Casper to Cody!

What a way to spend Mother's Day - calls from both my boys to wish me a great day and a drive that took me through some of the most beautiful, desolate, mind-blowingly beautiful, rugged, magnificent country I have ever seen. I can't begin to describe in words what I experienced - a feeling of being insignificant in such a wide-open spaces, under an azure sky, with hardly any other vehicle sharing the road with me so early on a Sunday morning.

I made my way slowly, and in some instances, just barely crawling along, stopping at every opportunity to take pictures which don't begin to do Wyoming justice. You just must see it for yourself.

I arrived at my 'home', the Yellowstone Valley Inn and RV Resort, located between Cody and the east gate of the Park at 12:30 p.m. They were packed with over 300 guests enjoying the season opening Mother's Day brunch. I just jumped in and started cleaning tables, greeting guests and answering phones. Got to meet quite of few of the folks I'll be working and living with and all seem quite nice. Tomorrow I'll get Willie off the trailer and return it to UHaul then find the Direct TV serviceman, as my antenna only picks up 3 very fuzzy stations. Wyoming isn't going HD in June, like the rest of the country. Seems that things happen a lot slower here in the West.

Until next time - enjoy the pictures and take care of each other!

ReAnn

Winnie Had a Baby!

Meet Little Willie, so named by previous owner's Eric & Eileen of St. Paul, MN. This wonderful young couple are the long-time, best friends of my youngest son, and Eric is the best car mechanic ever! So when they asked if I would please stop by on my way West, it was so very easy to say yes! They live in Lake Elmo, the Scott family home for many, many years. It has been so much fun to visit and be welcomed by a couple who I have know since they were teenagers, and tour the old neighborhood on the back of Eric's new toy Harley.

Sometime during the one of our conversations the fact that at some point in the near future I was going to have to purchase a little car which I could tow and use getting around to places where it is just impossible to take Winnie. Sightseeing is limited because of her width and girth and so is getting in and out of shopping centers!

Eric said that he was interested in selling the cute little, black, 2001 Jeep Wrangler Safari he had sitting in the drive (known as 'little Willie). A few telephone calls and 2 hours later, off we went to the DMV to sign the papers. We picked up a trailer from UHaul, as no one had the exact trailer that would haul a Jeep in stock, got it all hooked up and then took a test drive around the lake and then out on the interstate. Everything worked just fine, drove perfectly.

Tomorrow morning Winnie and I will head off to South Dakota and a visit to the Cow Palance with a new member of the family literally in tow!

Until later...take care of each other.

ReAnn

Back on the road....

....but it was terribly stressful just getting here. I took Winnie to get her North Carolina 'omissions inspection' on Tuesday, a requirement of all NC vehicles to be registered and plated. It was the first time I had started the engine and drove her since parking on the beach a whole month before. My good friend and hairdresser extraordinaire, Jodell, wanted to ride along with me to see what it was like. We picked probably one of the windiest days in a long time - 40 mph winds (tropical storm strength) - but made it downtown okay and Winnie passed with flying colors. Had the guys check the tires and pressure as well, as wanted to be sure they were ready for the next 2600 miles.

With my 'passing certificate' in hand, Laura picked me up and off we went to the DMV. I had a huge packet of papers I had received from LaMesa when I purchased Winnie and all the insurance forms, driver's license and checkbook - anything I could think of they might need to process Winnie. But when the lady (Donna - whom I got to know on a first-name basis by the end of the next 2 days!) asked me for the title, I just looked at her. She informed me that the dealer would/should have mailed the title to me or sent it directly to the DMV. No title, no plates, no leaving the state.

With my blood pressure rising quickly, I called LaMesa from the DMV, was transferred 4 times before reaching someone who said that the lady in charge of titles for all 8 of LaMesa's sales offices had been out sick for the past 6 weeks. I asked what I considered a very intelligent question - was she the only one in the entire company that issued titles for every sale they made?!!!! After several minutes of conversation, it was agreed that LaMesa would overnight the title for Winnie to the DMV office in Wilmington to the attention of lovely Donna.

