Re's Home on the Roam

52 Days - 7999.9 Miles

2011-09-22T16:18:00.001-04:00

The odometer, which read -0- when I pulled out of my drive early morning on August 1st read 7999.9 when I parked in my garage and turned off the engine of the Jeep 52 days later, at 2:30 p.m. on September 21st, to be precise.

I had just completed an ALMOST 8,000 round-trip drive from literally coast to coast in 52 days, stopping to visit many wonderful friends and family members along the way and got to see and enjoy so much of this fabulous place we who live in American call home.

So as this portion of my blog is drawing to a close, I am going to list, in no particular order, what I learned, what thought about, big decisions and what's going to be my 'next big adventure!'

• Those who said 'I was so brave' to take this trip on my own didn't know what they were talking about.

Driving is driving - no matter what the distance. You watch out for the other guy, don't drive when you're tired, take numerous breaks, stop at every opportunity to see, taste and enjoy the different towns and states you are passing through. Be friendly and smile lots - you'll be amazed just how welcoming and friendly perfect strangers are when you greet them with a smile and show interest in their home town.

I never once felt I was in any danger (except driving down the Tioga Pass in Yosemite and that was my own personal fear of falling off the edge). No one ever approached me or tried to pick me up (darn) or acted inappropriately, whether in a restaurant dining alone or in any of the hotels and motels I stayed in on the road. I met complete strangers who shared great stories about their lives and even ones who welcomed me into their homes! I made memories that will last a lifetime.

• Learned that by being a right-handed person/driver that your left arm will be the one hanging out of the window most of the time and by the time you reach the West coast, your left arm with be much tanner than your right - which people will actually comment on.

• Learned that a shower curtain is a wonderful thing to carry in a semi-topless Jeep. It's the perfect size to tuck behind the seat backs and cover both seats when it rains.

• Realized it would have been smarter to pack the full-sized tarp I left in the garage at home. It would have covered the entire car and tied down with bungies - eliminating the how-to successfully get rid of the large pockets of water the bikini top collected each time it rained which usually ended up pouring down between the roll-bars and the doors, onto my legs, arms and flooding the floorboards. Oh well...

• I over-packed. But what woman doesn't? I was ready for any type of social outing and even though I did get to 'dress up' for several occasions, never got to put on my 'little black dress.'

• I gave myself a pat on the back for not shopping so much that I couldn't get the suitcases in the back.

• I am thrilled that my cousin Robbie insisted, and I really didn't want to take, a Tupperwear bowl along for the ride. It was where I stored the wonderful fresh-ground and very odiferous chilies I bought in New Mexico.

• An open-air car, be it a Jeep or whatever, does not lend itself to radio music or even iPod playing/blaring. The wind just overpowers the music. But it does give you long hours of thinking time - which really is a very good thing.

• GO WEST! If you haven't traveled through our Western states of WY, MT, UT, NV, NM, AZ and even CA, you PUT THESE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST OF 'MUST SEES.' The air is different, the sunsets are glorious, colors are muted but in some ways more vivid, the mountains rise up and the clouds come down to meet them. The food is even different. And the wide open spaces are breathtaking in their beauty and vastness. Do not miss seeing these before we cover them with cement and build another parking lot!

• Hug your grown children often and visit them even more often. Don't let being clear across the country keep you from driving your kids crazy at least a couple of times each year! Be amazed at what wonderful adults they turn into.

• Drive the back roads and stay at the 'mom & pop motels.' You'll get great service and meet some really fun people - and pay a whole heck of a lot less than at the big chain motels. Just remember to ask to see your room BEFORE you pay for it. And if you aren't pleased, there is always another just down the road a piece.

• Face your fears. As I've gotten older, I've come to dislike heights and drop-offs without guard rails giving me some semblance of safety. There were numerous times during this trip where I was driving over VERY high bridges and along large canyons that went down and down forever and my hands turned white on the steering wheel from gripping it so hard. I did it. Don't want to do it all the time, but when necessary, I Can Do IT!

• In reference to the above, I realized that I am 65 years old and am only getting older. I thought about my dream to buy another RV and just drive until I can't drive safely any further and realized that I probably would have had a heart attack if I had been driving the Tioga Pass in my 30' Winnie towing the Jeep along behind. I really don't think, no, I know I would not have seen this stunningly beautiful part of Yosemite if I had been driving an RV this trip. Which made me think...maybe it's time you give up that dream and find another. I've had my RVing days - a fabulous year and a half of them and I loved every single minute of that time. But looking at what I paid for gas on this trip, Yikes! and that was just for a car. So RVing is not an inexpensive way to live and staying overnight has risen in just the year and a half I've been away from it. The average now is $40 for a nice place. That adds up quickly.

• Speaking of gas! Thought you would like to know that the 'gas portion' of the trip was $1672.22. That's driving a 2001, 6 cylinder, Jeep Wranger with a 15-gallon tank getting approximately 15 miles per gallon. Yes, I know, I need a much more fuel-efficient vehicle the next time I decide to do this!

• So now that I put the RV dream to bed, I thought long and hard about returning to Wilmington and my beautiful little house by the sea and I realized I am not happy in Wilmington. I love my house but I don't love Wilmington. I've been here 5 years the first of October and I have made very few friends (you can count them all on one hand and not use all your fingers). Those that know me know that I'm an outgoing, friend-magnet type person so might find this weird. I do. But I realized that Wilmington is a retirement and vacation destination area. The retirees are for the most part 'couples' and let me tell you, they DO NOT welcome single/widowed/divorced women into their circles. If I were a single man, much different. But single women are seen as a threat! Can you believe that, at my age? And would I even consider one of their husbands in my house, let alone my bed 24/7? NOT!! I also miss things like good, live theater and musical performances, outstanding museums, big libraries, great shopping, movie art houses, and real ethnic diversity in the people on the streets and in the choice of restaurants. None of that is available here - and really not in any of the big cities here in North Carolina.

So I started thinking....where I have lived that I was the happiest? That everything I just listed was available? That I had a group of friends there for years and years? That I could afford? (Sorry San Francisco, no matter how much I love ya, your too rich for my pocketbook.) That had major public transportation and major airports with direct flights anywhere in the world, anytime? That my boys might come to visit? That had the best football team in the America? Well, that I'm sure gave my choice away....

Watch out Chi-town, I'm coming back home!

Today I put my house on the market, contacted a rental agent in Chicago, called my friend Cathi and told her I would be taking advantage of her open invitation to use her guest bedroom while I re-acclimate myself to the city. I learned that they have re-named several of the neighborhoods! Even re-named a couple of the expressway. Why?! Planning to spend my last, warm winter here, unless the house sells immediately, which I doubt in this very depressed market, and move when the crocus peak their heard through the snow and start blooming up North, which should be March or April. Thinking of selling the Jeep as you really don't need a car in Chicago. With iGo and ZipCar lots all over town, I'll use one of these when I need to go someplace specific that isn't accessible via the "L", the bus or the train system. And for distance driving, there is always Enterprise.

I can everyone of you saying 'THE WINTERS ARE AWFUL! WHY ARE YOU LEAVING THE SOUTH and returning to SNOW & ICE?' Well, I really have missed 4 seasons, even snow. And I am perfectly content letting the bus and "L" drivers drive me where I would need to go during those days or just staying curled up on the couch with the kitties reading a good book. Also, I have an awful lot of family and friends that live South and I will most certainly plan my annual visits to their homes during the cold winter months!

I'm excited and know deep down that this is the right decision. It's the right time and the right place for me. So on those words, I will end this daily (almost) writing of MyHomeOnTheRoam for a few months, but will resume it again, for those interested, when I get down to the nitty-gritty of moving. Hey, I might even write about my upcoming visit and the neighborhoods I like and don't like. You all take care and be good to each other....

Until the next time.....

Rain, Traffic Jams and more Rain!

2011-09-22T12:19:00.000-04:00

Driving from St. Louis to Charlottesville, VA was not nice. I got of out St. Louis with no problems and even remarked to myself what a nice, fairly empty interstate I-64 was.

Now, I had seen signs in St. Louis saying that the I-64 bridge from IN to KY was closed. I even tried to find out why by Googling it, but really got no answers. Figured if it were that big and important, there would be large Detour signs directing me which was to go. There were - plus lots of rain most of the way.

The I-64 bridge was built by the same company that built the bridge in MN that collapsed several years ago killing quite a few. This bridge was about to do the same thing, so they shut it down before anything really bad happened - a good thing. They then directed all traffic coming into Louisville to take the I-71 bridge over the river to hook back up with I-64. But this day a big, honkin' tractor trailer was going around the curve to the 'detour bridge' and ran off the ramp. He did that is mid-morning and at 3:30 p.m. he was still stuck. So no traffic going over that bridge - just big flashing signs saying 'use another route.' But I'm not from here? What other route?

I pulled off and as luck would have it a very nice State Patrol officer was coming out of the Kwick Stop as I was walking in with my Atlas in hand. He just gave me an ironic smile and too the time to show me the only other way to get out of town, across the river and back onto I-64 East. He said it would take some time and maneuvering once I got back on the interstate, but it was my only option. "Some time" was 2 1/2 hours at almost a dead stop, slowly inching my way down the longest on-ramp I have every seen and back onto the interstate - in the pouring rain and what was now rush hour in downtown Louisville!!!

When I finally got out of the mess and once more headed east, I was still 3 1/2 hours from my destination and hotel reservation for the night. About 1 hour into that drive, the skies literally opened - I couldn't see 2 feet in front of me, except when bolts of lightening almost hit the car. So I made the wise decision and just pulled into a Red Roof Inn which was directly off the next exit in Lexington, KY. I ordered pizza (tipped the poor delivery man well for having to come out on such a terrible night) finished the 1/2 bottle of wine Ellen had insisted I take with me, and watched the series premier of one of my favorite shows, Castle.

Was up and going at 5 a.m. the next morning to be able to get to Charlottesville, VA at a decent time. Rolled into Deb and Tom's late 1800's Virginia farmstead about 2 p.m. and asked if I could take a nap! Which I did before joining them for a delicious dinner hosted by Tom's mom, the artist Paula Chrispman, in her beautiful apartment with an expansive view of the Shenandoah Valley.

Since Tom and Deb and darling daughter Georgia start their days very early - work, school, volunteering - my day also started early and I was actually happy and a bit sad to realize that this was going to be my last day on-the-road. My cross-country trip which had started August 1st actually ended at 2:30 p.m. on September 21st when I pulled back into my drive in Wilmington.

In those 52 days I thought a lot, learned a lot about myself and made some really major decisions. But to find out what they are you'll have to wait....

Until the next time.

ReAnn

St. Louis - Balloon Glow and so much more...

2011-09-18T18:35:00.003-04:00

One of my best friends, Ellen, lives in St. Louis. She had asked me before I left home if it would be possible for me to be back in this area by the 16th of September. The Missouri Humane Society, with which she is very involved, uses the Balloon Glow evening portion of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race as a fund raiser. When I learned that the donation included not only dinner and drinks but also access to field where the balloons are actually lit-up, I said 'you bettcha!'

The evening was overcast and damp but the rain thankfully held off. The traffic was horrendous but our ticket also included 'preferred parking.' We even managed to squeeze into a 'free' valet parking space.

This event takes place in Forest Park, the location of the St. Louis World's Fair that was held in 1904. Thankfully, many of the wonderful building have been preserved and are still in use. This enormous park also gives the residents of St. Louis a huge, wonderful 'green space' to enjoy.

What a sight - over 70 colorful and massive hot air balloons all being 'fired' together, next to each other. It is a sight that I cannot describe - it's just too beautiful for words....

My, and the majority of attendee's favorite balloon is the Energizer Bunny.

Those big pink ears assure that he towers over all of the other balloons. He is also the 'lead balloon' for the race and takes off first with all of the others 'chasing the rabbit!'.

The day of the race dawned very windy and rainy and they couldn't keep the bunny up. The race took place, but without the big pink one, ear flopping in the air, leading the way.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner in a large tent, live music and very interesting and entertaining table-mates, all of us sharing stories about our pets, the majority of whom are 'rescues.'

Once the balloons were put the sleep, we enjoyed a large fireworks display and 'dancing balloon men' who I think looked like Dale Chihuley glass chandeliers.

As we were driving out of the Park, we stopped on Art Hill to stand and be deeply moved by the 9/11 memorial that had been set up to honor to those that passed on that day 10 years ago. A local man devised a way to precisely set 3000 flags, one for each person lost that day, each flag containing the name and location where that person was lost. To see those flags blowing in the wind and visualize a person replacing each flag...it brings our loss really home and to heart.

The next day we continue with a 'pet theme' and headed out to Purina Farms wonderful new Exhibit Hall where they were holding a regional, all-breed dog show. What a treat! I loved the topiary that were on each side of the entrance..

Once inside, the fluffing and brushing and primping was in full swing...

But it was the wonderful faces of the non-humans that made me smile..

After petting and enjoying the dog show, we headed out to 'the bluffs' which is an area where many fine wineries are located. Ellen's sister has a large farm that is covered with vines, all heavily laden with fat, ripe grapes. (Harvest will be in the next week or two).

On our way to lunch we stopped by fabulous local glass artist Sam Stang's studio. Though Ellen has long been a fan, but I had never met Sam. Turned out that he had just returned from teaching at The Penland School of Craft - my old stompin' ground. We had a great time chatting about mutual friends.

Ellen and I then met her sister at the Montelle Winery for a bit of 'tasting' and a great lunch on the deck overlooking the beautiful valley as it falls away to the Missouri river.

After lunch it was off to St. Charles and a great little art fair along this little river town's historic downtown streets. A long but wonderful day.

Tomorrow it's back to driving the interstates, heading east and homeward. With one more stop and visit with friends in Charlotteville, VA, I will drive into Wilmington and home on Wednesday and this adventure will officially come to an end.

It doesn't seem possible that almost 2 months have passed since I started writing this blog. But I've had a great amount of time to think and re-think what I want to do with the rest of my life and I've come to some major decisions about the destination of my next adventure. But you'll just have to wait to learn what those are....

Until the next time....

INTERSTATES - YUCK!

2011-09-16T11:27:00.000-04:00

The only good thing about these super-highways that criss-cross our country is that they get you where you are going fast! On the other hand, they are so mindlessly BORING. The exits all have the same things - a gas station and usually a McD's where you can grab a bite and hop right back on the road. Driving the posted speed limit, which you must if you don't want to get run over by huge trucks, costs much more in gas money than meandering down the side roads. I filled up the Jeep 4 times yesterday going 75 mph for 9 hours. I could hear my gas tank going 'gobble-gobble-$$$.

For the past 2 days I have driven over 9 hours each day and yesterday I drove over 600 miles to reach St. Louis and stay in my friend Ellen's beautiful home and comfy guest room so as to eliminate another night on the road.

I once again crossed the great, big, flat state of Kansas, only this time on the top side. I drove past Abilene and Independence and Topeka and Kansas City, never once stopping to take a picture - I would have gotten side-swipped by a trucker if I did.

I arrived safely with a very numb bum and slept like a dead person. Up this morning doing laundry, enjoying not going anywhere and being followed around and loved by Mimi and Henry, Ellen's 2 loveable King Charles Spaniels. Tonight is the annual fund-raiser for the Missouri Humane Society with drinks, dinner and a much-anticipated 'ballon glow.' Lots of pictures from that I am sure to take. The weather is gray and chilly, but the sun is forecasted to come out. I hope so as I didn't pack for colder weather....speaking of which....

If I could have had someone take a picture of me driving the past 2 days in the cold and the rain, I would have, as you would have giggled yourself silly. I jerry-rigged the shower curtain, that has done stellar duty keeping my seats dry throughout this trip, behind my seat, through the seat-belt mechinisim and tucked into the window, thus eliminating a lot of cold air that blows in because there is not top on the car to keep it out! I had on the following...
1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of heavy socks, hiking boots, 2 t-shirts, 2 sweater, 1 sweatshirt jacket, 1 heavy sweatshirt, 1 blight blue rubber rain slicker with hood, which I had covering my freezing ears! I looked like a big, blue Michelan Man! but I stayed fairly warm. Oh, also had a blanket coverning my legs and the heater going full blast. You realize quickly you just do what you can do and drive on.

Until next time.....

The Open Road....

2011-09-15T09:08:00.000-04:00

My travels along Hwy 50 continued for most of Tuesday. I left Ely early in the morning and headed out once again through wide open country but soon I was driving, up, up and up into another mountain pass. I met a biker at a gas stop who said that if you drive the entire length of Hwy 50 you will drive up, over and through 11 mountain passes. The last one I crossed was the Sacramento and snow was still very visible at the top.

Again, I rarely passed another car - just me alone in this beautiful country for as far as my eyes could see. What I really wanted to do when I finally drove into Delta, UT was to turn around and drive Hwy 50 all over again, all the way back to Lake Tahoe where it begins.

One of the most amazing things I saw coming into the UT portion of the road was this huge, shimmering lake with high mountains behind it.

The color reflecting off the water was almost white....and as I got closer, it got even whiter. When I was close enough to the 'water' I realized it wasn't moving so I grabbed my map and realized what I was seeing was the bottom end of the famous Bonneville Salt Flats
where the racing of very fast cars and the testing of secret weapons take place. It's also the place that one of my favorite movies, The Last Indian, staring Anthony Hopkins, was filmed. What a treat to just 'stumble upon,' but that's what has been great about this entire trip - the unexpected.

Hwy 50 gigs a bit at Delta and you need to drive Interstate 15 north for one exit before it heads back southeast and connects to Interstate 70.

Traveling Interstate 70 is another treat thanks to a very smart road-designer, you have wonderful 'vista points' to pull over and enjoy. It makes it even more enjoyable as you travel through the huge, rocky and very red landscape of this part of Utah.

I drove 30 miles south off Interstate 70 to visit friends Sue & Jim, owners of the Moab Rim RV & Campground. I had first met them when RV-ing 2 years ago, then stayed and worked for them for 3 weeks and we had stayed in touch while I've been off the road. They put me up overnight in one of their cute, very well-furnished housekeeping cabins and we enjoyed catching up at The Blue Pig, Moab's newest and tasty Bar-B-Que joint. They made me promise that if my plans to return to RV-ing comes to fruition, that I would come back and help them out next season.

I woke up really early (4:30 a.m.!) yesterday morning and thought why not get started? I was driving by 5 a.m. - the sun wasn't even peaking over the horizon yet. I drove from Moab to Colby, KS (The Oasis on the Plains), 585 miles, through Glenwood Canyon, the huge Eisenhower Tunnel, right through the middle of downtown Denver and back down to the flat-lands. It was cold, wet and not a fun drive. I had on jeans, a t-shirt, 2 sweatshirts, my blue, rubber, hooded raincoat (which thanks goodness I had thrown in the Jeep at the very last minute) and a blanket wrapped around my shoulders (where the most air comes pouring into the car. This is the only day I was upset I hadn't did this trip with the top on the car!

I am now 628 miles from St. Louis, my destination for the weekend. I probably won't make it today as it's already 8 a.m. here in KS (I lost 2 hours yesterday just driving into different time zones) and I splurged and stayed at a brand new Sleep Inn. Really comfy bed and a hot breakfast is waiting in the lobby once I get showered, so.....

Until next time....

Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Ely, NV

2011-09-12T23:00:00.000-04:00

Early morning on the 10th I drove into the south entrance of Yosemite and made the 4-hour drive up and over Tioga Pass, which brought me out at Lee Vinning and the Whoa Nelly Deli. But let me back up a bit....

After a farewell breakfast with new best friends Joyce and Lynne, I headed into the park. Since Lake Tahoe was my destination for the evening, I needed to get over to the other side and the most scenic route is the Tioga Pass, the only road to go from East to West (or visa versa) through the Park. This drive, like all the others in the Park is 'knock-your-socks-off beatuiful.'

The scenery, the views, those silly rock climbers on sheer-faced granite rocks, the crystal clear lakes which reflect the surrounding mountain peaks and fluffy white clouds - it was a wonderful 3 1/2 hour drive - until the last 30 minutes.

That's when you have to go down....and down...and down, without a single guard rail and drop-offs in the 1000's of feet! I took one look and swallowed my tongue! I was so very thankful that school had started, the majority of travelers had gone home and left the road fairly uninhabited. Except for a stray and crazy RV driving the Pass, I managed to keep my driver-side wheels over the yellow line, as far to the left without actually driving in the opposite lane. If I could have closed my eyes the entire way down, I would have! Dear sweet Nina had seen my reaction to drop-off's without guard rails the first day she took me in the park and had laughingly told me how much I would enjoy coming down the Tioga Pass. Witch! And no, I DID NOT stop and take any pictures. If you want to see just how far down it is, I am sure you can find lots of pictures on Google.

Almost as soon as you reach the bottom you arrive a big Mobil Gas Station and the famous Whoa Nelly Deli - the most unusual and delicious deli inside a gas station you will ever find. I timed my trip over the pass so I would arrive at lunch time. I had been told to try their fish tacos and boy, was I in for a taste treat. Fresh mango salsa and chopped cabbage salsa covered 2 huge pieces of fish in crisp taco shells, with a side a black beans. Pure Yum!

Looking out from the deli is another treat, this time for the eyes, for directly below is Mono Lake. Large, beautiful, and today hazy.

But as you see, I managed to get a picture before hopping onto Hwy 395 (which is the same road I took through the Mojave Desert - just further south) and headed north to South Tahoe, CA.

Along the way I had to stop for dozens of fire trucks and police as they were pouring into fight the Topaz Lake fire.

Lake Tahoe is where my friends John and Suzanne call home. We met in a grassy field someone called an RV park in central IL two years ago. I had just pulled in and gotten Winnie hooked up when they arrived in their shinny Airstream (the RV I actually lust for!). I wandered over and soon, as all RVer's, we were swapping stories of life on the road. They were driving the entire Route 66 to celebrate Suzanne's birthday. After being invited for dinner and getting to know each other better, we agreed to meet up a few weeks later in the Black Hills of South Dakota and 'do' Mt. Rushmore together. A life-long friendship was cemented with the Presidents looking down.

They had extended an invite to Lake Tahoe when they heard about my road trip and that I 'could' be in their area. I arrived mid-afternoon on Saturday and we talked and ate and talked some more, catching up after 2 years apart. On Sunday morning, after John made homemade waffles for us, we hopped in his BIG truck and drove completely around Lake Tahoe (72 miles) with them stopping wherever they knew I would love to take pictures.

We had a wonderful day, finished with a great dinner and a really good Sunday Night Football game.

This morning, 9/12, I was up early and hit the road at 9 a.m. I headed over the pass and into Carson City, Nevada where I got on Hwy 50. Now, no one, including my friend John who knew where I was going, thought to tell me that Hwy 50, which is 2-lane, 70 mph, crosses the entire state of Nevada, west to east, is known as The Loneliest Road in America! Highway 50 roughly parallels the Pony Express Trail, which goes from Silver Springs through Fallon and along the towns across Highway 50. Remnants of the Pony Express Route are visible for much of the way. Stretching the width of Nevada, Highway 50 is a fascinating scenic and historic corridor through a land seemingly untouched by man. The road travels through snow-mantled mountains that reach summits of more than 11,000 feet.

From desert to climbs up 11,000 foot peaks, to sagebrush to rain squalls, this drive was not only barren and beautiful but exhausting. The clouds actually came out of the sky and touched the road.

Wouldn't have missed it for anything!

I am now settled at the Nevada Hotel & Casino in Ely, NV for the night, almost ready to go downstairs and enjoy my complimentary Margarita, see if I have any quarters in my wallet (that's my limit for gambling money) have a quiet dinner in their cafe before collapsing.

Tomorrow, a bit more of Hwy 50 before I get into Utah and onto Interstate 70. Tomorrow night Moab - the home of Arches and Canyonlands, two of my very favorite National Parks.

Until next time....

