Weather in the Tries:
Beats me, I’m pulling into Dallas TX for a week. However, I have it on good authority that yes, there will be weather in the Tries. Sunshine, shade, blue skies, clouds, whatever—enjoy! Dallas will be hotter. San Antonio hotter yet. If you care, check where I am by date, and then check the weather there. 

Happy Monday:
If you’re wondering how I’m travelling—well, I’m using Apple Maps, and following directions. Mostly. There does seem to be some minor differences between Google Maps and Apple Maps. My friend and I compared the driving times from Kennewick to Port Charlotte FL (she was on Google) and I on Apple Maps which was an hour shorter. We did not compare actual maps to see where the differences were, if any.

So, if you want to follow along, my itinerary follows: 

21 Sep, leave for a 3-day drive to Dallas TX

not sure where I’ll stop at night along the way, but I’ll stop when tired. Hopefully in Laramie WY. Will turn right and head south through Raton NM and down to Amirillo TX then hang a lazy left and onward to Dallas for a week of gossip and writing, except I won’t be doing much writing, I’m taking a couple inches of printed out poetry and hope to get a book put together.

29 Sep, leave for a few days with my sister, in San Antonio.

3 Oct, leave for a good friend I met in ABQ but she moved to Marana AZ, I’ll probably make it a two day trip, as it’s more than 12 hour drive, and I want to stop in El Paso, at Rosa’s Cantina and buy a new tee shirt. Fortunately, they are easy off and easy on I-10. I’ll probably get something to eat, too. But I’ll forego the quart jar of margarita. Sigh.

7 Oct, I leave out for Henderson NV where I’ll pick up my old friend and travel buddy and head to Death Valley, for an o’night if the motel has a vacancy. Or, we can make it a day trip. Or maybe spend the night in Amargosa? We’ll figure it out.

12 Oct, leaving Henderson for a short drive to Castaic CA where I’ll spend the afternoon with poetry friends, and the night.

13 Oct, I head up to Vallejo, to spend a couple days with my brother. He’s on a different schedule, for the most part. But we’ll get to talk for a bit where our schedules overlap.

15 Oct, up to Vacaville (30 minute drive?) to spend a few days with my cousins, and then I’m gonna beat feet and head for home. 

I make no promises about posting blogs on the trip. I’ll do what I can, but I’m on vacation, and if nothing else, I’ll post stories and photos once I return. I’ll drive north to Weed, then a lazy right and go up the bright side of the Cascades until I’m home 😉 

I hope to be home the 19^th or 20^th of October. 

And there you have it. My last Grand Tour Road Trip to visit friends and family, not sight see. Though I do want to go to the Alamo when in San Antonio. I was there when I was nine, with my grandparents. I’ve seen the photos. I have NO memory of it, and some of my childhood heroes died there! I remember wanting to see it, but  every place else we went I have memories, not there.  And of course Death Valley, that is pure sight see, but both Kay and I love the valley. (And I will take any excuse to drive through Pahrumps!!!;-) And a few fabric/quilt stores.

I do a couple of things on road trips that work for me. I stop every two hours, plus or minus, make a pit stop and refill my big cup with an iced tea or whatever. I eat light while travelling so I don’t get sleepy from too many carbs. If I do get sleepy, I stop for a nap. So, know I’ll be driving safely. My favorite pit stops are at Love’s Truck Stops. The store and restrooms are always clean, the staff are always smiling and friendly, and the choice of food is amazing. From the ubiquitous hot dogs cooking on the rollers to a bowls of fresh fruit and salads. And half a dozen different coffees, iced teas (sweet and not). They even have showers in case you couldn’t find a hotel for the night/s before!

Photos of Some Week to be posted on Some Day:
Honest, trust me.

from the desk of the crying chihuahua;
sniff. sniff.

Poor puppy. If I take him he gets horribly stressed, and two of the places I’ll be have dogs, and he’s not over fond of other dogs. If I leave him, he gets stressed, but he’s in his own den, sleeps in his/our room on his/our bed. And he’s not nearly as stressed as he gets in a car. And I’m less stressed when he’s home, too.

Will try to write and post as I go along. Stay well, and Let Americans Laugh Again!!!