The next morning I waited until 10 a.m. and was thrilled to learn that FedEx had already delivered my title and paperwork. Called Laura, my resident taxi driver, and we were at the DMV office by 10:30, only to learn that LaMesa had not notarized the title - something that the state of NC requires. Back on the phone - this time Donna and the folks in Tucson talked directly to each other. When they finished, it is decided that the title must be over-nighted back to Tucson, notarized, and returned to the NCDMV, which would probably take till Monday or Tuesday.

There goes my schedule! Nothing more I could do, so Laura and I went out to lunch and I had several de-stressing beverages! While we were enjoying a delicious lunch of Pad Thai, my phone rings and it's the lovely Donna! She and the folks at LaMesa have both called and chatted with the big-wigs at the DMV in Raleigh. They came to the conclusion that since I purchased Winnie out-of-state, and since AZ doesn't require their titles to be notarized, NC will let me register and get my plates with the paperwork the way it is!!!!

So I was only set back one day, which LaMesa very graciously agreed to pay the extra-day campground fee, and this morning, with shinny new license plates, I drove off Carolina Beach after 31-days.

Tonight, as you can see from the pictures, I'm in the lovely Blue Ridge mountains, just outside Mt. Airy, NC. The funny-looking mountain is called Pilot Mountain and Mt. Airy is the birthplace of Andy Griffith and was the town that the fictional Mayberry was based upon. It's a brand-new campground and really nice. My neighbors all stopped by to say hello, and the owner came over and personally invited me down to the 'gathering area' to listen to some 'live pickin'. Grabbed a beer and a chair and really enjoyed listening to a couple of local, good ol' boys singin' and playing some great country music. And you wonder why I like this life?

Today was an easy 5-hour drive and I realized as I was moving down that road that my hands no longer held the steering wheel in a death-grip, nor did I jerk every time a 16-wheeler went whizzing past, my stomach didn't reside in my throat and I was actually enjoying the ride! I think I might actually have gotten over the 'new RV-driver jitters.' And I really get a hoot out of pulling into a rest stop and parking with the truckers instead of the cars.

It's time to turn off the computer, plop in front of the TV and relax before getting a good night's sleep. Tomorrow I'm off to Crossville, TN for a night at the Bean Pot Campground. Part of the fun deciding how far I want to drive and choosing where I want to spend the next night. What did we do before computers?!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Westward Ho!

Just 2 more days left here on Carolina Beach before I bring in the slides, unhook the water and sewer hoses, unplug the electric and 'wheels-up.' It's been a great month - especially spending quality time with some great friends. And let me say right here and now a great, big THANK YOU to Laura, JoDell, Beth, Eloise and Janet & Bob. You are the best friends in the entire world! And to top off the month, I got to spend this past weekend with Sean - Son #2 - playing a little golf and meeting his lovely girlfriend, Nicki.

But I'm ready to get movin' again. I have a noon meeting with my property manager (why can't renters just be nice people and do what they're suppose to do?) so with a late start, am planning to make it as far as Mt. Airy, NC on Thursday. Have a reservation at the Mayberry Campground. Yep, Mt. Airy is the home of Andy Griffin and is the town that the fictional Mayberry is based upon. I'm going to spend a few days with my family in southern Illinois before heading northwest to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park and finally, driving into Cody, WY for my summer work/camp position.

Thought I would list my route - in case you are along the way and want me to stop in and say 'hey' or know of someplace special I should stop...