YOSEMITE

2011-09-09T23:04:00.001-04:00

I promise, the view behind me is real, not a painted backdrop. But it is so beautiful that it almost seems fake. This is what is known as the 'tunnel view' as you come into Yosemite via the southern entrance. You drive through a tunnel cut through the mountain and then......WOW....this is the view you see in front of you.

Welcome to Yosemite!

It is easily understandable to see why this is one of the most-visited of our National Parks. Everywhere you look, your mouth drops and you realize that no matter how many pictures you take, you can never capture the beauty or the grandeur of this place. But of course, I tried and I'll share just a few of the over 200 photos I took yesterday!

But before I do that, I have to tell you about the 3 fabulous women I met that have made my time here in Oakhurst, CA (the Gateway to Yosemite) one of the most memorable of my trip.

First was Nina. We met on the AARP Travel Board. When I mentioned that I was planning to drive to the West coast and on the return tour Yosemite for the first time, she not only volunteered to be my personal guide, but also invited me to stay at her home.

I arrived in Oakhurst yesterday morning about 10 a.m. Planning to drive directly to Nina's and go into the park immediately, I saw a sign that said Gallery Row - 5 Fantastic Galleries All in One Place! I had to stop. The first gallery I went in was Timberline, a local artist's co-op and the woman manning the gallery was Joyce. Little did I know that within minutes I would have made a new friend....but let me get back to Nina for a minute.

I found her little house in the trees and got settled in and met her 2 large Huskies and 2 kitties. We got to know each other as we hit the road almost immediately, stopping for lunch in Mariposa before entering the Park through El Portal.

From that point on it was just one amazing site after another, from El Captain to Bridalveil Falls to the Anawanha Hotel.

Nina drove me to every spot where she knew I would get the best picture and patiently waited while I took numerous shots and just stood still and looked. She shared a lot of the history of the Park, as well, and when we made our final stop at the very top at Glacier Peak, we were there just as the sun started to set and turn Half Dome into beautiful shades of pink. What a fabulous end to a perfect day.

When we got back to Nina's house (about 9 p.m.) there was an email message from Joyce asking if I was or could stay in town longer as she would love to get to know me better and would show me some of the other beautiful, if not part of Yosemite, sites that are in this area. So Nina and I met Joyce for breakfast and we started talking...and talking. She said I was welcome to spend the night with her and her roommate, Lynne and we'd stop by there first and I could get settled before we headed out. We took just a minute to sit down outside and starting talking...and it's now 7:43 p.m. and we haven't stopped! Nor did we leave the house expect to pick up a gourmet pizza and beer for dinner. We three have so enjoyed each others company and sharing our life stories. Its amazing how they connect and intertwine and it's as if we have been friends for years instead of just a few hours.

Joyce is a fabulous digital artist who's work hangs not only here in Oakhurst at the Timberline Gallery, but she has just been accented into the very prestigious Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale.

Lynne is a extremely well-known and well-respected corporate trainer and life coach. These two have been best friends for 20 years and to think they just invited me into their circle to spend the day has been one of the most wonderful and enjoyable experiences I have ever had.

Tomorrow I head back into the park to drive up and over Tioga Pass and onto the Eastern side of the park. From there it's onto Tahoe and a visit with Suzanne and John, friends from my RV-ing days.

Until next time....

San Diego to Sequoia National Forest

2011-09-08T09:49:00.000-04:00

I left San Diego where it was cool and raining and crossed over the mountains where the sun was shinning and it was really hot! It stayed that way, and even got hotter, as I turned north on Hwy 395 to cross the Mojave Desert. I drove past Edwards and the China Lake Air Force Bases (good place for planes to fly - a desert!) before heading a bit back West. I had chosen a spec on the map named Kernville to overnight. Didn't know anything about it, just that it looked as far as I wanted to drive on Tuesday. Saw on the map that I had to circle Lake Isabella but was totally unprepared for the length and breath of Lake Isabella!

What I didn't realize that I was climbing up into what is know as the 'high desert' This is a man-made lake, similar to Lake Powell in northern AZ just goes on and on and on with mountains bordering all sides.

Kernville is located on the north-side of the lake, with the very fast-moving Kern River running directly through the middle of town. (Lots of rafting and hiking). I stayed at the Kern River B&B which sits right on the river.

Virginia, the owner, met me at the door and I spent the night in the nicest, cleanest and most well-furnished B&B I have ever overnighted. Everything I could need was in my room or just outside my door. Her breakfast the next morning was huge and delicious. She spent time with each of her guests and made us all feel welcome. What more could you want? How about a great Italian dinner at a little bistro within walking distance, a nice glass of Chianti and then a big, comfy bed? I really hated to leave the next morning.

Once I had several maps in hand, I headed up a road with no # and deep into the Sequoia National Forest. I was told that the fire that was burning about 17 miles north of town was sorta under control and they were letting cars through. So reassuring! The drive was fantastic - up, up on a 2-lane road, with the Kern River rushing along beside me. Waterfalls just popped up out of nowhere

right in the middle of the road. As there was almost no traffic, I just stopped the car wherever I wanted and took pictures.

Helicopters buzzed overhead ferrying large bags of water scooped from Lake Isabella to douse the fire, which I never saw - just lots of fire trucks and some exhausted firefighters along the side of the road.

I kept driving with the intention of finding the right sign that would lead me to The Trail of 1000 Giants. Eventually I found the parking lot and was guided across the road, map in hand ($5 parking fee) to follow the path (cement) which winds in, around and through this grove of trees. The trail takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk. There are self-interpretive stations along the way and benches where you can just sit and listen to the quiet.

The Grove contains several giant sequoias over 10 feet in diameter and 143 sequoias under 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height! The grove encompasses many acres and it is estimated that the age of the trees in the grove are between 500 and 1500 years old.

This is the first time I have ever seen or been up close to a sequoia or as they are known in northern California, a redwood. They are so very large, majestic, soft-to-the touch, endangered and such a real, natural treasure.

After my walk in the trees, I found a secluded picnic table and just sat, listened to the forest, and had a delicious picnic lunch. To get down the mountain, I followed a road that turned out to have more corkscrews than any road I have ever been on - anywhere! It took me over 2 hours to drive about 30 miles, in 2nd gear at about 10-15 mph, on a 2-lane road with no guard rails that dropped-off thousands of feet straight down! Oh, but was it ever worth it!

Just look at the pictures I took, which doesnt begin to do the view justice. How I love this country. I love the idea that I can be driving in the flat, sandy, cactus-covered desert one day and the next be high in the Sierra Nevada mountains with the clean smell of pine filling the cool, crisp air. What a absolutely beautiful country we are privileged to call home.

Today and tomorrow - Yosemite! I am meeting Nina, a woman I met via AARP's online travel board, who lives near El Portal and volunteered to be my guide to the wonders of Yosemite. I'm so excited to finally get to visit one of the most spectacular of our National Parks.

Until next time.....

Labor Day on the Beach!

2011-09-06T23:37:00.000-04:00

The Shores Hotel sits right on the beach in LaJolla.

Labor Day dawned cloudy with rain and a cold breeze blowing - but that didn't stop us! The hotel was nice enough to set up chairs, umbrella and towels for us on the perfect spot in the sand. We packed up the sunscreen (though I don't think any of us put any on, the sweatshirts and a cooler loaded with libations and nibbles and were ready to sit and watch the idiots who actually got in the freezing (64º) surf (my Atlantic water temp is 84º).

There is this huge kayak and bike shop down the street that does a really booming business.

Literally hundreds of people throughout the day marched down to the beach in their vests and helmets and lined up to take out a sea kayak, mostly for the first time. I don't think they counted on the extremely high surf and big waves caused by a storm all the way off in New Zealand. They piled the beach high with kayaks

and for hours we watched, and giggled, as these newbies headed out....and fell over and out of their kayaks trying to get over the incoming surf...while the kayak company photo person took their picture!

One of the 'oh so California' thing I saw was this father teaching his youngest son to surf.

The entire family was dressed in custom-made wet suits with their own boards. Too cool!

Tobin and Julie worked up their nerve and borrowed our sand-neighbor's kayak. They put on life jackets and headed out into the surf, with me biting my nails and fast and furiously clicking pictures. This, I must admit, is a fabulous shot of them shooting over the last big, incoming wave and making it out and into the calmer ocean waters.

They paddled all the way down to the caves and back before coming back in. I breathed a sigh of relief and we celebrated the end of a great day at the beach - T surrounded by the women who mean the most in his life!

We finished the day at a really great, Mexican family restaurant in Solana Beach where Julie has her condo. We had a great time laughing and reliving the past 4 days filled with fun, family and friends.

Way too early on Tuesday morning, I hugged Tobin and Julie and sent them off to the airport to return home and back to work. I loaded up the Jeep and headed north to spend a few days communing with nature and exploring Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.

Until next time...

San Diego Zoo and much more! (Sunday, 9/4)

2011-09-06T21:14:00.000-04:00

The sun came out on Sunday and we were up early, had a great breakfast and headed to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. How much fun was it?

Well...we saw fabulous fauna..for which the Zoo is known for as much as their animals

The Pandas

The mama Hippo with her brand new baby (look close, the little one is kissing
mom)

The King of the Jungle - who paraded around for all to see his manly self!

An elephant name Devi who enjoyed jumping in the water for a swim and getting carrots from her trainer.

Two adorable giraffes.

And an cuddly koala bear.

We got an aerial view of Balboa Park from tramway and then drove through on our way out.

After a tour of downtown San Diego, we crossed the bridge onto Coronado Island had a late lunch with libations on the beach patio at the elegant and beautiful Del Coronado Hotel.

We were exhausted! Dinner was pizza delivered to the room where we all fell asleep watching 'No Country for Old Men.' We woke long after the movie was over, I sent the kids off to their room and I went back to sleep with a fresh sea breeze blowing in the window. Tomorrow is another day of fun!

To be continued....

San Diego, CA - I made it!

2011-09-06T20:47:00.000-04:00

From sea to shinning sea - 4037 miles! I could see the Pacific as I drove into Old Town San Diego and a much anticipated visit with my good friend Sally, previously owner the best fabric store in Asheville, NC (Waechter's) and now the owner of the best fabric store in San Diego, The Spirit of Cloth.

We had so much fun catching up! We talked for over 5 hours non-stop and could have gone on for at least that many more. Of course, I have a nice bag filled with beautiful fabrics that I am returning home with. I really hated to leave but I had a big present waiting for me at The Shores Hotel in La Jolla - my #1 son Tobin, whom I haven't seen in almost 2 years! Plus I get to meet his lady friend for the first time. I know he's my son, but mom's love to brag - isn't he handsome? And tall?

He and Julie have lots planned for me to see and do in the short 4 days we have together. We wined, dined (at Julie's sister's Louise's beautiful home with her cute husband Steve, who didn't get in the picture!)

We went downtown LaJolla and saw the seals who congregate on the beach.

We went to the famous Del Mar racetrack to watch the ponies run.

We rode a double-decker bus to and from the racetrack with a driver who played the ukulele and sang Hawaiian songs

And the whole time Tobin and Julie made me feel they were glad I was there to share all of this fun time with them.

We did all of this in a day and a half and even managed to get the Jeep in to have it oil and filter changed, tires rotated and new front brake pads installed. Phew! But that's just the beginning.

To be continued.......

Palm Springs, CA 8/31-9/1

2011-09-06T20:16:00.000-04:00

I left Terry's early morning on the 31st hoping to avoid some of the heat on the drive to Palm Springs. (4 1/2 hours) The Jeep has air conditioning, but it has lots of open spaces where it leaks out and hot air comes in and when that hot air is 112º, well guess which wins?

I had booked reservations at the Palm Mountain Resort & Spa for 2 days with one full day dedicated to a much needed massage and facial. I was told about this true gem of a resort from my good friend and couture sewing teacher extraordianire, Claire Shaeffer, who calls Palm Springs home. Though she wasn't home while I was there, she highly recommended the Palm Mountain Resort and uses it exclusively for her hands-on workshops.

The resort literally backs onto the mountain which is at the end of Ramone Ave, one of the main streets in Palm Springs. I loved how it looks almost on fire as the sun begins to set.

My friend Carol from Prescott had a meeting near San Diego on the 1st and I talked her into joining me for a day of pampering and wine-ing and dining before driving the rest of the way to her destination. We both totally enjoyed our massage and facials and felt and looked at least 20 years younger! We had a great dinner at LuLu's - the new "IN" place to dine in downtown Palm Springs. Oh, forgot to mention that the resort is located just 1 block from Palm Canyon Drive, downtown is literally just out the door and across the street. We strolled the street and enjoyed the people we say (Palm Springs most certainly does have it's own 'look')

We saw this couple at breakfast. They were dressed 'to the 9's' and completely matched each other. Even with her several facial adjustments, you could tell both she and he had to be in their mid to late 80's. So nice to know they still get up early and put on the heels, the earrings, and carry a matching purse. There's hope for me yet!

The other really funny thing we saw was Marilyn Monroe getting a wash outside where we had breakfast. It just struck us as really silly and I had to have a picture.

We found a Chico's with a 70% off sale in progress, so after a wee bit of shopping, Carol hit the road about 11 a.m. and though I had every intention of hopping in the car and driving to Joshua Tree National Park, the 112º heat defeated me and I returned to my air conditioned room, rested, wrote a bit, hopped in the pool (which FYI, at that heat is NOT refreshing and the pool deck burns your bare feet!) enjoyed a leisurely walk through the downtown Thursday night open-air market, enjoyed a nice dinner and was asleep by 10 a.m.

On the road early morning on the 2nd and on my way to San Diego for the long Labor Day weekend.

I love the drive up and out of Palm Springs because of the huge wind farms that dots the mountainsides.

I just think they make so much sense and look so cool turning in the breeze.

Can't wait to get to land of 'perfect year-round weather' where the temperature is 74º and the breeze off the ocean is just fabulous. Here I come......

Until next time....

DHS Class of '64 Mini-Reunion - Prescott, AZ

2011-09-06T11:40:00.001-04:00

Carol, my good friend from high school, recently retired after living for many years in St. Louis. She had thought about returning to our hometown of Danville, IL to live quietly for her 'golden years.' Since no one who knew her thought this was a good idea (Danville is now basically a ghost town compared to what it was when we grew up there) we all suggested she find someplace where she might be more active, be surrounded by theater and shopping and good weather...and we were all thrilled when she chose to move to Prescott, AZ.... and bought a house big enough to have lots of visitors!

She and I were both astounded when we learned just how many of our female classmates had spent their years since leaving Danville, living and working and retiring to the Phoenix/Scotsdale area. Carol sent out an invite to everyone and though quite a few couldn't make it, we had a great turnout.

We all arrived on Friday and were up and going early Saturday morning, talking non-stop about what we remembered about each other and who we had dated and what we had been doing since we last saw each other. Carol suggested that we would all love a day in Jerome, an old mining town high up in mountains, where the weather is quite a bit cooler than 'the Valley.' We wandered, shopped and just spent the day enjoying each others company. We had a great time - as you can see from the smiling faces!

The next day we drove into Prescott and enjoyed getting to see Carol's new hometown, the beautiful, tree-filled square, the shops and many restaurants and bars that line "Whiskey Row".

The Phoenix contingent headed home after lunch and Carol and I returned to her lovely home to spend a quite evening and discuss details for our meeting up in Palm Springs in two days.

I took off early the next morning and drove from a reasonable, temperate Prescott into 'the Valley' and temps hitting 112º to enjoy 2 days with one of my oldest and dearest high school friends, Terry, and his partner Greg. They have a lovely townhouse in the Glendale section of Phoenix where I have visited often over the years, but got a tour of their brand new condo in The Biltmore residential resort area. They are all ready to move - just waiting to for the townhouse to close.

Terry is retired now so we got to spend all days just chatting, eating, getting me a much needed hair cut, and catching-up.

Old friends are the very best friends. They 'knew you when' and still like you today. We hugged goodbye and knew that we would keep in touch and see each other again soon.

Until next time.....

Bernalillo, NM and points West!

2011-09-05T13:39:00.001-04:00

Since I am a wee bit behind in my blogging, I had to go back to my calendar to make sure I had the dates correct on this next leg of my adventure.

On Wednesday, 8/24, we packed up the Jeep and I drove Ellen to Albuquerque to catch a flight back to her home and I turned around and drove back to Bernalillo, the home of my dear friend Jami, whom I have known and loved since we went to high school together in Danville, IL - oh so many years ago. Jami's health is not good, so even though she really had hopped to be part of our mimi-reunion in Prescott, she just didn't feel up to making the trip. But she and I spent a day and an evening catching up and sharing what had happened in our lives since we had last seen each other. It was a very quite, peaceful visit, topped off with a lovely evening with drinks and dinner at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort.

The next morning I was up early and ready for a long drive. I headed south on I-25 (I know, it's an Interstate) but only for an hour when I hopped on US 60 in Socorro and headed West toward Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ - my destination for the night. I had chosen this route mainly because it seemed the most direct, not knowing that I would be taking one of the most beautiful drives I had taken so far! I would be driving up into the Datil and San Mateo Mountains and I was not prepared for the vast, open plains with high mountains in the distance. All I could think of was Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter.

My photos do not come close to showing just how beautiful this part of the country really is.

One of the places I drove by was the National Radio Astronomy Observatory VLA Telescope.
- also know as The Very Large Array, one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories, consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. I didn't know what I was seeing and of course thought...'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' as Roswell, NM is just a wee bit southeast of this location and everyone knows that where aliens have always chosen to land when visiting us.

I wish I could have stopped and toured this facility, but it was not open to the general public - or at least not open the day I drove by.

As it was getting to be quite a bit past the noon hour and my tummy was letting me know I had had a very small continental breakfast at the Days Inn a long time ago, I thought it was time to find a place to rest and dine. And all of a sudden I was climbing up...and up into the Sawtooth Mountain range and into Pie Town, NM. Now there is really...no, there is absolutely nothing in Pie Town, NM except the one place I found open and selling what else but....pies! Fresh backed and delicious pies of every kind and berry and fruit, all topped with ice cream, of course, if that was your pleasure. Oh, they did have a small sandwich menu to go with your slice of pie.

I heard all about the menu as soon as I stepped out of the Jeep as the owner was climbing up a ladder to change the sign to tell everyone passing by about the big 'Pie Festival' to be held on Labor Day weekend.

He told me there were no stores within 50-60 miles and to really shop for groceries or clothes or household goods, you planned far ahead and drove back up to Albuquerque and loaded with a few months worth of stuff! This place is really a long way from any place!

He told me I had to ask for Helga, the best waitress in the Pie Town Cafe, to wait on me personally. Turns out that Helga, who still has her Swedish accent, is the only waitress that the Pie Town Cafe has. And since I was trying to be good and not eat pie for lunch, she talked me into taking 2 'mini-pies' (4 slices each) fresh out of the oven, pipping hot, with me as a house-warming gift for Cousin Nancy in Pinetop! At her recommendation I chose a Hoppin' Hot Cherry (fresh bing cherries with red chili peppers to spice it up!) and New Mexican Apple (fresh Grannie Smith's, pinenuts and green chili peppers). Both were fabulous!!

After lunch I crossed the border into AZ and drove through Springerville and Eager (where John Wayne had a ranch for many years) before heading up higher and higher into the White Mountains (the ones that made the news as they were burning like crazy not that long ago!) and into Pinetop/Lakeside where my cousin Nancy and her husband Tom have a beautiful home. (Little Bear Lodge)

As you can see from the picture of my guest room, bears are the theme and there are quite a few real ones roaming the area this year - so much so that the human population of this area have become quite leery of them. Nancy have pictures of them in her drive way and peaking in the living room windows!

Tom treated me to a lovely dinner at the country club and we all enjoyed the pies I brought as desert. It was a quick visit, only one night, and after breakfast with Nancy,

I was on the road to Prescott and my mini-high school girls reunion.

Until next time....

Canyon Road

2011-09-03T11:33:00.000-04:00

Our last day in Santa Fe was spent exploring the art galleries that line this 1-mile street in downtown Santa Fe. We found that their claim of 1000 art galleries in a one-mile stretch was true!

We found galleries that specialized in beautiful paintings; galleries that specialized in life-sized or larger bronze statues..

And galleries that specialized in a little bit of everything...all were interesting and all were totally out of my price range!

But looking at, trying to understand and just being near art is an uplifting experience. It broadens your appreciation, fills your minds-eye with amazing colors and images and somehow makes my life better just knowing that such talent exists in today's world.

For our last evening in town, we literally drove across the road and enjoyed a delicious dinner and a breath-taking sunset at the Encatando Resort. Ahhh.......
it was a perfect way to end a great, 5-day stay in Santa Fe.

Until next time....

Georgia O'Keeffe's Southwest

2011-09-01T16:48:00.000-04:00

When an artist with the eye of Georgia O'Keeffe falls in love with the desert southwest, you know there is something very special about the land, the sky and the ever-changing colors.

The day after Indian Market finished, we hopped in the Jeep and headed out of Santa Fe to find the famous Ghost Ranch where Ms. O'Keefe made her home northwest of Santa Fe, near the town of Abiquiu. It was here that she found the inspiration and solace to create her most famous paintings.

But before we headed to Abiquiu, we took the winding, high road toward Taos to visit the historic village of Chimayó and see their frequently-photographed church, el Santuario de Chimayó.

Miracles have been reported on the sacred grounds of the santurio and today it receives visitors and pilgrims from all over the world.

This tiny, quiet village was founded in the 1700's by Spanish settlers and many of their descendants. There is a children's chapel, a funky art gallery and a beautiful, typical doorway that I just had to photograph.

We asked several of the locals who were working where the best place to stop for lunch was, that they all unanimously said we had to dine at the restored hacienda that was now the Rancho del Chimayó.

I've learned over many years of traveling that listening to the locals is always the best way to find the best places to eat, shop, overnight....and they were right again! Ellen and I enjoyed a delightful and delicious lunch sitting under a large umbrella on the sunlit upper patio on a clear, beautiful day. Our waiter was one of those descendants whose family had been in this little village for 100's of years and he just happened to be very tried ... as he was a brand new father of a not-sleeping-much baby girl.

The only problem we had during our lunch, and it seems to be an on-going, everywhere problem these days is the people at the next table talking so loudly that you might as well be part of their conversation! And if they aren't talking loudly to each other, they are yelling into their cell phones. What has happened to quiet conversations between just 2 or 3 people? I really didn't care about the painter next to us who was so terribly unhappy about the way her latest prints had turned out and certainly didn't need to hear about her companion's gout!

After lunch it was back down the winding road, through the Nambe pueblo and back up another winding road toward Abiquiu. What can I say about the scenery that I and so many others haven't already said other than it makes you slam on your brakes, pull off the road, grab your camera and somehow try and capture the breathtaking beauty that your eyes are seeing.

The day couldn't make up it's mind to be sunny or cloudy or dump great bursts of water on our heads - it decided to do all 3. We found the dusty, dirt road entrance to Ghost Ranch about 8 miles past the town with the cow skull logo on the gate.

The skull logo was taken from a painting Georgia O'Keeffe had done and given to the owners of the ranch, the Pack family, in hopes that they would sell her the ranch. Over time, they did sell her 7 acres and the guest house that was located there, but would never sell her the entire ranch as she had hoped. Her house and 7 acres remain part of the O'Keeffe family trust and are not open to the public, but Ghost Ranch was opened by the Pack's to the public and today you can take a twice-daily landscape tour, hike the many beautiful trails, enjoy outdoor concerts and partake of a long list of classes from painting to photography, poetry, writing and many more. This link will give you all the details...The Ghost Ranch.

As we headed back into Santa Fe after a long day, we still could not get over the beauty of the land that surrounded us and vowed we would return again soon. I am especially interested in a week-long class at the Ghost Ranch that combines both photography and writing!

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to shoot a photo of the purple-tinged flower that Ms. O'Keeffe immortalized in so many of her paintings...

Until next time......

