December 16-18, 2018
California is really far away....we finally reached the San Diego area, two days before our next pet/house sit starts. We are staying in Santee, about a half hour away from our house sit and only 15 minutes from where Gabriela lives and works.
We arrived on Sunday, settled in and then connected with Gabriela. She came to our hotel and we went out to dinner all together. She's busy with studying for exams so we won't see her again until Thursday.
Monday was a "free" day. Where we are staying there are several malls so I did a little Christmas shopping. We're all a bit up in the air as to future plans so no big items this year. The important thing is that we'll all be together and I'm extremely thankful for that.
I shopped but I also spent time at Gabriela's lab participating in a study for her friend and roommate Brittany. I've been wanting to do a study but normally the participants need to be younger but this one they needed people my age...YEAH! Unfortunately the program was not working correctly so I wasn't able to complete the main survey. To my surprise I was paid $25 for my time, which I didn't realize would happen. The study was a reading/comprehension study which would compare non deaf readers to deaf readers, very interesting. On Thursday I'll be doing one of Gabriela's studies as well, hopefully all goes well with that.
Leave Casa Grande, AZ 9:31am, 50° sunny
Gas - Casa Grande Arco $2.62/gal
Rte. 10W
Gas - Yuma, AZ Exit 3 Love's $2.55/gal - we filled up before getting into CA knowing that gas prices are far higher in that state
12:40pm/11:40 am CA Welcomes us - time change as we cross the border
Arrive Rodeway Inn, Santee, CA 4:00pm/3:00pm
Miles traveled 338.4
Monday, December 17, 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018
The Push to California Begins
We begin our journey to California where we will have a pet/house sit in San Diego beginning on December 18th. We took the sit so that we could be in San Diego for Christmas with Gabriela. The bonus is that Joe will be flying out to spend Christmas with us, we haven't all been together for the holiday since 2015.
December 11, 2018
Leave Columbia, SC 8:17am, 31°, finally no rain and the sun is shining!
Rte. 20W
Across the Savannah River and at 9:51am GA Welcomes us - We didn't stop but at Exit 183 there is a Laurel & Hardy Museum..who knew? Perhaps next time
►285S►85S►65S
1:40pm/12:40pm (time change) AL Welcomes Us
Gas - Hope Hull, AL Shell $1.99/gal $1.94 w/card (exit 57)
Arrive Atmore, AL Fairfield Inn & Suites (paid in points) 5:29pm/4:29pm (our first casino camping experience was across the way at Wind Creek back in 2016)
Miles traveled: 491.4
RADIO - 102.3 Columbia
RADIO - 97.1 Atlanta
December 12, 2018
Leave Atmore, AL 8:30am, 38°, sunny
Rte. 65S►10W
9:41am AL Welcomes Us - Once again we stop at the visitor center to see Elvis. This time Elvis is wearing a Santa's hat and he talks....thank you very much :)
10:59am LA Welcomes Us
Gas - LePlace, LA Marathon Gas $1.99 - This was not a quick and easy off and on location
We pass Lake Charles and the Isle of Capri Casino....makes me a little sad because we've spent the night there the last three times we traveled through the area
3:28pm TX Welcomes Us
Arrive Beaumont, TX Fairfield Inn & Suites (paid in points) 4:09pm
Miles traveled: 458.7
*Note - Next time through here we need to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, it looks interesting
December 13, 2018
Leave Beaumont, TX 8:53am, 62°, break in rain but very overcast and high winds (up to 50mph), rain, sleet, and snow scheduled for various area of TX...we'll only encounter high winds
Rte. 10W►610N (around Houston)►10W
Gas - Katy, TX - Buc-ees (exit 739?) $1.87/gal - this store is a cross between Love's Travel Center and WaWa on steroids
Arrive Quality Inn, Sonora, TX 4:20pm
Miles traveled 450.4
RADIO - 106.9 Houston
December 14, 2018
Leave Sonora, TX 10:40am, sunny & windy
Gas - Sonora, TX Alon $2.49/gal
Rte. 10W - If you ever follow this path make sure you have enough gas as Texas is a big state and there is a lot of miles between exits
Gas - 1st exit for Van Horn, TX , Love's $2.75/gal....we only pumped a little due to the high price (lol)
Gas - exit 49? before hitting the suburbs of El Paso, Shell $1.99/gal $1.94 w/card
Arrive El Paso, TX TownePlace Suites 5:20pm/4:20pm - Along The 10 in El Paso there are lots of choices to stay. We'd find one then see another, then another...finally we had to pick. We used points again.
apparently we hit a time change as we entered the El Paso area. I didn't realize that until I called my sister later in the evening.
