DAY 13 R&R

Well today is a good day, we start a little rest and relaxation. WE ARE IN VEGAS, BABY!! Staying at the KOA Campground, right behind Circus Circus. Nice place, going to unwind a bit and have a little fun with the bride, maybe even dance under the stars. Probably will donate to my favorite charity, the casino rescue fund, which I give to often when here. Be here about three days, will post again later.

Day 12

We left out of SF area this am, waited till almost 10 am local to let traffic die down, wrong. Traffic never slows down here. Made our way to the Richmond Bridge, this bridge is a double-decker, out bound uses bottom and inbound has lane on top, which took us across Bay to I-580 and turned south. Was a dreary soggy morning. As we ventured toward I-5 and south, the rain began to let up a little, within about 3 hours we were in partly cloudy and rolling south. I have learned one thing here in central CA., if you like almonds, most likely they came from here. Everywhere, both sides of road and about as far as you can see, almond tree orchards and few pistachio tree orchards. Further down road more nut orchards mixed with orange trees, really pretty, California has an extensive canal system for water supply to farms. Was going to stay in Bakersfield, but decided to push on to Barstow. We parking lot camped in Barstow for the night.

DAY 11 WE HAVE MADE IT, COAST TO COAST!!!!

By the Grace of God, we have made it Coast to Coast in 11 days. Quick question for you ex cons, what is over my brides left shoulder? I can hardly believe we made it here. Darn good thing too as weather is closing in tonight and if I still had to cross Sierra Mountains they are calling for 1 to 2 ft of new snow. BTW notice long sleeves, it is not warm on the bay, even in bright sunshine. We leave tomorrow (most likely in rain) south with change in plans, we go south and turn north toward??? THE GRAND CANYON, YEA. More to come stay tuned. Oh if you had trouble with picture, ITS Alcatraz.

Day 10

Left out today and and Just about finished the Great American Road Trip, Have arrived at Petaluma Ca. at a KOA. The ride today was not too bad, more mountains, more snow, then eureka, a vision appeared on my right, Lake Tahoe. This is a very beautiful area, got stopped at the Ca/Nv border fruit and nut inspection, Hid Mary in bath so they would not take her.LOL. The top photo is what we saw as we came off top of Sierra Mountains, almost took my breath away, my God we have seen some sights on the Great Adventure. Sorry this post is out of order, I saved draft and forgot to finish, Can you tell how happy my Bride is to be standing in snow?

Day 9

First thing, I had no idea how many photos we had taken till I tried to organize them. I promise to get some up either here or on Facebook. That said, day 9 was a little less stress full. We left Scipio and arrived at our first leg of the loneliest road in America, in Ely (pronounced El-y). This section of 50 is just that lonely. We travel up small mountains across 30-50 mile flat sections and back up mountains, all the while nothing, nothing, nothing on either side as far as you can see. I have to really be proud of our ancestors who made this trek in wagons and horse back. The highlight of some of the trip was counting dust devils on either side of road. Oh did I mention that as much as we have enjoyed this trip, if I do not see snow capped mountains again for a long time, it will be fine with me. Will bed down at Walmart in Fallon Nv. tonight.

Day 8

Yesterday I made a quick post about the beauty of Colorado, I forgot to mention that within 30 miles of entering the state we were hit with a hail storm and then apparently there were two tornados off to our east by about 5 miles. That said, This am we started out on our wonder full adventure and had to climb and pass over Monarch Pass, close to 2 miles high. Well back where you are reading this it is spring, here, view the photo, remembering I am driving 23,000 pounds and 45ft long and no place to turn around and go back down. I won't post any more today as I am exhausted, we will bed down at a Flying J truck stop in Scipio, UT.

Day 7

We have made it to Salida Co, which is dead in middle of the rocky mountains. You must see the beauty of this area to believe it. Sending this via cell as no internet on sprint. Will post more later.

day 6

The travel across the great state of Kansas was uneventful. We traveled all the way to Dodge City and it is a good thing this rig has a large gas tank, gas stations and people for that matter are few and far between. I do not know what else to say about this part of Kansas, except that it is flat, flat, flat and nothing but farm land, few farm houses and lots of grain silos. There was was one amazing sight though, we approached Spearville Kansas and from 10 miles out I could see the tall images, as we approached it became evident that we were looking at a windmill power generators, there must have been 50 of them, three bladed and about 100 ft high, really a sight and I guess appropriate for the flat land and wind. Now about Dodge City, I am truly disappointed, This is nothing but a tourist trap and not a good one at that, Ghost Town is more enjoyable. Oh well, live and learn and that is what this adventure is all about, living life and learning about this great country. This country is truly amazing and what lies ahead is going to be even more inspiring. I hope all who read this are doing well. Oh, guess where we camped, give up, Gunsmoke Campground, just out of town. Till next post then.