Santa Fe, NM - Indian Market

2011-08-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

When my good friend Ellen asked if I was interested in meeting her in Santa Fe for this year's Indian Market, I jumped at the chance.

I have always loved Santa Fe - the smell of the pine in the air, the way the light changes constantly as it moves across the mountains and how the adobe houses blend into the landscape.

Ellen arranged for us to stay at Rancho Encantado which is in Tesuque, about 5 miles from downtown Santa Fe, close to the famous Opera House. Our neighbors were from NY and professional musicians. He played in the Opera's orchestra and she sang in the chorus and they were here for the entire season.

Santa Fe has it's own style - and Indian Market really brings out those that have adapted the Southwest-style of dressing - both women and men.

I had fun just clicking pictures of the Market's attendees. Over 20,000 people pour into Santa Fe to attend Market each year. Store owners and collectors, plus just 'normal' people like us who enjoy seeing all of the wonderful artwork.

For the first time this year not only the surrounding tribes and pueblos were represented, but the native American tribes from the Northwest and Alaska were invited to participate. They stylized art work is much different than the plains Indians of the Southwest.

On Sunday was the Indian costume and clothing show. This little darling stole the entire show - and you can easily see why. She loved getting her picture taken and was very happy to pose for anyone who asked her.

We attended Market both Saturday and Sunday. Several of the artists said that they had people waiting at their booths to purchase pieces at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, even though the show didn't open until 9 a.m. - and it was pouring at that time. But those that collect this artwork have their favorite artisans and want to make sure that they add the newest pieces to their collections.

Ellen and I both bought a few pieces to bring back home. I personally added to my earring collection, but to be honest, after 2 days of looking at booth-after-booth-after-booth, it all started to look alike. Sunday morning we once again had rain and it was cloudy, so the number of attendees was down, making walking along the rows of booths so much easier.

Both days offered dances and drums and singing to keep everyone thoroughly entertained. Though I would probably not return specifically for Indian Market again, I will most definitely return to Santa Fe. There is so much more to see and places to explore here.

Until next time....when I will take you to Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keefe's home, and a tour of Santa Fe's Canyon Road.

PS: This is the bush that caused me nose and my eyes to water and me sneeze and sneeze and sneeze! Thank goodness for Claritin. It saved me. Several people have called this bush by several different names - but all I know is that even though I normally have never been effected by allergies, but I really am allergic to this bush! If anyone knows for sure what it is, I would appreciate knowing - so I can stay completely way from it.

Visiting Friends - Sapello, NM

2011-08-24T17:12:00.000-04:00

More than half the fun of this trip has been stopping to visit with family and friends. Once I tore myself away from the yarn co-op, it was just a short drive to Mile Marker 19 on Hwy 515. From there I turned right down a very dusty dirt road to the pasture with cows (and a mailbox) where I once again turned right and drove past those cows until I came upon friends Gerry & Johnny's lovely 1 bedroom cabin perched high on the hill.

Gerry & Johnny are my neighbors on the beach each Spring and Fall, but return to New Mexico to ski in the winter and enjoy the much cooler summers (normally), thus missing all our wonderful tourists.

When invited to stop by on my trip, they also asked if I wouldn't mind sleeping in their guest house...a brand new 27' camper! I said I would love it, it would almost be like I was once again RVing! I was so tempted to just hook it up to the back of the Jeep and sneak away in the middle of the night! (I'm bad!)

We had a wonderful dinner on their deck and watched the sun set win a blaze of color. I turned in and was all comfy in my big bed in the camper when my nose started to run and my eyes to water and a fit of sneezing occurred. (Reason to follow in later blog.)

Sapello, the very small town where their cabin is located, is literally a 'blink and you'll miss it' type town. A gas station with a small store and a post office - that's it. It also is where Patrick Swayze lived and had his ranch.

The next morning we headed south to Las Vegas (the first one - not to be confused with the 2nd one located in the desert with all the neon lights and money-taking machines) This one is the biggest town in this part of New Mexico. With it's doctors, Wal-Mart and many tack and feed stores, it supplies all the huge ranches that surround it, all the way East to the Texas border and north to Colorado. This old Spanish-settled town was a big stop on the west-bound Santa Fe railway and boasted a Carnegie Library, a wonderful old Plaza Hotel set in the town square and a Harvey Hotel for visitors coming off the train. (Remember the Judy Garland movie when she played a Harvey Girl?)

The picture above was The Harvey Hotel and is now The World College. I had never heard of the World Colleges before, so immediately I googled for information and want to share with you what I learned. The concept is brilliant and we certainly could use many more such colleges...a place where young people from all over the world come together and learn that their differences aren't so different, and that we can all live together peacefully.

German educator Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound, conceived this bold concept of UWC in the 1950s at the height of the Cold War. Hahn believed that much could be done to overcome religious, cultural, and racial misunderstanding if young people from all over the world could be brought together.

Today, thirteen UWCs span five continents. UWCs share a common philosophy and mission, but geography and other individual characteristics shape each campus. Students are drawn from an extensive range of nationalities, ethnicities, religions, and political persuasions and are selected from within their own cultures by volunteer UWC national committees.

At the urging of HRH Prince Charles, the first President of UWC/UWC-USA was founded in 1982 by the late Dr. Armand Hammer, who originally bought and restored the old Harvey Hotel as a private estate. Since its founding, UWC-USA has extended its transformational experience to over 2,500 students from over 100 countries and all walks of life.

The Armand Hammer United World College of the American West (UWC-USA) is a two-year residential school that marks the beginning of an experience that is life-defining.

Located in Montezuma, New Mexico, UWC-USA makes its home at the edge of the Pecos Wilderness in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, the southernmost point of the Rockies.

Arriving from over 80 different countries and representing a myriad of cultures, traditions, languages, and ethnicities, 200 accomplished student ambassadors, aged 16-19, begin their education as strangers and together confront a multitude of new ideas and opportunities. They develop an ethos of critical thinking, discovery, and cross-cultural understanding that will frame the lives they lead and touch the people, institutions, and societies that they serve.

The Hammer presence is still seen today in Las Vegas as the newly repainted Calumet Baking Power sign certainly shows....

The Spanish and Mexican influence brought lots of color (and hot and spicy foods) to the American West, as this brightly painted small church with it's cemetery filled with colorful plastic flowers clearly attests.

After another delicious dinner on the deck, another beautiful sunset and another night of sneezing and running nose and eyes (cause still under investigation) I waved goodbye to Gerry and Johnny and headed toward Santa Fe and the arrival of my good friend Ellen from St. Louis. I would be seeing Gerry much sooner than Johnny, as she was driving into town later today to spend the night and all the next day at Indian Market with Ellen and I. Why is it shopping with 'the girls' is so much more fun that with your husband?

Until next time.....

I just love traveling the backroads....

2011-08-22T00:38:00.000-04:00

You stumble across such wonderful people and businesses and magnificent views when you are willing to take one of those squiggly, little, thin black lines on a map instead of the big, wide, red lines.

From Taos I took Hwy 64, which wandered through the canyon and forests over to Angle Fire. Angle Fire hasn't much to offer during the summer but in the winter is the home of a very large ski resort, and Zeb's Bar, who serves a really great steak salad.

From Angle Fire my friends Gerry & Johnny, who I was headed to see, said I really needed to take Hwy 434 for some much needed scenery! Well, there are those skies that are just well...huge......

with mountains climbing into the clouds. But when not looking up, I found I really needed to keep my eyes on the road as even though this scenic route had a yellow line down the middle designating it a 2-way road, it was about a wide as a regular one-lane road, and it wiggled, weaved, went up and over and down and through some pretty interesting and white-knuckle steering-wheel grabbing turns and curves. Passing an oncoming truck was quite interesting, to say the least. Thank goodness, this did not happen often!

When I actually saw signs of people living this far out, they were signs like cattle crossings, which fyi really rattle when you drive over them, an interesting mixture of fence-types to keep the cattle from crossing, crumbling, abandoned adobe houses and lots of lamas. Lamas seem to be very popular to raise in this part of New Mexico. Hwy. 434 ends at the little town of Mora, where it joins Hwy 518 heading to Las Vegas, NM. As I made the turn onto 518 I literally slammed on my breaks and parked the car as I had 'stumbled upon' on those places where I just had to stop.

I had found Tapetes de Lana, a yarn manufacturing co-op run mostly on grants and donations and volunteers who are trying like crazy to help the local economy by providing the local ranches who produce wool a place to have their product dyed and spun into yarns. They also employee a number of locals, teaching them to weave, manufacture and sell a product.

I spent 2 hours just talking with the folks who work here, getting a tour of the processing rooms and learning how those cute lamas I saw while driving along the road have donated their coats to become beautiful colored yarns, along with some curly-haired sheep and rabbits as well. As a matter of fact, fibers are shipped in to Tapetes de Lana from producers from all over the country. Many people who tend their own wool-producing animals have found this wonderful place to have their fiber cleaned, spun, died and wound before having it returned to them to create beautiful woven and knitted creations.

There is a large gallery where local artisans can sell they woven goods and where people such a me can purchase colorful skeins of all weights of yarn for 40% off retail. They do mail order and would love to talk to you so be sure to take time to click on their link and find out more about Tapetes de Lana. If you are a knitter or a weaver, you will love knowing about this new source of beautiful yarns.

Until next time....

Catching Up - Once again. Creede, CO - Taos, NM

2011-08-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

Once again I have been in places without a wifi connections. I left Creede early morning on Tuesday, August 16th. The drive down to Taos, NM was one of the most spectacular I have ever driven.

From Creede I took Hwy 160 up and over Wolf Creek Pass, where one of the largest ski resorts in the southern part of Colorado (elevation 10,867 ft.) is located. They are still working on what the locals call 'the million dollar road' but whatever it cost, it sure was nice. They have a pull-off just past the summit where I took a bunch of photos of the glorious view. A lovely lady volunteered to take my picture along with the view, which I normally never do.

. .

The next stop was a pull-off a little further down where I really zoomed-in to get a photo of Treasure Falls. Not running nearly as fast as it does earlier in the year, it's still was a pretty sight to see.

When I reached Pagosa Springs, I turned south on Hwy 84 and crossed into New Mexico onto Hwy 64 and toward Chama. After a quick stop at the Visitor's Center in Chama and a nice lunch, I took scenic Hwy. 64 through Tres Piedras and much of the Kit Carson National Forrest into Taos. The cloud formations and immense sky make one just stop and stare, take deep breathes and marvel at the grandeur of this country. I was waiting for a band of Indians to come riding up over the ridge with John Wayne and the Calvary close behind.

Pulling into Taos is like returning to an old friend. I have loved this little town, which has grown a lot, since we first visited it after a water association convention in Albuquerque many, many years ago. (The year Haley's comet was last seen in the sky.) This time I chose to stay overnight at the lovely, quaint Touchstone Inn, Gallery & Spa.

Set back off the road, this original Mable Dodge owned location is quiet and tranquil. It is filled with and serves as gallery space for local artist Bren Price. Her colorful pieces decorate the walls of the common and guest rooms.

Brad & Amber Gorden manage the Inn and I was immediately made to feel at home and welcome. They are both gourmet chefs and breakfast, which is included, is not to be missed. And it's served at the really respectable time of 9 a.m.! Steaming coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice and a choice of delicious, homemade entrees are an every-morning occurrence.

For dinner I only had to walk less than a few minutes to reach The Love Apple, where I enjoyed one of the most delicious meals I've had since hitting the road. A garden salad with warm, baked goat cheese and fresh peaches followed by trout roasted in corn husks with a side of polenta, and ending with a watermelon glacee all enjoyed with a split of sparkling white wine - oh YUM!

The very short walk back to The Touchstone and a wonderful night's sleep on their big, comfy queen-sized bed. Perfect.

In the morning after breakfast, a wee bit of shopping and walking around the Taos plaza (had to visit one of my favorite fabric stores...A Common Thread

... before heading south to Sapello and a visit with 'beach friends' Gerry & John.

Until next time.....

Kayaking on the Rio Grande

2011-08-20T18:40:00.000-04:00

This is much different from kayaking back home where the water is mostly smooth, marshes present the largest impediments and waves can upset your boat.

Here it's rocks! And rapids! And a completely new type of kayak. The Rio Grande is still quite chilly, even in late autumn, because it's filled with snow melt from those large mountains that feed it. And there are the biggest rocks sitting right in the middle you have to maneuver around - which isn't always possible. I took this picture from the top of the gorge looking down just to give you an idea of the rocks - which I became personally acquainted with!

I hit them, I got stuck on top of them, I bumped around them, I didn't like them! And where there are rocks, there are rapids. I can't imagine what this river was like in May when Mountainman Tours owner and our guide for the day, Ryan Daughtery said it reached record depths and was running at a Class 4 in some areas. Yikes! It was scary enough at the end of summer when you're in an inflatable kayak that you think you will puncture when you hit the rocks! (I was informed that they rarely puncture and I found them even more stable then the hard-sided ones I was used to. Love they idea that they fold up to the size of a backpack - wouldn't need a roof carrier for the car.)

Ryan gave Cindy and I a private run down 'his' river and we provided him with much laugher for his time. As you can see, we all were thrilled when our time on the river came to a successful conclusion.

At home in the Rockies....Creede, CO

2011-08-15T13:20:00.002-04:00

I left Lamar, CO early morning and headed up and into the southern ranges of the Rocky Mountains known as the Sangre de Christo's and the San Juan's, which spill over into northern New Mexico. These peaks are consistently high - averaging 14,000 feet and locals count the number of 14's they've hiked. I had 1939 miles on the odometer when I saw my first view of these breathtaking mountains.

After a highway construction detour that added an hour to my trip, I arrived in Creede, CO and my jaw just dropped!

Creede was Colorado's last silver mining boomtown. The old mine shacks can still be found perched high up the in the town's surrounding peaks. The locals are just thrilled as the miners have returned and for the first time in many, many years, drilling for silver in the U.S. is happening here in Creede once again.

Creede is nestled in a bowl surrounded by mountains which keeps the weather temperate (that's a CO word!) during winters compared to other places. Downtown has kept it's quaint look, preserved it old buildings and is filled with wonderful galleries and boutiques.

The Rio Grande River literally runs through the town and sitting outside at one of the many restaurants you can actually hear it gurgling along while you dine. So very cool!

I am staying with my sister-in-law's sister Cindy at her lovely log home for 4 whole days!

As you can see, the view from the front deck is just awe-inspiring.

I told Cindy I was considering never leaving! Though what they consider their 'temperate winters' might not be my cup of tea after so many cold and snow-free ones the past few years.

Cindy has been a fabulous tour guide and hostess and I have met some really wonderful and interesting people but what has really blown my mind has been attending performances at The Creede Repertory Theater. I will allow you to click on the link and read the history of this very famous performing arts group and how it came to be located in little, bitty Creede (population 600 during the winter, blossoming to over 3000 during the summer months.)

In the 3 days since I arrived, I have seen productions of The Bad Man, Boomtown (improve), and The Road to Mecca. As many of you might know, in my youth I earned my living as an singer/actor on the stages of Chicago and various other locations. I still attend performances where and whenever I can while traveling. The performance of The Road to Mecca was the first time I have ever stood and yelled Bravo!! at the curtain call!

I have never seen a more well-acted and well-directed piece in all my years of theater. This is basically a 2-woman play is by South African writer, Athol Fugard and tells the true story of Helen Martens, recognized now as an outstanding outsider artist.. It stars Christy Brandt and Kate Berry and they left me and the rest of the audience moved to tears.

With a line-up each season of outstanding plays and musicals, this gem hidden high in the mountains is something everyone who is anywhere near Creede must stop and enjoy.

Today is my last day in Creede and we are going kayaking on the Rio this afternoon. Tomorrow morning I will be up early and once again be on-the-road heading south to Taos, New Mexico I'm looking forward to once again visiting one of my favorite little towns in the entire U.S.

Until next time.....

Crossing Kansas - Day Two

2011-08-14T15:25:00.002-04:00

I left Pratt, the Evergreen Resort and my little caboose after a delicious and again, extremely cheap breakfast at Rick's Family Restaurant. My plan for the day was to drive to Dodge City and explore Boot Hill and learn the history of the wild, wild West that brought this town into existence, before making the last push to cross the rest of Kansas and drive into Colorado.

I had Google-ed Dodge City and found that I if I wanted to learn about the history of this place, I needed to visit the Boot Hill Museum. I downloaded a copy of the Visitor's Guide and was ready to go.

As I drove into the outskirts of Dodge City, I was amazed at the size and number of the petro-chemical plants, plus the inevitable feed lot filled with cattle, that took over the town. The number of huge, ugly, stinky trunks coming at your from every direction made driving difficult and the Town Fathers have not seen fit to 'sign' where to go or how to get there very well. Thank goodness for GPS. But even with this aid, I would have driven right by the museum, which is really quite large, if I hadn't made a wrong turn and had to double back. What is it about directional signs in this town?

Now here's where it gets interesting. See that rather cute cowboy on the 'Get Into Dodge' photo? As I parked and got out of my car in front of the museum entrance, this man, who looked a lot like the cowboy in the photo, though wearing a baseball cap, plaid shirt and jeans instead of a Stetson, was standing outside the entrance. I looked at him and asked..."Aren't you the person known as 'the Face of Dodge City?" and he admitted he was. (Though he normally looks like this on a regular 'work day!)

We started chatting and we talked for way over an hour. Even though it was his day off, Brent Harris took the time to tell me much more about the history of Dodge City, how the museum and its fabulous collection of Western artifacts and clothing came into being and how what's left of the Boot Hill (most of the bodies where relocated several years ago) still can be found 'up the hill' inside the museum.

He told about the man who had the vision back in the early 1900's to start assembling pieces of history that made Dodge City the meanest, wildest, baddest town in all of the U.S. for 100 years.

I learned that the original Front Street had burned down, several times, but that it had been meticulously recreated as part of the museum complex and each 'store front' was filled with original artifacts and even the guns actually used by noted lawmen Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson.

Television brought more fame to Dodge City as Gunsmoke became the longest running TV show of it's time, with Marshall Dillon keeping the dusty streets of Dodge safe and Miss Kitty ruling over the patrons at the Longbranch Saloon.

Today Brent and a troop of actors, dancers and singers keep the traditions alive each day. A rough and tumble gun fight at high noon is re-enacted in front of an audience of wide-eyed children and their parents and each evening the show moves inside The Longbranch Saloon for rollicking song and dance performed by the ladies of the evening.

I so enjoyed spending several hours touring this wonderful step-back-into-history and cannot thank Brent Harris enough for his time and generosity. As I pulled OUTof Dodge City there was the sign in my rearview mirror! I thought about how hard life in the West really was, how it had started with the buffalo and ended with the loss of the buffalo and that perhaps I should buy a pair of red cowboy boots and return someday and find my own gunslinger!

I managed to cross the rest of Kansas without mishap, making it to Lamar, CO where I spent the night. (Now on Mountain Time!) Except for 2 loud, booming and crashing thunder storms that rolled in during the night and filled the with Jeep with water (thank goodness I had thought to cover the seats with my trusty, travelin' shower curtain and therefore only had very wet carpeting to contend with when I awoke, I am now off to find The Rockies and spend the next 4 days high up in the mining town of Creede, Colorado.

Until next time....

Kansas Overnight - Pratt, KS

2011-08-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

Somethings I plan ahead, somethings I just 'let things happen,' but I do admit I like to have an idea of where I will spend the night and have a list of hotels and motels that are available in that city or town.

I had studied my map and chose Pratt as my half-way point. I then looked at the options for where to stay and chose the Evergreen Motel & RV Resort (just can't seem to get away from those RV's.) It looked nice, had a pool, even had a family restaurant next door. (Diner with 2 sides and tea would cost me $6.40 before tip!) So I set my GPS for their address and pulled in about 6 p.m. on a lovely Kansas evening. Temps had even dropped to a reasonable 89º.

Upon arrival and chatting with Diane, the manager, about room options, she asked if I knew about their very unusual accommodation that was available instead of a regular room? I said, no, and she said come with me, and lead me around the back of the motel and this is what I found!

The owners of the motel had purchased this still-in-operation caboose and had it brought over, via rail, to Pratt, then uploaded onto a flat-bed, along with a set of rails, trucked to the motel and hoisted with a massive crane over trees and motel roof onto it's final resting place on it's own rails, alongside the motel's pool.

As you can imagine, this was a mighty big event for Pratt (home of a very big, stinky feedlot, which thanks goodness was on the East side of town and I was staying on the West) and made all the papers.

Next the owners had to scrub, power wash, paint and decorate the inside of the caboose to turn it into the really rather luxurious 'motel room' that it is today. Not only does the caboose have a lovely queen-size bed, with flat screen, wall-mounted TV, writing desk and comfy chair, it also has a double bed

the the back, a shower with multiple jets and an upstairs cupola seating area for two. Of course it's has central air and heat and the walls are covered with some great train memorabilia.

For $89.49 (which includes tax) you too can stay in this extremely comfortable and fun caboose in the middle of the Kansas plains, watching the sunset off the back platform, with the sounds of RVers chatting, kids splashing in the pool and the scent of cow wafting in the air. A perfect way to end a day of driving across Kansas.

Crossing Kansas.....Day One

2011-08-13T20:13:00.003-04:00

What can I say about driving across Kansas that hasn't already been said? It's certainly big - 545 miles across from where I entered the state, just past Joplin, MO, till I crossed the Colorado border. It's certainly flat - you can literally see forever.

The colors of the Kansas landscape are shades of brown and beige and sand with bright green thrown in for contrast.

Neatly rolled hay bales go on for miles and the sky is so huge it's almost scarey.

You have no idea where the land ends and the sky begins.

With no trees or hills to slow it down, the wind blows hard across these wide-open plains. A passing truck adds to the dynamic and can cause small cars to rock dangerously.

Then there are the smells of Kansas. Lots of fresh air perfumed with the sweet smell of fresh mowed hay and....cow. The 'cow smell' is everywhere - the smell of cow poop & pee (sorry, but that's the truth!) The huge trucks that almost knock you off the road are carrying herds of cattle to the massive feed lots that are everywhere in Kansas. These lots are filled with 1000 upon 1000's of head of cattle waiting to become someone's steak or hamburger. I can't tell you just how many of these feedlots I passed as I drove across the middle of this state, but I am guessing just on my route I drove past at least 50. They are the main reason so many of the towns exist.

Of course, Kansas has other things to offer other than hay and cows. It's the home of Dorothy and the wonderful Wizard of Oz museum in Wichita and those weird birds called Jay Hawks seem to be everywhere, but I most enjoed those serendipitous discoveries you only find when you are willing to get off the super highways and explore the byways.

For example, take these interesting works of art I found in Mullinville, KS (blink and you'll miss it.)

I want you to click to enlarge and look closely at these pieces. As you'll see, the artist is making a very definite statement about certain people and ideas that he holds. Here are just a few more. Whats amazing is this artist has filled an entire field that is many acres big, with just his work!

Then there is dining in Kansas. It's a good thing I am a carnivore because steak of every kind is on every menu. I stopped for lunch in a tiny little town and was told I just had to have their specialty - chicken fried steak - for lunch! Not exactly Weight Watcher approved. I was good and had a salad with fresh tomatoes and sliced grilled chicken instead. I also realized that I no longer have to ask for 'un-sweet iced tea. All tea in this part of the country is just plain, un-sweeted tea. I'm finally out of the South.

So now I'm 1/2 way across the great, big, beige & green, odiferous state of Kansas. I am pulling into Pratt and am excited to tell you about my stay at the Evergreen Motel & RV Resort.

Until next time...

Stops along the way...

2011-08-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

Ever since I was little, I have loved picnics. Not the ants or flies, but just sitting outside and listening to the birds and looking at the sky and nibbling on something delicious.

I purposely brought along a little cooler with those blue ice blocks I could stick in a motel freezer to keep pop and food cold for a day. I've found running into a local grocery store to pick up ready-made sandwiches or sliced veggies is a quick and cheap way to eat when on a long road trip.

