Friday, November 11, 2011

ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO, WE ARE ON THE LAUNCH PAD AND THE COUNTDOWN IS ON…..T MINUS 10:))

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WE ARE SOOOOOOO READY TO RUMBLE……….

We started the morning off in pouring rain but it soon turned to sleet and light snow for a short while.  It didn’t deter us from our morning walk though as Pheebe and I made our way around the trail.  Stopped for a few thoughts at my favourite young Maple tree and then wrapped up our last Pine forest morning walk for the year.  Yes it’s true…….I talk to trees:))

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A SKIFF OF SNOW ON THE TRAIL THIS MORNING AND THE PHEEBS HAS AN APPLE IN HER MOUTH

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A YOUNG OAK TREE GROWING OUT OF A LARGE OAK STUMP…….AND SLEET ON THE MORNING PATH  

It was a day of cleaning, doing laundry, organizing and rearranging.  We do not shut our place down completely so we put a big thermometer in the window for our neighbour to see because we always leave a bit of heat on.  For anyone doing this it is very important to put fresh batteries in your thermostat.  We didn't do that last year and when the batteries failed in both our electric furnace and remote powered gas fireplace stove at the same time the temps dropped low enough to kill all our indoor plants.  Luckily, the fellow who regularly checks our place caught the problem before any damage was done to our pipes.  A very close call, so be sure to put new batteries in your thermostats folks.
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YEP, I’D SAY WE ARE GETTING OUT OF HER JUST IN TIME ALRIGHT

Still no idea just where we are headed for first in the southwest but I finally do have an idea on which route we will take when leaving here in just a matter of hours.  Decided to follow our tracks from last year and make our first overnight stop in Benton Harbor Michigan.  Sunday morning we will slip into Gary Indiana on the east side of Chicago, change direction and pick up I-57 heading south down to Effingham Illinois.  Reaching Effingham puts us back onto our old tried and true southern route for the southwest.  We will continue south on I-57 joining I-55 south to the west side of Memphis and the Mississippi River.  We will make the big swing down the Interstate ramp onto I-40 pointing the rig's nose directly at the southwest.  I always look forward to this spot either coming or going in our travels because it is a major change of direction and roughly marks the half way point for us.
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PICKED UP THIS LITTLE $3 WALL MOUNTED LAMP AT THE GOODWILL STORE LAST WEEK…..MUCH BETTER THAN THE TIPPY FLOOR LAMP WE USED TO HAVE
Don't want to dwell on this but just want to say thank you to all the folks who have stuck with my blog these past difficult seven and a half months.  I have very much appreciated your support, patience and understanding.  Now, let's see if we can get out there and find us a big breath of fresh air and some new adventures:))

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WHEN IT BEGAN TO SNOW AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON I THOUGHT……OH OH!!

Left the History channel on TV all day and found myself continuously drawn to the screen watching programs dealing with the 'Days Of Remembrance.'  Our power went out for about an hour beginning at 10:40 a.m.   At 11 a.m. I was in the Motor Home with the radio on listening to 'In Flanders Fields.'  Years ago in my reading days, the bulk of my reading for many years had to do with factual accounts of the wars.  Maybe that is why I joined the Canadian Navy at age 20.  I remember last year on November 11th at 11 a.m. in the morning we were westbound on I-10 somewhere between Deming and Lordsburg New Mexico.

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DECIDED TO TAKE OUR SUN ROOM’S GREEN RECLINER THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF THE SECOND RED POANG CHAIR….KELLY WILL USE IT AND I WILL STILL USE MY RED CHAIR WHICH I REALLY LIKE EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN’T RECLINE

About 3:30 this afternoon I hooked the Jeep up to the back of the Motor Home.  Good thing I remembered how because the last time I hooked it up was nearly 8 months ago  before leaving a campground near Canyon de Chelly in north-eastern Arizona.  Took the rig and Jeep for a test run and everything checked out fine.  Parked it with the door opening into the driveway where we can load up the final things in the morning and that’s it.  We are ready to go……….. at last:))

IMG_1221TAKING THE MOTOR HOME AND JEEP FOR A TEST RUN THIS AFTERNOON AND KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THINGS IN THE REAR VIEW CAM >>>

If by chance you do not see a blog from me Saturday night or Sunday morning it probably will just mean we have had a few technical problems re-activating our Verizon Internet card.  Kelly doesn't feel there will be a problem but I am always a bit more sceptical when it comes to a lot of this new space age techno stuff.  In my world, Mr. Murphy is always just around the corner waiting to mess me up……10-4:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A sweet young thing who has just been shopping is pulled over by a traffic cop and given a ticket for speeding. Rather than fight the ticket, the woman writes a check for the amount of the fine and puts it in the mail.
However, the young woman is anxious. Her husband always examines her checkbook carefully, and she doesn't want him to know about the incident.
Then inspiration strikes, and she scribbles on the check stub: "One pullover, $125."