Miles traveled 372.8
RADIO - 102.7 & 106.7 San Antonio
December 15, 2018
Big News! We've been selected to go to LA for Family Feud...of course if I didn't see you this summer you may not know it, but my three sisters, one brother-in-law, my son and I tried out for the show.
Leave El Paso, TX 9:59am, 47° cool & sunny....the good thing is that the wind has diminished
I left my travel mug on the back cover of the truck when we left. We drove nearly a mile before I realized it, to my surprise it was still there...luckily I realized it just before we got on the interstate.
Rte. 10W
10:28am NM Welcomes us
1:09pm AZ Welcomes us
Arrive Comfort Inn, Casa Grande, NM 4:27pm
Miles traveled 382.6
RADIO - 92.3 El Paso
*Travel Note - I've forgotten what it was like driving through this landscape...it's beautiful to me. It can be a bit desolate but the rocky mountain outcrops that you see in the distance makes the drive beautiful. The mountains appear like cardboard cutouts in a movie scene....awe inspiring
December 11, 2018
Leave Columbia, SC 8:17am, 31°, finally no rain and the sun is shining!
Rte. 20W
Across the Savannah River and at 9:51am GA Welcomes us - We didn't stop but at Exit 183 there is a Laurel & Hardy Museum..who knew? Perhaps next time
►285S►85S►65S
1:40pm/12:40pm (time change) AL Welcomes Us
Gas - Hope Hull, AL Shell $1.99/gal $1.94 w/card (exit 57)
Arrive Atmore, AL Fairfield Inn & Suites (paid in points) 5:29pm/4:29pm (our first casino camping experience was across the way at Wind Creek back in 2016)
Miles traveled: 491.4
RADIO - 102.3 Columbia
RADIO - 97.1 Atlanta
December 12, 2018
Leave Atmore, AL 8:30am, 38°, sunny
Rte. 65S►10W
9:41am AL Welcomes Us - Once again we stop at the visitor center to see Elvis. This time Elvis is wearing a Santa's hat and he talks....thank you very much :)
Gas - LePlace, LA Marathon Gas $1.99 - This was not a quick and easy off and on location
We pass Lake Charles and the Isle of Capri Casino....makes me a little sad because we've spent the night there the last three times we traveled through the area
3:28pm TX Welcomes Us
Arrive Beaumont, TX Fairfield Inn & Suites (paid in points) 4:09pm
Miles traveled: 458.7
*Note - Next time through here we need to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, it looks interesting
December 13, 2018
Leave Beaumont, TX 8:53am, 62°, break in rain but very overcast and high winds (up to 50mph), rain, sleet, and snow scheduled for various area of TX...we'll only encounter high winds
Rte. 10W►610N (around Houston)►10W
Gas - Katy, TX - Buc-ees (exit 739?) $1.87/gal - this store is a cross between Love's Travel Center and WaWa on steroids
Arrive Quality Inn, Sonora, TX 4:20pm
Miles traveled 450.4
RADIO - 106.9 Houston
December 14, 2018
Leave Sonora, TX 10:40am, sunny & windy
Gas - Sonora, TX Alon $2.49/gal
Rte. 10W - If you ever follow this path make sure you have enough gas as Texas is a big state and there is a lot of miles between exits
Gas - 1st exit for Van Horn, TX , Love's $2.75/gal....we only pumped a little due to the high price (lol)
Gas - exit 49? before hitting the suburbs of El Paso, Shell $1.99/gal $1.94 w/card
Arrive El Paso, TX TownePlace Suites 5:20pm/4:20pm - Along The 10 in El Paso there are lots of choices to stay. We'd find one then see another, then another...finally we had to pick. We used points again.
apparently we hit a time change as we entered the El Paso area. I didn't realize that until I called my sister later in the evening.