By not driving on Interstates, you come upon some of our amazing state and national parks.

Driving into the Ozarks I was enveloped by a large forest and not soon afterwards I saw the sign for Big Springs.

I had read about Big Springs and my cousin had told me to be sure and stop because I wouldn't believe the color of the water. And she was right!

I drove into this beautiful setting, just a few miles off the highway and came to this tumbling, roiling water the color of a robin's egg.

Walking paths and picnic tables had been set along it's bank - the perfect place to grab my cooler and take a respite from driving. I and just a few others enjoyed this tranquil spot. I walked over the bridge to where the springs came pouring out of the cliff.

Though there was no signage saying it was the minerals in the springs that turned the water blue, it had to be. All I know it was it was such a lovely surprise and a great way to enjoy a quite picnic lunch before starting the trek across Kansas.

Until next time....

Down on the farm.....

2011-08-12T10:07:00.000-04:00

Remember the boy next door? The cute kid that used to pick on you? Tease you? Wouldn't give you the time of day? I even remember crawling out my bedroom window to play ball with him and the other kids in the middle of the street after we were all suppose to be asleep. I'm sure our parents knew, but it was summer, hot, no air conditioning in those days, and our little world was so safe and serene. How times have changed...and how that little boy next door grew...and grew!

Meet Ralph.

He who went off to college to study literature and psychology, became a vegetarian, became a cop, married Gretchen (the fabulous artist) and turned into a hunk! How do they do that and we who are so close never notice?!

Over the years, we've ran into each other at class reunions and he has always asked me to 'stop by the farm' if I'm every in the area (southwestern Missouri). Well this trip I was and I emailed for him to get out his Medley (the Danville High School yearbook) that I was taking he and Gretchen (the fabulous artist - see pic)

up on their gracious offer to visit the farm.

Their lovely farm houseis set on a beautiful, rolling 80 acre spread in the Missouri Ozarks where Ralph has planted literally 100's of trees, mostly varieties of all kinds of fruit, but many others as well. He and Gretchen maintain a large garden,

both veggie and herbs, that produces enough produce for them and to sell at the weekly Farmer's Market during the season. Their property, of which I got a tour in the grand ol' pick-up, even has it's own 'river and stream running through it'. It makes for peaceful sleep and tranquil living - when not off doing your regular 9-5 job so you can live on the farm and plant veggies!

Interestingly, this part of Missouri has a large Amish and Mennonite population and horse and buggies carrying bonnet and hat clad members of their faith off to school or shopping is an everyday site. Still something a city-girl enjoys seeing.

After 2 days of catching-up, it was time for me to wheels-up and strike out for the longest part of this trip - Crossing Kansas!

Until next time....remember to keep your oldest and dearest friends near - they are still the best friends!

Catching Up

2011-08-12T09:31:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to do a little 'housekeeping' before my next 'real' post. First, you might have noticed that my route map has changed. Because I have SO many stops, the online maps will not lets me create a map with all of them. So I thought I would start with where I am as of today, 8/12/11 (1982 miles away from home!) and continue from there - that worked! As you can see I've added Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Boise and St. Louis and Charlottesville, VA on my 'return' stops.

Also, I found a new RV that I was so bad!! It was sitting alongside the road in Maryville, TN quit near where cousin Mary lives. I begged her to stop - which she did - and we called the owner who came over the hill to open the door and show me the inside -
OH WOW!.

2009 Diesel Mercedes engine, less than 5,000 miles driven, one huge slide, beautiful stainless steel and wood inside, back-up camera, leather seats... Be still my heart! Even had the tow package included. I really think I need to seriously consider selling the house and moving back onto the road full-time until I am no longer capable of driving safely.

Okay - got those 2 things cleared up and now onto the next stop along the way.....

Look! Up in the sky....

2011-08-11T08:38:00.000-04:00

It's a bird! It's a plane! No...It's Superman!!!

When you are going to Metropolis, IL you automatically think 'hometown of young Clark Kent' and the town fathers have planted this huge statue right in the middle of the downtown square so that you never forget. Poor Lois Lane has her own much littler and much less colorful rendition a few blocks down the road.

She doesn't take up nearly as much space nor make the splash that the new Harrah's Riverboat and Casino do down at the waterfront.

Since I have a whole gaggle of cousins that live in and around this area, I try to visit every few years. This year was especially rough getting there as while driving into Nashville the skies got completely black and opened up with a downpour that took visability to zero in about 2 minutes. Even though the Jeep has a little top, and if you are moving fast enough, rain water doesn't come in, there are large gaps between the doors and the top and when you slow down, it pours in - which it was doing it large amounts. I managed to pull off the freeway under an overpass and get out of the rain. (I have since learned that is not the safest idea in these type of situations, but I wasn't the only car or motorcyclist there!) While the big trucks and crazy drivers continued to drive past, I stayed put until the rain had stopped enough to actually see where I was going. I'm really glad I did as it took way over an hour to get out of Nashville because of the horrible wrecks this storm had caused. I dodged every type of emergency vehicle while passing 4 cars that had literally flipped up and over and off the freeway - and that was just on my part of the freeway system. It was a mess. I was so glad to get out of the downtown area and off the Interstate just north of there.

When I arrived in Metropolis, I thought I would see more visible damage caused by the massive flooding of the Mississippi earlier this summer. The town was almost destroyed, along with nearby Cairo, when the the river flooded. My cousin Robbie's house was saved by lots of sandbags, but her yard had 3 feet of water surrounding it - and she is miles from the river. She said what saved them from complete destruction was the blowing of the levee a few miles down the river in Missouri.

But enough about water. Here is a picture of just some of my relatives - now don't you wish you were related to these folks?!

My family, ever since I was a little girl, has loved to play card games. We all gather around a huge table and play for hours on end, stopping only to eat delicious, homemade food, talk, eat, talk and laugh. This is exactly what we did for 2 straight days. On Sunday, we took a break for a trip into Paducah to attend church, have lunch and see some of cousin Gae's husband, Scott Morris, latest paintings displayed at one of the local galleries. He only gets better and better with time.

Sitting outside the gallery was this really weird car! Everyone walking by grabbed their cameras or cell phones and were snapping pictures. Once you see the picture, you'll understand why. Then try and read a few of the 'sayings' that are on this glittering piece of "art" work!

I loaded my car on Monday morning, which included a huge picnic lunch filled with Robbie's yummy homemade chicken salad, and hit the road. More storms and interesting side-stops, but that will have to wait....

Until next time.....

Off the Grid

2011-08-10T23:10:00.001-04:00

Since I left Burnsville, NC I have not had access to WiFi. How weird when you live your life with a computer attached at the hip to not be able to 'connect' to the outside world. I have my smartphone so have been able to receive and send short email responses, but writing here has not been possible.

So, what exactly have you been doing since you left North Carolina, you might be asking? For most of the time, I have been visiting relatives, eating fabulous, home-cooked meals, playing lots of card games, laughing, sharing stories about our childhood.

I crossed over the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville and hopped on US 411 to Maryville, TN where my cousin Mary

lives. This lovely lady used to lock me in the corn crib and throw rotten eggs in my direction whenever I visited her family farm.

Mary and I had a great visit and spent a day in Knoxville shopping and taking in a matinee showing of Crazy, Stupid Love - one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long, long time. Would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an intelligent, adult comedy!

On the way to her house, I found my first really interesting 'must stop' place. On Hwy 411, between I-40 and Maryville, just outside of Sieverville I came upon the home of Bush's Best Beans!

Sitting in the middle of a big curve in the road is the Bush's Beans Visitor Center. I slammed on my brakes and pulled in their huge parking lot.

This place is so big - lots and lots of beans and merchandise. Even a family cafe.

I was surprised at all of the things, besides beans, that Bush's cans. I just didn't see the need to buy and lug cans of beans with me to California and back and even passed up the opportunity to buy a t-shirt with Jay and the Bush dog on the front.

I left Mary's on a bright, very hot, sunny Saturday morning and headed up the road toward Metropolis, IL - my next stop with lots more cousins. Will tell you all about it...

Next time......

WHEELS-UP!

2011-08-04T09:03:00.000-04:00

I packed the back, filled up the tank (at Costco - $3.50 gal) and have headed out on my grand summer adventure!

First stop - Charlotte and a very short visit with oldest and dearest friends, Sandy & Rich. Normally spend time with them and their entire family the week they are at the beach, but since that's next week and I will be over the mountain and heading West, we took my stopover to catch up and dine and drink a few of Rich's specialty - a Perfect Manhattan.

Up and going early the next morning, after at stop for more gas (Costco - $3.59 gal). As you might have guessed already, the Jeep gets terrible gas mileage (15 mpg) for a trip like this, but it's so much fun to drive. I love the wind in my hair and the grit in my teeth!

Next stop - Burnsville, NC, high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two days to enjoy with good friends Karen & Don and staying in their beautifully furnished and elegant guest house while seeing old friends and enjoying the much cooler weather.

The best 'car guy' in the entire world lives and works in Bakersville (Geouge Automotive.) He worked on all my cars while I lived here and said no way was he going to allow me to continue across the country without him giving his okay to the Jeep reliability. While living here I got to know his entire family, including the matriarch (who informed me he was celebrating his 82nd year in great health!).

The Geouge garage is the place where you sit around and catch up with all the neighborhood gossip.

After a short stop visiting with friends, shopping and lunching in downtown Burnsville and running into more old friends, it was time to jump in the river! Don and Karen have purchased a lovely piece of waterfront (the Toe River) property. They plan to build sometime in the future, but for now it's the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. Don drove us over the weeds and through the woods in the 'mule.' We put a nice bottle of white wine in the water to cool down and wadded out to the middle and sat on big rock, jumping and splashing in the pools and eddies.

Their 'across the creek' neighbors, Charlie, Lana and dog Zoe joined us and we spent 2 hours just talkin' and sippin' and enjoying life. What a wonderful way to start a vacation!

After a quick stop to take a picture of my favorite fallin' down house which everyone I know would love to have the money to save and restore

it was back the the house for another delicious Karen-cooked dinner before turning in at the end of a perfect day.

Today we are off to Asheville to do a little fabric touching, feeling and perhaps purchasing at House of Fabrics, then some drooling at Bellagio Everyday and lunching at Doc Cheys (Thai noodle shop) I head off to for a slow drive through The Great Smokie Mountains National Park before arriving tonight in Maryville, TN for a visit with my cousin Mary.

Until next time......

My Local Jeep Dealer...

2011-07-28T13:08:00.001-04:00

Neuwirth Motors offered to give my Jeep-ster a complete check-over, rotate my tires and change the oil and filter for me - for free!

I had sent the GM all the information about my road trip which he thought was was such a great idea that he forwarded it onto Jeep corporate headquarters, in the hopes that they would like to 'pick-up my blog' as a Jeep advertisement.

I thought that if Jeep said yes, I could do something like Travelocity's Roaming Gnome, only this would be 'The Roaming Jeep - Where in the country I'm parked?' And even though we never heard from corporate, I might just do this as part of the blog anyway. I think it would be fun.

But I did want to say a big, public THANK YOU to NEUWIRTH MOTORS. If you are interested in owning your own Jeep and live anywhere near Wilmington, NC, then this is the dealer to deal with:)

Tune-up is Saturday, wheels-up is getting closer each day! This silver-haired, slightly crazy, 65-year old lady is ready to hit-the-road and see what awaits. Just wish it would cool down a bit before I do!

Until next time.....

PS: When my tune-up was complete, the service manager thought my spare looked a little 'naked' and gave me a brand-new tire cover which says....JEEP and NEUWIRTH MOTORS, WILMINGTON, NC. Such a nice and subtle advertisement:) I said Thank You!

It's Hot!!!

2011-07-24T10:18:00.001-04:00

All across the country the temperatures are soaring into the 100's. The humidity is almost as high as the temperature and people are in general miserable. Here on the beach it's too hot to even sit on the beach...the sand will burn your feet.

It's not even refreshing to get in the ocean as water temps just keep getting higher and higher. And listening to the weatherman today, this 'heat bubble' is expected to last at least another week. What will driving across the country in a semi-topless Jeep in these temperatures be like?

I had a test on how this might work on Friday when I had to drive to Jacksonville, NC (68 miles and an hour and a half drive) in 99º temps. Since the Jeep does have A/C I rolled up the door windows, turned the fan to high and drove up Hwy. 17 hoping the cool air coming out of the vents would at least meet the hot air coming in under the bikini top and keep me semi-comfortable for the length of the drive. It worked - sorta - and this is how I will deal with the drive across Kansas! I am so looking forward to getting to the Colorado mountains and spending time in Santa Fe where the evening temps are in the 70's instead of not getting lower than 88º (like here last night!).

I have started making piles of clothes and 'must take stuff' that I will need for my 2 months on the road. Shorts and T's for driving days, mountain hiking, sightseeing, colorful skirts and blouses for nights out in Santa Fe and one 'little black dress' just-in-case.

Camera - √ Phone & charger - √ Laptop & e-reader - √ And the list goes on. Can you tell I'm getting excited? The countdown has started and I can't wait until that actual 'wheels-up' day arrives.

Until that time.....

ReAnn

Life is so funny, don't you think?

2011-07-06T10:40:00.004-04:00

If we weren't able to laugh at ourselves and the things in life that otherwise would make us scream and pull our hair out, we would all go crazy!

Why I'm laughing is that in the past week I have gotten emails from two big RV companies who 'found' my blog, loved it and wanted me to add their sites and businesses as links for my readers.

Now I was very upfront and honest with them, saying if they read my entire blog, you saw that I had to sell my Minnie Winnie when I returned to rescue my house from the renters-from-hell. That I now travel in 2001 Jeep Wrangler - over-nighting in hotels, motels or friends and family's guest beds instead of lovely RV campgrounds.

Me & Winnie in Wisconsin

Good Sam Club, the premier provider of RV maps, insurance and great RV campsites asked that I let you know that I think that every RVer should be a member of this great organization. I know when Winnie had a huge blow-out on I-95 in the middle of Atlanta, they were the ones I called for roadside assistance and they were there immediately! Their Emergency Road Service isn't just for those who own an RV. Their ERS protection covers household cars, minivans, SUVs, pick-ups, motorcycles and boat trailers. And the best part about it is that they will tow your vehicle to wherever you want it towed, even if it's 100's of miles away!

But the one I loved was a request from ThatsNotCamping.com. Their site covers everything RV, from buying or selling a unit, to the RV lifestyle to a listing of all the events across the country you can attend! I suggested to them that in return from my listing their link, they should cover one of their small RV's with that 'advertising skin' and let me drive it around the country - a moving, walking, camping, talking advertisement! Haven't had a response to that offer yet!

So does this show you just how much I miss my RV and the entire RV lifestyle? I do, I really do! If it had been possible, I would have sold my house in a flash and kept my Winnie and driven and lived in her until she or I fell apart. But as you all know, there's a little problem with the housing market and that wasn't possible.

But I still dream, lust after and envy every person I see driving down the highway in a big ol' RV! And no, it's not camping. It's living life in a house-on-wheels and it's so-o-o-o-o much fun! I wish everyone of you had the chance to try is sometime. I know you would fall in love with RVing as much as I did.

Until next time....

The Vagarities of Life.....

2011-07-06T10:12:00.001-04:00

What would we do without them? But sometimes life would be so much simpler and run so much soother without them popping up and into our lives!

I thought my summer road trip was all set. I had laid out my daily travel schedule, lined-up over 50 fabric shop stops along my route, and was actually to the point of envisioning what and how I should pack the back of the Jeep for my long, long journey and WHOP! Along came a damn vagary (n) an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior to upset all of my wonderful plans.

In other words, the sponsor I had lined up and I have parted ways. I won't go into all the of the details (I don't want to get sued for liable), suffice it to say I was fortunate enough to learn before I hit the road they they were not the type of business I would want to do business with.

But life does go on and I will still hit the road the first week in August and head West. The first month of my trip will not change. I still plan to meander slowly across the country, stopping here and there, visiting family and friends and sharing all that I see along the way. I will drive as far as San Diego where I will spend the Labor Day weekend with my oldest son before turning around and returning home...via Yosemite and Lake Tahoe...and then across the entire country till I get back to the other side.

I am going to especially miss the drive up the West coast, from San Diego to Seattle, visiting friends in Idaho, Minnesota and Wisconsin and a side-trip into Canada, but there is always next year!

So 'adventure time' has been shortened, but the 'need to roam' has not. And I am once more back to envisioning how to pack the back of the Jeep!

Until next time....

Charles Kuaralt was quoted .....

2011-06-29T09:06:00.002-04:00

...saying that “thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything.” How true that statement is, and it's the main reason I have chosen to travel as much of my 10K mile trip off the Interstates as possible, driving only the small highways and scenic byways, while meandering my way literally around the edges of the U.S. at my own pace.

And while I am enjoying the every-changing landscape, I will also be working (if you can call what I have been asked to do 'working.') I have been hired to conduct interviews, blog, write articles, take pictures and explore this great country at my pace for a great sponsor - ~~365 Days of Sewing~~. My assignment is to find and stop at every fabric store along my route, interview the owner and customers and learn who and what it is America sewing today! It's a terrible job, but someone has to do it. And that someone just happens to be lucky me - a person with a lifetime passion for fabrics and sewing, and who will ~~no doubt~~ return home with her little Jeep overflowing with new fabrics & notions.

The ~~365 Days~~ folks will be setting up a separate blog just for me where I will post my thoughts, interviews and pictures of the fabric store owners and customers that I meet with. This blog will remain my place to ruminate and share with you all the other experiences and people I encounter and the photos I take of the fun and unusual sites and places I find along the way. I'm predicting that the entire trip will take a total of 3-months.

I can't wait to get started and I hope you all will visit my blog now and again. I will try and make sure you 'enjoy the ride!'

Until next time.......

Let's Get Started..

2011-06-06T11:10:00.005-04:00

The first portion of my route is set, so I thought I would share with you where I'm headed when I 'wheels-up' on August 8th. From Wilmington, I will travel up into the mountains to Asheville, NC.

From Asheville, I turn a wee bit northeast and drive to Burnsville, NC - a total drive-time of about 6 /12 hours. Burnsville is near where my first NC house was located and where the fabulous The Penland School of Craft can be found. I plan to spend a few days with good friend and sewing buddy Karen and her darling hubby in their fabulous guest house.

Karen and I will 'play in her fabric stash and wander around my ol' stomping grounds' for a few days before I head off into the West.

My next stop will be to visit with my cousin Mary who lives in Marysville, TN, near Gatlinburg. This is now the 'my relatives' portion' of the trip as when I leave Marysville I will travel to Paducah, KY and Metropolis, IL to spend time with other cousins, Robbie, Max and Rex, and see how they faired after being flooded out of their homes when the Mississippi rose and they opened the levees in Cairo to keep that city from being underwater.

From Paducah, my next short drive is to Marshville, MO to stop and visit with Ralph and his wife Gretchen. Ralph and I grew up next door to each other in Danville, IL. I can't remember a day in my life as a young girl when Ralph wasn't a part of it. Normally he and the other neighborhood boys were either hitting me, chasing me, yelling at me and never letting me play with them...but he grew up okay:)

Then the next couple of days will be spent crossing that great, big, flat state of Kansas. I'm going to check out what there is to see in Wichita and Dodge City. After some sightseeing in the flatlands of KS, southern CO sounds cool and lovely. My sister-in-law Stephanie has for years been telling me I really need to see Creede, CO where her sister Cindy lives. Creede has a huge artist colony and a very well-known repertory theater company. Sister Cindy was nice enough to volunteer to be my tour guide and let me bunk in her guest bedroom for a couple of nights. The photo ops looks fantastic and I'm looking forward to attending a play while there.

Next - Santa Fe and the fabulous Indian Market.

After a week shopping, sightseeing and white water rafting (I actually agreed to do this!) and spending quality time with my best friend Ellen, its a short drive to Bernalillio, NM where my good friend Jami lives. This is now the "Danville High School" portion of the trip. Jami and I had such a good time catching up the last time I was in New Mexico that she invited me stop by again.

Plan to try to talk Jami into hoping in the Jeep with me for a day's drive, because from her house its onto Prescott, AZ. There our mutual, good friend Carol, also a DHS alum, recently retired and decided to invite all the female alums living in and around the Phoenix area to her new house for a mini-reunion weekend. She has found 6 others who are planning to attend and we have one who is considering flying in from WI! So if you hear reports about a wild & crazy group of women doing weird things in Sedona the end of August, you'll know I was one of the instigators!

So by now I have driven 2597 miles since leaving home!. The big question is where to do I go from here? I am still trying to find work-along-the-road and have a few possibilities that might work. Since the price of gas is not going down, I sure hope I can find something that will put fuel in the tank and keep me going. Of course, if any of you know of anything, be sure and give me a shout!

Until next time.....

The Jeep now has it's Summer Look!

2011-05-27T13:18:00.001-04:00

The hard top came off last weekend, thanks to the strong backs of my young neighbors (it takes 3 people to remove and put the hard top back on!) My oldest son contributed to the new 'summer look' by presenting mom with the new back cover for my birthday. This cover keeps the dust and rain off everything I take with me, plus keeps stuff out-of-sight when parked. I am still thinking about how to secure my belongings under the duster. Though the back gate locks, and I do think it would be noticeable if someone was seen slicing through the duster with a large knife or trying to rip it off, I'm thinking my bicycle lock and coil chain wrapped around my suitcase would be the perfect added security.

The front seats are covered by a 'sunlight bikini top.' This top has 1000s of little light holes which lets some light in but keeps the heat and rain out - sorta. As it only covers to the door frame, if it does rain, the driver's left, and passenger's right side will get wet. I always keep my golfing rain suit in the car for just these occasions! With the widows rolled up, you'd be amazed how well the air conditioner/heater works - even though there is no 'back window.'

Parts of my route have been determined by where my friends and family live. Of course, they were all so thrilled when I announced I was coming to visit! No, seriously, they were. Then just this week my best friend Ellen invited me to join her in Santa Fe August 19-24 for the annual Indian Market, an event I have always wanted to attend. She's rented a condo and I just have to 'cook and provide wheels for the week to pay for my room'! I've also been invited to stop and visit with friends from Kure Beach who have a home near Taos. I am so lucky to have friends who live in some of the most beautiful parts of the country.

I've also been working hard contacting prospective sponsors for the trip and things are looking up. Ideally I would like to work one or two days each week while I'm on the road, writing articles, interviewing people, moderating focus groups and taking photos of everything I see to share with you.

Until next time......enjoy the official start of summer!

ReAnn

My Summer Road Trip Route

2011-05-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

This gives you an general idea of the route I have laid out this summer for my road trip. It will certainly change and this map does not show the specific highways I will be driving, only the areas I plan to cover.

I welcome the names of places I should visit and ideas of things I should see. At dinner last night my good friend Beth said I must not miss The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. It's places like this that I want to take the time to see - maybe something I normally might pass by, but because you've been there and enjoyed your visit, think that I should add it to my list of 'must see and do's."

Until next time.....

ReAnn

Getting People Interested...

2011-05-01T12:54:00.007-04:00

in my upcoming 'little road trip' is what I have been working on for the past month. When I realized exactly how many miles I was planning to drive, how much gas that would take, and in turn, how many $$ each tank will cost to fill, I had a brilliant thought....why not see if several publications, organizations and websites might not be interested in 'sponsoring' a portion of my trip.

So far I have contacted Jeep (Why not go Big! It is one of their great little Wranglers I will be seeing the USA in.) I started with my local dealer, Neuwerth Motors, who not only volunteered to give me a total and complete check-up and oil & filter change - for free - before I leave, but also have the contact to pass along my proposal to at Jeep headquarters.)