NC - I-40, I-77
VA - I-77, I-81
TN - I-40, I-24
IL - I-24, I-57, I-74, I-80
IA, NE - I-80
NE, SD - I-29
SD, WY - I-90
WY - I-90, Hwy 16, Hwy 20

I have always loved maps, figuring out how to get from Point A to Point B, and 'taking the road less traveled.' But I have realized that I can't just do that anymore when you're driving a 29' big box that acts as a kite in high winds. While sitting on the floor, 2 Atlas and state maps spread out around me, laying out the route I want to take, I realized that #1 - I really didn't want to take Winnie over Michigan's Machinaw Bridge - even though I was invited and would have loved to see friends in Michigan and upstate Wisconsin.

The bridge is beautiful and joins lower Michigan to the Upper Peninsula where Lake's Michigan and Huron meet. Last summer I drove this same route in my PT Cruiser. It was a beautiful day and I had the top down, so not a lot of surface for wind resistance. Even on a beautiful day my little Cruiser was really being buffeted around on the bridge. When I stopped for lunch in St, Ignace on the other side, I jokingly asked my waitress if anyone had ever been blown off the bridge and her answer was - at least once a year! Not a good choice in my RV unless I want to park and wait for a calm, windless day - which are few and far between in that area.

Then there was the #2 portion of the route that I choose to not even try attempt in Winnie. Pick up any atlas and look how I-90 takes a traveler from Rapid City, SD into Wyoming. Now find Cody on the map. You will see a nice little short-cut on US 14/Alt 14 that goes from I-90 at Ranchester directly into Cody. Perfect - right? NOT!

Last time I was in a Camping World, the lady at the register, when she learned I was heading West, said I really must buy a copy of the "Mountain Directory West for Truckers, RV and Motorhome Drivers." The subtitle to this little book is "Locations and Descriptions of over 400 Mountain Passes and Steep Grades in 11 Western States." On the atlas US 14/Alt. 14 look like a nice, little roads that would cut a lot of time off my trip. Then you look up this route in the Mountain Directory and learn this 'little shortcut' via Alt. 14 is known by locals as the "OH MY GOD HILL!!" and just plain old Granite Pass (elv. 9033) and Shell Canyon on US. 14.

The written description is enough to make one gasp! A posted 10% grade for 10 miles down OMGH and then an additional 9 miles of 5-7% grades with many 20-25-30 mph switchback curves. And this is open range country, often with livestock on the roads. In boldface, the books says "All trucks, RV's and vehicles with trailers must stop and read sign at turnout ahead where US 14 splits. US Alt. 14 has turnouts for trucks and RV's to check breaks, 3 runaway truck ramps, turnouts to cool breaks--10% downgrade for 10 miles --sharp curves---3600' drop in elevation in 10 miles. (Sign doesn't mention the 4 miles of 8% grade after the 10 miles of 10%)"

After reading this I very quickly decided it was going to be worth every extra minute it takes to take I-25 back down to Casper and travel back up to Cody on the fairly flat US 20! I emailed my boss Ron at the Yellowstone Inn and told him what I had been planning and he said don't be such a whimp! He re-routed me from I-90 through Buffalo onto Hwy 16, up and over the Bighorn Mountains through Powder River Pass. A little less 'exciting' than the OMGH and a nice, big road with places to pass and pull over and take pictures! The things you need to learn when driving an RV! But you could bet I wouldn't miss driving the 'Oh My God Hill' if I still had my little convertible!

Well, now that the sun is up and shinning, it's time to get on my bike and peddle to the local Food Lion for one last grocery-run before I leave. Borrowed JoDell's car yesterday and spent time at the laundromat. Still trying to decide where I will store my bike during the trip - either inside or bungie'd and locked to the roof ladder.

Until the next time somewhere along the road West....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Nothin' Could be Finer than to be in Carolina!

Home - on the beach and settled for an entire 5 weeks - yeah!

The trip from Jacksonville, FL to Lumberton, NC was easy - the sun was shinning and the temps were warm. I was up early on Wednesday morning to make the quick, 2-hour trip to the beach and get settled in at Winner's RV on Carolina Beach. Glenda & Shorty, the park's managers greeted me and stopped me from running into a low tree and tearing off my awning - phew! Got me parked, leveled, hooked up and all set.

