Holbrook, Arizona

Monday, June 30, 2008

"On the road again..." Leaving Amarillo on I 40, we were in very flat but green country. We saw three real-life cowboys on horseback working a group of cattle. We also saw a large area of cows in what I believe to be a feed lot or getting ready for a supermarket destination. Passing into New Mexico, we were immediately impressed with the breathtaking scenery. The mountains, the mesas, the buttes, the plateaus, the escarpements were a sight to behold. We were surprised at how little vegetation there is in New Mexico and how sparcely populated is the entire state, at least along I40. Miles go by with no houses, strip malls, fast food stops, or fueling opportunities (the Silver Lady was getting a little stressed by the latter).

Arriving in Arizona, there was again a change in topography. Arizona is more like Texas in that it is flat. There seems to be more vegetation than in New Mexico, but things are very dry. We traversed a portion of the Navaho Indian Reservation today and will likely see more tomorrow.

We passed by the Petrified Forest on our way to Holbrook. Arriving at the KOA, we settled in and then had a steak dinner that was prepared by the Campground staff. After dinner we headed for the swimming pool and swam until almost 9:00 pm. We had the pool to ourselves, swimming laps, floating leisurely and being awestruck by the magnificant display of stars.

We have been pleased with all of the KOA Kampgrounds so far. Each is totally unique and staffed by interesting and friendly people, and they do a great job of maintaining high quality standards. In the literature we received from this Kampground, we were surprised to learn that we were at 5,000 feet of elevation above sea level. We had no idea as we were traveling that we had come so high.

The Silver Lady is performing well. Driving her in this part of the country is a pleasure. I set my cruise control at about 72 and relax. In over 500 miles today I don't think that I passed 100 cars or trucks and far fewer passed me. For many miles, we had the highway all to ourselves. The gas prices (over $4.50/gal out here) have definitely made stay-cautious more attractive for many. This journey has been in the works for almost two years and we were not going to let the oil robber barons keep us home. Life is now!

Amarillo, Texas

"Whatever you want to do..just do it. Making a fool of yourself is absolutely essential." Gloria Steinem.

We drove west on I-40 through the mountains of Arkansas and entered into the flatlands of Oklahoma. I was reminded of the land rush in the e arly days of Oklahoma and was surprised at how dense was the landscape. We saw oil fields and were tempted to stop and say "fill-er-up" at one of those rigs. Diesel fuel is costing about $300 /day. At one of the fuel stops, we chatted with a couple that have been full time RVers for 11 years. They were headed for southern Colorado. He told me that he was a public speaker. I got the impression that he was a preacher although he looked like a mountain man.

The roads in Oklahoma were terrible. We were driving on concrete and felt every bump. As we passed Oklahoma City, the countryside became more what I expected. We broke into song with "Oklahoma, where the wind comes whipping down the plain, and the waving wheat will sure smell sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain." and "Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day."

We crossed into Texas a little before 6:00 pm Central time and arrived in Amarillo at about 8:30 pm. It was a long day on the road, about 590 miles. The Amarillo Ranch RV Park was a little taste of Texas with large sites and the obligatory 10 gallon hats abounding. Sue bought a spoon in the gift shop that is called a "Texas Soup Spoon". It is a spoon on one end with a ladder for a handle. The ladder is so the farts can climb up and jump off, presumably not back into the bean soup :) We'll let you know how that is working for us.(not really...we'll will spare you that detail)



This morning, we walked Pooh Bear and a very regal standard poodle caught his eye. She was way out of his social league so he will continue the quest for his "missing piece". As you can tell, our furry child is enjoying this trip and all its varied experiences. If only he could type, this blog would be much more interesting, I'm sure.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Saturday morning, Sue and I took Pooh Bear for a walk at the Newport, Tn KOA. On the walk we encountered a small pony. He still had the umbellical cord attached so was very young and extremely curious. He gingerly approached Sue and let her pet his nose. He and Pooh Bear did the sniff here and sniff there ritual to get the scent of each other. Sue thought this was a once-in-a-dog's lifetime event and ran a quarter mile back to the camper to get the camera. While she was gone the pony decided that Pooh looked tasty and bit him on his backside. Anyone who knows Pooh, knows that this area is not to be messed with. The pony approached Pooh again (perhaps for another nip) and Pooh lashed out at him. It was the first time we had seen Pooh's evil twin, "Rebel", emerge. In the end all was well and a little wiser.