Next I have sent article proposals to both AARP and AAA. AARP to do articles on 'a woman traveling solo across, up and around the US @ 65' and AAA to do articles on all the wonderful places I visit and stay (using their fabulous Tour Books and Tripix) It was their Gas Mileage Estimater that helped me realize how many tanks of gas I will need.

My friend, Heather Claus, founder and publisher of 365 Days of Sewing works closely with both BurdaStyle and Nancy Zieman, came up with the suggestion that I should involve my passion for sewing and fabrics as part of my trip. Her idea - stop and visit every single fabric store I find along my route - to see and write about who...and what...America is sewing today.

That idea in turn lead to me contacting The American Sewing Guild , a national organization made of up sewists that I have been a member of since the early 1990's. With Chapter's located in all 50 states, I thought I could easily stop in for a visit with those located along my route. Not only would it make for a interesting article or two in their member-publication, Notions, but perhaps a live 'webinar' broadcast during my visits on their website would be interesting and fun.

So right now I am just waiting to hear back from all the people I have contacted. I received a huge box from AAA with all of the state maps and tour guide books I had requested. I will spend the time I will be laid-up after my knee surgery on Thursday, surrounded by great reading materials and colorful, magic markers to highlight my various route choices.

(Isn't this fabric great? Found it at my all-time favorite fabric store - Vogue Fabrics, Evanston, Illinois

Until next time.....

ReAnn

Here we go again!!

2011-04-12T10:24:00.005-04:00

Yes - this is the same blog, with the same title, I wrote during the year I was on-the-road, driving my 29' Minnie Winnie cross-country. (Check out a few of the previous posts - some great photos of all the places I visited!)

I would love to still be living that lifestyle - deciding from day-to-day where I will call home for the next night, or day, or the next week, always excited to see what lies around the next bend in the road. I promised everyone who was kind enough to 'ride along with me' during that year that if I ever went back on-the-road that I would start writing this blog again. Well... here we go again.

From previous posts, you know I had to come home and toss out the renters I had living in my house. Then the market crashed and gas prices started going through the ceiling and I unexpectedly got a great offer for my Minnie - so I moved back into my little house by the sea.

Now don't get me wrong, Wilmington, NC is a nice place to call home and my home is quite nice. I have this big river outside my window and an even bigger ocean just 3 miles from my door. Wilmington has a nice, medium-sized college that guarantees we get a good selection of continuing-ed classes; we are home to the longest-lasting community theater in the US, Thalian Hall; I have met and made a number of great friends whose company I truly enjoy. BUT.....knew that was coming, didn't you?

Everyday is the same. The weather is basically always good, the golf courses are all flat, the community is mostly retirees from somewhere other than here, every Spring we worry about the upcoming hurricane season, every day the tide comes in and then goes out....and I am SO BORED!

I shouldn't be. I lead an ever-growing group of women who's passion for fine fabrics and sewing is the same as mine called The Sewing Fashionistas; I volunteer for several groups, I am on the Board of several organizations that take me to 'the big city' of Raleigh fairly often, I belong to a interesting book club, I free-lance write for several publications, I've learned to kayak, I even came out of retirement, organized and lead a tour of sewists to a big fiber show in Seattle in March. I try to interfere in my son's lives but they've learned long ago to ignore my advice (neither are married, so no grandkids to spoil or baby-sit). I love to read, hike, kayak, and attend the theater, meet friends for drinks and dinner...so why you ask, are you bored? I blame it on being bitten by the wanderlust bug when I was very young.

My dad was a railroad man. Every vacation that we took of any distance was via the train. I loved traveling this way. I remember the first time I got to sleep all alone in the upper berth; the shining silver and freshly starched tablescloths in the dining cars; the white-coated porters. But best of all was the ever-changing scenery passing by outside my window. I wanted to hop off the train and explore and live, for just a little while, in every town we passed through.

When I got older and traveling to locations all over the world was part of my business, I continued to want to stay and live in the city I was visiting - at least for a little while. London, Dublin, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Dubrovnik, Paris - anywhere and everywhere. But those pesky little things like responsibilities and family always got in the way. I actually did try and talk my dear, late husband into quitting his job, packing up the house and kids and moving....somewhere unique and wonderful and different....just for a little while. Unfortunately, that never happened.

So here I am, a ' semi-retired, soon-to-be-65-year-old widow who for the past year has been living what most would call a very good, normal life which I just can't stand any longer. I've got to get out of here and once again hit the road.

The older I grow, especially as I reach the milestone Medicare-age, I need to see, do, travel, teach, learn, understand, grow, meet, touch and interact with the lives of people I have yet to meet and places I have yet to see. I just heard how the increase in gas prices are changing how we live our daily lives. I may sound crazy, but I would rather spend all my savings on multiple tanks of gas just so I can live the rest of my life driving along an open road.

I decided to lay out my 'dream' road-trip route for this summer. I went to a trip-planning website and clicked all the places I wanted to see. WOW - but guess I shouldn't have been surprised when my route turned out to be 12,000 miles - which will basically take me in a complete circle along the edges of the U.S. and southern Canada.

My plan is to stay completely off any and all Interstates for the entire trip. I want to see our country and meet the people that live along the smaller highways and byways, not just get from one side to the other as fast as I can, with only man-made rest stops and off-ramp gas stations and restaurants to keep me going. I want to breathe fresh air and take all the time I want to stop and enjoy each minute of every day.

I have received 2 boxes filled with Tour Books and maps from AAA (I also renewed my Roadside Assistance insurance). I plan to take the hard-top off my 2001 Jeep Wrangler, put on the new KoolBreeze Bikini Top, and have requested as my birthday present from my boys the back Duster cover and the new Cab Cover to throw on when it decides to pour. Using a Gas Estimator App, I have calculated that I will need 48-50 tanks of gas to cover the miles I plan to drive. (Did I mention that on the northern loop I plan to go all the way to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia before turning back south into Maine?)

I have approached several publications about writing a series of articles and will be keeping a daily blog as well. Thought I could cover subjects such as "Cross-Country Travel Tips," " Older Woman Travelin' Solo," "The Best Mom & Pop Diners, Restaurants, Motels, etc. (fill-in-the-blank) to be Found in the U.S. of A." I even had someone suggest that I seek-out all the fabric stores along the way, stop in for a visit and see what America is sewing. It would be great to find a sponsor for my trip or a way to make a little money to help pay for those 48 tanks of gas! I'm open to any ideas and suggestions and also invitations for dinner along the way.

Right now I am preparing for getting my knee scoped next month (the result of getting off my bicycle at an odd angle) then recovering quickly so I can 'shift' the gears of my Jeep for those 12,000 miles.

Drop me a line and share with me all the places you think I need to see or eat and interesting people I should meet and interview along my route. In turn, I'll take you along with me on this great adventure!

Until next time......

ReAnn

JUST HOW BAD IS OUR ECONOMY?

2010-03-14T11:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I took the test to be a 2010 Census worker. Not an 'enumerator,' one of those that knock on your door. I'm not willing to work evenings in areas I just wouldn't feel safe walking through. So I applied to be an office worker. The pay is pretty good, $11.50 an hour, part-time hours and a job that lasts only until December.

Well, let me tell you, talking the test was not easy! As a matter of fact, it was damn hard. The questions were confusing as they were asked, the math you had to do without the help of a calculator (math has never been my strong suit) and they only allowed you 30 minutes to complete the 40-question test. An additional 15 minutes would have been perfect.

But what I found most interesting were the people taking the test. Only one young lady was in her early 20's, the rest were up into their 70's, with the majority being men in their late 40's to mid 50's.

As we had some time before the test began, the men starting talking - and I started listening. Every single one of them had lost their 'real' jobs. All had been in the corporate world - some for 20 years. What was so disheartening was when they started talking about the job opportunities here in Wilmington. None. They compared notes on how they had applied everywhere, and been turned down, for being over-qualified. They all had been turned down for jobs at Chic-fil A, McDonald's, Dillard's department store, CVS drug stores, and on and on and on. They talked quietly about how demeaned they felt and how basically useless their years of education, experience and knowledge were to them in today's economic market.

Being in New Hanover County, we were told that a high score was needed to even be considered for a census. Several people yesterday were re-taking the test to try and improve their scores from a previous testing. I thought I had done fairly well by scoring a 90% but have no idea if I will get a call. That's the next step - you wait now for 3-4 weeks waiting for 'the call' to say you've been approved for the next step in the process, paid training!

I'm not going to worry about it, but I bet those men will. They need something to hang their hopes on and it's so sad that right now a job with the Census is the only hope they have. What has happened to our country? How have we managed to get at this point? I certainly don't have answers.

I did think it was interesting watching Sunday Morning today, learning of the woman who in the 1950's unknowingly donated her cancer cells while being treated at John Hopkins, which became the breakthrough cells used in all disease research throughout the world, even today, at great profit (HeLa cells) and her son's and their families cannot afford basic health insurance. How can the richest country in the world be at this point in time? I just don't know, but I do think taking this test and just hearing how it would effect this small group of people's lives is an eye-opener.

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

CAN YOU EVER REALLY COME HOME AGAIN?

2010-02-27T15:25:00.000-05:00

Even though it's wonderful to be 'back at the beach, what I've been wondering about since my furniture was delivered last Tuesday is is this home? With over 300 boxes of 'stuff' to unpack and put back in place, it's been an exhausting week, as you can well imagine, but I'm getting there and it's starting to at least 'looks' like my home.

I made a fast trip to Raleigh to take some household items to son #2 and visit my with good friend who had just returned from 2 months in Mexico. I learned of a dear friend's passing and was booted out of the Book Club I helped found. (They replaced me when I left for the Peace Corps and won't let me back in as they want to keep their membership at 10). Boy, was that a kick in the teeth - people you think are your friends and would be pleased that you're back, have moved on with their lives and really don't care about you or yours.

So I got to thinking about what is so different about me and my lifestyle that makes me 'not acceptable' to the norm. I think the thing that stands out first is I'm single. That does set you apart at this age, whether you are divorced or widowed or just never married. Your married women friends see you as a threat. And second, and probably most of all is 'options.' I have them, most really don't. I'm not stuck in one place, in one house, in one city. I can 'wheels-up' and take off to wherever I choose, whenever I chose, and I think that makes people, should I say, envious?

If my dear husband were still living, I am sure I would 'one of those who was stuck' behind the gates of a golf community, just living day-to-day without much change or adventure in my life. But I was dealt a different hand and how I chose to play it has always been my choice.

You read quotes like 'don't worry or care what others think about you, go forth and live the best life you can.' Maybe that's true, for the most part. But we all know that we care what others think about us - it's hard not to.

So what will tomorrow or next week or next month bring? I haven't a clue! The options are many, the road is long and inviting, my house is warm, safe and cozy. I've even started dating - I know, said I wouldn't - but when someone really nice comes along - well....? Sharing is fun, talking about life and experiences and just going to dinner or a movie with someone other than yourself can be really nice.

Tomorrow I start getting my sewing studio back together and look forward to taking out all my fabrics to 'pet', fondle and imagine what I could make out of each piece. I'm going through my closets and giving away lots and lots. I learned from a year in Winnie that I really don't need all those clothes. Goodwill will be happy to see me.

I just wanted to share my thoughts this cloudy Saturday afternoon with those of you who have traveled along with me for the past 12 months.
Take care of each other....until next time.

ReAnn

I CAME HOME TO SNOW!

2010-02-03T13:32:00.000-05:00

I moved to The South to avoid the grueling winters that I had endured in Minnesota and Chicago and what do I get when I arrived in Raleigh - 6" of snow and then sleet on top of that! And of course, the city does not begin to have to removal equipment to handle such a Big Storm. They closed the airport and schools have been closed for 3 days and the side roads are still a mess. It's really funny looking at it as a Midwesterner. Six inches would be nothing 'up North.'

Oh well....here I sit in the living room of my son's home waiting to move back to Wilmington on the 16th of the month. Winnie is in storage and I still haven't decided what I will do this coming summer.

With job offers in Oregon and Michigan, both 5-month stints, I do have options. But maybe I'll stay put and wait and head further South in October. We'll just have to wait and see.

Right now I am so BORED! Watching way too much TV and reading an average of 3 books a week. It would have been great if my best friend, who lives in Durham, was home. But she's off exploring Mexico for 2 months. Oh well - just 2 more weeks. Have already gotten the basics set up - trash, electric, water, cable - ready to turn or install when I arrive. Had my property manager do a 'walk-thru' of the house last week to make sure the renters, who were not happy, were not destroying the place. But she says it looks really nice and well-cared for - so that's certainly a 'good thing.'

I miss the road. Imiss working. I miss meeting the new folks who come into a RV park on a daily basis. I miss getting out and seeing parts of this country I have never seen. I guess that sounds like I won't be 'home' for long. Will keep you posted.

Until next time...take care of each other.

ReAnn

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES....

2010-01-16T20:32:00.000-05:00

Last week I was looking forward to leaving on Tuesday to attend the Tampa RV show and reporting back to you about all the wonderful new RV's I'd seen, the people I'd met and the fun I had taking a few days vacationing with friends in Ft. Myers and Venice.

Instead, I was called into the office on Monday afternoon and told that I and at least 8-10 other workcampers were being let go. To say that I was totally shocked would be a total understatement. I was told by the very wonderful GM that I had done a fantastic job, I had handled every job assigned to me with expediency and complete competence, etc. etc. etc., but.....the owner had just over-hired. (25 workcampers - that's 25 RV sites given over to workcampers who only worked hours-for-their-site and didn't have to pay the very high-season rates the guests pay.) So the poor GM was given the job of letting us go. I was mad, but I felt so sorry that Jerry was put in this position by the owner who lives in California and considers owning this beautiful resort 'his little hobby.'

The majority of workcampers are retired folks who, like me, love the idea of traveling, seeing the country and stopping to work a set amount of hours a week (normally 15-24) for the opportunity to spend 3,4 or 6 months in an area they want to explore during their time off. The majority of workcampers call their RV home and budget their expenses based on not having to pay for a site for the time they agree to work. The majority no longer have a 'stix & brix' home and unless they are willing to start paying for a site, have no place to go.

This is high-season in Florida. The prices are at their highest and sunbirds have filled the RV parks to capacity. And all workcamping positions have been filled for months. And did I mention, we were given just 2 days to pack up and move out?

What to do? Well, I decided to visit my son in Raleigh and let him repay me for all the times he moved back home:) I thought, I'll just wander back up and drive him crazy for 2 months before I head out to Oregon for my summer job.

Then yesterday I got a call from my property manager saying she had once again been notified that my renters (who had refused to resign another long-term lease, and since October have been on a month-to-month) had broken all the HOA rules that apply to parking boats and commercial vehicles on property - for the 3rd time. I realized that maybe this was a great time to go back home and regroup. So yesterday, with my blessing, she gave them a 30-day notice to vacate.

Instead of going to Tampa on Tuesday, on Wednesday afternoon I headed north. Spent the first night in Dothan, AL, the next night in Anderson, SC (after having the not-so-pleasant experience of having one of the month-old tires on the Jeep literally explode while in a construction zone on the extremely busy I-85 just south of Atlanta). In Anderson I reconfirmed my opinion of KOA's - yuck. Overpriced and not well kept. Yesterday morning I drove the short distance to Charlotte where parked and locked up Winnie and spent the day and evening with my oldest and dearest friends, the Hoard's, enjoying their always wonderful hospitality and guest bed. This morning I drove to Raleigh and into #2's driveway at his brand new house.

I have since unloaded Winnie and moved into his lovely guest bedroom. I've cooked dinner, snuggled with Princess (who used to be my cat and is now Sean's baby) and watched lots of football.

Monday I'll drive to Wilmington to put Winnie in storage, get a haircut and visit with some of my girlfriends before returning to Raleigh on Tuesday. I'm here until February 16th - then back to Wilmington, get my furniture out of storage and moved back in my house and then decide what I want to do.

Options abound. I can get used to living in my lovely house again (pic above), try to rent it, try to sell it (probably not), or maybe put in a good security system, lock it up, get Winnie out of storage and head to Oregon as planned. I haven't a clue at this point which of those I will choose. Any and all ideas or suggestions will certainly be appreciated!

I'm also trying to decide what to do about this blog. My Home on the Roam will be at the Monkey Junction Boat & RV Storage facility and life in Wilmington is really rather boring. This I say from experience, it's why I hit the road in the first place. But I promise that you will be first to know what decision I make and I'll be sure to invite you to come along on my next adventure - whatever or wherever that may take us!

Until next time, which probably won't be for a few months...take care of each other.

ReAnn

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-03T14:25:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here on a very cold Sunday afternoon, 3 days into 2010, and thinking about how much my life has changed in the past 12 months. Watching the news shows this morning as they did their 'year in review,' I realized that there are year's that are defining and year's that just seem to 'pass by' without much change. For me, 2009 was not a year that 'passed by'.

This time last year I was sitting on the island of St. Kitts in the Eastern Caribbean, questioning why I was so unhappy being Peace Corps volunteer - something I had wanted to do since I was in college. Was it the escalating violence on the island with no safety measures in place to protect us, or the rules and regulations that this antiquated government program has never changed to allow for the influx of 'baby boomers' they are so aggressively recruiting? Both lead to my resigning early and returning to the States with my future totally up-in-the-air. Here I was, a 62-year old retired woman, no job, no home (it was still rented), and not a clue about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

I thought maybe I wanted/should try to find a partner. A man who was smart, could carry on an intelligent conversation, enjoyed traveling, laughing, a round of golf, sipping a glass of wine and walking hand-in-hand along a white-sand beach. For 30 years I had been blessed with a husband who liked to do all those things. But now that would mean actually finding and meeting someone who fit those qualifications - and how and where do you do that at my age? Dating really sucks - and even when I have tried, it's proven not worth all the hard work! I realized I can do, and enjoy all of these things by myself or with my girlfriends!So I've eliminated this as a likely scenario, though I know my son's would love for me to find someone to 'look after their crazy mother!'

Then I was asked, and actually considered restarting 'Stitches, Great Fiber Getaways', the tour business designed for fiber-lovers that I ran for 20+ years. But I no longer had a partner to share the very hard work this entails and I also realized I had 'been there and done that.' And shouldn't life be about growing - seeing and doing and learning something new?

Then I had this little idea which was sparked by Charles Kuralt's "On the Road" CBS series from year's ago. On the curvy road to Burnsville, down the mountain from my house in Penland, NC is one of the 'landmarks' that had caught Mr. Kuralt's eye and caused him to stop to chat with the homeowner's. It's a mailbox which is mounted on a very tall flagpole and has a little sign that says "for airmail only."

Every time I dove by that mail box it made me smile and remember that interview. Mr. Kuralt had been 'on the road' in his RV for just over a year at that time and I thought 'wouldn't it be wonderful to just travel the back roads of this big, beautiful country, stopping when and wherever I wanted to just chat with the people who live along those roads?' So this little idea began to germinate. I had nowhere to live, all my furniture was in storage, no one was hiring old, or even young people and I realized this was the time to fulfill the last big dream I harbored - traveling the U.S. and seeing up close the many places I had never seen.

So now we're back to where I started this blog last March when I drove West and purchased Winnie, my 'home on wheels' and began actually traveling those interesting and beautiful backroads.

I've met so many wonderful,interesting people along my journey so far. I've made friends who will be friends forever. Sue & John from Lake Tahoe that I met in a tiny campground in central Illinois, Laura & Mark from upstate New York who were my 'neighbors' in WY for a few weeks, and the fabulous Berlo sisters who let me join their 'sisterhood' and have made my stay in FL a truly, memorable experience. There is Bob & Sue, Jeff & Julia, Ed & Marie, Sue in Moab and I could go on and on. I've learned all about work/camping and have had 2 fabulous bosses and one real jerk, realizing that this is a really fun way to live and work for short periods of time because you are in a location you choose!

During the past 10 month's I've been asked over and over why I, as a single, older woman, live this way, without a real mailing address or 'real roof' over my head. People have even used the word 'brave' when describing how I live. But I would never consider myself brave. There are 1000's of single women - and men, and even more couples, who travel across the country, loving this way life for the freedom it gives us.

Maybe each of us have been bitten by what I call the waunderlust bug. We all yearn to see what lies around the next bend in the road. To stand under redwood trees that tower above us or wiggle our toes in sand on the edge of a sea; to follow a line of massive combines across the wheat fields of the Dakota's or to stand within arm's length of a huge, hairy buffalo; only by getting up and actually 'going' allows us to have these experiences. And how we love to GO!

I must admit that I'm getting antsy to 'move on' though I have 3 more months left on my contract here in Panama City Beach. I've sent for and received all types of brochures about what I'll be able to see and do when I move to the Oregon coast this May. I'm looking forward to the 3000 mile trek across the country to get there - I've chosen and re-chosen my route at least 5 times and know it will change many times before I actually start driving. Just thinking about the places I'll see and the people I'll meet along the way is exciting.

I want to thank those of you who follow this blog that I don't even know. The web is amazing and it brings the world and new friends into our homes via our computers. I hope you will continue to enjoy 'traveling along with me' as I continue to share with you what I'm doing and seeing along the highways and byways of our huge, diverse and beautiful country.

I wish each of you a 2010 filled with happiness, good health, love, joy and prosperity.

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

(Would love to say the wonderful picture of the fireworks is mine, but it's not. Take on New Year's Eve in Vancouver, photographer unknown - I just loved it and wanted to share the sparkle!)

CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA

2009-12-30T11:28:00.000-05:00

I hate flying! I remember when it used to be fun, you even got 'dressed up' to fly. And now they want to not only to charge you for your luggage, but when I asked if I could change my seat to an 'exit row', they said certainly, $39 please. (More leg room.) Every flight (4) back and forth from Tampa to Sacramento was packed. The only food was for sale and was ice cold. Every overhead bin was full and people were fighting for space. And you still ask why I chose to travel cross-country in my own movable home-on-wheels? Now you know!

But once I arrived, I had a fabulous visit. It was so nice to see my oldest and spend some quality time with him. It's been too long since we had time to just sit and talk with each other. I met my grandpuppy, Macy, and had so much fun with Tobin's girlfriend, Courtney, and her extended family.

We spent one full day in San Francisco and had perfect weather. I love this city - if only I would win the lottery, it would be where I would choose to live. We took the boat out to Alcatraz and had a really interesting tour of the old prison. Plus the view of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge is just breathe-taking from there. And of course, I just had to stop at Britex Fabrics and purchase a few pieces of delicious woolens that were begging to be made into a new coat & shirt.

On Christmas Eve we drove up to McCloud, CA. It's on the CA/OR border and directly under Mt. Shasta. This is the town where Courtney's parents are from, and where the relatives still gather - over 40 of them. We had a great 4-bedroom house for just our group and I enjoyed not cooking for the first time in years. From rack of lamb on the grill to deep fried turkey, plus every side dish imaginable, delicious cookies and homemade fudge, we ate, talked, and ate some more. As you can see, there was lots of snow on the mountain, but thankfully, none on the roads.

Tobin and I returned to Sacramento Saturday afternoon as we both had early flights Sunday morning. I to return to Tampa, and he to meet up with his brother and friends in Chicago for the annual Bears/Viking's game on Monday night. If you happened to catch the game, the good guys (da Bears) beat The Purple People Eaters and Mr. Farve in overtime!

It's now Wednesday and I'm back to work. My body-clock it totally screwed-up and I want to put my head on my desk and take a nap. The ladies are in the pool doing water aerobics (it's 62 degrees, sunny, and the pool temp is 87). The park is filled with lots of new RV's and life is back to 'normal.' In 2 weeks I head back to Tampa to attend the mega RV show for 3 days. It will be fun to see and tour all the new models.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy a happy & prosperous New Year!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Happy Holidays

2009-12-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year - to decorate your RV, enjoy holiday music blasting from every store speaker (since before Halloween), and envision snowflakes falling.

