February 26-27
Days four and five. Up early in the morning, catch a quick continental breakfast at the hotel, pack up, pile in the car, and off we go. Each day we've driven about 500 miles, give or take a few. We only stop for gas, rest areas (but not for long) and to switch drivers.
We are mightily grateful for all the prayers going ahead of us for alert safe travel out of harm's way. I, for one, am amazed that we have managed the schedule we are keeping. Doubtless, we can give partial credit to the beautiful blue skies and sunshine, warm days and light traffic for a pleasant trip thus far.
I am especially amazed that we made it to Van Horn, TX east of El Paso before dark today, since I forgot my cell phone in the hotel in Tucson when we left this morning. We were so pleased with ourselves for leaving there an hour earlier than we departed the day before from Barstow, CA, And, then, my forgetfulness caused us to make a U-turn and backtrack 30 miles (could have been worse) to get the phone. I am just glad the staff at the hotel found the phone in the room after we had checked out. Angels unaware!
The recommended restaurant for dinner in Van Horn was Chuy's, known for Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. This is one of those places with celebrity photos all around and college pennants hanging all over the walls, including one from San Diego State University, our alma mater. Chuy's is a self-proclaimed John Madden Hall of Fame, with memorabilia everywhere. Evidently, legendary coach John Madden stops at Chuy's at least once a year when he comes through on his bus for college game broadcasting gigs (don't know whether or not he's still in the business). Madden is not a big fan of flying, Other celebrities and familiar names are represented, including a prominent photo of Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak & Vanna White. I wonder what brought them to Van Horn, Texas. Maybe they travel by bus, too, between show venues.
It's anybody's guess how long Van Horn will remain a viable town - the local Dairy Queen closed down this past year.
Tomorrow will be a longer day than today. We should arrive in Dallas tomorrow night, which is near Rice, RX where the Casita Travel Trailer plant is located. We are getting excited about taking possession of our beautiful new trailer on Wednesday morning - Leap Day 2012!
It's time for some shuteye. It's up and out early again tomorrow morning. Crack the whip! Rawhide...! (Eat your heart out, Clint Eastwood.)
Until next time...
This blog is a journal of our travels, particularly long road trips we have taken. Titled 'Pam-n-Duffy's Wanderings,' it chronicles multiple destination trips. We rarely remain camped in one campground for more than a few days. However, we have been known to spend more than a week or two in one place. There is still so much to see and so little time. Come journey with us.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Winter Wanderings 2012
Thursday, February 24 through Saturday, February 26, 2012
New Casita, Here We Come!
One thousand thirty-five miles from home, sunshine, blue skies and 65.° We've found the sun! But wait, I am getting ahead of myself. (By the time I post this blog, we will have traveled even farther, to Barstow, CA where we are spending the night.
For one of the first times in recent years, we left home on February 24 between 8:00am and 8:30am. Must be a record for us. Right up to the day we were doing bookkeeping, readying tax returns, taxiing grandchildren to and from school and friends' houses, and otherwise providing care/supervision for them while Kurt and Heather celebrated their 20th anniversary in Hawaii. Think it was amazing we left when we did. Both of us were exhausted. I was concerned about our stamina for the long, long drive to Rice, Texas to pick up our new Casita Travel Trailer. Our car is chock-full to the roof and windows with the contents of the old trailer - same kind, but 19 years old.
Choosing to ease slowly into the grueling drive, we chose to stay in Cottage Grove, OR the first night out, taking advantage of the $99 Dinner Package with dinner, a bottle of wine, complementary breakfast and king-sized bed all inclusive. (Also inclusive was the non-flushing toilet, but who's complaining? Dinner was wonderful.) Duffy got a 14-15 mile bike ride in on a bike trail that wound through the countryside. The second night we stayed at sister Deb's (Duffy's sis in Paradise, CA). We love seeing her and staying in her home. She had a delicious pot of soup in the slow cooker and I had the best night's sleep in a long while in her big, comfy bed. Deb gifted us with a “trailer warming gift” of space savings travel accessories and yummy snacks for the drive. Thank you, Deb!
Today's drive is the longest of the first three days of our trip: about 500 miles from Paradise to Barstow, CA. We left early in the morning again to get in early enough to have a leisurely meal and go to bed early to face the fourth day with the rising sun again. Smooth sailing all the way! Thank you, Lord.
We are loving the Honda Pilot we purchased in December for the purpose of pulling the trailer. It drives well and rides smoothly. So far, with tailwinds on I-5 through the Central Valley we are getting 27+ mpg! (MPG leveled out with the climb up Tehachapi Pass, albeit with a tailwind.)
Until next time....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)