Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Today, we awoke in Booneville, Missouri.  We had our leisurely morning and did not begin our travels until about 11-11:30 am central time.  We started in the center of Missouri and drove to the western boundary of the state.  Independence, Missouri, and Kansas City are in the general vicinity.  The lady on the Garmin took us through downtown Kansas City which was a nightmare.  All the twists and turns made the drive tense.  Fortunately, it was at noon and the traffic was not as heavy as it could have been.  We made it admirably.  I will never follow the GPS through KC again.  Take the by-pass, I-470.

Also, as we traveled through Independence, Missouri, I thought of the pioneers 100-150 years ago.  It was their last stop of civilization to pack their small wagons with a few prized possessions, the clothes on their backs, needed supplies, and a few quilts.  The most important struggle for them was facing the elements.  I am so grateful that I am crossing the same trail in my wagon called a motorhome, especially since I am sitting here having just completed a hot shower and feeling refreshed.

As we passed signs on I-70, they had a yellow flower on them that resembled a sunflower.  As I learned on the evening news, Kansas is the sunflower state.

Kansas has a bum reputation as being flat and boring.  So far today, I would have to say that is all hogwash.  Kansas, west of Topeka is very rolling with hills that are covered with golden grass and no trees.  The area was sparsely populated with fields filled with cows and cattle:  they were called ranches instead of farms.  Exits off the interstate highway, stopped at one end and continued at the other end to ranches, hence the road was called Ranch Road.

In the middle of the day, we stopped, took a siesta, and had our large meal of the day.  We then proceeded to Salina, Kansas.  On the way, the sun was shining.  It is so amazing how the sun rays can lift the spirits.  We were so thankful and glad.

Our destination for the night is the WalMart parking lot in Salina, Kansas.  As I am writing, I hear the trains in the background.  The toots of the horn and the clickety-clack of the tracks are enough to put a person to sleep.    Goodnight for today.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Today is day two of our journey, and Tom’s 60^th birthday.  We got up, had a leisurely morning, and headed out about 10 o’clock.  We decided to take the by-pass on I-270 around St. Louis, Missouri.  We did not have a problem.  The time was perfect – no heavy traffic.  Made a couple of stops.  One was at a rest area so Tom could test the CB radios that were my Dad’s.  Either the radios didn’t work or Tom did not have the right parts.  Consequently, we did not have a working CB radio.  Several of the gas stations were difficult to maneuver because we are newbies at this RV-ing.  The process takes four eyes – two to watch the white lines (Tom, the driver) and two to watch the signs (Cyndie, the navigator).

We stopped about 5pm central time at Booneville, Missouri, west of Columbia, which is about the middle of the state.  We are headed west to Salina, Kansas where we make the decision to go south to Oklahoma City where it is warmer or west to Denver to follow the east side of the Rockies.  I would prefer the scenic route to follow the Rockies.  Tune in tomorrow to find out which direction we take.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Today is the beginning of a new life for Tom and me.  We are starting a new chapter.  We left Westfield, Indiana, about 1:30 pm in our motorhome heading to the southwest.

This journey has taken about a year to work out the details of living on the road.  We bought the motorhome October 21, 2010.  Our house was for sale for a year; and because of the economy, we could not sell it.  So we decided to rent the house (our home for the last fifteen years).

Then we got recumbent tricycles.  They are fabulous, but how were we going to transport them?  We had a cargo rack custom made to fit on top of the Jeep, so it looks like a safari vehicle.

Two weeks before our estimated departure, I blew the engine in the Jeep. What were we going to do?  A new Jeep or keep the old one (17 years old). We loved that car so we had it fixed.  Boy, do we have a classy “rig” setup.

Twenty-four hours before our estimated departure, my Dad passed away. Boy, the world can change in an instant.  I miss him.  Our departure was delayed a week.

Today is the beginning.  We headed west on I-70 from Indianapolis.  About Brazil, Indiana, we stopped at a Pilot Travel Center to get the motorhome weighed.  Tom for sure thought we were going to be over weight because I packed so much stuff.  A miracle!!  We passed; I didn’t have to part with any of my precious belongings.

Then we got to Terre Haute, Indiana, to have our propane tank filled.  After that, we proceeded on our journey heading west.  Finally, we arrived at Effingham, Illinois.  The Wal-Mart parking lot was our destination for the night.