Though the snowflakes hopefully will not be seen, even in the northern parts of Florida, the temps are not warm - well, maybe in comparison to those of you in MN! We have had a few nights in the high 30's and today we won't get above 47 with clouds and rain. So don't envy me too much. This ain't Miami! We do have some crazy ladies who insist in doing water aerobics every day, no matter the outside temp, just as long as the pool remains the 86 degrees it's set to.

I'm getting excited about my trip to CA to visit with my oldest and his girlfriend in Sacramento. And no, Winnie, with her Christmas decorations, will stay in FL and this time I will hop a plane in Tampa and fly westward for a week. I've been told we are going to travel up to McCloud, CA, which is on the CA/OR border and 'under' Mt. Shasta. Snow is almost a given. T even said he wanted to take me snowmobiling. I tried to remind him that the only clothes I have with me are the ones I took to St. Kitts. That mean's shorts and flip flops - which aren't conducive to snow or cold! I have one pair of jeans and 1 sweatshirt, no winter coat or hat & mittens. I think I'll sit by the fireplace, inside, and let the rest enjoy the winter sports!

Life at Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort is in full holiday-mode. I helped decorate the clubhouse while the guys spent 2 days 'lighting' the outside. It's very festive! We have our gift exchange next week and of course, little elves keep leaving cookies and home-made fudge and peanut brittle on my desk. Saturday a group of us are going to St. Andrews Marina to be part of the holiday light boat parade. All the fishing boats, sail & power boats, and the large Betsy Ann Riverboat will be strung with 1000's of lights and 'parade' down the coastline. The Betsy Ann is open to the public to ride along. It should be fun!

I and the rest of the work/campers are already thinking about summer and where we would like spend the warmer months. I am seriously considering an offer to summer on the southern coast of Oregon. Take a look and tell me what you think. (http://www.turtlerockresorts.com) The RV resort is located right on the beach and since I have never been to this part of the country, it fit's the bill of where and why I am living this transient lifestyle. The only drawback is the 3000 mile cross-country drive to get there. But if anyone out there would like to 'hop on board' and ride along for a few miles, give me a holler!

Until next time, take care of each other....

And a very blessed Christmas and joyous New Year!

ReAnn

THANKSGIVING ON THE BEACH

2009-11-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

The sun was shinning and the skies were a bright blue on Thanksgiving Day, with temps in the mid-60's. My dear friends, Don & Carrie drove 518 miles up from Ft. Myers to spend the holiday with me.

Neighbors from the park arrived and we started the day at Winnie with Bloody Mary's, quiche, a strudel & fresh fruit - enough to tide us over until the big turkey dinner at 3p.m.

Emerald Coast provides the turkeys and mashed potatoes & gravy (all prepared by residents) and then everyone brings a dish to pass. Attendance was limited to 56 - and the trestle tables groaned under the many choices of salads, veggies & dressing. My desk was turned into the desert table. Pumpkin, apple & cherry pie; brownies, cookies and chocolate cake - Yum-Yum!

Of course football was also on the menu, as well a a Netflix movie to end the evening. Don & Carrie headed back south on Friday morning after breakfast and I went back to work.

Saturday one of the work/camping wife's and I headed over to Rosemary Beach and Seaside. These were two of the first completely 'designed communities' built on the beach. The houses are all beautiful pastels and each very unique. Common areas with gazebos and parks off-set the fact that they are built on zero-lot lines.

Rosemary Beach was having their outdoor holiday art fair, so we braked quickly, found a parking spot and wandered from booth-to-booth enjoying the beautiful day and finding some nice Christmas gifts. Once we arrived in Seaside, we parked in the little square and had a ball shopping at all the quaint little shops and enjoying a great lunch overlooking the water. The town, including their itty-bitty post office was decorated for the holidays. What I loved the most was a line-up of little Airstream's that were set up as coffee, sandwich & drink shops. This was so much more fun than running out at 4 a.m. on Black Friday to fight the crowds and find a bargain.

Sunday was spent cleaning, doing laundry and getting text messages from #1 son who loves it when "his Vikes" beat Mom's Bears.

Today I start the countdown to Christmas. I'm so excited to be going to California to spend the holidays with Tobin and Courtney and see their new home in Sacramento. The plan is to drive up the CA/OR border to the little town of McCloud, where Courtney's family is from. It's located right under Mt. Shasta and Tobin keeps telling me to bring winter clothes as there is likely to be large amounts of snow! I keep reminding him I haven't got one single item of winter clothing in my wardrobe - not a heavy coat or even closed-toed shoes! It should be a fun-filled, if chilly holiday.

Until next time....take care of each other. Wishing you and yours a blessed and joyous Christmas.

ReAnn

The Florida Keys & Hurricane Ida!

2009-11-16T16:58:00.001-05:00

My friend John and I drove down to the Florida Keys last week for a few days of fun in the sun! Instead we found ourselves on the far side of Hurricane Ida as it came barreling into the Gulf of Mexico. Though we didn't have the rains, we had lots and lots of wind (look at the palm trees in the pic with the pool) and the sun was not seen for the entire time we were there. But the temps were in the mid 80's and we had a great time.

My dear friends, Laura & John Radke, from Chicago, were very generous and offered us their beautiful home on Colony Key Beach (Marathon) during our stay. How nice to be in a 'real house' for a change, with room to spread out and move around. Though I love my Winnie, I do miss the space of a house.

We ate some wonderful seafood, spent a whole day down on Key West wandering up and down Duval Street, and of course had pictures taken at Mile Marker "0" at the Southern most point in the US, ate some more seafood and drank a few rum punches, relaxed and got to the clubhouse and pool one afternoon to try and see the sun - not!

The only thing wrong with the entire trip was the distance. 718 miles from Panama City Beach - and Florida is a flat, boring state to drive through. We took the tollway down the East side and came back up the West. We decided to take the 'back road' home along the coast, even though it added another hour and a half in travel time. It was fun to drive through all the little seaside towns and villages, stopping along the way for...some great seafood!

Back home I was thrilled that my neighbors had rolled in Winnie's awning and took down my twinkle lights and wind chimes. Though Ida had been predicted to come ashore as a hurricane, it had dropped off to tropical storm level when it came in at Mobile. We got rain and some winds, but nothing that caused any damage. The Northeast got hit a whole lot harder than we did.

The day after I returned, I worked the Emerald Coast Cruzin' Antique, Street & Hot Rod Car Show, which we sponsor. Had a booth outside at Frank Brown Park for 3 full days. What a hoot! I was next to the registration booth and all the cars had to parade directly in front of our booth. Besides the cars, the people-watching was fantastic! So fun not to sit behind a desk and a computer all day. The weather cooperated and it was sunny and bright all 3 days.

Yesterday good friends Don & Carrie stopped in for lunch on their way to their winter home in Ft. Myers, and this morning John started his return trip to KS... and I came back to work!

So life continues here on the coast of Florida and I'm enjoying every minute of my time here.

Until next time...take care of each other.

ReAnn

BOO!

2009-10-28T10:49:00.000-04:00

It's almost Halloween and though we have decorated the clubhouse for the holiday and will have a big potluck dinner that night, there will be no little kiddies knocking on our doors wanting treats. Except for Spring Break and summer, this is truly an adult park and the gate is closed at 5 p.m.

I have been working my 40+ hours and still love my job. Calling Bingo is a hoot and I cannot believe how people really care about winning a $7 pot! This Friday is my last night in charge of "Movie Night." We're showing The Proposal which will be much funnier than last week's Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The 'snowbird' who has been in charge of this activity in the past returns November 1st and will take over.

Sunday Lorrie (GM's wife) and I drove to Destin, a hour away, for a fabulous arts & craft show which was held right on the beach. Beautiful day and wonderful, high-end art. We stopped for lunch and more shopping on the return - a perfect day and I forgot to take my camera! Sorry.

Friday I have a friend coming in to visit from KS. Good friends from WI will swing through for a day mid-month and then return for Thanksgiving and just heard that folks I met in Cody will be here for 4 nights the first week in December. I asked to work only my 'required site hours (24)' during the month of November so I can play!

There is a medium-sized probability that I will be back in Wilmington the first of the year. My renters, both of whom work in the home building business, are waiting to see if they get a big contract they bid on the end of November. If they don't, they will vacate the first of January. My property manager says the chance of finding another renter is going to be really hard, as everyone who would be trying to sell their house can't, and are renting instead. The market is glutted.

So I have the following options....Go back, get my furniture out of storage, give some to Son #2 who by then will be living in his very own home; leave some in the house and try and rent it again, partially furnished; or stage it and try to sell; or just move back to Wilmington for awhile. I would really hate to give up my RVing and traveling around the country. It has been so much fun. I've seen more of this beautiful country than I've ever seen and met some really wonderful people. Will just have to wait and see what happens.

Until next time....take care of each other!

ReAnn

Phew - I forgot how hard work is!

2009-10-16T15:38:00.000-04:00

I've been here a month today - which doesn't seem possible - and still have yet to really go sightseeing. I'm also trying to remember that I'm retired and enjoying my free time while working a 40+ hour-a-week job. But I love it and the people here.

I've gotten involved with and now represent Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort as their 'face' at the local Chamber. I still over see the activities and in charge of a couple, including 'calling' Bingo! every Wednesday night. And on Sunday I'm cooking 'northern-style' brats in beer for the resort's Octoberfest celebration.

I finally got to see a sunset at the beach last night while listening to the fantastic Johnny Rawles play & sing great blues, Mississippi-style, at Pineapple Willy's Pier Bar & Grill.

My fellow work/campers are the nicest folks and come from all over the US. It's only the guys that are working as the resort is doing some major building projects this winter and advertised for carpenters, electricians and maintenance. I'm the only female they hired! Of course, can't make everyone happy and the heat and the oppressive humidity have gotten to a few and they decided not to stay.

But today it's perfect! We had heavy rains come through last night and this morning and as they departed so did the humidity and the heat. Right now the sky is a beautiful blue with big, puffy white clouds and the sun is shinning brightly with the temp hovering at around 77 degrees. It's even forecasted to get down to 49 on Saturday night. Brrr. Decided to buy a heated mattress pad to not have to run my furnace, which runs off propane, during the colder nights.

Only a couple of new photos to post, but thought you who are experiencing early snow and cold rains would really love to see what a typical day at the beach is like here!

Well, that's all my news for now. Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Meet My Neighbors

2009-09-27T12:42:00.000-04:00

Thunder on the Beach (better known as Fall Bike Week) has come to an end. The majority of RV's towing multiple motorcycles, have pulled out of Emerald Coast this morning - phew! Quite time once again. But I must admit I was amazed at the beautiful bikes (the bikers washed and shined them every single day!) and the RV's were absolutely fabulous. Had to take a few pixs - especially the 3-wheelers! This particular rig, is a custom-painted huge pusher which had a matching toy hauler which was filled not only with 4 bikes, but a custom golf cart to drive around the park - just mouth-dropping. (A beautiful woman just drove by on her hot pink and white polka-dotted Harley - guess not everyone has gone yet.)

This weekend was also $1 day at Zooland, which houses all types of animals which have been injured or abused and can't be released back into the wild. Winnie borders a very high wood fence which separates Emerald Coast RV from this property. I and fellow work/camper Nancy I took advantage of the low entry fee (us and 100's of parents and children!) Of course I took my camera so I could document what's behind my fence. Really glad now for the height of that fence as I found that the very loud and scary growl I hear now and then is coming from the black leopard which is directly behind me. The black bear cage is next to it. The peacocks and macaws are all over and 'talk' loudly whenever they feel like it. And as you can see, quite a few others add their 'voices' to my neighborhood. Sidney, the very friendly giraffe, thank goodness, lives up on the front end of the zoo - far away from me. Sidney is a sweetie but when he urinates, which he does often, the smell overwhelms every other smell in the zoo!

We are expecting 20+ work/campers to arrive this week. Mostly it will be the male 1/2 of a couple who is working, as we advertised for licensed carpenters. They will be involved with constructing a new shower/laundry at the far end of the park (we'll then have 3), new fencing, huge landscaping projects around the lake, new RV sites also around the lake, and adding an addition to the clubhouse. Busy, busy! The owner flies in from California on Saturday which has everyone on edge. All I want is some of his $$ to enlarge the marketing program and buy highway signage for the park! The GM and his wife are hosting a party so he can meet all the work/campers, which should be fun. And now with the last, big, seasonal event over and traffic slowing down, I plan to go exploring and actually get to the beach this week!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Life's a Beach.....

2009-09-24T15:40:00.000-04:00

...though I've been so busy working I haven't gotten there yet!

But this places is absolutely beautiful and the folks I'm working with are really, really nice. Right now, through the end of October, I'm working a 40-hour week just so I can get up-to-speed and thoroughly involved with all aspects of Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort.

I've already attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting, designed a new print ad, sent out an email-blast to previous guests and helped planned the October Activities calendar. I'll be calling Bingo on Wednesday night, leading the Tuesday and Thursday morning Fitness Walk and volunteered to cook the brats 'Wisconsin-style' for OctoberFest. The owner arrives next Saturday, but this week is wild! It's Thunder at the Beach - the Fall motorcycle rally and we're packed! Rumm...rummm. I am amazed at the size of the RV's the are coming in towing huge 'toy hauler's' that contain 2-4 bikes each! The amount of $$$ is amazing. Winnie sure looks little sitting in the midst of these Big-Rigs.

I thought I would make you all jealous with a photo I took sitting at my desk. What makes me jealous is when the pool is filled with our guests and I'm sitting behind a computer!

Like I said, I have yet to get to the beach - which is less than a mile away. And this week, with all the bikers, is not a time to even leave the resort. I've found WalMart, Pier Park (shopping and dining), the closest Publix grocery store, a branch of my bank and a good fresh, seafood store. For now, that's enough. Next week I'll venture forth and explore more. Oh - did 'cross the bridge' into Panama City proper and found TJ Maxx and the big mall. Just drove by - didn't stop!

I'm looking forward to my youngest coming for the Thanksgiving holiday. My friends Don & Carrie, who winter in Ft. Myers, will be here as well, along with Big John from KS. It will be so much fun to have family and good friends with me for a holiday. AND I booked my flights to Sacramento for Christmas with Tobin and Courtney in their new home. All-in-all, it's a great day! Hope you're enjoying yours as well.

Until next time....take care of each other!

ReAnn

Kansas is Flat - really Flat! And Missouri is very Hilly!

2009-09-16T18:25:00.000-04:00

I drove for 2 days to get to Lawrence, KS, which is located between Topeka and Kansas City, for a visit with my new friend John. Wheat, corn, and thousands of cows! Not the most exciting or eye-catching drive! But had a blast touring the area and taking pictures of Jayhawks everywhere! I even have one on the back of Winnie now. Met lots of wonderful new people, John's circle of friends were so welcoming and friendly. Had a great reunion lunch with old friends John and Joan Levin. I've know them for over 30 years and it was so fun catching up.

After 3 days in Lawrence, we packed up Winnie and John, I and 6 other couples headed off to Branson, MO - home of old, should-be-retired, once popular performers, of whom most have their own theater's named after themselves. But they have some great golf courses! We had 2 full days of hitting the little white ball around the courses, playing some fun games, and making new friends. We even went to the Andy William's Moon River Theater to see Paul Revere and the Raiders (Paul is 72!) and Bill Medley (of the Righteous Brother fame). It was an evening filled with songs I knew every word to - 50"s & 60"s rock & roll - it was like reliving my youth. A great evening, but sure was funny seeing old men, dressed in tight pants and wiggling their bottoms and try to stop giggling.

On Sunday morning I packed up and headed on the last leg eastward that will take me to my 'winter home.' Two very long days of driving through 4 states one day and 3 the next, though horrid thunderstorms that exploded the minute you drove into a massive road construction site in downtown 'big city' USA! Not pleasant and driving 10 hours a day is never fun.

But late Monday night, in pouring rain and pitch black, I made it to the Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, FL. What a SPECTACULAR place. I woke up to the sun shinning and palm trees outside my window. What a big change from the high desert landscape of Wyoming and Utah. I'm a 1/2 mile from the beach, the folks who run the resort are fabulous and I started my new job as Director of Public Relations today. Unfortunately it's been raining every day and is forecasted to continue doing so till the weekend, so pictures will have to wait.

But I've settled in, unpacked everything, even have the awning open for the first time in 3 months. Tonight the 'park worker-ladies' are coming over for drinks so gotta spiff up Winnie a bit. Pictures coming and will also share with you whom my 'neighbors' are over the back fence.

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Madrid, Taos, Santa Fe, Great Hotels & Yucky RV Parks!

2009-09-09T09:29:00.000-04:00

Ellen winged her way home on Sunday, 9/6, after a fantastic week of sightseeing. I told her I would never have seen as much without her egging me on to go see this and that! She didn't tell you about seeing the Caldera, driving through snow on the top of the Jemez Mountains, touring the pueblos at Bandalier National Park or stopping at a 1900's hot springs bath house and indulging in 184 degree waters and a massage - heaven.

We left the very deserted Big Sky RV resort in Acoma, NM on Sunday morning, 8/30, and decided we would take The Turquoise Trail (very wiggly Hwy 14) UP to Santa Fe. This road takes you through the old ghost mining towns of Golden & Cerillio, and brings you right downtown Madrid (pronounced Mah-drid). Porta-potties line the street as they have no sewer system, fantastic boutiques and bars abound and this is where the last half of the movie "Wild Hogs" was filmed (John Travolta, Bill Macy, etc.) And it really is a 'bikers' town with great people-watching. Ellen and I spent 5 hours wandering the streets, meeting and even having lunch with one of the local jewelry makers at Mama Leesa's wonderful restaurant, before heading UP further to Santa Fe.

We had done our research and by location and description, we were parking Winnie at Santa Fe's #1 RV Park - Los Campos RV Resort - NOT! Very low-class, lots of long-termers, no WiFi, pool was cinder block and overlooked the highway, even the parking spaces weren't level. Not worth the top dollar we paid to just park Winnie here for 5 nights. But we locked up, unhooked the Jeep, and headed to Taos and what a wonderful place it still is.

We took the 'low road' up, driving along the the Rio Grande River (which gets it's start just above Taos at the NM/CO border). We stopped to watch some rafters float down and just gaze at the beautiful mountains. Drove into downtown Taos and found our hotel, the El Monte Seragdo (check out the picture of the bar!). Marvelous, glorious piece of property. We had cow-hide covered armour doors, a turquoise-nugget covered pillow on the bed that took both hands to lift, a fabulous spa tub and rain-shower, with a balcony overlooking the mountains! I never wanted to leave.

But we did - leave - and wander into the Village to enjoy another fabulous lunch at a well-know local joint and then through the all the galleries and shops lining the winding streets of this very quaint and beautiful little town. Exhausted, martini's in that fab bar seemed in order before heading out for a late dinner at the best pizza joint in town.

The next morning we arose to sun shinning and we were anxious to go explore the surrounding countryside. Since Taos is a huge ski destination, the scenery, even in summer, is massive. We decided to skip a visit to the pueblo as we had seen a bunch already, and instead went to see the bridge that crosses the Rio Grande at the Royal Gorge. This structure, built in 1964, really opened up northern Mexico, as it was the first and only way to cross this very deep, wide schism in the landscape.

After viewing the gorge we drove to a little town north of Taos and toward the ski area called Arroyo Seco. We had been told this was the 'newest, up-and-coming arts community.' And they were right! We ate in the neatest little place who had just been ranked by Bon Appetite as one of the 10 best hand-packed ice cream shops in America! They also do a great breakfast! We then wandered in and out of some great galleries, shops and stores, talking to the locals, learning abou the recent dedication of their 200-year-old church, how they handle the winters, etc. Both Ellen and I were thinking this would be a great place to live!

Next we drove out of Taos in headed DOWN the High Road back to Santa Fe. What a beautiful drive - weaving, winding, through tiny villages (most with galleries or 200-year old churches) clinging to the side of mountains, huge thunder clouds coming in over the mountains - it was spectacular. We arrived back at Winnie and spent the night and the next morning we packed up and 'moved' to The Inn of the Governor's in downtown Santa Fe for 2 nights. FYI, Cody the Cat, is not happy, has not been happy and continues to not be happy with all the extra people, being deserted and being left for days on end. I won't go into detail as to how he is showing his displeasure, but he's almost ready to find himself another home!

Back to Santa Fe - lovely. First time I had been there in 16 years and it was great. We wandered out and had a delicious breakfast at one of the best-known restaurant's - Pasquale's. Then we wandered around town, in and out of museum, churches, etc. (The Bascillica, The Georgia O'Keefe, The Loretto Chapel) and more art galleries than we could count. Then it was time to get 'gussied-up' and head to the Santa Fe Opera to hear Roberta Flack & Shawn Colvin preform. What a stunning venue, perched on the hill overlooking the mountains. Shawn Colvin really was good - and a wonderful guitar player. But Roberta Flack was a hoot! She's 72 (we had to look it up on Wikipedia when we got back to the hotel). At first we thought she was 'flyin' as she was just acting really strange and her hair was all over her face and she really had the most awful outfit on. Her sound system was off, she would wander around the stage 'directing' her band and singers, and then just stop in mid-song and start again because it was 'too fast'. But she can still sing! She sounds exactly like she did during the 70's & 80's and put on an hour and a 1/2 show that was really good.

The next day we visited with Bryan & Artie, a wonderful couple who live in Santa Fe we had met when I was living in Mexico. They gave us a tour of their beautiful home and fantastic Mexican art collection. We had dinner our last night at a tiny, Italian restaurant and then a good night's sleep before Ellen headed to the airport and I started the next leg of my trip - to Kansas!

To be continued - Until then, take care of each other.

ReAnn

My Guest Blogger Says....The Adventure Begins

2009-09-03T22:48:00.000-04:00

ReAnn is on vacation this week, so I volunteered to be her guest blogger. My name is Ellen, and my qualifications for this honor are that am her good friend and am sitting in Winnie...having spent the last six days with ReAnn exploring central and northeast New Mexico. It's called the "Land of Enchantment" and for good reason. But get ahead of myself...

Our adventure began last Saturday when ReAnn picked me up at the Albuquerque airport in her Jeep, and we immediately drove to Old Town for some exploring and lunch. Great introduction to the area...restored adobe buildings...beautiful jewelry in every Southwest style imaginable...and a tantalizing introduction to the fine art the for which the area is so famous. Then, off we went on the west-bound interstate (where old Route 66 used to be) -- to where ReAnn had parked Winnie the evening before -- for my very first night in an RV. While Re and I have travelled together many times, I wondered if Winnie's close quarters would test our proximity tolerance. But so far, so good. We seem to have learned the dance-of-close quarters.

As you can see in the picture, the RV park was rather barren. No picnic tables...no landscaping...no personality at all, in fact. The place was tucked behind the semi lot behind a small casino just off the busy interstate. Must confess, a tad disappointing after ReAnn's tales of luxury parks with lakes and golf courses. But the view certainly was beautiful. To give you an idea of how generous ReAnn is, I'll share that she gave me her own queen-sized bed for sleeping and moved herself to the pull-out bed in the front. But neither of us slept particularly well that first night. Many late arrivals to the park. Too much ambient light from the truck stop and casino. And, I'm sure, a bit of anticipation of the week's adventures ahead.

But we agreed the park was good for location, at least, since early the next morning we ventured out to visit the ancient Acoma pueblo just to the south. The drive took us through the modern pueblo where most in the Acoma tribe live today. A rather typical rural community with homes of many styles, a modern school, community center, etc. Then, we crossed open desert and headed into some winding mountain roads. I cannot adequately describe the vista that unfolded as we came around the highest curve. Stretching out before us was a deep desert valley tucked between two mountain ranges. All oranges, golds and reds emitting almost an incandescent glow. And there, across the valley, was a high plateau with the pueblo buildings only slightly discernible from the mesa's natural stone. We crossed the valley past other-worldly rock formations jutting from the flat valley floor, and as we approached, the pueblo took more certain form. Amazing. The questions began... How did they build up there? Why did they build up there? And on and on.