Miles traveled 372.8
RADIO - 102.7 & 106.7 San Antonio
December 15, 2018
Big News! We've been selected to go to LA for Family Feud...of course if I didn't see you this summer you may not know it, but my three sisters, one brother-in-law, my son and I tried out for the show.
Leave El Paso, TX 9:59am, 47° cool & sunny....the good thing is that the wind has diminished
I left my travel mug on the back cover of the truck when we left. We drove nearly a mile before I realized it, to my surprise it was still there...luckily I realized it just before we got on the interstate.
Rte. 10W
10:28am NM Welcomes us
1:09pm AZ Welcomes us
Arrive Comfort Inn, Casa Grande, NM 4:27pm
Miles traveled 382.6
RADIO - 92.3 El Paso
*Travel Note - I've forgotten what it was like driving through this landscape...it's beautiful to me. It can be a bit desolate but the rocky mountain outcrops that you see in the distance makes the drive beautiful. The mountains appear like cardboard cutouts in a movie scene....awe inspiring
On The Road To Columbia, SC
November 28, 2018
Another nice visit was had in Media but it's time to get back on the road. We are heading to Columbia, SC where we will pet/house sit at my cousin's house while they are in Israel. We'll take two days to get there.
Another nice visit was had in Media but it's time to get back on the road. We are heading to Columbia, SC where we will pet/house sit at my cousin's house while they are in Israel. We'll take two days to get there.
Leave Media, PA - 9:06am, 34°, windy
Rte. 476S (The Blue Route)►95S
enter DE at 9:20am (no welcome sign), ►495S (around Wilmington)►95S
9:44am MD Welcomes us, we travel the Fort McHenry Tunnel on 95 through Baltimore - As we travel through MD I see signs for Upper Marlboro where my very good friend Naomi lived, she passed a couple of years ago and I miss her very much. Delays around DC due to an accident and construction. Virginia welcomes us at 11:43am
Gas - Exit 110, Shell - $2.34/gal $2.29 w/card
►295S (around Richmond)►95S
2:42pm NC Welcomes us
enter DE at 9:20am (no welcome sign), ►495S (around Wilmington)►95S
9:44am MD Welcomes us, we travel the Fort McHenry Tunnel on 95 through Baltimore - As we travel through MD I see signs for Upper Marlboro where my very good friend Naomi lived, she passed a couple of years ago and I miss her very much. Delays around DC due to an accident and construction. Virginia welcomes us at 11:43am
Gas - Exit 110, Shell - $2.34/gal $2.29 w/card
►295S (around Richmond)►95S
2:42pm NC Welcomes us
Arrive - Quality Inn, Kenly, NC 4:15pm - (frustrating stay as there was issues with our room. The water wasn't on and after several trips to the front desk it was turned on but it was gross, we'll never stay there again! The good news is that the price was reduced by half.
Miles traveled - 398.4
November 29 - December 11, 2018
Back on the road, a relatively short trip to Columbia. Stephen and Sandra left for their trip on the 28th, a neighbor took care of Maddie and Ally until we arrive. The dogs were very happy to see us, I like to think that they remember us :)
It was here that I decided I needed to get my act together so decided to get back on my diet and to start exercising a little bit. Having the dogs made it much easier to get into the rhythm of walking and I tried to do it daily even though it rained a lot while we were there. I also started using exercise bands in an effort to firm up my under arm "wings".
We went to a University of SC men's basketball game and were going to go to a women's game against Baylor (in preparation of possibly seeing Baylor at the NCAA final four in April) but Maddie took off for two hours and we didn't want to leave her out while we were away.
Stephen & Sandra had a wonderful trip. It was very interesting hearing all about it. I guess I need to add Israel to the list of places to go :). We stayed a few more days with them, hanging out and playing cards. It rained the whole time that we were together and it was cold.
We'll be heading back to Columbia in January for a month while Stephen & Sandra head down under.
