SUNRISE ON I-40 THIS MORNING
It was a quiet night but with all the Route 66 Casino parking lot floodlights overhead it made Arizona’s brightest afternoon look like a cloudy day. When we rolled into that parking lot Saturday afternoon we were only the second RV there. This morning we tippy toed out through a dozen or more sleepy rigs scattered about. It was 5:55 a.m.
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Minutes later we topped a rise west of Albuquerque New Mexico & were treated to a beautiful sight. I had only ever seen this once before & that was driving into Las Vegas Nevada late one night a bunch of years ago. The lights of Albuquerque were splayed out over a black velvet desert floor like a bunch of glittering silver & gold diamonds. What a beautiful sight it was & not one I will soon forget. But, you have to be there before sunrise:))
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Climbed our way up & over the mountain range east of Albuquerque & soon found ourselves on the very western reaches of the great American Plain. Watched the mountains disappear in my side view mirror & whispered a quiet, ‘see you guys in October’. A small set of mountains out around Tucumcari & that was it. We were out onto the rolling hills & grasslands of the Plains for sure now. And, it’s a long ways across those Plains too. Oh how nice it was to see fields upon fields of vibrant & fresh looking Spring grass again. Seemed the further East we drove the more greener & abundant the grass became. And, what a treat to see all those fresh new green leaves on the trees. Sure is looking like Spring in these here parts alright. And, what a cheer-up that was.
YEP, WE’RE HEADING HOME SO IT’S EGG SALAD SANDWICH TIME AGAIN
My destination today was to reach an area west of Oklahoma City. And, we did that. This blog is coming to you from a Walmart parking lot in Weatherford Oklahoma right beside I-40. We are about 60 miles west of Oklahoma City. It hit 90F today & that old sweaty humid feeling was in the air again. It was so nice to have been humidity free these past 5 months. And to think, it’s only April 1rst & we are only in Oklahoma. Got a feeling it’s going to be a hot humid summer in Southwestern Ontario.
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We have an hour’s early morning drive to reach the big City & beat the Monday morning manic madness. Stopped at an Oklahoma Info center just east of the Texas State line & the lady there recommended we do the toll road way around the downtown core. We will take her advice & do that. Will let you know tomorrow night how we made out.
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We do not have a strong Verizon connection here in Weatherford tonight so I will keep the blog short & the photos down to a dull roar. Couldn’t even find myself a joke on the internet. If I can’t get it to publish tonight I will try again in the morning once we have cleared the area. Tried our recently acquired Wilson Sleek antennae & power booster but the only thing that piece of technology seems good for is a paper weight on a windless day.
A lot of tears behind my sunglasses today. Hard to keep one’s mind off things mile after mile so it has a tendency to wander through memory banks pausing for a Motor memory here & stopping for another one there.
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Want to thank everyone for all the kind comments, emails & shouts about our little Motormouse. Kelly sometimes reads the comments to me while we’re driving & it was the comments, shouts, & emails that in part caused the tears behind my sunglasses today. We thank you all so much for your care & concern. Hadn’t realized how much our little Cora had reached out & touched so many kind hearts.
GROANER’S CORNER:((
SAW THIS IN THE WEATHERFORD WALMART THIS AFTERNOON & THOUGHT IT CUTE
nuts indeed!..drive safely, Bayfield Bunch!!..may you get a great tail wind and be home before you know it!
ReplyDeleteProbably the longest ride the "Bunch" will ever, ever take..."Happy Trails to Motor, until you meet again"...Meanwhile, be careful and give Pheebs some wet smooches...
ReplyDeletea hard day behind you folks...your all in our hearts and prayers...safe travels!!!
ReplyDeleteIt will be awhile before the tears are gone and only the good memories remain. You are definitely putting in long days behind the wheel and soon will be rolling into home. Be safe out there.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have Pheebs there to comfort too!! Safe travels!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth in NC
Be safe going through downtown OK City. When we went through there last October the roads were in real bad shape to be driving a class A through. Batten everything down.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the loss of Motor. We'll miss his little mug!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip and give Pheebs an extra hug!