I spent about an hour getting stuff out of drawers and making Winnie look like home, then called my hairdresser, who is all of a 5 minute walk, made an appointment and got my hair cut! Then I walked 5 minutes the other direction, renewed my library card and made a quick stop at the Sea Merchants grocery store to stock up on a few essentials.

With bread, milk, juice, 3 new books to read and 3 DVD's to watch (the only thing this park doesn't have is cable access), I was ready to just relax.

Friends Marty & Laura came over yesterday afternoon for a visit and to see my new home. They both loved it and wanted to run away and join me! Think Dave and Bill might object, though.

Darling Son #2 sent a large packet of mail and today I will spend time going through all that, then dinner with my good friend Beth this evening. Doctor appointments set for next week, made a call off Craig's List for a cute little Viking machine that I can travel with - can't go all summer without the ability to sew - and this afternoon Laura is going to swing by and run me over to my storage unit so I can rescue my golf clubs, some clothes and a few household items I returned with from St. Kitts.

So normal life resumes. Even without a car, I can walk almost everywhere I need to go and a good friend just up and offered me hers whenever I needed to run an errand off the beach or go to the doctor's. I do not even begin to know what I would do without my girlfriends!

I probably won't update my blog now until I am ready to 'wheels-up' the first of May unless something really spectacular occurs. Right now that would be the rain to stop, the sun to come out and me being able to walk across the street and enjoy the beach!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

What Sun?!!!

I woke up this morning to rain, clouds and wind. It was time to head out and all I wanted to do was to crawl back under the covers and go back to sleep. Carrie and Don wandered over to say good-bye and Don repaired my broken door handle and made sure I had assembled the new water filter I had purchased.

I got on the road later than planned, 9:15 a.m. and rolled into my Jacksonville campsite at 4:40 p.m. Not a terribly long way, but with torrential rains, large gusts of wind and smoke and fog (large fire mid-state), the day was terribly stressful. My neck, back and hands where clinched and it was hard to get out of Winnie when I arrived.

But what a pretty campsite, I just had to post some pictures. It's huge, with a lake in the middle with a water-spout and a wonderful flock of white birds soaring around. Had dinner at the on-site cafe - bar-b-cue ribs, slaw, fries and a local brew for $10. A whole group of RVers from The Villages are here and reminded me of why Carrie and Don and I hated this place so much last year when we spent 4 days there. Rude, loud and obnoxious. While standing in line to order dinner, some man just stepped in front of me, demanded a beer, and didn't once apologize or even ask. And people wonder why I travel alone?

The Weather Channel says only 'lite showers' tomorrow (which was their prediction for today, as well). I will traverse Georgia, South Carolina and get about 17 miles into NC before spending the night in Lumberton. That gives me about a 3-hour drive to Carolina Beach - Yeah! I'll be glad to park, relax and enjoy being 'home' for a month before wheel's up again.

Until next time ....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Basking in the Florida Sun!

For the past 5 days I have enjoyed the bright, warm sunshine of Central Florida - Ft. Myers to be exact. Because of the weather delay in Texas, my trip to The Keys was canceled and I drove to Ft. Myers to spend a wonderful time with my good friends Carrie & Don. They have a beautiful home right on the water where on the inland in the channel 1000's of wood storks and egrets are nesting. Winnie was parked just a short 3-minute walk from their door.

We had a great time catching up, going to garage sales (I got a vacuum for $3 and a small crock pot for $2!) attending Florida's largest flea market, and eating fresh grouper that Don and Carrie had recently caught. As you can see, Winnie (who still needs a name!) has gotten a bit more colorful with the addition of pillows and throws. Carrie took pics of me behind-the-wheel from the inside, and out.