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-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

32 comments:

  1. Houston..we have liftoff...safe journey...

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  2. Good to hear you are already to go.
    I know you have been anxious to get out of Dodge! Please have a safe and stressfree trip. We will be sitting back here in the snow drifts anxiously waiting to read your blog.
    Happy travels
    Kathy & Rick Rousseau

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  3. 10-4..A-OK...ready for lift off...Have a safe trip, Bayfield Bunch....Take your time and enjoy the views along the way...Cave Dwellers.

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  4. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

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  5. Bon Voyage you lucky,lucky people!
    Elaine in Saltair BC

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  6. Lookin good there Al! All stations ready for take off! Here's to safe and peaceful travels for all of the Bayfield Bunch!

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  7. enjoy the lift off tomorrow!..Happy Trails..drive safely!!

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  8. Open the chutes Boys, This Broncbuster is ready to Run!!!

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  9. I am curious why you would drive through West Memphis and then pick up I-40, rather than continue on I-70 at Effingham and proceed to St. Louis, MO and catch I-44 to OK City. It is about 200 miles shorter via I-44 and pretty good road the whole way. You do have a toll road in Oklahoma, but you can avoid it by taking RT 66 from Tulsa to OK City if you don't like toll roads.

    Just curious!

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  10. Have a safe trip,hope we'll see you down the road. And good luck at the border.

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  11. Wow, i even have a little of excitement that u are finally on the road back to the SouthWest. Have safe travels, can't wait to read about your adventures and see all the new pictures of different places!

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  12. Safe travels ... am looking forward to reading your blogs.

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  13. When you get to Oklahoma City turn your head to the left as you pass I-35 and wave. I will wave back. We live in Norman, 17 miles south of OKC. Hope to get out there soon. Have a safe journey to the great southwest. Hi Pheebs and Motormouse, hope to meet you one day. Tell Kelly "Hi" for us.

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  14. 5 --- 4 --- 3 --- 2 --- 1

    We have lift off!

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  15. I add my best wishes for a safe and trouble free drive. I'll be thinking of you...

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  16. Hurry up and get out of that snow!! Safe travels to you and the rest of the Bunch.

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  17. Wish I was the Catapult officer to take your salute and fire you off on your next adventure. We will be riding with you the whole trip. be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  18. Drive safely, enjoy the trip, cherish the reward.

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  19. ♪ ♫ Happy Trails to you...♫ ♪

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  20. Yea for the Bayfield Bunch. By the time I write this comment you will be well on your way, travel safe and have a ball!!

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  21. asta la vista baby! I'm so pleased for you two. Isn't it amazing that when you enter the rig, sit in your seats and start the engine that you are filled with such joy! May the rest of your trip bring unbridled rest and relaxation.

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  22. IMPORTANT! I am just back from trailering from AZ to CA coast and I-40 and the path it runs to the coast was WINDY!! Very windy. The Southwest was also very chilly and cold. Rain is almost always presaged with wind in AZ, so be on the lookout. Brrrr. Back to the fireplace for me.

    Emjay

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  23. 'Happy to see you're back on the road again. Maybe our paths will cross somewhere in the southwest.
    Safe Travels!

    Terry

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  24. Glad to see you getting back on the road. I have read you for a long time, but this is my first comment. I am not anonymous by choice, just not tech enough to figure out any other way. I recently retired as a Texas high school principal and am paying for my great 2005 Leisure Travel Van. I am a foster parent to babies (just got a new 3 day old Thursday and have a 20 month old, too.)and cannot give that up yet. I have tent camped in the lower 48 US states and seen a little of Canada during summers. I plan to hit the road in a couple of years. I love your blog and am so sorry about your dogs. I had to put down my 12 1/2 year old friend on Tuesday--so very hard and lots of tears. (I love you Shavano--got her as a little puppyon a camping trip near Mt. Shavano in Colorado.) Happy travels, I will be following along.

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  25. If you are ready for a stop in the Oklahoma City area we would love to buy you a cup of coffee, lunch, or whatever. We are located in Midwest City (Tinker Air Force Base area)about 10 miles east of OKC. The Walmart in MWC off of I-40 does allow overnight parking. If you do decide to come down I-44 we aren't too far from there either. My husband likes that road better even though it is a toll road....shorter, better road.
    Contact us at elinn2@cox.net. No blog, but do enjoy following several.
    Earlene & Victor
    WestieWaggin'

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  26. Safe travels Bayfield Bunch........

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  27. Howdy Al,
    I like Sam's catapult idea; WHOOSH and you're in Arizona, well, maybe not AZ,, but maybe across the border
    and don't forget to tip the crossing guards!!!hahaha(I know it's Canada and not Mexico)

    Have a safe trip with: Smooth roads, clear blue skies & balmy breezes!!

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  28. I'll be at Deming tomorrow night Al,,,,,Anxious to get to our new first house in 15 years...
    Have a safe trip and i will be watchin ya!!

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  29. YIPPEE!!! And they're off! Safe travels! It's cold at night here in Datil, NM (north of Lordsburg & Silver City), but the days are gorgeous. And you just can't beat New Mexico skies!

    Safe travels; we'll be keeping an eye on your whereabouts. Leaving here for Yuma sometime after Thanksgiving.

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