My sincerest sympathies to you both. It's going to be a long road home.
ReplyDeleteOne question, Al. When I see those pictures of the road: I hope you are using your Canon point a shoot for them. Or is Kelly taking them? I really enjoyed those from yesterday (Sat).
Al & Kelly, we're just so very sorry to hear about your sweet Cora. I cried right along with you picturing her saying goodbye to Pheebs and to you, Al. She knew it was time, didn't she? I'm glad you're taking her home with you, just where she belongs. Have you ever heard of the Rainbow Bridge? It's where our fur babies go in heaven to wait for us; they run & play and will be waiting for us when we pass on. Google "Rainbow Bridge" online and you'll see how beautiful the story is. Safe travels home and know that we're enjoying riding along with you. God bless and thank you for sharing your sweet little Motormouse with us.
ReplyDeleteSusan and Bob
I'm late to the "gathering" as usual.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about little Motor. Never an easy thing to lose a four legged friend.
She had a good life and you can be happy with that. A lot of dogs only get to live life "like a dog".
Safe travels.
You are definitely putting down some long, time for thought, miles and making much better time than I would. Takes me two days to get to the North Rim, plus several days in Flagstaff along the way. Be careful out there.
ReplyDeleteYou've been in my thoughts on and off all day. No glasses for me to hide behind. I know about Rainbow Bridge. I like to think that Rich was waiting for Lizzie and now they are taking care of all the pups who arrive. He takes care of them until the ones they love come along. Your little Motormouse is in good hands as have been Max and Checkers, and the best news of all is that they are happy and in good health. I try to keep that thought in my mind when I think of my Lizzie, and it helps.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, Bayfield Bunch.
I'm so sorry about Cora. You've had some tough decisions lately and this will be a long ride home.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and hope it doesn't get any hotter on the way. Wow! 90F I wilt at 80. We're looking at the edge of a tropical storm down here in New Zealand. Means more rain some wind but not too cold, with 68F predicted tomorrow, although it felt like 55F much of today.
Hope you have a good travelling day tomorrow.
Blessings.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete@ Megan...must be nice to be able to use the anonymity of the internet to say untrue things to others that are cruel and hurtful.
ReplyDeleteYou are really packing on the miles looks like you might beat us home, and we left Arizona a month ago.
ReplyDeleteTravel safe.
Cannot believe the cruelty of some people. In no way did you starve your beloved Motor or make her suffer in anyway. Our Zeppy, like Motor was sick, and then he seemed to be back to normal right before he passed. I think the know and are happy and that's why they appear better. The tears will be a while before subsiding, but you will never forget, but will remember the your love for her and all the joy you both gave each other. I hope Megan has many sleepless nights thinking about her/his cruelty to another person.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for people such as "Megan," whose anonymous words reflect so much of themselves.
ReplyDeleteAl - you, Kelly and Pheebes have a safe trip home and rejoice in Motor's love for you all and her long and happy life.
I'm holding space for you all on your journey.
I'm astounded by Megan's post. She obviously has a deep misunderstanding of what was going on.
ReplyDeleteToday I head out in my little Burro - it was actually snowing at about 6 am but all's well now. Will catch up on your blog along the way, as I won't have the internet for awhile. Thanks again for the inspiration.
My thoughts are with you all, have a safe journey.
Al, I read your blog everyday. I love seeing photos of your every day events. I still feel sad over your loss of little Cora.I lost my Gretta a year ago today so it makes me think of her last three days and like you, I kept her at home close to those who loved her. You made all the right decisions. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteGene S. in Ohio.
Some people, where do they come from??? Obviously they didn't have my momma raising them!! Travel safe guys!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your beloved Motormouse. I hope your memories of her help you though your grief.
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, if your Wilson Antenna is directional like mine is, you have to aim it at the nearest cell tower. That could be tough in an RV. Mine is on cabin in the Ozarks and it still took me months to locate the one cell tower in the vicinity.