On Saturday we drove to Ft. Myers Beach to visit with old friends from MN. How fun to see Jim, Carol, their son Jimmy, meet his beautiful wife and 2 children. And
I had the chance to spend Sunday afternoon and enjoy a delightful dinner with an old high school friend, Marcus Zillman, whom I hadn't seen in way too many years. Dinner was spent catching up and bringing up names from our well-spent youth. We both decided we turned out pretty good for a couple of kids from Danville, IL.

Tomorrow I start the trip back to Wilmington where I will spend the month of April at the campground on Carolina Beach. With no car, it's the perfect location as I can walk to the grocery store, the library, my hairdresser, the movie theater and....the beach is just across the street. I plan to depart for my summer home/job in Wyoming on May 1st.

Not a bad life, this mobile life of mine.

Until I arrive and settle in NC.....take care of each other.

ReAnn

You've heard that song....

"I've been everywhere" - well, that's what I feel like after 3 days on the road. I've been to AZ, TX, LA, MS, AL and now FL. Weird to drive through 3 states in one day, but that's what I did today.

But I will back up. Finally got out of Kerrivlle, TX on Sunday morning. Still lightly raining and very cloudy. Got through San Antonio early in the morning but hit Houston about 2 p.m. - even on a Sunday, lots of traffic, and with rain, lots of fender-benders. ARGH. Overnighted on the west side of town and drove out of that great, big, wide state and into, out and through Louisiana and just inside Mississippi where I spent last night at the Bay St. Louis Marina and RV Park on the Gulf Coast. This lovely little spot was totally whipped out during Hurricane Katrina and now has new owners who are doing their best to bring it back. Almost all of the RV sites are for long-term boaters who come down for the weekends to fish and hit the casinos.

Arose at 6 a.m. and to my surprise - sunhine! This was the first sunny day since I arrived in TX a week ago today. Continued eastward through Mississippi, Alabama and into Florida. Tonight I am a 'Tallahassee Lassie.' Really pretty park, most of it completely filled. Each site has a big tree and picnic table.

Someone emailed about what it costs to spend the night in a nice park - ranges from $23 - $38. That amount includes full hook-up, which is electric, water, cable TV and sewer dumping facilities. Cheaper than a hotel unless you take in the cost of what the gas costs to get here.

I did learn a few things on this drive. I don't like going over high bridges spanning lots and lots of water and tunnels are a little scary as well. The views from those bridges were magnificent, if I took my eyes off the road in front of me for 2 seconds. Most states have fairly good highways, AZ being the worst and LA 2nd. Otherwise, the ride is smooth. It's fun to stop at a park or rest stop for lunch - stretch, walk around and even take a small nap. Most interesting part of the ride was in Louisianna crossing the Atchafalaya swamp and bayou. Just the thought of the people who plunged into these waters to build the 18-mile spillway across this snake and alligator-filed waterway amazes the imagination.

It's cocktail time and time to kick back and enjoy a relaxing night - that is, if the kids next door quite down when the sun goes down!

Until next time....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Good Saturday Morning - from TX!

Yes, still in Kerrville, TX where the weather has been just awful. Now that's coming from someone who would really like to be on-the-road heading East. The locals are so happy for the rain (over 5" since I arrived) that they can hardly stand it. This part of Texas has been hard hit by drought and they are overjoyed when they receive any type of precipitation. But even they are not thrilled at the low temps (40) and the winds. The local weatherman says...clearing late this afternoon and continual improvement with clear skies for the next 10 days so it's wheels-up in the a.m. and onward to Florida.

I must say I really lucked out when I stumbled into Buckhorn Lake RV Resort. It has the nicest people who have bent over backwards to make me feel welcome and not 'alone.' First it was a home-cooked pot roast dinner the night I arrived, then Thursday was a home-cooked chicken parmisian dinner. Then it was the fuse I blew by plugging the in toaster and the space heater at the same time and not knowing how to reset it. Next was my gas pilot light blowing out and no hot water. Being leery of anything gas, I was afraid to attempt to relight it. Monte from LaCrosse, WI and his lovely wife Julie were next door and Monte had both little problems fixed within, literally, 2 seconds. Duh! But now I know what to do. Life in an RV is just a new learning curve that I'm slowing mastering. I did say slowly, right?