Day 5

Struck out for St.Louis today, crossed a creek named DUM creek, three different times, not sure the creek was not named for the person who thought nameing three different creeks the same was funny. Few more miles down the road and low and behold there was a road sign, Five Mile 5 miles, I wanted to go to five mile but decided to continue on. Each day is different, to day we passed a herd of buffalo in a pasture. These events are like life, they come at you fast and unexpected, so camera was not always ready. We pulled into St. Louis around 11:30 our time and 10:30 central. We came down into the city and found river drive, where we could park the MotorHome and walk to the Arch. Pretty cool, especially since my Bride has acrophobia and I convinced her to go to the top with me. They have these neat little and I mean little cars the go up to the top, for old guys like me with bum knees. Well we are bedding down tonight, in a State Park, just 30 miles out of Kansas City. We will be moving into Kansas tomorrow and probably for a couple days, as the milage across Kansas is over 430 miles and I plan on spending time in Dodge City looking for Doc, Wyatt and possibly Ms. Kitty. Till tomorrow.

Day 4

How do I say this without sounding like a sentimental old fool. I have witnessed that the people of the Heartland are very, very patriotic. It seemed that every 3rd house through Ohio and Indiana displays the American Flag and also the POW/MIA flags. I found this to be a very moving experience. The farm land in Ohio and Indiana is exceptionally beautiful this time of year with all the farm equipment in the fields. I have to tell you that those of you who travel the interstates will never see the sights we are experiencing. We had just started out yesterday and up the road from Athens Ohio and just before Hogshead (yes the town was named Hogshead) we looked to the right and grazing in a pasture were numerous Lamas and Zebras, can you imagine that, Zebras in Ohio. We had breakfast in Ohio, lunch in Indiana and dinner and sleep in Salem Illinois. Cannot wait to see what sights today brings for my bride and me. We will be in St. Louis today and will post again. Thank you for reading this and please post comments.

day 3

What a day. Left Winchester this am and entered West(By-God)Virgina. I have learned two most important things today: 1. West Va. just one long mountain and anyone who has driven from Gatlingburg Tn., thru Cherokee to Hwy 25, well that was just a warm up for WVA. As we drove by Aunt-Mom and Uncle-Dads' house I realized that to live here you must own at least one car, partially stripped and upon blocks or some sort of 4X4 that has endured extensive damage. That said, we hit the flat lands of Ohio and some very beautiful country side. Amazing how they cut all 20 acres around the house. Time to take our break here in lovely Hillsboro Ohio,(Walmart of course). PS Only 2600 miles to go, Hey Hey.

Day 2

Wow, Ocean City is really nice, too bad no place to park rv at the start of US 50, The sign is just the same as in my posted picture. The trip thru downtown DC was interesting to say the least, missed a turn and that city is not designed for vehicles with total length 0f 45ft. It was actually a great driving experience. Photos to come of Washington Monument. Spent night in Winchester, Va., temperatue 39 degrees, jackets packed by DW (Darling Wife) sure came in handy. Today we are off over the mountains of WVA. To be continued.

We are on the Road--Whoo Hoo!

April 17, feeling great, awakened this AM in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel, Emporia, Va. 326 miles from Greer. About 280 miles today to the real starting point of our adventure, Ocean City, Md. Note: The Cracker Barrel people are super nice. Went in last night to make sure overnighting was not an issue and the Manger stated absolutely no problem and thanked me for being there. Well breakfast time, will post later from Ocean City.

ITS HERE

Today is the day. The adventure begins this afternoon. All is checked, All is loaded. The question of the day is...What have we forgotten? That question will be answered about a hundred miles from here, I am sure.

Countdown continues

The minor problems have been addressed and the countdown continues, 7 working days till the Great American Road Trip commences.