From the visitor's center, a mini-coach took us up the mesa's side. Our walking tour of the site was led by a member of the tribe. A gentle man whose love of his ancestral home, his family, his Tewa-speaking neighbors, his religion and the history of his people he wore as a spiritual cloak that virtually glowed like an aura around him. He shared much about the pueblo, including showing us the many sacred kivas -- or places of ceremonies, learning and worship -- throughout the site. This picture shows just one of the kivas with a spectacular ladder providing access to the ceiling entrance. We were told that the ladder's vertical poles symbolically point toward the heavens and the arrow at the top provides protection. To this day, only men of the tribe are allowed in kivas. And while our guide also shared that only men serve on the governing council, he also said that they live in a matriarchal culture where women own all the land and possessions and control much else of the tribe including lineage. Very interesting balance that has served the culture beautifully for hundreds and hundreds of years. In fact, the pueblo has been continually inhabited for at least a thousand years. Those who live there today do so without running water, electricity or indoor plumbing. Their motivations are different. Some elders, because it's the only life they know. Some male tribe members because it is their responsibility to serve a period taking care of the ancient city. As our tour wound down, the guide showed us his family's ceremonial home and invited us back to join them for a huge festival to be held the following Wednesday. Music. Dancing. And tons of food. Very sorry we couldn't make it. I'm quite certain his invitation was genuine.

Sorry, no pictures to share of the valley. On our way down, we were not allowed to take any as you must have a permit to capture images within the pueblo environs, and upon our return -- with permit tag hanging on ReAnn's camera -- its batteries died. I have pictures emblazoned in my head...but none committed digitally to share. You'll just have to visit this spectacular and wondrous place yourself.

As it was our first day together, we had ambitious plans for more adventure so then, headed further afield and west to an area called The Badlands (but, generally, referred to by its Spanish name which escapes me at this late hour). From atop sandstone bluffs -- as far as the eye can see -- simply miles and miles of craggy, volcanic rock. This sea of intimidation lies along the major trade route between the Acoma and Zuni people, so they certainly blazed a trail through the rocky blackness to ensure they could exchange valuables and wares. A rugged land of stunning contrasts. And the light...again, the amazing impact of the sun of this spectacular landscape is not to be believed. Everything stands out in brilliant contrast.

After that, we headed out to one last sight even further west. We had begun to rely on our trusty Frommer's guide on New Mexico and called to see if there were any chance that the specially noted roadside restaurant was -- contrary to published details -- open on Sunday. Yeah! It was. Happily, when we were only a mile from our last site of the day, we stopped for a very late lunch at The Ancient Way Cafe. What fun. Sat on the porch and enjoyed freshly made Chicken Pesto. Chatted with the Native American waitress...and then, the chef. A most interesting fellow. Former potter. But someone who definitely never wanted to work for "the man". At dessert time, we wanted to try their famous Berry Cobbler with Green Chili...but, alas, it was sold out for the day. Just HAD to suffer through the blackberry cobbler with ice cream. Sugar is a great re-energizer. So, off we went with only an hour before the gates closed on our next and final stop for the day.

And what a site it was. The huge, almost white mesa face soaring over 200 feet above the high valley floor has captured the history of dozens of people who passed by...from the ancients who left hieroglyphics to the early Spanish who tried to conquer the native inhabitants...from professional soldiers testing the use of camels to cross to California to simple pioneers making their way west to start new lives. Historic graffiti carved in stone with antler and chisel alike.

While we didn't have time before park closure to take the trail to the mesa top, we certainly enjoyed picturing the ancestors who spent a night or two resting at "Inscription Rock's" base, quenching their thirst at the mesa's cool-water pool and preparing to move on bravely -- though not always with a cause as righteous as they thought. This site is also called El Moro, if you're looking for it on a New Mexico map.

After that, it was a rather long drive home to Winnie (thank you, ReAnn...because I never learned to drive a stick) and preparation to hook up the Jeep, unplug Winnie and head east and north toward the mountain and Santa Fe.

(More later in Part II.)

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK

2009-08-25T10:43:00.000-04:00

On Sunday I drove to Cortez, CO, a 2-hour trip, to explore Mesa Verde National Park. First, I love my Park Pass! Once you are 62, for only $10, you can purchase a lifetime pass to all our national parks! What a great thing and I have used my extensively since arriving out West.

Mesa Verde is not only a national park, but a designated World Heritage site. The pueblos were built and lived in by the' ancient ones during 1200 a.d. These peoples occupied these cities built of sandstone and into the overhangs of high cliffs for approximately 200 years before moving on top of the mesas. They built these cities with only the rudest of tools. As you can see from the pictures, their houses and storage builders were several stories high. They are expertly chinked with wattle, bits of rock and the hard woods of the trees that still grow on these high desert plains, and are still strong and sturdy today. Deep kivas (fire pits) were dug deep into the rock, vented and had curved ceilings which protected the occupants when the rains and snows came.

Getting in and out of the pueblos was, and still is, extremely strenuous. Hand and toe holds were carved out of the rock and ladders were built to access the different levels in the pueblos. It is amazing what these ancient ones could accomplish and do. I signed up to take 2 tours, each guided by a park ranger, down into Cliff Palace and Balcony House. These are just 2 of the dozens of pueblos you see tucked into the overhangs ringing the canyon walls. When they described the 30' ladders (bolted to the rocks but offering no 'catch if you fall off' system and the tiny 12' rock tunnels you must scurry through, feet first, I wondered if I could face my fears of heights and closed-in places and actually do it. But how can you not when offered the opportunity to see up close how these people lived?

I was so happy that it was much cooler in Colorado that day. Large clouds kept the sun from beating down and temperatures rising into the 90's, as they do daily in Moab. A nice breeze was blowing and the sun peaked out enough to make it a perfect day to be scampering over rocks and cliffs. So I locked everything in the Jeep, slung my camera over my neck, took a deep breath and said 'I CAN do this' - and did. And I had a blast! I ended up spending 7 hours touring the park, it's museum, enjoying a picnic lunch and finally heading back to Moab as the sun was setting.

The route to Cortez is the same I will take this Friday when I wheels-up and head to Albuquerque to pick up my friend, Ellen at the airport. I got to drive over the rather steep grades that take you out of Moab; through Monticello where they have literally torn up the entire highway all the way through town; see where I will turn south on the infamous Hwy. 666 out of Cortez that will take me through the Navajo nation reservation and drop me onto I-40 in Gallup, NM. It will be an interesting drive in Winnie, towing the Jeep, and in some places very slow-going. This highway is the main trucker route from Phoenix up to I-70 and Salt Lake City, so there are lots of 'passing lanes' for trucks and RV's to move into while climbing, allowing those who drive 'normal vehicles' to get around us.

Sue, the wonderful owner of Moab Rim Campark, asked me again this morning when I was returning next year. It's so nice to be wanted:) I can't promise her anything, as who knows where or what I will be doing next summer? But if you are ever in this part of the country, and even if you don't own an RV, their little cabins and cottages are the perfect place to stay for a night or more while you explore all the fabulous sites in and around this area. And their gracious hospitality cannot be beat! I will miss them.

Now don't get upset and send emails about me not posting as once I get to Albuquerque, I'm 'on vacation' for a week. Promise to take lots of pictures of Santa Fe and Taos but won't have the time or want to upload them while spending time with Ellen exploring! Once I'm back on the road, I'll share all we have seen and what we have done during the next 10 days.

Until then......take care of each other.

ReAnn

Moab - Continued

2009-08-21T11:02:00.000-04:00

What a glorious place! Jim and Sue, the owners of the campground, let me take off and 'play' and explore whenever I want. Yesterday Sue invited me to go on her morning walk (think hike!) with her friends and all their dogs - 6 labs. Not only did we hike way back and up into the hills, I ended up with a pair of 'dyed' red rock socks. Now they sell T-shirts, etc. out here that have been colored with the red clay dirt for lots of money. I found you only need wear a new pair of white sock with your hiking boots and you got lovely pair you didn't have to pay a penny for! And no, the color doesn't wash out.

Late yesterday afternoon I drove the highly-recommended Manti-LaSal Loop which winds through the rugged Colorado River canyon, over the rolling Castle Valley flats and then high, high, high up into the LaSal mountains. I just loved the little, 2-lane road with switchbacks that were 90 degree turns, no curves, with over 1000 foot drop-offs and no guard rails! I only met a few other cars the entire 3-hour trip, so I hugged the mountain-side! But the views were worth it!

From kayak-ers frolicking in the river, to unbelievable towering rock formations, to a vista that takes your breath away - pictures can't begin to show you just how beautiful it was. But I think what got me the most was driving through the Manti-LaSal National Forest. Located high, high up on top of the mountain range, covered with pinion pines, it is the site of a recent major fire. And there, growing tall and straight amongst the blackened branches of the dead trees was one, lone sunflower. Many people have and can say it much better than me, but to find beauty in the midst of devastation, new life starting where the old had been destroyed - well, it makes you stop and think.

Until next time.....take care of each other.

ReAnn

UTAH

2009-08-18T16:11:00.000-04:00

I was told that taking Hwy 6 from Provo to Moab was nice, flat and an easy way to get from Point A to Point B. Highway 6 went through a beautiful canyon, up over the top of surrounding mountains, through miles of 2-lane, harrowing, highway construction and finally down onto the deserts dotted with flat-top mesas.

Did I mention that Hwy 6 is also the short-cut used by all the 16-wheelers in Utah to get between I-70 and I-80? But I made it - white knuckles and all - and arrived in the very cool town of Moab, where I planned to stay 3 nights at the
Moab Rim RV Campground. I figured this would be enough time to take in both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and then head south to Monument Valley and Mesa Verde. But you just never know what can or might happen - and a couple of things have happened that are really cool!

First, the owner here at MRC immediately started talking about perhaps I might like to stay and help them out until I had to be in Albuquerque. They were really interested in what I could do to help up-grade their campground management software, their website and maybe teach the rest of their staff a class in customer service. Jim's wife was visiting their daughter and grandson but she would be back in town before I planned to leave and he really wanted me to meet her. I said thank you - it was really great that they would like me to stay but .......

The second - and you aren't going to believe this one - I've met someone. No, not standing alongside the road or in Moab. Bob & Janie, who had been my 'neighbors' in Cody in July for 2 weeks, had told me many times and lots about their good friend John. He was a widower, played golf, retired, great sense of humor and they thought he would be just perfect for me - and I for him! I didn't think much about it until a week after they got back to KS I got an email from this John, introducing himself. We starting emailing each other, and then actually talking on the phone until he said he thought that we really should meet in person - and he was willing to drive to Moab. A man willing to drive 918 miles one-way to meet me - and what if we didn't even like each other? I said sure, I was willing to take a chance if he was - and to pack his golf clubs!

John arrived on Friday afternoon and just left today. We had a blast! We laughed so much, had so much in common, we climbed rocks, drove miles through Arches, Dead Horse and Canyonlands parks, took pictures at sunrise and sunset, talked for hours and both broke 100 at the Moab Country Club. I found out that Cody the Cat doesn't like anyone else in his/our space but me and was thrilled John was here to run into town to get a big tank of compressed air when we discovered that Winnie's driver's side tire was almost flat, and he got to see me 'stressed' when I had to throw everything quickly in drawers, unhook and drive Winnie into the tire shop on a dicey tire before they closed for the day. (Thank God, only a broken valve and no need for an expensive new tire!) We grocery shopped together, grilled together and the man even sat in the laundromat while I did a couple of loads of dirty clothes in anticipation of departing Moab. John is a big man with a huge, fun personality, a totally bald head, and a very gentle soul. And yes, we've made plans to meet up again on my trip back East and play another round of golf - or two.

And last night, after getting back from the tire shop, Sue, wife of the Jim the owner and 'she who knows all' came over and said please, please, please can you just stay until the 28th! All the free time I want to travel around the State, work a few evening hours and help them out where I can. I realized with John's visit that I had completely blown my Grand Circle/Lake Tahoe/Sacramento itinerary and would never now be able to do all I had planned in the less than 2-weeks I had until I had to be in Albuquerque. So I said 'why not?' John and I went out to breakfast in town. He headed home to KS and I came back to learn the ropes of my 'new job.'

I will now just leave Winnie parked and take off for Monument Valley and Mesa Verde, both easy day-trips. Since I can take 2-3 days off at a time, I'm thinking that I will drive over to the other side of the state and see Bryce & Zion and treat myself to an overnight stay in a hotel!

As you can see from the pictures I've posted, this part of the country is so very different than the Midwest or even Wyoming. It's the very red of the rocks and dirt, the wide-open stretches of land dotted with massive and unusual rock formations, as if thrown down at random by someone with a wild imagination, the heat and wind that brings back memories of every Western movie you've ever seen - most of which were filmed here! Even the golf course winds around massive rocks - making some of the shots you have to make so 'fun!'

Well, it's almost time for me to wander across the campground and work my first 'shift' - from 4 till 7. Tomorrow I'll make plans to drive to Mesa Verde or maybe Monument Valley or play golf again at the local course - we'll see what look like the most fun tomorrow!

Until the next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

ON THE ROAD AGAIN....

2009-08-13T07:57:00.000-04:00

My time in Cody came to an end on Sunday when the owner of YVI let 3 of his workcampers go - now! I refused to leave until I had my last paycheck in hand - which he wanted to mail to us - not! Won that little battle and after 3 months un-plugged, hooked up the Jeep and off I went to spend my first night in a WalMart parking lot. Everything in Cody was booked, so thought I would see what 'boondocking' (no hookups) was all about. By the time I turned off my light at 10 p.m. there were over 30 rigs in the parking lot with me of every size and make. It was a hoot!

The next morning, Monday, I had Winnie's oil and filter changed and tires checked, then headed to Lander, WY - southwest about 4 hours. I spent the night at the really sweet Pioneer RV Park and had a great time chatting with their work/campers. Learned that I wasn't the first, and sure won't be the last, to get in a situation with a bad boss.

I spent most of Tuesday sightseeing. This is the home of the Arapahoe and Shoshone reservations and where Sacajawea lived out her later years, after leading the Lewis & Clark expedition, and is buried. I went into Sinks Canyon where the mountain snow run-off literally flows down into a huge sink-hole, only to emerge a 1/2 miles down the canyon in a deep pool where these enormous trout live - and get fed by the tourists.

Tuesday evening was spent laying out my route. Since I now had 'free time' I decided to 'go West'. I have always wanted to see the awe-inspiring and totally photogenic national parks of Utah - Arches, Monument Valley (where all the John Ford/John Wayne movies were shot), Mesa Verde, Lake Powell, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. You can make a Grand Circle of this area - and that's what I decided to do.

Today I drove through my first 'big' mountain pass going south out of Lander down to I-80 and into Utah. Tonight I'm in Provo, just a few miles from Salt Lake City and right by the BYU campus in a nice, lakeside park with lots of trees and lots of RV's. Tomorrow I'll drive to Moab and make that my 'home' for 4-5 days while seeing everything there is to see on the East side of the Circle.

The plan is to move south and then back up north and when I finish with Utah, head to Lake Tahoe to visit with friends Suzanne and John, who I met in Illinois when I first started this odyssey. They've agreed to let me park Winnie for the weekend at John's studio and I'll hop in the Jeep and drive over to Sacramento to visit with #1 son Tobin and his lady, Courtney, and see their new home. I'll then turn around and head back to meet my good friend Ellen for our tour of Taos and Santa Fe - before heading to Florida! Does this seem like a lot of traveling? Yep - and maybe I won't get to do it all, but it will be fun trying! Will keep you posted and hopefully lots of great photos to share.

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

I am still constantly amazed by people...

2009-08-07T18:35:00.000-04:00

and what they promise and then what they do or don't do. I've been told that for my age I am too naive and take too much at face value. But I still want to believe the best of people and then am totally blown away when they turn out to be jerks!

Am I ranting? Well a little. All of us work/camping here at Yellowstone Valley Inn had learned, the hard way, over the past 4 months, that the man who owns this RV resort is a total jerk (and that's me being nice!). We had stayed because we liked his wife, and to be honest, felt sorry for her. Several of the other RV campground owners had said that our boss was known for letting his work/campers go as soon as the season started to slow down. He would let the first hired (me) be the first to be let go - today! Still I was hurt and upset - who wouldn't be?

My best friend is flying into Cody (on non-refundable airline ticket) on 8/29 and we planned to 'see the Park', overnight at the Old Faithful Inn and then head for Santa Fe and Taos on 9/1. So here it is, 3 weeks from that date and I have no where to park Winnie. The owner informed me he had rented my spot out starting Monday and if I wanted to stay (duh?!) I would have to pay his top price for this site - NOT!

So now I have until Monday to decide where and what I want to do until I arrive at the Cody airport Saturday afternoon on the 29th. I made a few phone calls and might have a 3-week job just down the road at another campground or what sounds like more fun would be to just 'go see the West!' I haven't seen the Teton's or Monument Valley or Bryce Canyon and I could even drive over to Sacramento and visit my son.

So tonight I will get out my maps and by Monday I'll know where I'm going or if I'm staying and working close by - I'll let you know.

What's the saying? When life throws you lemons...... You that know me know that this is only a little bump in the road and I'll be fine. But if anyone has a driveway or a little bit of acreage, and lives out West where I could park for a few weeks, give me a holler! ggggg

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

More Photos from my Yellowstone Photo Workshop

2009-08-02T17:19:00.000-04:00

We found an osprey nest sitting on the tippy-top of a pinnacle in the middle of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. I took a picture of the pinnacle with my zoom and you can see just how close I could get - not very. But the nest is there. One of the other's who took the class had a spot scope and I put my camera's lens over the scope and clicked and you can see the 2 little guys sitting and waiting for mom & dad to return with a nice, big fish for their dinner.

I tagged along a little bit while one of the Park Rangers gave a great nature tour and I got to pear inside and take more pics of the really cool Yellowstone Tour Wagons. These were originally purchased for use in the Park in the 1920's. At the time they cost $3,200. Just a few years ago, it cost over $32,000 to get them back and in working order. They have open roofs and as you can, very classy. Were originally used to bring wealthy guests from the train stations into the various Lodges in the Park.

Counting Down the Days.....

2009-08-02T16:43:00.000-04:00

I think it's like anything you do - whether you love it or hate it - you start to count the days when it's over. As of today, I have 28 days remaining in my Wild West adventure.

I have loved exploring this part of the country and still have quite a bit to still to cram in before I leave. And there is still so much to see - Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, the Mohab, so I will return. But I am ready to move on - guess it's the gypsy in me - and I'm really ready and looking forward to having trees, grass AND a beach as part of my everyday life.

This past week was filled with errands, doctor's appointments, getting the Jeep's tires replaced and the battery disconnect installed AND spending all day in the Park with Robert Turner (http://www.robertturnerphoto.com/) professional photographer who's exhibit "Rare Light in Rare Places" is on exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

Friday night I and the other 11 participants gathered with the general public for a reception and lecture with Bob. The next morning we assembled at 8 a.m. at the Center and then worked out way into Yellowstone, making several stops along the way to shoot. Bob's thing is landscape photography and he shared his thoughts on 'filling the frame,' why use a tripod, F-stops and so much more. We completed the day with all of us enjoying dinner 12 hours later at Pahaska TeePee. I learned a lot - including the fact (from finally reading my camera's instruction book) that not only can it do a whole lot more than I thought, but I can add lenses - which I was told I couldn't do when I bought it!

So I'm keeping the writing to the minimum and sharing with you just a few of the over 200 pictures I took yesterday.

Enjoy! And till the next time...take care of each other.

ReAnn

A Normal Week - sorta.

2009-07-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

It has been very busy here at YVI this week. We have had every RV site filled every night, hosted a huge family reunion that took every cabin and motel room this weekend, and with the huge, motorcycle rally at Sturgis this coming weekend, it isn't likely to slow down soon.

With yesterday off, our very cute, young and blond bartender and I hoped in my Jeep and decided to just 'get away' for the day, We headed to Red Lodge for their "Art in the Beartooth" annual art fair, do a little shopping and have a good lunch.

Red Lodge is an hour and a half drive straight north, about 30 miles into Montana. We parallel the Beartooth Mountain range the entire trip up, but the land is flat and high desert with Yellowstone River twisting and turning alongside the highway.

The little town was crammed with people - bikers, those attending the antique auto show, those there for the art fair, and those just enjoying an absolutely beautiful day. Mandy and I wandered around town, enjoyed the art, had a great lunch and did a little shopping. On the way home I stopped here and there to take pictures and exactly as we crossed the MT/WY border, my right rear passenger tire exploded! (see pic)

We got the jack and various wrenches out and had gotten the lug nuts off the tire. I was lying on the ground, trying to figure out where the jack got placed under the car, while Mandy (cute, young, blond Mandy in a tiny little white dress) walked over the the edge of the highway and...the nicest young man slammed on his breaks and said "Mam, do you need some help?"

Josh had the spare off and the tire changed within 10 minutes. Turned out he was a 'real rodeo cowboy' (he had real spurs on his boots), rode the broncs every night at the Cody Rodeo and was from just outside Raleigh, NC. Wouldn't take a cent for his help but did find out when next Mandy was tending bar and something tells me we'll see him out at YVI soon!

Got home safe and sound and tomorrow will go into town and price tires. I hate unexpected expenses - they are always expensive! Today, Sunday, I've done laundry, hooked up the hoses and washed not only the Jeep but gave Winnie a bath! She really need one after being parked in this dusty, dirty desert for the past 2 1/2 months. Then I too took a long shower and now plan to just sit, read a good book and relax the rest of the afternoon.

For those who asked, Cody has totally recovered from being de-clawed the first of the week. My body and the furniture will now last a lot longer and not be covered with scratches and fabric pulls.

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Ah Chooooooo

2009-07-18T18:37:00.000-04:00

I want to publicly thank my cousin Rita for giving me her cold. I returned from Denver with just a sniffle and during the past week it bloomed into the first, full-fledged cold I've had in at least 5 years.

Lots of Kleenex, runny nose and watering eyes, chest congestion and loud sneezing made me the most perfect person to great guests as they arrived at YVI for vacation. I worked my 7 hours, grabbed a bowl of soup as I walked through the kitchen on my way back to Winnie and immediately went back to bed.

Halfway through the week The Gleason's arrived from MN to spend 4 days seeing the West for the very first time. Harv & Ginny were our wonderful neighbors for many years and their boys and mine were good friends. After spending their first full day in Cody 'doing' all 5 museums that encompass the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, taking the Trolley Tour of Cody, enjoying a great lunch on the porch of the Irma, walking around town doing a little window-shopping, I headed back to YVI while they took in the Gunslinger's Shoot-out. Yesterday we 'did the Park.'

Since I had purposely left the back seat of my Jeep in MN to allow for packing lots of 'stuff'', I jerry-rigged a metal lawn chair with bungie cords to where the regular Jeep seat would have been, Harv climbed in and away we went.

As you can see from the pictures, the snow has melted , Spring and an abundance of wildflowers have come to Yellowstone. Though you can still see massive damage from the '89 fire, under the charred tree trunks green grass grows, small, new seedling pines, and now blue, yellow and pink wildflowers have taken root to re-nourish and continue replenishing the Park.

On the way to Old Faithful, which continues to erupt every 90 minutes to the pleasure of 100's of viewers each day, a stately elk decided to cross the highway directly in front of my Jeep. It was almost like he planned his crossing in front of all the cars knowing there was a stop sign there and we would all stop just for him.

We did the entire South Loop, all 205 miles. At the end of a 14-hour day and a very nice dinner at the Bill Cody Ranch we got back to YVI where I collapsed and Harv and Ginny headed into Cody and the Irma. Today they went off to do Beartooth Pass and Red Lodge and I did laundry and defrosted the fridge! Tomorrow they head from The Tetons and Jackson while I try and get rid of this damn cold!

