Recuperation Day - Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Today was recuperation day! Lazy morning catching up on miscellaneous items. This afternoon I walked to Berkeley to meet Doug for coffee. Along the way I found a really cute knit shop that has a class starting this Thursday night. This evening Doug, Leigh Anne and I walked over to see my sub-let and pick up the keys. (about 2 miles) It is in a great location near BART, a park, the greenway and lots of little stores and restaurants. Looks perfect!!! After that, we went to a local ethnic restaurant and had Indian food. I can't get too many people to eat Indian food so this was a real treat.

Steps Walked: 17,422

Last Leg to California - Monday, March 29

I had thoughts of going to Death Valley National Park today but decided to pass this trip. For some reason I didn't sleep well and was tired (the Diet Coke at 9 p.m.???) so decided to head to Doug and Leigh Anne's. It was an easy drive and I arrived just before 5 p.m. with the help of my OnStar Navigator!! Love it - I actually planned my route on MapQuest, sent it to my Onstar Account and then downloaded it when I got in the car. Amazing!!!!
Doug fixed a wonderful dinner of salmon, fresh squash and asparagus - yummy! He did not turn down my offer to do the dishes:)

Today's Mileage: 571

Trip Stats:

Total Mileage: 2168 (approximately)
Average Speed: 60.1

The GRAND CANYON!!! (Sunday)

Note: I have pictures posted on my Flickr site: Adventures 2010

It was about an hour drive to the Grand Canyon bright and early this morning - my favorite time of day! I was in awe from the moment I first saw the Grand Canyon - yes, it is GRAND!!! Just beautiful and no words do it justice. The walk along the Rim Trail from Mather Point to Trailview Point was incredible. This trail is paved the whole way and I walked about six miles round trip. When I got to the trail that had a sign posted "crampons recommended" I turned back. Funny, I actually bought crampons when I was in Alaska in January for the steep, icy walks around Sarah's but left them there. Not that I would have gone on this trail but that is my excuse!!:) Six hours was way too short a visit and you could visit many times and not see everything. Next stop was the IMAX Theater for the film on the Grand Canyon.

Early in the afternoon found me headed to Kingman, AZ for a tour of the Route 66 museum. Fun place and a great break from driving.

Next up was Hoover Dam. I didn't stop here as it was getting late and I saw it on an earlier trip. Stopped in Las Vegas for the night.

Miles Driven: 425
Wildlife Sightings: Coyote (no pic) and Elk in the Grand Canyon
Bucket List: Grand Canyon - check!!!
Souvenir: "Grand Canyon Women" by Betty Leavengood

Across New Mexico

Saturday's drive took me across New Mexico to Williams, AZ. Pretty easy drive with lots of nice scenery. I detoured a couple of times to see some of the old Route 66. Williams, AZ is on Route 66 about 55 miles south of the Grand Canyon. I got there about 4:30 and walked around the historical district, ate, etc. Planning to get up early tomorrow and head to the Grand Canyon.
(I'll post some pics when I get a chance!)

Miles Driver: 525
Destination: Williams, AZ

On the road . . .

It has been a busy week but everything seems to have "fallen into place" and I am ready to start my "grand adventure". My brother took the wheel off my bike so it fit in the back of the car with everything else packed around it. I left Houston at 7:40 a.m. on Friday morning and took HWY 6 through Navasota hoping to have coffee with a friend. Missed her but got to see the first of the Texas bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush. I drove to Waco and then took IH-35 to Hwy 287 and headed west on I-40. It was really a beautiful day but really windy at times. Even stopped at DQ in the afternoon for a dip cone - the standard family treat when we were little!!! When I got to Amarillo I wasn't very tired and decided to drive another hour. Big mistake!!! There was a huge grass fire and I-40 was closed for 1.5 hours. Closed as in turn the engine off and take a nap!

I packed my cooler with snacks and drinks and stopped at several rest stops along the way. My iTouch was loaded with a couple of audio books and I listened to one of those most of the afternoon. All in all a great first day!!!

Miles traveled: 711
Day's Destination: Tucumcari, NM

Preparing to Hit the Road

It is a lot of work preparing to be “homeless” and getting on the road!!! I have been packing and taking stuff to storage all weekend. You don't even want to know what the storage unit looks like. Scary is all I have to say. I am trying to travel light – but . . . just the shoes are mind boggling. Hiking boots, workout shoes, tennis shoes, Keen’s so I’ll look cool in Alaska, sandals, dress shoes for church and the big graduation, etc., etc.!!!! I have made list after list.

I hope to leave at the end of the week but the moon and the stars will have to align. I have some legal details to attend to, things to get to storage, a doctor appointment, friends to see, etc., etc. Hope everything falls into place!!!

Thanks for all the kind words, emails and phone calls. You guys are the best.

The Adventure Begins

This year has started with major changes in my life. After 34 years, Richard and I were divorced on March 3, 2010. I have decided to approach being “sixty and single” with adventure and joy. My brother, Maynard, helped me pick out a new GMC Terrain. He checked out engines, torques (or maybe tach??), tires, and that boring stuff. I made sure it had cup holders, lighted mirrors, and a place to put my purse. I even added some pinstripes!!! It has OnStar in case I get lost or need help. As most of you know, I will get lost. More than once. That will be part of the adventure☺ My son, Doug, and his wife, Leigh Anne, suggested that I come to Berkeley and spend some time in California before Doug graduates from law school in May. So . . . California, here I come!!!! I have found a sublet on Craig’s List for the months of April and May. My sewing buds will be interested to know that I will be within WALKING distance of Stone Mountain and Daughter. Doug has even agreed to go to Britex in San Francisco! Then it will be North to Alaska!!! I’ll be following in my daughter’s footsteps and spending the summer in Juneau. I’ll be taking the ferry from Bellingham , WA on May 28th. Sarah is actively looking for a place for me to live for the months of June, July, August and September. What 28 year old wants her mom camped on her couch? I’m looking for a seasonal job those months if anyone has any connections. I am booked on the ferry to leave Juneau on September 28th and will arrive in Bellingham on October 1.  (I can change the date at anytime but that is the latest I can return re the restrictions on my ticket).   I’ll return to Houston to regroup and help my brother with some home remodeling. I have stayed with him for three months – owe him big time☺ Then it is the big move. I am planning to move to Nashville, TN or Huntsville, AL near my daughter, Janet , and her husband, Nick. Yes, I cleared this with Nick. Once I get settled, I’ll look for a job. I’d like to give a big thanks to my children (all five of them), my siblings, and my friends for their support during the last few months. It has been tough. Also, a big thanks to my sister, Barbara, and her family for taking care of my two cats so I can go on this adventure.