One last thing to note about Columbia is that gas is super cheap here, we paid $1.84 with our Shell card...that's not a typo, gas under $2.00....crazy :)
Leave Kenly, NC 10:56am, 44° clear
Miles traveled - 398.4
November 29 - December 11, 2018
Back on the road, a relatively short trip to Columbia. Stephen and Sandra left for their trip on the 28th, a neighbor took care of Maddie and Ally until we arrive. The dogs were very happy to see us, I like to think that they remember us :)
It was here that I decided I needed to get my act together so decided to get back on my diet and to start exercising a little bit. Having the dogs made it much easier to get into the rhythm of walking and I tried to do it daily even though it rained a lot while we were there. I also started using exercise bands in an effort to firm up my under arm "wings".
We went to a University of SC men's basketball game and were going to go to a women's game against Baylor (in preparation of possibly seeing Baylor at the NCAA final four in April) but Maddie took off for two hours and we didn't want to leave her out while we were away.
Stephen & Sandra had a wonderful trip. It was very interesting hearing all about it. I guess I need to add Israel to the list of places to go :). We stayed a few more days with them, hanging out and playing cards. It rained the whole time that we were together and it was cold.
We'll be heading back to Columbia in January for a month while Stephen & Sandra head down under.
One last thing to note about Columbia is that gas is super cheap here, we paid $1.84 with our Shell card...that's not a typo, gas under $2.00....crazy :)
Leave Kenly, NC 10:56am, 44° clear
Rte. 95S
SC Welcomes us 12:35pm
Gas - Exit 164 Pilot $2.15/gal
SC Welcomes us 12:35pm
Gas - Exit 164 Pilot $2.15/gal
►20W
Arrive Columbia, SC 3:01pm
Miles Traveled 206.7
Arrive Columbia, SC 3:01pm
Miles Traveled 206.7
Monday, December 10, 2018
Next Stop, Media, PA
November 23 - 28, 2018
A short but sweet visit with Joe, but it's time to continue our journey southward. Our next stop is Media, PA where Wilson's sister lives. Media is a second home to us and while we're on the east coast we find ourselves here on a regular basis.
While here we enjoy visiting with Patti along with her son (Jeff) and her three grandchildren. Patti had all sorts of leftovers from Thanksgiving so it was nice for me to be able to use those to make new meals. I made scalloped potatoes with ham, which was the night we invited niece Beth for dinner. Without a kitchen of my own it's always nice for me to be able to cook in a kitchen that I feel comfortable in, the fact that they are always so appreciative and complimentary about my cooking doesn't hurt either ☺. It's always fun getting together with them.
While in the Philadelphia area we always try to get together with nephew Ray as well. He's a very busy man, juggling the family business, a music career, parenting his young son, Rory, and so much more. He is a very passionate, interesting man and he often reminds me of my own son not only in his demeanor but also his looks. We spent a few hours with him, which included lunch and a haircut for young Rory. Although we didn't get a chance to spend time with his wife, Anne, we were able to pop in to their business to say hi before heading back to Media.
I think I enjoy my time with Ray and Beth so much because they are only a few years younger than I am.
While we're in Media I'm able to get my "kid" fix with the grand nieces. It's always fun spending time with them. They are the sweetest little girls and I feel fortunate that they are in our lives. They seem to enjoy us too which makes it reminiscent of visits with my own aunts and uncles in that they look forward to seeing us as I did with mine.
I must admit that spending time with them also stirs the wishful grandmother in me. That chapter in my life is still a ways off but I do long for it sometimes. As a parent I think I was good but I think I'm going to be a great granny (my choice in monikers), I'm emotionally available on a whole different level now.
*In case you haven't noticed yet I'm trying to also be more emotionally available within this blog....hoping to share more than we went here or we saw that.
Back to it .... We had planned to visit a cousin-in-law in Hatteras, NC, but due to illness we ended up staying an extra day in Media which did not leave us time for that visit. Hopefully we will be able to connect with them on our way back north in the spring. If we didn't have a commitment in Columbia, SC we would have made the visit, but there were two little beagles awaiting us there.
A short but sweet visit with Joe, but it's time to continue our journey southward. Our next stop is Media, PA where Wilson's sister lives. Media is a second home to us and while we're on the east coast we find ourselves here on a regular basis.