And now a few passing thoughts I don't think I've shared with you all....Wyoming smells. It has this very distinct smell of oranges. Seriously. You drive along the highway or walk along a sidewalk and you smell only what I can describe as oranges. I asked a bunch of locals what it was and they hadn't a clue. I remember the mock-orange bushes we had planted below our windows at our house in MN and that's all I could think of but I couldn't find them here. So I kept sniffing and one day, walking by one of the 100 of Russian olive trees that grown here I stopped, rubbed the leaves together and....oranges! Mystery solved.

A varied week coming up. Besides work, Cody is getting de-clawed and I get a haircut. Saturday is 'Art in the Beartooth' in Red Lodge and I've made reservations to attend the big art fair in Jackson mid-August which will take me through The Tetons.

Life continues and I've sill got to attend a rodeo and drive the Oh My God! highway before my time in the West is over. Until next time...take care of each other.

ReAnn

Rocky Mountain High!

2009-07-11T19:29:00.000-04:00

Spending 5 days in Denver, the 'mile-high,' city was so much fun! My dear cousin Rita and her wonderful hubby, Denny, their 3 dogs,

1 cat and 1 grand-dog who they were baby-sitting, welcomed me to their lovely

home where I was wined, dined and shopped-till-I-dropped.

I was picked up from the airport and whisked to a great mom & pop Greek restaurant that had fabulous food and great service. The next day was my TJ Maxx fix day. How I miss that store! Even if I don' buy a thing, the thought of maybe finding a really great buy is always within the the realm of possibilities within the confines of that store.

The next day Rita, her lovely daughter Averial and I met my old Danville High School friend Mary Volburn, who lives in Colorado Springs, for a great, long, talkie lunch. Afterwards we ladies 'hit the Mall' and when Ed called, Mary and I met his son, brother, sister and spouse at a local pub and shared lots of stories about our hometown and 'do you remember' remembrances. It was nice to see Ed smile and enjoy himself. (Mary had dated Ed in high school and neither knew the other lived in the Denver area).

On Sunday Rita, Denny and only 3 of the dogs (Mini Pincher, Wheaten Terrier and German short hair) piled in their car and headed for Estes Park and a tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. We had a 'perfect weather day' and a great time. Estes Park was crammed full of tourists but we didn't care. Denny dog-sat while Rita and I shopped, ordered and ate a huge pizza, then took turns watching the dogs so Denny could eat.

Once in the park, we took Trail Ridge, the original dirt and gravel road, up and over the high mountain Rockies. Beautiful views and lots of elk and moose, which all 3 dogs tried desperately to jump out of the car and get. I found that standing up on the front seat, shooting pictures out of the sunroof was easier than trying to open the door and keep the dogs in! As you can see, lots of beautiful vistas!

Flew back to Billings on Monday, met a friend in Red Lodge for a fantastic dinner and great conversation and got back to Cody about 9:30 p.m., just in time to have missed a huge storm that included massive amounts of wind, rain and hail. Winnie made it through without damage and stayed nice and dry inside.

Back to work on Tuesday and now a nice weekend. Spent today giving Winnie a good cleaning, inside and out; unplugged and unhooked and drove all of 100 feet over to the propane tank and fill-up so I could continue having hot water and a stove to cook on. Sunday is grocery and museum day and Monday I'm going to play golf for the first time since I arrived - yeah!

So until next time...take care of each other.

ReAnn

PS - Got home to an email that Ed and his brother Con are both on their way to Afghanistan. They will one of the first group of non-combatants sent there to oversee and build bases for our troupes. Son Eddie will also be there after the first of the year. Like his dad, he's a graduate of the Air Force Academy and now a fighter pilot presently stationed in England. Danville boys do get around. Pray for their safe return.

Joy for the Sunshine Day, Sadness for a Passing Away

2009-06-29T11:43:00.000-04:00

It's been a week of joy and sadness. Joy for the beautiful weather and 2 really glorious excursions I got to take with my friend Rick.

On Wednesday I finally got to 'do the Beartooth Pass!' OMG - what a gloriously, beautiful, awe-inspiring trip. For over 300 miles we drove up, over and around the Beartooth Mountain range which borders Montana and Wyoming, crossing back and forth between states. I have posted just a few pictures that don't come close to doing justice to the scenery or the views. But I do love the one of the Wyoming Hoary Marmot - they were so used to being fed by people, as you can see, he came right to my feet and posed.

We started with 80 degree weather and as we climbed, higher and higher (11,000 ft.) we went above the tree-line into the still snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes. We came back down into the quaint town of Red Lodge, MT where we stopped for a local brew and the first pizza I have had since leaving NC!

Yesterday Rick brought his Honda cycle over and off we went to "The Park". Seeing Yellowstone on the back of a motorcycle is so different than through the window of a car. As you can see, we got pretty up-close-and-personal with a big buffalo that was strolling down the road. I really don't have my camera on zoom for the head-shot - he was that close. I could have touched him - or he could have head-butted us very easily if he had wanted. We went to the Lake Lodge for lunch, did the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the falls, and wandered around Canyon Lodge where I found a "Moose Drool" t-shirt (my favorite local brew) that I just had to have. Came back and threw steaks on the grill and the other work/camper couples joined us for a lovely evening.

And now for the sad part of my week. While in high school I 'ran' with 8 of the greatest friends (4 girls, 4 guys) anyone could ever want. We never dated each other, we were all good students and participated in every activity the school offered. We laughed together, cried together, ran-away to each others houses when things got tough at home, and have stayed in touch and have gotten together over the years when and wherever we could. This past week one of our own, retired Air Force Academy officer, Dr. Ed Cannon's lovely wife Sandy lost her long battle with heart disease. Since I am the closest member of 'the Group' in distance to Denver, I am flying out Wednesday to attend her memorial and represent Ed's friends who care for him so much.

I will also get to stay and play with my cousin Rita and her family and hopefully see 2 other high school friends who live in the Denver-area over the 4th of July weekend. And eat at good restaurants and shop-till-I-drop! I fly out of Billings (about an hour and a half drive from Cody - but literally $100's of dollar cheaper than flying out of here!) I hate to say it, but I can't wait to get away for a few days. The high desert is getting very hot and dry and windy. With not a single tree on the property, it's going to get really bad, soon. A change of scenery and pace will be welcomed.

Until next time.....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Pow WOW!

2009-06-21T20:16:00.000-04:00

Today I attended my first American Indian Pow Wow, held on the grounds of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. This was a gathering of the Plains Indians - Crow, Shoshone, Lakota, Aspaalooke, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Navajo - each in their own, beautiful native dress.

The Grand Entry of members of all tribes was so impressive. All senses were attacked - sight (the colors!), sound (the drums), smell (sizzling flatbread), taste (Indian tacos), touch (all the beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry I just had to try on). The weather finally cooperated and I took over a 100 pictures while thoroughly enjoying this wonderful event under a gloriously sunny day.

Saturday night I enjoyed dinner at the historic Irma Hotel. Bill Cody built 'the sweetest little hotel in the West' in 1902 and named it for his youngest daughter. The hand-carved red mahogany bar, which stretches the entire length of the dining room, is truly magnificent. My friend Ric and I enjoyed the large buffet and then we took a drive to the start of the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway that starts at the bottom of the Beartooth Mountain range. The sunset was glorious and once again I realized just how vast this country is - something that hits you in the face very time you turn, or drive around. I just ordered the bikini top for Willie (the Jeep) so we can go topless by next week and up into the mountains and see much more!

Several of you have asked what work/camping is like and I think it varies with what you do and where you work that to generalize would not be fair. My job here at YVI to work the Front Desk. I'm a reservationist, a sales person, a greeter and tour information specialist. I expected to work 20-hours a week for my full-hook-up RV site and I normally work between 25-35 a week. I do get paid $7.50 an hour for every hour over the 20 I work - so that covers most of my food and gas.

The owners of YVI are a husband/wife team from MN and have owned the resort for 5 years. They have issues and those issues spill over onto the work/campers, of which there are 2 couples plus myself. Then there are about 10 workers (mostly in their early 20's) who are given housing and food in exchange for working 40 hours a week. We had 2 girls from Russia but they only lasted 2 weeks - there is no mall in Cody and they just couldn't see cleaning bathrooms and then not being able to shop anywhere but WalMart. They quit! Yesterday two young workers from Taiwan arrived to replace them - we'll see! It is never dull here.

The weather, they tell me is being totally weird! It's not suppose to rain and it's been pouring at least part of every day for the past 19! And then there was the snow. It's cool and cloudy and when the sun does come out everyone gets so excited and run to The Park! This is the 'high dessert' and rain is rare but what it's done is fill the rivers and turn everything green.

So things are going well and I'm having fun getting to meet people from all over the US and the world. You can't believe the number of folks from Europe and Asia who come here for vacation and rent an RV. But now for the announcement....I applied and was offered a job for the winter season at the Emerald Coast RV Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida! I'll be doing their marketing, sales and PR, some activities planning and bringing Rallies to the resort. Located just 1 mile from the beautiful, wind-sand beach of Panama City, I am thrilled to be heading back to surf and sand. (Check it out - http://www.rvresort.com/) I was also offered a good position in San Antonio for the winter, but chose Florida. Will leave Cody the first of September and head to Sacramento to see #1 son Tobin's new house, then back through Phoenix and Tucson, St. Louis, Paduach and Maryville to visit friends and family before arriving in Florida on October 1st. How cool is this life?!

Until next time.....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Giddy-Up!

2009-06-14T10:21:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned I live in "The West?" The home of cowboys, saloons, horses, boots, spurs and lots of different types of cowboy hats!

One of my main goals while here this summer was to ride a horse! Yes, I've been on a horse before - when I was 19 years old. At that time I fell-off and broke my tailbone when it bolted when it got a whiff of the garbage! Did I mention it was a Shetland pony and we realized, after-the-fact, that I had fallen off just before the 4-footed, garbage-loving menace ran me through a wire clothesline that was at just neck-height? Since that time I have had an aversion to horses - small or large. But I was determined to conquer this personal fear and ride!

The members of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center were invited, for a small fee, to spend the day at Crossed Sabers, a lovely dude ranch located just before the entrance to Yellowstone. Here we would take a trail ride in the morning, enjoy a delicious 'chuck wagon lunch,' and in the afternoon hike through the mountains with a naturalist. The first two events went off without a hitch under the first glorious sunshine we had seen after 11 straight days of precipitation. Unfortunately the hike was canceled when the blue skies turned black and once again rained down.

Upon arriving, I was introduced to Stonewall - a seemingly nice, 9-year old, 16-hand horse whom I was assured would just love for me to sit on his back while he hauled me up a steep mountain trail. After having my saddle settled, girth tightened and my stirrups fitted by the most adorable wangler in full trail-riding getup, off we went up and up a winding, very wet, slippery, muddy trail that lead along a babbling stream (think rushing river want-to-be) through portions of forest that had been burned to a cinder in one of last year's fires. (FYI, there are 100's of 'little fires in-and-around Yellowstone every year. The one we traveled through burnt from the park's East entrance all the way to Cody!)

Stonewall and I had several issues from the get-go. He was really big, smelly and rather dumb. He thought he should come to a dead-stop every time he found an edible flower in the middle of his path. And if he was interrupted and told move-along while chopping on his favorite flowers, he would shake his head, snort loudly and catch up with the horse in front by trotting at a brisk, bone-jarring pace. He and I spent the morning stopping and trotting and though I tried to cure him of this habit, he was bigger and he won!

Near the top of the mountain, I and the lead wrangler made it safely across what looked like a small rivulet of rushing water but the horse behind me slipped and slid and almost unseated the older gentleman he was carrying. The woman on the horse behind them had just had knee-replacement surgery and she balked at crossing this ever-widening stream in case her horse went down with her on it's back. Ray, our snappily-dressed lead-wrangler agreed, but when he started to cross back over this water-logged area, the weight of his horse made the little rivulet become a huge, deep hole, and his horse sank all the way down to his back withers.

It was scary watching him manage to get himself and his horse out of such a suddenly-deep crevice. We all decided that we had had just about enough riding for the day and headed back 'to the barn' at a very slow, safe space. I must admit that I and Stonewall, were trilled for me to dismount and put my feet back on solid ground. My bottom and my thighs were aching and Advil was needed immediately! But all-in-all it was a great day and I have sorta overcome my fear of horses that I have harbored for many years. I just don't think horseback riding is something I would enjoy doing on a regular basis - riding a golf cart is much more my style!

The other very 'western' thing on my agenda this weekend was attending the 'gunfighter's shoot-out' which occurs every evening, except Sundays, at 6 p.m. on the street in front of the historic Irma Hotel in downtown Cody. Of course, Bill Cody is there, along with the ladies who work at the saloon, the local drunk, the Pinkerton man, the gunslingers - and everyone has a different type of hat! Though the performance is contrived, very commercial and loud (lots of blanks being fired in the air!), it's fun to stand on the front porch of the Irma and realize that the 'real' Buffalo Bill did once walk these streets and so did the gunfighters and the saloon ladies. The beer served is cold (a local Montana dark beer named Moose Drool is my favorite) and the locals and tourists alike all enjoy cheering and booing their favorites.

Today is a day of recovery - and more Advil to get my aching body through the day. Because I have been asked so many times exactly what I'm doing and what work/camping is all about, I'll use my next blog installment to tell you about my job and the others, from all over the world (including Russia) that I spend my working time with. And I'll also tell you about the 2 offers I have already for the winter months - 2 great but totally different locations and 2 completely different jobs!

Until next time.....take care of each other!

ReAnn

Cody is Funky, Fun & Friendly

2009-06-08T19:06:00.000-04:00

Today was my day off and since the weather did not cooperate with my planned trip up and over the Beartooth Pass into Red Lodge, MT, I took myself to town with the specific plan of spending a goodly amount of time at the Buffalo Bill Cody Historical Center.

Along the way I ran into a bunch of the folks who work at YVI with me and we all stopped for sushi at the only place in town to serve it. Good but not great. Then to K-Mart where I met the nicest man, Robert, in the drapery department. We struck up a conversation and chatted for at least 20-30 minutes about living here, why, how, tension rods, rooms without doors, the Navy - well, you get my drift. Then the grocery store where when I said I was planning to spend a few hours at the museum before taking my groceries home to the fridge, they came up with 'free dry ice'.

As usual, along my way I had to stop and take a few pictures. The first is of an old truck which I am told was used by a medicine man/hardware salesman that went throughout the West, from ranch to ranch, selling his wares. I love it! It has a niche and place for everything, with trunks and boxes nailed on the bumpers to hold even more.

The 2nd picture is a the private swimming pool that it right on the Shonshoni River where the thermal hot springs bubbles up. It's directly across from the Cody Rodeo and the man owns 1000's of acres of land. Now I call this the 'height of wasted wealth!'.

I spent a couple of wonderful hours at the Center in the exhibit featuring over 100 painting of the Expedition of the Corps of Discovery - the Lewis & Clark Expedition - by Charles Fritz. It's a beautiful exhibit and the beautiful painting tell the story.

Though Lewis & Clark did not succeed in finding an easy water route across the North American continent as instructed by President Jefferson, they did lead the Corps of Discovery on an adventure beyond their wildest expectations. The discovery of the geography, flora, fauna, and encountering the Native peoples within the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase was meticulously documented. What they lacked, and lamented, was the inclusion of a professional artist. Until now. Artist Charles Fritz set off on the entire length of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Painting en plein-air, he visited the sites at the same time of year as the expedition to accurately capture the colors, light, weather, etc. that the group encountered in 1804-06. With exacting research, each of the one hundred paintings in the exhibition references a journal entry and is accompanied by additional text embellishing the painting's context in the collection.

I've grabbed just a few Fritz's paintings off the BBHC website to entice those of you who might be thinking of visiting this area this summer, to be sure and not miss at stop at this fabulous Historical Center, which houses 5 museums in one location.

And on the way home I just had to stop at the Bar-B-Q Wagon and get a fresh, wood-fire, smoked, pulled-pork sandwich for my supper. Being a connoisseur of bar-b-que and especially Q with red sauce, I had to give this southern Floridian's little chuckwagon a try. Will let you know the results.

Now it's time to snuggle in and keep warm and dry. The rain is just coming down in buckets. The mountains are completely shrouded in rain and low-lying clouds. It's a good night to curl up on the couch with a fat cat on your lap and watch TV!

Until next time...take care of each other!

ReAnn

Snow on the road...

2009-06-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

With Sunday and Monday off, my plan this weekend was to take off and 'do' the Chief Joseph Road - a scenic byway that starts in Cody, goes w-a-a-ay up over the mountains into Red Lodge, MT, and comes back down into Cooke and the north entrance of Yellowstone, past Mammoth Falls.

When I woke it was extremely quiet - which is odd for a large RV park - when the big diesels are normally warming up and getting ready to roll. And the morning light that streams in from my bedroom skylight seemed rather dim. Another cloudy, rainy day, I thought, which we have had for almost a week now. I opened the shades and - SNOW! Coming down quite steadily, white, wet, heavy snow - and it's June 7th! As you can see, I grabbed my camera to capture the phenomenon (at least to this transplanted North Carolina beach-bunny).

And I've been up an hour now and it's still snowing. It's not cold enough to actually be freezing - my water is still running, thankfully - but no one seems to be in a rush to get out on the road. I'm guessing that the East entrance to Yellowstone is closed today - as you must climb to a much higher altitude to get into the main area of the park from this side. So my planned 'road trip' will just have to wait until summer actually arrives. I'll spend the day reading, watching a little golf, and might even walk over to the lodge and let someone else cook me breakfast!

I've been told the rainy weather here in the West during June is called the 'muddy season' and of course, the farmers are thrilled to have the moisture. I guessing they'll think this snowy Sunday is also a blessing!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

PS - To add to my 'it's a small, small world' book - Guests here at YVI this past week were the Schaak's from Stillwater, MN, where we had made our home and raised our boys for 23 years. They live on Oak Glen Country Club and their neighbors are the Gifford's, who were our Lake Jane neighbors for many, many years. We shared many 'do you know?' over drinks and dinner and it made being in the middle of this big country seem just a little smaller.

Thermopolis, WY

2009-05-31T19:48:00.000-04:00

It was time to get away! I packed up yesterday and met my friend Donn 83 miles south of Cody in the very quaint and unusual town of Thermopolis.

From it's name, you can deduce that it's where thermal springs continuously bubble up all through the area at a temperature of around 135 degrees.

Sulfur does not smell nice - it smells just like rotten eggs! - and this smell permeates most of the town. But we had fun exploring the state park, which is home for lots of buffalo, several 'plunge parks' where you can rent towels and even bathing suits and either sit in or fly down shuts into the very warm, stinky waters. The picture is of the TeePee Fountain which was started in 1903 has continuously poured out it's mineral waters while the minerals have solidified around it.

Donn and I enjoyed a delightful dinner at the town's very quirky restaurant, The Prospector Pizzeria & Italian Eatery. We were also thrilled to learn the town was hosting the 2009 State Fiddler's Championship. Not only is this a competition, but each evening the fiddlers, guitar, mandolin and banjo players gather in the lobby's of the hotels and 'jam' just for the fun of it! We stumbled across one such 'jam' at the Best Western and were treated to a wonderful, musical free-for-all- concert for way over an hour.

Jut south of Thermopolis, when driving up to Cody, one must drive through the Wind River Canyon. It's Arapahoe land and it's just beautiful. Because I was driving Winnine and towing Willy, I didn't take time to pull off and take pictures. But this morning I took the time (several hours, in fact) to drive south and then back north through the canyon, stopping and taking as many pictures as I wanted! The land here has 'greened' since I arrived, and the rather dull browns and reds have given away to every shade of green - from the gray-green of the tumble weed to the green grasses to the dark greens of the pines which cover the mountains. The river are flowing fast and furious with all the snow-run-offs. The white-river rafting companies are back in business and the fishermen are waiting for the the waters to settle down.

I was pleasantly surprised to find 3 Indian teepee's set-up along side the river, in the shadow of the mountains. I think they must be 'real' and used in tribal ceremonies during the summer months. And the wildflowers were blooming all along the roadside - bright blue-bells giving color to the vast grasslands which flank each side of the road-way.

Even though I was off-property less than 24-hours, it was a treat to be able to spend time with a new friend, listen to music improvised and played by first-rate musicians, see new scenery and marvel at the beauty of the country we live in.

Until next time.... take care of each other.

ReAnn

The Number of Road Warriors Continues to Grow!

2009-05-26T13:54:00.001-04:00

Meet Cody the Citty!

I adopted him from the local Humane Society on Sunday. He is a big, fat, lovable cat who they guess is between the ages of 4-6 years. He had been someone's pet and was found just out wandering. He is - guessing - 1/2 Siamese and 1/2 long-haired something. He has big, beautiful blue eyes and a whole lot of Siamese beige/white in his coloring. He was a matted-mess when the HS found him, so he has been bathed and shaved with only his head, tail and paws left long (like a lion).

He has made himself right at home in Winnie and likes to sleep on the bed looking out a window or under the front seats. Nightime finds him on my lap watching TV or curled up in the bend of my legs when I go to bed.

It's nice to have someone to 'talk to' and cuddle with. I've missed Princess (who chose to remain 'in the South' with Sean) more than I thought I would. I really considered getting a GoldenDoodle which a local breeder was advertising. They are so-o-o-o-o cute. But at 80-90 lbs. and $650 I thought, naw, too big and expensive for a travelin' RV dog.

So Cody and I are doing just fine and he will greet you and demand a rub whenever you chose to come visit us!

Until next time.....take care of each other.

ReAnn

"Recommend" Cody

2009-05-24T11:19:00.000-04:00

This past week the owners of YVI allowed most of the staff to participate in a 3-hour trolley tour of Cody called "Recommend Cody." This tour is designed to educate those of us who are the 'faces' of our respective businesses to be able to tell our clients what to 'see and do' while vacationing in the Cody area.

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the trolley company owners, Margie & Mike do a great job. I had hoped we were getting their 'historical tour' of Cody, but instead we did see some pretty cool stuff and because we were part of the tour, we get the opportunity to return to all the places we visited (9 minutes each stop) either for free or at a reduced rate.

We started at the magnificent Buffalo Bill Historical Center (which I joined earlier in the week), then made stops at the BB Damn & Reservoir, the preserved Old Trail Town, a collection of original structures from as early as 1883, that have been moved and reassembled on the outskirts of Cody (includes the Hole-in-the-Wall gang's bar and mountain-man Jeremiah Johnson's cabin), the sculpture gallery of Vic Payne, who creates all the massive, bronze pieces for Cabala's Sporting Goods stores, the Murals of Mormon History at their Visitor's Center, the Miniature Village where they have created the entire history of the Indians vs. the white settlers in miniature, a couple of songs by Dan Miller and his crew at the Cowboy Music Review, the Dug Up Gun Museum and of course, the Cody Rodeo. We also stopped briefly at the Irma Hotel, named for Buffalo Bill's daughter and ran by BB and his family for many years. And then there are these huge piles of antlers that you see all over the area. People use them for decoration, incorporate them into lamps and all types of home-decor and since there are so many deer, moose and elk hanging round, lots of antlers!

I now feel I could recommend what I feel would be the most fun and interesting venues when visitors only have a limited amount of vacation-time to spend in Cody before heading into Yellowstone.

Today is Sunday and the weather has turned cold and rainy. I was planning to go into town to attend church, but had the fore site to call and make sure that service-times that were posted on their website were correct. Learned that today was the first day of their summer-service schedule and church started in 15 minutes! Since I was still in my jammies and it's 20-minute drive into town, there went that idea.

So today turned into a good day to update this blog and clean house. I will head into town later to spend a few hours walking around and enjoying the museum and return a vacuum that doesn't do the job. I have all day today and tomorrow off - yippee - and don't have to put my smiling face behind the front desk at YVI until Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. Hopefully the weather will clear tomorrow and I can spend tomorrow driving around and do some sightseeing.

Until next time......take care of each other.

ReAnn