Along the Way

I used both my camera and my phone for taking pictures on our trip. As I was transferring the files from my camera to my computer this morning, it occurred to me that most of the pictures that I shared along the way were from my phone. And I had so many more interesting ones on my camera! 

Rocky Mountains coming into view
along Highway 550 in Colorado.

Overlooking the town of Ouray, Colorado
which was tucked up in this canyon.

We figured this section of the highway
had probably only been open a couple of weeks.

Traveling through New Mexico.

Historic Route 66.

Who'd've thought I would run into Anne Shirley
clear down in New Mexico?

The other buildings grouped around the
Modern Restrooms along Route 66.

We decided this might have been a gas station
once-upon-a-time with the little carport in front.

And this was apparently a motel
back in the day.

This place was a little fancier with a service garage
on one side and a motel behind.

This must have been a little diner,
don't you suppose?

I was glad we had shipped most of my convention
supplies when we had to unload all our
luggage to get to the spare tire.

My parents' home in Arkansas.

The church where we got married
in West Plains, Missouri.
It's a pretty little church, isn't it?
I'm glad it hasn't changed in 27 years.

Lyle and his mother.

Trip Wrap-up

Miles traveled: 5,390
Average fuel mileage: 36.15
States driven through: 16
Spent the night in:

• car (2 nights)
• Montrose, Colorado
• Tucumcari, New Mexico
• my parents' house near Mulberry, Arkansas
• my mother-in-law's house in Rolla, Missouri
• Paducah, Kentucky
• Nashville, Tennessee (2 nights)
• Belle Fourche, South Dakota

Observations:

• I still love to travel with that man of mine. We'd stay on the road full-time if we could, I think.
• I'd really love to make a "Route 66" road trip some year, following the old highway as much as possible all the way from Chicago to California. Getting off the interstate was so interesting to me.
• Simple, elastic wrist bands designed to help with motion sickness actually seem to work. I've worn them several times now as we've driven over winding mountain roads and haven't experienced motion sickness while wearing them. (And I'm usually susceptible to it.)
• Smaller, cheaper hotels are often more comfortable and friendly than the bigger, expensive ones.
• I feel sorry for the people who are taken with the over-the-top, lavish decor of the "world class" hotel where the convention was held. The indoor, faux river and waterfalls, while impressive, don't begin to hold a candle to the beauty of the western wilderness.
• It seemed weird for southern accents to be the norm rather than the exception at the convention. I could hear mine getting more pronounced as the weekend wore on. 
• The air in the South is soft and heavy. In the Northwest it's light and crisp.
• It's nice to visit the South, but even nicer to live in the Northwest.

Travel Stats: Day 4

Departed Mulberry, Arkansas: 11:20 a.m.
Hours driven: 7
Miles driven: 331
Average speed: 47.2 mph
Average fuel mileage: 39.7 mpg
States: Arkansas, Missouri
Other VW Jetta wagons spotted: 1 (black, like ours)
Wildlife  spotted: turtle, possum (which may or may not have been dead, with possums it's hard to tell)
Point of interest: drove past the church where we got married 27.5 years ago
Arrived Rolla, Missouri: 6:20 p.m.
Wednesday's destination: Paducah, Kentucky

Travel Stats: Day 3

Departed Tucumcari, New Mexico: 8:00 a.m. MDT.
 Hours driven: 9
Flat tires: 1
Hours stopped to change the tire and get it fixed in Amarillo: 2.5
Miles driven: 590 (including 44 on Old Route 66)
Average speed: 50.2 (including stops)
Fuel mileage:  39.7 (40.259 on one tank!)
States: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Wildlife spotted: 2 snakes crossing the road in New Mexico
Other VW Jetta wagons spotted: 1 (silver)
Weather: sunny and warm (high of 95 in Amarillo)
Car Talk podcast: 2 episodes
Lum and Abner MP3s: 6 episodes
CBS Radio Mystery Theater episodes: 2
Indications that we had reached the Bible Belt: a giant cross as a tourist attraction, and a billboard advertising the Jesus Christ is Lord Travel Center
Arrived at my parents' house near Mulberry, Arkansas: 8:35 p.m. CDT.
Tuesday's destination: My mother-in-law's house in Rolla, Missouri.

Springtime in the Ozarks

 It was snowing and about 24 degrees as we left Mitchell, South Dakota yesterday morning. We turned south in Sioux Falls. As we traveled the snow stopped, the sun came out, and the temperature began to warm up. Late in the day I began to notice some green in the grass along the roadside. And then I spotted a clump of daffodils blooming.

It was after dark when we finally arrived at my parents' house in northwestern Arkansas, but as we carried our luggage into the house I noticed there were daffodils blooming in the yard. This morning I stepped out to snap a few pictures. I didn't bother to put shoes on. Much to my surprise the ground was warm enough that I didn't even need them. I walked all around the property in my bare feet. It brought back memories of when I was a barefoot little girl playing on this very farm with my siblings, my cousins, and my aunt Rachel.

The paved road, however, reminded me that time is moving on. As far back as I can remember the road had been dirt. The pavement has been added since the last time I was here, two years ago. It's a definite improvement... but ya know, I kinda miss the old dirt road.

Anyway, it will be at least six weeks before the daffodils start blooming at home. I'd love to just stay here for a month and watch spring develop, then go home before it starts getting so hot and humid here and the annual battle with ticks and snakes begins.

But I have "promises to keep... and miles to go..." so we'll be heading on down the road tomorrow.

Christmas in the Country

Usually we stay home for Christmas and have a quiet celebration with "just the four of us." This year we decided that our family gift would be a trip to Arkansas to spend Christmas with my parents.

We left on the evening of Christmas Eve. As we traveled on Christmas Day we "enjoyed" scenery similar to this:

Most of the time the blowing snow wasn't a problem, but occasionally it limited visibility just like fog. We were happy to arrive safely at my parents' house on Saturday evening... and they were excited to have us come.

My sister and her family were also there part of the time. My parents were thrilled to have the house ringing with the bustle and activity of children again-- but no doubt they'll appreciate the peace and quiet once we've all gone home again.

We had our gift exchange and Christmas dinner on Sunday. It has been nice to get away and spend time with our extended family this holiday season. We'll start home again on New Year's Day and hope to be back to our normal schedule on Monday.

Hope you had a blessed Christmas! Happy New Year!

But I Can't! Can I?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

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