While here we enjoy visiting with Patti along with her son (Jeff) and her three grandchildren. Patti had all sorts of leftovers from Thanksgiving so it was nice for me to be able to use those to make new meals. I made scalloped potatoes with ham, which was the night we invited niece Beth for dinner. Without a kitchen of my own it's always nice for me to be able to cook in a kitchen that I feel comfortable in, the fact that they are always so appreciative and complimentary about my cooking doesn't hurt either ☺. It's always fun getting together with them.
Dancing lesson with Jeff & Alexa*
The Floss, The Hiker, & Orange Justice - too funny
*Clip has been edited in consideration of a young girl feeling self-conscience
while having a little fun at her father's expense
While in the Philadelphia area we always try to get together with nephew Ray as well. He's a very busy man, juggling the family business, a music career, parenting his young son, Rory, and so much more. He is a very passionate, interesting man and he often reminds me of my own son not only in his demeanor but also his looks. We spent a few hours with him, which included lunch and a haircut for young Rory. Although we didn't get a chance to spend time with his wife, Anne, we were able to pop in to their business to say hi before heading back to Media.
I think I enjoy my time with Ray and Beth so much because they are only a few years younger than I am.
While we're in Media I'm able to get my "kid" fix with the grand nieces. It's always fun spending time with them. They are the sweetest little girls and I feel fortunate that they are in our lives. They seem to enjoy us too which makes it reminiscent of visits with my own aunts and uncles in that they look forward to seeing us as I did with mine.
I must admit that spending time with them also stirs the wishful grandmother in me. That chapter in my life is still a ways off but I do long for it sometimes. As a parent I think I was good but I think I'm going to be a great granny (my choice in monikers), I'm emotionally available on a whole different level now.
*In case you haven't noticed yet I'm trying to also be more emotionally available within this blog....hoping to share more than we went here or we saw that.
Back to it .... We had planned to visit a cousin-in-law in Hatteras, NC, but due to illness we ended up staying an extra day in Media which did not leave us time for that visit. Hopefully we will be able to connect with them on our way back north in the spring. If we didn't have a commitment in Columbia, SC we would have made the visit, but there were two little beagles awaiting us there.
Leave Boston, MA - 8:55am, 30°
Rte. 90W (The Pike)►84W
10:25am CT Welcomes us, 11:57am NY Welcomes us
►287W, over the Mario Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee
1:02pm NJ - I didn't see a Welcome Sign, so I'm not sure if they actually welcomed us, but we did cross the Hudson into NJ
Delaware Water Gap Sign - reminders of our first trip and our time spent there...and respent when we had to return from Gettysburg to pick up our backpack that was left...Interestingly enough, we've driven to Philadelphia this way many times and I don't ever recall seeing this sign
►202S
Gas - Raritan, NJ, Shell Cash price $2.59/gal $2.49 w/card - we thought this was a good deal but found it cheaper in less than five miles away
►31S►579S►295N
2:52pm PA Welcomes us
►295N changes to 295W in PA ►95S►476N (The infamous Blue Route)
10:25am CT Welcomes us, 11:57am NY Welcomes us
►287W, over the Mario Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee
1:02pm NJ - I didn't see a Welcome Sign, so I'm not sure if they actually welcomed us, but we did cross the Hudson into NJ
Delaware Water Gap Sign - reminders of our first trip and our time spent there...and respent when we had to return from Gettysburg to pick up our backpack that was left...Interestingly enough, we've driven to Philadelphia this way many times and I don't ever recall seeing this sign
►202S
Gas - Raritan, NJ, Shell Cash price $2.59/gal $2.49 w/card - we thought this was a good deal but found it cheaper in less than five miles away
►31S►579S►295N
2:52pm PA Welcomes us
►295N changes to 295W in PA ►95S►476N (The infamous Blue Route)
Arrive - Media, PA 3:50pm
Miles traveled - 352.4
Miles traveled - 352.4
Thanksgiving in Boston with Joe
November 21-23, 2018
What on earth were we still in the wet, cold, snowy northeast in November? Well, our son was planning to move to the west coast after Thanksgiving and we were going to help move him. He changed his mind about the timing, but we decided to stay until after Thanksgiving anyway. The plan was to spend it with my sisters but the sense that it would be better for me to get moving took precedence over the desire to revisit the "family holiday" scene and all that that would entail. I know that I disappointed my sisters and feel regret over that but I was dreading it, and because I could, I made the decision to begin the next adventure.
