dilemma. She wants to come in -at least to eat and leave again but she's more afraid of the dog that she knows is here than the coyotes that I warn her about or the Great Horned Owls that she hears in the distance but can't identify.

So you see, I too am lost in Disneyland because I love where I am but I cannot find the animal I came with..I'll let ya know when she's back...

What Message?

Okay, so my phone is out. It seems so weird that after AT&T finally forwarded my calls to my cell phone, my cell phone died....no coincidence you say...hmmm...Verizon is FedExing me a new phone by 10:00 tomorrow, then I get to charge it, bring it to them so they can transfer my phone book and then return the nonworking phone. Do I know how to have fun or what? Please don't worry, I will be back in communication very soon.

In the mean time, Jack and Sue almost as happy to see me as I am to see them :D and, of course, I'll take this time to put my feet up (what I do best)

I Feel Like A Spy

Sitting in the back of the van amongst the trees, darkness surrounds me...the cat walked on her harness and leash. She was so curious about all the animal scents...I can hear the tiniest of sounds and I feel like a spy, except a spy would know how to work this phone, and I don't...next stop, Santa Fe.

Nevada Rollercoaster

Hmmm, where did I leave off? Never mind, I wrote that post in my sleep anyway...so, I enjoyed the visit with Carin, Thayne, Leo and Suzanne immensely! Coco thought he was in Doggie Disneyland. Frodo (Carin's dog) was happy to shepard Coco around the dairy and introduce him to the cows and Coco was only too happy to pee on each and every blade of grass. He was ecstatic, and slept with a smile on his face all week. Fluffy got off to a rough start...Frodo, it turns out is trained to attack anything smaller than him (a doxie) which put Fluffy in the category of mouse. I'm sure you can sympathize with her regal cat horror, that is until...Thayne plowed the grounds around the farm disturbing the field mice (who decided that the garage complete with rabbit food was THE place to be. Fluffy had a mouse party, and frankly, I have never seen her happier.
I had intended to spend four or five days in Fallon, but the hospitality as well as the additional visits by Jennifer, Denise, her two girls (Lilly and Haley aka Cute and Cuter) and their roommate Colleen made a week go by in a blink.

I did get to visit Honey Lake which was certainly beautiful, but was eliminated as a potential residence due to road conditions. I got a little itchy to get back on the road, but Carin gave me a talking to and I must confess, she convinced me to slow down and enjoy the moments - which I certainly did! Laura called on Thursday and we planned to get together for her birthday tomorrow but, it was not to be. I'm still not sure why, but I wish her a very happy thirtieth and hope she enjoys herself however she chose to spend it.

After eating everything that didn't eat me first, also known as Lilly's fourth birthday party, I headed back to California to get my car smogged to complete it's registration. I am not going to explain why I left Ca. without doing this first, you just have to know me...Fluffy, who has become quite the traveler, has earned the privilege of entering and exiting her carrier at will. She enjoys climbing all over the van and visiting with Coco in the back seat. At about three in the morning, I was driving down 395 which had become a two lane highway. Fluffy climbed up the passenger seat back to survey her kingdom from the top of the neck rest. After some time of going up and down the windy hilly road, an eighteen wheeler with it's brights on was clearly visible for miles. Fluffy, so new to driving was certain that she was going to be cat scrap and let out a yowl that could be heard into the next county. I am not certain how she reached this particular pitch while jumping backwards to hide under the bench seat where she remained until I removed her this evening. My guess, Fluffy does not like roller coasters, so no Disneyland ticket for her.

Anyway, it turns out that there are NO smog stations off the 395 south so I headed east toward the Arizona border and found a smog station in beautiful downtown Barstow. If you are not familiar with Barstow, consider yourself lucky, all you need to know is that it is in the middle of the desert and people live there on purpose (though I am not sure why).

While the young man with the irregular Mohawk, more v than centered, put my car on the apparatus, he had the left wheel touching the metal plate that supports the car. As he accelerated to the necessary mph, patches of rubber flew off the tire with clouds of choking rubber smoke. "Stop" repeated loudly did nothing to alter his procedure until other words were added. I will not repeat these magic words for fear of confusing those of you who do not speak fluent French.

To make a long story short, the owner of the shop is replacing my tire and yes, it did have to be custom ordered, so I am writing you tonight from the Budget Inn-conveniently located right next to Denny's and twelve blocks from the tire store.

Tomorrow I am either going to Tuscon or San Diego, yes I realize that they are not even in the same state or direction but Gypsy Noonan is in from Alaska until the 15th and is staying in San Diego and I have already RSVP'd for a stay in Tuscon so you can see my dilemma? I'll have to let you know how it works out, in the meantime, believe it or not...drum roll please...AT&T actually managed to get my home phone calls forwarded to my cell phone (only one month late) but if you have deleted that number it's fine with me since it come directly to me without any AT&T fingerprints or charges...talk to you soon.