Washington or Bust...Day Three...Playing Tourist...

Sunday morning I hear a low rumble and this view greeted me outside my bedroom window.  I yelled at Christie to get a picture before it disappeared. She grabbed my camera and took the shot. As you can see the trees had not started their bloom process whereas in Oklahoma the greening of the leaves were well under way when I left. 

Tub boat and barge going down the Kanawha River

A friend of Christie's lived in the area and said that if we came through we needed to hit a couple of places in Charleston and then see the New River Gorge. 

First stop was a Cabela's Outfitters Store.  We needed to get Christie a sleeping bag and some nice warm socks. Since her birthday was coming up, we found this little number

I am going to have to get me one!

that keeps her coffee hot all day long.  I got a base for "Hetty" so she would not be bouncing off of the resting place I had chosen for her, trying to attach her to a window was just not feasible.  

Charleston's Capitol Dome in Gold Leaf.

A great place to eat.

Sign at Pies and Pints

It was lunch time so we headed into Charleston's downtown section to a little joint called Pies and Pints.  Since it was lunchtime, we felt lucky to get a table as church was letting out and the place was filling up fast. We ordered some  Char-Grilled Hot Wings All-natural, dry rubbed & marinated in sriracha hot sauce, citrus, garlic & cilantro ~ char-grilled to perfection and served with creamy Gorgonzola for an appetizer. Can one say heaven?

Oh so good!

For the main course we got the Chicken Gouda Pie, marinated grilled chicken, applewood smoked bacon, smoked Gouda, red onions, chipotle crema & scallions. Can you say double heaven? I don't think I have ever had a pizza where the crust was so tender yet crisp and buttery at the same time. I had tea and Christie had a hand crafted beer.  

After lunch we were told to go across the street to Ellen's Homemade Ice cream. Oh my such goodness!

Chocolate Almond and Chocolate Oreo Cookie

After lunch Christie said her friend suggested we go to New River Gorge which is run by the National Park Service. It took us about and hour and a half to get there. First we were on a turnpike then heading down a very narrow two lane road for about 12 miles with curves that would turn a weaker man's stomach. We passed the Company Store to the old defunct Sugar Creek Mine. It reminded me of Tennessee Ernie Fords song 16 Tons.

We finally arrived at the New River Gorge...Oh My!!!

It seems to go on forever. It has the worlds largest spansion bridge over it. Christie discovered a one way road to the bottom of the gorge so we decided to take it down to see where it led to.  Here are some of the sites we saw.

It was late when we made our way out of the gorge and headed home. I am so glad Christie was driving. The dogs were happy to see us when we got back. After taking them on a walk and feeding them it was time to hit the hay. 

It had been a long day, but a wonderful day filled with great food, great scenery and great company. Thanks Christie for making this journey with me.

Stay tuned for more...

Washington or Bust...Day Two...

The truckers diesel engines started roaring to life around 5:30 a.m. in the Walmart parking lot in Boonville, IN. Even though I was sleeping with several blankets and inside a flannel liner I was cold so I knew Christie was cold. Found out Fitz and Lizzy was keeping her warm.  Make note to find a Cabala's Outfitter Store. It was 39 degrees inside Izzy. I made my way up to the front, started the engine on Izzy and fired up the generator even after the night manager said I was not to.  No idling engines are allowed. Uh, tell that to the truckers that were there overnight. 

Not to raise a fuss or anything, but I don't think my little generator makes as much noise as an 18 wheel diesel truck engine. Besides I had to make coffee, you know the important stuff. The sun was beginning to make an appearance and the big trucks were beginning to move out.  

Once Christie and I got things ship-shaped inside the coach, dogs walked, Libby run through her gears with coffee in hand, we departed and made our way back up to the highway. You sure do see interesting things on the back two lane highways through the country-side. We saw a lot of signs that said "Proud Union Home" We wondered what the main industry was for the area and what Union they were part of. 

Once back on I-64 the next task was to find gas and a place to eat.  Twenty-eight miles east was the exit for Dale, IN and a big Denny's sign showed the way. Understand, Christie does not like Denny's. but she was willing to eat there as she was really hungry as was I.   I went back to Libby to turn off the system and noticed that the door binger was not going off. Uh oh no battery power. Dang!

