We had to leave as the project was 50% done and had to return to California. HE will go back soon to complete the project, not me. I sense a flight is the way to go.
We packed and left on a Saturday and headed for the west coast.
It was exciting as we had no specific plans. We passed through Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, missing the tornados by one day, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. We did pass through Ohio to see my son and Indiana to see my sister, her husband and a precious dog named Patty. We were even lucky enough to see our special Andrea, Ben and Lauryn. Blessed to see everyone, and I thank you all for the beautiful hospitality that we received. Our last stop was seeing my son and his family in St. Helena. Always wonderful.
The cheapest gas was $2.99, what's up California? Food prices were high everywhere and we found no deals in restaurants. We saw no graffiti, no road ragers flipping us off, and can easily say that people were amazing everywhere.
Have to say it was very refreshing.
BUT, I would be remiss in not telling you about the most unusual experience ever at a restaurant. We were in Rawlins, Wyoming, 6500 ft elevation with gates that cross I-80 when the snow is treacherous. There were more hotels than restaurants. We went to the only one open and it was an average place but serving a great deal of pride in what they served. After we ate, I wandered over to another room and it was a taxidermist dream, my nightmare. An assortment of deer, moose and elk heads and upper bodies that took my breath away.
Now I am mostly vegetarian but I love a good steak, but when you see all these animal heads and upper bodies, I may have to re-consider being a full vegetarian. It was unbelievable. We left, never to go back and that is fine with me.
This was our Bucket List trip and we are so glad we did it. We felt blessed to be able to do it, we loved traveling together and just being with one another. I even got to crochet a whole adult blanket for a good friend of mine in 7700 miles. Yeah!
Do it with someone you love. But do it. The beautiful people that you meet in these chaotic times will reassure you that America is filled with kindness, not at all what the news tells us. We felt privileged to see our families and to share special times with them. Nothing could be better.
Just do it!