On the Road - Day 2

Saturday, February 27th

Even though we had an early start to our drive and were on the road just after 7AM, as compared to day one, day two dragged on and on. It was unfortunate that we passed through one of the most spectacular bits of landscape in the rain. The Virgin River Gorge is in the North Western corner of Arizona that the Interstate 15 clips across. Travelling south you drop 3000 feet in just a few miles ... spectacular rock and colour.

The rain followed us to Vegas. This was a disappointment and coupled with our tiredness we had little energy to do more than join the Simpsons for dinner and go to bed.

On The Road - Day 1

Southern Montana's north facing mountains still have a lot of snow.

Hit the road at 7:45AM this morning, stopped mid day at Helena, Montana for gas and food. Ate lunch while driving. We're very happy with the clear road conditions and the good time we made. Arrived in Idaho Falls at 5PM. At the border, the US customs officer took our Chilean grapes but other than that the crossing was short, sweet and painless. Just hanging out in our hotel room watching the Canadian - Swedish Olympic curling game. Thinking about stepping out for dinner soon.

1 Day to Departure

This has never happened to me before ... I'm ready early! For every other trip in my entire life I scramble until the final hour to be ready. Just when I needed something to do this afternoon, Kari invited me out to visit her and her girls, Tess and Rory. It is a glorious, spring like day here and it was wonderful to join Kari in coffee and conversation.

We leave at dawn!

2 Days to Departure

A visit to our physician today and with a little medical help it would seem I'll be able to play tennis again this year! Now for my last pottery class this evening ... and then one more day!

3 Days to Departure

Have I told you that my brain is already in Palm Springs? It's just my body that needs transporting. Spending these last few days at home fine tuning the packing, taking care of last minute details and visiting with all my special people. I look forward to seeing this mountain backdrop with palm trees in the foreground!

4 Days to Departure

Bill and I went to Calgary today specifically to have a celebratory lunch with Denise, Larry and Avery at a great little restaurant called 'Big Fish'. We'll miss Denise's birthday by being away. When Larry returned to work we went home with Denise and Avery. Not one to sit still for very long I was delighted that Avery let me hold her while I read to her. This and our Skype sessions will tie me over during our Avery-less month. At 16 months old, she is constantly changing and adding new words daily!

5 Days to Departure

Eight days until we are sitting on this patio!

We have had an incredible number of foggy days here in Claresholm. This morning the sky is once again a heavy white and the trees have a thin coat of hoar frost. I'll bet it is clear and blue in Palm Springs!

6 Days to Departure

Nine days until we are in these pools!

California Dreamin'

Counting down ... seven days to departure! Palm trees, sunshine, warm temperatures, swimming pools the coolest thrifts stores ... my head is already there!

Heading South

A week tomorrow we'll drive off in our fully loaded vehicle, point south and cross the border into the US. We'll get to Idaho Falls the first night. The Simpsons will be a least a day ahead of us but we'll catch up to them in Las Vegas. After resisting 'tinsel town' for many years, last September we caved in and celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with four days at The Mirage. We were surprised at how much we enjoyed ourselves and so, we'll spend two two nights there on this trip.