Obviously "Megan" hasn't been reading your blogs for long, otherwise she wouldn't have said made such an abhorrent comment. I can't imagine either of you loving your pups any more than you do.
ReplyDeleteThe lights of Albuquerque are indeed a beautiful sight. We lived in town for 5 years & east of town for 25, and would sometimes run to the west side just to see the lights laid out in front of us...except we did it in the evening, not before sunrise!
The loss of a loved pet is so hard. I am so sorry that you have to go through this again. You two are such great "parents" to your critters. You did everything you could to help Motor and she came to tell you thanks as well as goodbye. It is good that she is going home with you. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers for comfort and joyful memories. Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip home, try to think of all the happy times with little Cora.
ReplyDeleteMegan is an idiot.
Pretty obvious what we all think of Megan's rotten comment. Safe travels to you all.
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ReplyDeleteDon't even consider one letter of Megan's comment! She should be deleted from here!!
ReplyDeleteAl and Kelly, you are very loving pet parents, you did the right thing!
Safe travels through the plains back to Bayfield!
Hugs and prayers,
Kathy
"The lights of Albuquerque were splayed out over a black velvet desert floor like a bunch of glittering silver & gold diamonds. What a beautiful sight it was & not one I will soon forget. But, you have to be there before sunrise:))"
ReplyDeleteI saw that sight 25 times as I walked down 9 Mile Hill on Old US 66 while I was staying in Albuquerque. Then many mornings I would see hot air balloons just as the sun was coming up.
So very sorry about Cora/ Motormouse. You did the right thing while she was sick and are doing the right thing by taking her 'home'.
HUGS to you Al and Kelly.. you are the BEST pet parents there are. Never doubt that.
ReplyDelete( I removed my previous comment, as I don't want to feed the troll)
Megan is a spammer. Megan wants attention. Don't bite.
ReplyDeleteWe all know what a wonderful life Motormouse had with you.
Just catching up on your blog from the past few days. SO SORRY to hear about little Motormouse. Her lovely little self will be forever in our thoughts and minds thanks to the journey we've taken with her on your blog. And now she'll be forever watching over you waiting until the day you get to be together again.
ReplyDeleteNina
I'm catching up on your Posts too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heavy heart I have...we
have lost our devoted pets before and it's a hit to our souls leaving
a large hole. T'was a mutual blessing for all three, well four,
of you, to share your years together. So sorry.......
ron and linda a.
My heart broke when I learned of the passing of your beloved Cora. I'm late sending these condolences due to being away from an internet signal.
ReplyDeleteYou gave little Motormouse a wonderful life with excellent care. It's a good thing you let her pass on at home with her family. Thank you for sharing her with us all. I'm sorry for the pain you feel.
Sue
I am still quite choked up about your most recent loss of the precious member of your family.
ReplyDeleteIt's never easy to lose a loved one. Two legs or Four.
Just know that your readers and friends are thinking of you often during this tough time, and our hearts are with you.
Drive safe through those tears, and please give Pheebs a big hug from our bunch.
Your writing and photographs are so wonderful that you made me love Motormouse to the point I've cried two days. If God blesses me maybe I can come back as one of your fur babies. 120 people have responded with love and caring and understand that this is a tough time for someone who loves their little companion as you and Kelly do. One remark that I didn't read was obviously a stupido. I know you are sensitive from your blog, so throw it out where it belongs, in the trash. Drive safe.
ReplyDeleteOur best,
Dianne and Jerry
The tears will pass, but memories of Motor will last forever! You guys are great pet parents...give Pheebs an extra hug tonight. Safe travels Al & Kelly.
ReplyDeleteWow! I did not see what Meagan posted as it is deleted. But, I can tell you that I have been following your blog and all I can see is that you did all you could for little Cora. Sometimes there is not much more to do. Everyone has to cross the bridge at sometime. And it looks like it was Cora's time. I think she was well taken care of ! Still fealing sad about her! I lost a beloved pet a couple months ago so I sure can relate. The pain still creeps up on me now and then. And I miss my little guy Levi so much. Take care Al and Kelly.
ReplyDelete