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What we're doing...
Friday, 5/24/2019 – This morning we left Phoenix bright and early for a six hour drive to Vegas. The day was beautiful and we started out in busy traffic along the highways leading out of Phoenix. Shortly however we were driving on a two lane highway with gorgeous views just about all the way to Vegas. We drove along as well as up and over the Vulture Mountains, the Aquarius Mountains, the Hualapai Mountains and the Black Mountains just to name a few. We also drove through the Mojave Desert and the Joshua Tree Forest. We really did have a beautiful drive.
Once we settled in to our campsite in Phoenix, Arizona this past Monday, we contacted a Glass Company to have someone repair the enormous star shaped chip in our windshield. Even the glass guy was surprised at the size of it but he repaired it the best he could and hopes, as we do that a crack across the entire windshield doesn’t appear off one of the spines. There’s nothing more we can do about it. We just accept it as part of life on the road. At this point we’re just hoping it’ll hold off until we get back to Texas.
One of the perks of traveling around the country every year is getting together with friends from long ago. Our first full day in Phoenix was extra special when I broke a record for the longest period between separation and a reunion. A few months ago on Facebook, I found Pam, a friend of mine I hadn’t seen since we were teenagers over 45 years ago. Claudia and I met up with her and her husband Stephen for a visit at their home followed by a tour of their area in the northeastern portion of Phoenix. We had a great lunch at a local Western Bar and Grill in Cave Creek, a gorgeous area of Arizona. We had such a wonderful day together. I just couldn’t believe it had been 45 years. The reunion was special and we’ll be back to see them again.
On our second day in Phoenix we got together with Harriet, a longtime close friend of Claudia’s who now lives here. Claudia hasn’t seen Harriet in about three years while it’s been five years for me so we definitely had some catching up to do. We enjoyed time at her home before heading off for a walk along the canal and over to a nice little Café for lunch. Once we arrived we were joined by Harriet’s daughter Karen who lives in the area as well. Although Claudia has seen Karen on rare occasions, I hadn’t seen her since we flew out for her wedding back in 2004. Claudia and I were newlyweds ourselves at that time. It was another great day full of memories and great conversation with wonderful people
Once we settled in to our campsite in Phoenix, Arizona this past Monday, we contacted a Glass Company to have someone repair the enormous star shaped chip in our windshield. Even the glass guy was surprised at the size of it but he repaired it the best he could and hopes, as we do that a crack across the entire windshield doesn’t appear off one of the spines. There’s nothing more we can do about it. We just accept it as part of life on the road. At this point we’re just hoping it’ll hold off until we get back to Texas.
One of the perks of traveling around the country every year is getting together with friends from long ago. Our first full day in Phoenix was extra special when I broke a record for the longest period between separation and a reunion. A few months ago on Facebook, I found Pam, a friend of mine I hadn’t seen since we were teenagers over 45 years ago. Claudia and I met up with her and her husband Stephen for a visit at their home followed by a tour of their area in the northeastern portion of Phoenix. We had a great lunch at a local Western Bar and Grill in Cave Creek, a gorgeous area of Arizona. We had such a wonderful day together. I just couldn’t believe it had been 45 years. The reunion was special and we’ll be back to see them again.
On our second day in Phoenix we got together with Harriet, a longtime close friend of Claudia’s who now lives here. Claudia hasn’t seen Harriet in about three years while it’s been five years for me so we definitely had some catching up to do. We enjoyed time at her home before heading off for a walk along the canal and over to a nice little Café for lunch. Once we arrived we were joined by Harriet’s daughter Karen who lives in the area as well. Although Claudia has seen Karen on rare occasions, I hadn’t seen her since we flew out for her wedding back in 2004. Claudia and I were newlyweds ourselves at that time. It was another great day full of memories and great conversation with wonderful people
Yesterday we enjoyed the day with my cousin Richard and his wife who I hadn’t seen in five years. He grew up in Virginia while I grew up in Massachusetts but it’s amazing how many similar memories we share of those times we did get together. We also had many similar memories of the time with our grandparents so he played a video for me during some of his time with them, originally taken with a Super 8 movie camera. Our Grandpa was a candy maker and it was so much fun watching that video of him making that candy so many years ago. The video also included clips of many family members as well as mutual friends which made us laugh but also reminded us of how long ago these clips were taken. It was another wonderful day full of great memories.
Now we’ve settled in for a three night stay here in Vegas. Tomorrow we’ll take a trip over to the strip. We don’t have any definite plans other than to enjoy lunch over at the New York New York Casino. I’ve got to have my pot pie over at the Three Fine Irishmen. Maybe we’ll gamble a little. Claudia will certainly feel like shopping some. It’s nice to have a stop where we don’t have any definite plans. We’ll find something to entertain us
Now we’ve settled in for a three night stay here in Vegas. Tomorrow we’ll take a trip over to the strip. We don’t have any definite plans other than to enjoy lunch over at the New York New York Casino. I’ve got to have my pot pie over at the Three Fine Irishmen. Maybe we’ll gamble a little. Claudia will certainly feel like shopping some. It’s nice to have a stop where we don’t have any definite plans. We’ll find something to entertain us
Recent Updates:
5/10/2019 A new photo album and a new blog entry have been added describing our winter in Texas. Hope you enjoy them!!
9/17/2018 A new photo album and a new blog entry have been added describing our return trip to Texas through Indianapolis, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Sorry the blog is so lengthy. That's what happens when I don't update more often. Hope you enjoy them.
5/10/2019 A new photo album and a new blog entry have been added describing our winter in Texas. Hope you enjoy them!!
9/17/2018 A new photo album and a new blog entry have been added describing our return trip to Texas through Indianapolis, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Sorry the blog is so lengthy. That's what happens when I don't update more often. Hope you enjoy them.
Next destinations...
Next destinations...
Once we leave Las Vegas we'll work our way north to Spokane, Washington to spend time and visit with several of our Texas friends. From there we'll continue north for stops in both Glacier National Parks (US & Canada) as well as at Banff National Park in British Columbia. Once our visits to the National Parks are complete it’ll be time to make our way over to Manitoba, Canada to spend more time with some good friends of ours from Texas. After a short visit at their home, the four of us will make the trip to the Lake of the Woods in Sioux Narrows, Ontario for a week long houseboat trip. Once that trip is complete we’ll return to Manitoba to enjoy the Manitoba Stampede in Morris. At that point we’ll be taking a week long break at a resort in Minnesota with more of our Texas friends before heading back into and across Canada as we work our way over to New England to be with family. But wait... it won’t even be Labor Day yet so there's more. Stay tuned!!
Weather Forecast for where we are now... Las Vegas, Nevada
Weather Forecast for our next overnight stop... Ely, Nevada