Last night 33 of us went out for a nice dinner in Kerrville and then onto Fredricksburg where we attended a live performance at the Rock Box Theater- 2-hour show featuring good, ol' rock n' roll. This morning one of the ladies I met last night is picking me up and taking me to WalMart, lunch and to visit Kerrville's very well-known fabric store! It's time to start insulating Winnie with a fabric stash. I just think of all I could have sewn if I had a little machine and fabric to play with the last 4 days!

Tonight, my last night, is pizza night at the Barn. I've placed my order and paid up my account this morning so I can depart early tomorrow morning. I also 'dumped' all by myself for the first time. It was so easy and fast that I now don't know what I was worried about. But I'm anxious to get moving. If the weather had been nice, I could have opened out my big awning and sat outside and met the folks walking their dogs (seems that ever RVer has at least 2 dogs per rig). Instead you do get a little stir-crazy sitting inside for 4 dark, dreary days. But I read 2 good mysteries and watched a lot of TV. The resort has 3 stations where they show a choice of 3 different, first-run movies each night at 8 p.m. You make your choice, pop your popcorn, click and there you go.

Tomorrow I will make it through San Antonio and Houston, stopping on the far eastern side of Houston for the night. Figured the best time to go through big cities is a Sunday so really the weather has worked in my favor. By Monday I will overnight in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and Tuesday in Tallahassee before arriving in Ft. Myers on Wednesday. Have canceled my trip down to The Keys because of the weather delay, but it's definitely on my list for the future.

Must make my shopping list so will sign off for now. Have a good weekend and until next time ....take care of each other.

ReAnn

Summer in Yelllowstone!

I applied for a work/camp job online this morning and got a call and hired this afternoon! As of May 10th, I will be manning the front desk at the Yellowstone Valley Inn and RV Resort just outside Cody, WY. You can check it out at http://www.yellowstonevalleyinn.com/

Teddy Roosevelt said that this hidden valley, located just 30 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone Park, was the most beautiful 50-mile valley in the entire US.

I am totally excited. There are 4 other work/campers besides myself, one couple and 2 single women, plus kids from all over the world.

You're all invited!

Soon-to-be Cowgirl Re

Stuck in Texas!

With thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 35 mph, I made the decision to stay put at the lovely Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville, TX (just west of San Antonio). As you can see from the picture taken last night, that this park is really neat.

The big red barn is their activity center where I enjoyed a home-cooked pot roast dinner ($9) in the company of a really nice bunch of folks from WI.

Today I'll do some re-arranging of stuff, scrub my floor, take care of my finger - which I sliced almost to the knuckle yesterday when slicing some chicken for lunch. Thank goodness I had bought a First Aid kit. I got those steri-strips out and patched myself up - had thought for a while I would have to find an emergency room and get stitches. Plan on doing some reading, napping, and just let this weather system pass before I head out to conquer the cities of San Antonio and Houston.

Tip of the Day from fellow RVers - the power of Scrubbing Bubbles. Yes, the bathroom cleaner. They use it for everything. When my tech guy did the walk-thru with me, the carpets were still damp from cleaning and he didn't take off his big boots which were filthy with dirt and grease. They said spray the carpet with Scrubbing Bubbles and rub - it worked!

Until later....take care of each other

Re

Under the Big Texas Sky!

I drove 341 miles today which included going through my first 'big city' - El Paso. I gripped the wheel so tight I thought it might break, I ground my teeth and wanted to just pull over and throw up! But I didn't and I finally started breathing again once I was out in the wide open country - which happens as soon as town ends.