We drove to Little Rock Arkanasa today, passing through the Applachian and Smoky Mountain mountain ranges. The overlooks were incredibly beautiful. This is a beautiful country, indeed! As we crossed the mighty Mississippi we were amazed at how muddy and swollen it appeared. Mother Nature has added an abundance of water to this area in the past few weeks.



We were caught in traffic on I-40 at a dead stop for almost an hour due to an accident that we could not see from our vantage point (between two 18 wheelers and miles of nothing but vehicles).



We arrived and set up at the KOA in North Little Rock about 7:30 pm. Several times during the day, Sue spoke with a childhood friend who now lives in Little Rock. She and her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren picked us up and took us to dinner at a great restaurant. The son wanted some "dirt" on his mom from her childhood playmate but Sue was not about to divulge any "long-kept secrets" between the two friends of 41 years. Sue's friend is the secretary to the school system's Superintendent and suggested that there was an opening for a principal in her District and an opening at the Rose Law Firm. Their entire school district in Perryville, Arkansas is about the same size as Sue's Elementary School. We had a wonderful dinner and a delightful time visiting for the evening at Ferneau's which is a four star restaurant in Old Town Little Rock. Sue's friend will be visiting Northern Virginia in April to attend her retired husband's Navy unit reunion and will result in another evening of memories and much laughter. The people God puts in your path along life's journey certainly add depth and color, some for a season, some for a reason and some for a lifetime. We look forward to the many people that we will encounter on this Excellent Adventure IV and to the rippling effect that each one will have on us forever.

Two Days to Go

Today is Sue's last day of work for the school year. Tomorrow for her is running lots of errands. Tonight is a grocery shopping trip trying to complete the food and supplies we will need until we arrive in Las Vegas.

The Silver Lady came home last evening. She's had a really good cleaning and is almost ready. We still need to make sure that we have some spares, that the tow dolly is prepared and that everything is in place.

Pooh Bear gets to visit his Aunt Paula tomorrow for his regular grooming.

I have lots of cleanup details in the office tomorrow.

The reality hit again this morning - its almost time! I have dreamed of part of this trip since college. We have planned this trip for almost two years. The trip is now at hand and we are excited. It will be so good to get away and we are very much looking forward to thirty two days away, together.

Three more Days

As I awakened this morning, my mind was racing with all of the last minute things that need done. We will head out in less than three days. All of the things that I mentally checked off as needing done, now need done.

The Silver Lady comes home this evening from storage for the last stages of food, clothing and "stuff" packing.

Sue and I are both so ready to go. I think we are both going through the motions at work as our hearts are already "on the road."

Newport, Tennessee

We departed Manassas a little behind schedule. We stopped in Front Royal for fuel and then headed down I-81. We ran through three thunderstorms on the way but other than the CD player quitting, we had no problems.

On the trip we came over a hilltop and saw three crosses on the next hill. It was a wonderful reminder of God's love.

Our first stop is in the lovely mountains of Eastern Tennessee at a KOA Campground we visited last year on or Excellent Adventure III otherwise known as the "recovery tour." Several of the staff remembered us, but all remembered Pooh Bear. We set up the unit and headed for the swimming pool. After a very welcome swim, we had dinner and headed for bed.

We are excited having only 16 days before we leave. Today Sue bought us T-Shirts from Arizona River Runners. We are loooking forward to a white water rafting trip on the Colorado River.

Our bags are almost packed and the Silver Lady is being readied. Grocery shopping, washing clothes, packing for Pooh Bear all lie ahead. The days at work are becoming harder as our hearts are really ready to be on the road.