Our son, Joe, invited us to his apartment for the holiday and so that was what we did. He was so excited to host Thanksgiving and it was nice to spend the holiday in Boston in a relatively relaxed environment. We left Vermont the Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving in a snowstorm. The driving was miserable for about two thirds of the time, visibility extremely poor.
 |
| Joe's Apple Crisp - he was so proud |
Leave Waterbury, VT - 1:05pm, 28° snowing
Rte. 89S►93S
Gas - NH Exit 9, 89S near Warner, Shell, $2.51/gal
Gas - NH Exit 9, 89S near Warner, Shell, $2.51/gal
Arrive - Somerville, MA (Jeffrey's apt., where we parked the truck and trailer) 5:04pm - Joe picked us up and we grocery shopped for Thanksgiving dinner before getting to Joe's apt.
Miles traveled - 188.1
Miles traveled - 188.1
A Renewal of My Blog
I've obviously have been absent from writing over the past year plus and I have decided it's high time to begin again. I've been a bit rigid in wanting to following the timeline of my journey which has paralyzed me a bit. I will continue to update the past year (I have several entries in draft form) as I find time, but as of now I will begin a new journey....a journey that began November, 2018...Of course the anal part of me will reorder everything as I publish the past, but I can't wait to catch up on a year plus of travel AND stay current. I know myself too well and will find that I'll never catch up if I stay chronological, which will lead to the abandonment of the blog, which I don't want to do.
After spending the majority of the summer in Vermont, Wilson and I are back on the road. We sold Elwood (our most recent camper) and purchased a small, enclosed, trailer that we will tow with our belongings. All of the things that we decided to take with us would fit in the bed of our truck but the cover on the bed isn't airtight and I feared that our belongings would get wet. The trailer is only 350 lbs. (empty), which will drastically help to improve our gas mileage as we travel across to the west coast once again.
The decision to sell the camper was done based on the fact that this year we will be doing less camping and, hopefully, more pet/house sitting. We will be traveling west and then back east relatively quickly based on our current commitments, making camping time pretty much non-existent. The money that we received from the sale of the camper will allow us to spend our travel nights in hotels vs. campgrounds, as the time will be spent only as single night stops along our path.
We didn't want to give up the idea of camping totally so we purchased tent cots. I've been a bit obsessed by these little wonders since I first saw others with them in past camping experiences. They set up very quickly and will be a great solution for those nights that we do spend in a campground. We've also packed a two-room tent that we have for those times that we camp for longer than a night or two (dependent on fair weather ☺). Given our schedule I don't see that happening very often but it's nice to have the option available to us.
After spending the majority of the summer in Vermont, Wilson and I are back on the road. We sold Elwood (our most recent camper) and purchased a small, enclosed, trailer that we will tow with our belongings. All of the things that we decided to take with us would fit in the bed of our truck but the cover on the bed isn't airtight and I feared that our belongings would get wet. The trailer is only 350 lbs. (empty), which will drastically help to improve our gas mileage as we travel across to the west coast once again.
The decision to sell the camper was done based on the fact that this year we will be doing less camping and, hopefully, more pet/house sitting. We will be traveling west and then back east relatively quickly based on our current commitments, making camping time pretty much non-existent. The money that we received from the sale of the camper will allow us to spend our travel nights in hotels vs. campgrounds, as the time will be spent only as single night stops along our path.
We didn't want to give up the idea of camping totally so we purchased tent cots. I've been a bit obsessed by these little wonders since I first saw others with them in past camping experiences. They set up very quickly and will be a great solution for those nights that we do spend in a campground. We've also packed a two-room tent that we have for those times that we camp for longer than a night or two (dependent on fair weather ☺). Given our schedule I don't see that happening very often but it's nice to have the option available to us.
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