We had a great waitress who seated us and took our order.  We asked her if there was anyone there that could give us a jump?  "Sure" she said, one of the cooks would help us when the time came.  Breakfast was great. I think Christie enjoyed her breakfast omelet.  I know I sure enjoyed my Grand Slam and coffee. 

When time came to go the cook met us with his truck and jumper cables and Libby fired right up.  I ran her a bit longer than usual while running her through the gears. A gas station was down the road so we filled up as Christie did dog duty and once finished we were off again eastward bound.

The Bluegrass State

We were always trying to get pictures of the welcome signs for each state we drove in.  Some sneaked up on us so sudden that we had no time to get a picture of it. We did manage to get Kentucky.

The Ohio River

The mighty Ohio River, what a sight. We think rivers are big here in Oklahoma, but none compare to the Ohio. 
We navigated our way through Louisville, KY home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. 

Downtown Louisville, KY

Bridges everywhere the eye can see.

Lots of bridges over the Ohio River. I tried to get a count as I drove but gave up after 6 as I needed to pay more attention to my driving. 

Christie and I discussed the merits of getting a Battery Instant Power and decided that if Libby was going to continue to loose her battery power that it would be prudent to have one. We stopped in the suburb  of Hurstbourne Acres at a Walmart and got this lovely little number for $59.99, a worthwhile investment. 

This will come in handy!

Ninety three miles down the road we needed to fuel the tank on Izzy. We stopped in a little burg called Winchester, KY at the Apple Market. After filling up I pulled into a vacant lot to start up Libby and lo and behold the ole girl had no charge on the battery. Ugh! Out came the Quick Charge, but guess what! It had no charge.  Christie and I walked back to the Apple Market and asked the Manager if we could plug in somewhere and charge the unit up.  In the meantime while waiting for it to charge we had a bit of lunch at their lunch counter. 

We ordered cheeseburgers with fries and tea.  The cheeseburgers came with mayo on them. We asked that it be left off of the burgers...still it was on there. Oh well...some people just don't listen. 

Mustard, Ketchup and Mayo all on one bun

After the unit was all charged up we went back to Libby and lo and behold the thing worked! We got everything under control and were back on the road in no time.  

The thing about traveling across Kentucky is the richness of the grass and the well kept farms in those rolling hills.  I have never seen farms like what I saw in Kentucky. We also saw lots of black barns.

Tobacco Drying Barns

Christie and I wondered why the barns were painted black. Good ole Internet Sal said that it was for processing tobacco, the black paint on the barns helped to heat the barn up thus helping with the drying process.   The horse farms were beyond belief, Beautiful! 

As we traveled eastward the hills gave way to more mountainous terrain.  

Captured this little fellow at one of the many rest stops.

You would come around a curve in the road and at the bottom of the valley floor would be a beautiful setting of a babbling brook running through the valley with a peaceful home beside it with a curl of smoke winding its way upward from the chimney.  

We crossed the Wayne River into West Virginia and holy scatology, the roads just about shook us apart. I will never complain about Oklahoma roads again! We topped the hill just past the state line, a white car passed us at a fast rate and BOOM, he got nabbed by a state trooper. Glad I don't drive faster than 65 mph. 

We went up mountains and down mountains, over hills and through dales. It was starting to get time where we needed to find a place to park for the night. Christie got on her phone and found a roadside park in St. Albans along the Kanawha River (accent on the second syllable... Ka-na-wha), just outside of Charleston the state capitol. 

This is a lovely roadside park which has the honor of having a "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial for those ladies from St. Albans and the surrounding area, who contributed to the War effort. There are a lot of historical markers in St. Albans which were very interesting reading. 