Texas is sure big - and the Guadalupe Mountains are a beautiful backdrop the the brown flat land. I had planned to stop in the little town of Balmorhea at the state park but when I called they only had 'back-in sites' - NOT! - going forward to hard enough.

So I kept driving until I reached Ft. Stockton. I'm in a very nice, family-run campground. No cable tv but a very cute, nice little restaurant where they serve homemade mashed potatoes (which barbecued spareribs for $7) and in the morning they make fresh, homemade biscuits & gravy ($4). And temperature sure warmed up as I drove further East. It rained all night in Deming, NM and was quite chilly. By the time I arrived in Ft. Stockton I tore off my long-sleeved shirt and threw on a pair of shorts.

Tomorrow morning is a biggie - I'm going to 'dump' for the first time. A very nice lady across the way wandered over and helped me attached the sewer hose and now, before I take off in the a.m. I will perform the dreaded deed for the first, but certainly not the last time.

I did want to share with you just one picture - Winnie all lit up at night, under a full-Texas moon.

Tomorrow I'll head to Kerrville, which will put me right outside San Antonio and the next night, Brookshire, which is just west of Houston. This way I can tackle the last 2 big cities in the morning around 10 a.m. and hopefully miss at least the rush-hour traffic. Then it will be out of Texas and onto Louisiana and Arkansas before finally reaching the Sunshine State.

Until later - take care of each other.

Night.

Re

Whew - Driving Winnie Sure is Fun?!

I woke and began my check list to 'unhook' Winnie from a campsite and prepare for my first day of driving. Thanks to Al, who helped me put together a list of what I had to do to 'decamp'- making sure my hoses were detached, TV antenna down, steps in, all those little things that you don't want to leave up, down or connected when you pull out of your campsite, all went well and I was on I-10 heading East by 8:30 a.m.

What's it like driving a big, square box down the highway? Hard! There have been wind advisories in the southwest for several days and though it has died down enough to drive, big semis make their own wind. The first time one of these big rigs went screaming past me (did I mention I am driving at the very staid and easy pace of 55 mph on an interstate who's speed limit is 75?) I screamed and grabbed the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

I held on to the wheel for dear life most of the day, and pulled into the first rest stop I found, just to breathe and stop my knees from shaking. Got a lot of chuckles from RVers parked next to me when I explained why I was just standing next to the door and taking deep breaths. They assured me that I would be up and running with the big boys with a day or two - NOT! I also filled the gas tank - all 55 gallons worth. Sure hope as I cross the country the price of gas will drop from the $1.89 a gallon I paid.

I stopped at almost every rest stop along the way and you will see from the pictures that Winnie and I have been traveling across the a little bit of Arizona and into New Mexico - all desert, sage brush, flat and brown except for some amazing rock formations. Winnie, and even the big rigs, were dwarfed by these huge, red rocks. I kept expecting to see Indians or John Wayne come riding into view.

Made it all the way to Demming, NM for the night. All of 187 miles from Tucson. Al had suggested this RV park. When I questioned why I should stop after such a short drive, he just laughed and said - you'll be ready! And was he right. The stress just wears you out and I was so happy to see the exit for Roadrunner RV Park. Of course, had completely forgotten that though Arizona never changes it's time, New Mexico 'sprang back' last night and I had lost an hour when I crossed the state line.

So here I am, all snug and plugged in, watching 60 Minutes, having a nice glass of wine, getting ready to install my new printer and thinking about what to eat for dinner. Tomorrow I'm going to hope to go about 300 miles - which at my great speed is only a 6-hour drive. But I look at this way - I'm not chugging through as much gas as those who are flying by me at 75!

Thanks for everyone who emailed me and said they were glad to be 'on the road' with me. I appreciate it and for those who asked, the Cruiser got traded in on Winnie. I just couldn't imagine towing a car behind the coach before I learned how to drive the coach.