We found the Roadside park and I almost had a complete meltdown.  When you are diving a big rig like what I have, perception can be a...well you get the idea. I had to make a very tight turn and through my big windshield it looked like I was going to go over the bank into the river, one of my biggest fears. Christie had to get out and coax me to make the turn. Terrified that I was going to fall into the river I told her NO shaking my head vehemently ! She called me a big baby and said I would be fine, that I was only going to go onto the grass for about six inches and nowhere near the edge. I made the turn into the RV space with my heart racing. I had made it! Still it scared me to death!  We got the car unhitched and started it up with the quick start. I plugged into the electricity and wallah! Lights and heat! We knew we needed to charge the battery on the car so we took a tour of the area, got gas for Libby and picked up some Wendy's chili, fries and frosty's for dinner. 

Kanawah River Bridge

Christie took the dogs on a nice walk down by the rivers edge and then we called it a night.

Saturday's drive covered 346 miles and I did all the driving. 

Stay tuned for more...

On The Road To Washington DC...First Day...

Me, Christie and the Crew

All systems GO!  After the final check to make sure I had the car in the correct towing position (lesson learned), RV loaded, dogs secured on the bed, jacks raised, food in the ice chest, Christie locked her front door to her apartment. We climbed in, put on our seat belts and I turned the ignition key.  Izzy started to life with a lovely purr. I released her brake and slipped her into gear. Ten o'clock in the morning and all is well.  

Traffic in Kansas City at that time in the morning was not bad. We had set "Hetty" my Garmin

Hetty, my Garmin, Name sound familiar? NCIS:LA
She may be small, but she be mighty!

to navigate us through St. Louis, MO to I-64. The trip was uneventful so to speak.

I had enough gas to get us to the first Pilot-Flying J truck stop.  I really think that Truck stops should put in a pump for big rig gas guzzlers.  Trying to navigate the car pump lanes with a 35' Winnebago with a tow is a nightmare or at least have the pumps in a configuration so it is easy to get in and out of. We went through the diesel lanes to get water for the on-board fresh water tank. Christie walked the dogs, I grabbed a quick bite to eat for the both of us and we hit the road again.

We made it into St. Louis by 3 p.m. just before the

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi

beginning of rush hour traffic. Between Christie and Hetty, I made it through traffic with flying colors. 

Gateway Arch in St. Louis

We took I-64 through the bottom of Illinois and Indiana. About 6 p.m. we pulled off the road at Little Nashville and filled up with gas and had a bite to eat at the Little Nashville Diner. The food was okay but the beautiful handmade clocks were outstanding.  

Just a few of the 30+ hand-made clocks at the Little Nashville Diner

I turned the driving over to Christie after dinner and we finally called it a night in a Walmart parking lot in Boonville, IN around 11:00 p.m. after having put on 427 miles on the odometer. Our longest day of the trip. 

Christie walked the dogs one last time, then it was lights out.

Stay tuned for more...

Washington DC or Bust!!!

This particular trip had been planned for several years. Dave was to have been my travel partner. Our first trip...to go to Washington DC to see the Cherry Blossoms that I had seen in a painting on my neighbors wall when I was ten.  When he passed away last year it just happened to be Christie's birthday.  I wanted to do something special for her this year, so I went ahead with my plans to go to Washington DC with her.  Her birthday this year fell on Easter Sunday.  What a special day to celebrate a birthday on!

On Wednesday, March 25th I rolled out of the driveway with three dogs in tow and headed North to Kansas City, MO. in Izzy with Libby in tow.  The day was grey and thankfully not too much wind. It cost me a little over $24.00 for the Kansas turnpike. Having to stop about every 100 miles or so slowed my progress, but the dogs were thankful for the stops.  Those of you who have a TOAD that is an automatic, know you have to stop to oil the gears and to charge the battery, otherwise you will arrive with a dead battery. Lesson learned the hard way. 

Truck stop on I-35. Time to walk dogs and put
car through its gears and charge the battery. 

The night before leaving Ben noticed that one of the lugs on my right rear tire was missing. I was assured that my tire would not fall off on the way.  

After a long day of travel I crashed at Christie's place feeling proud of myself that I had made it to KC with no problems.

Awesome place to eat!

Christie and I headed out the next morning to Liberty, MO to a little breakfast/lunch counter called Ginger Sue's.  We had the best service, the food was wonderful and our waitress awesome.  This place rocked!  I forgot to get pictures of what we had but it was really, really good!  Ginger Sue's is located one block west of the town square. 

Two of the girls that made our breakfast special!

I wanted to move the motor home up about 20 feet and dummy me forgot about the tow behind me with the brakes on. Oops! Thankfully no damage was done.  

It's amazing how fast you can get yourself into trouble...yep I did it...went to a place to get a new lug nut put on the coach, started the car and put it in neutral and away I went trusting my trusty new GPS.
I found the location with no hiccups, however when I got out of the coach and walked back towards the building I discovered I had left the car running and being one of these newer cars when moving it locks itself.  I ran back to the coach an hunted all over for the spare key...no luck! I had to call my tow service to have them come unlock the car to turn it off. They came out after about 30 minutes and was into the car in less than 1 minute. I felt like such a fool, however it made me have to think through all of the steps of getting on the road.  The people that I had come to see took pity on me, put the lug nut on and didn't charge me for it.  

Christie and I went and did some shopping for healthy snacks and I found a replacement for Cheetos's at KC's new Sprouts store. Boy are they GOOD! Trying to get them here in the Norman Sprouts store. 

These are so goooood!!!!

Later Christie introduced me to all the wonderful people she works out with at Crossfit Northland. They were having a special workout that was timed.  I liked the fact that it was very family friendly, besides I got to see what she does in her spare time. That girl works hard!

The next day, Friday was launch day and we had a lot to get ready still in order for us to leave for Washington DC. Christie made a wonderful Paleo Chicken salad with Chicken, celery, onion, cilantro and lime juice.  When getting ready to serve you add mashed avocado for for the dressing. It was so good!
She also made dates stuffed with cashews, wrapped in bacon and then baked until the bacon was crisp. Equally as good.  Great travel snack! 

The day came to and end and off to bed we went with a sense of anticipation. Our first mother/daughter trip was about to take place. 

By the way, I found the keys to the car. One set in my purse, even though I looked in there and dumped everything out and the other set in a pair of jeans that I had thrown in the coach.  They both have a certain resting spot now, thanks in part to the brain fart I had. 

Happy trails...

Home Again, Home Again, Jigity Jig...And Doctor's Appointments

I made it back home again, none worse for the wear. On Thursday before I left I had to make a run to Mineola, TX to get 100% gas. The problem was it started raining again and I don't like driving in the rain. I made it over and back safe and sound and started breaking down Izzy for travels the next day. The weather was suppose to be overcast and cloudy and it looked like it was going to hold.  

Saturday I got up and went to Denny's for breakfast and had a Grand Slam Breakfast.  I love Denny's but haven't eaten there in years as our Denny's went away in Norman. I got the boy's chocolate milk and Pancake Puppies. It's like a hush puppy but made out of pancake flour and fried.  They were really good!

J had to help me get my antenna down as it had gotten stuck. He also helped me with hitching up the car to the Blue Ox on Izzy. As I do more and more of this I will be able to do it without any dust ups. However I will need help to hook up the car until my back is healed. 

We said our goodbyes and I was off down the road with the three dogs and Honda(Libby) in tow. I finally figured out how to keep the dogs in one place by running their leash loops through the seat belt at the dinette and it kept them all in one place. Other than doing that when stationary and I have to be gone, I put them in the bathroom and close the door.

Don't open that door!

Interesting enough I ran into rain and drizzle just past Mineola, TX all the way to the Oklahoma border and then the north wind began bucking Izzy. So much for not driving in rain! I got off the highway at the exit for Winstar Casino, went into the Phillips station and got some food, ate and back on the road. Bear my Schiperkee, started yipping and I knew he could not hold it much longer. 

After navigating the Honey Creek Pass in the Arbuckle Mountains I found a rest stop for the dogs to take a break. Not like they haven't been taking breaks all day. I have to stop about every hour and a half to put the Honda(Libby) through it's gears.  This keeps the gears oiled and the battery charged.  I found out that if I didn't do it or let it go too long I had a dead battery. 

The wind finally died down and I got Izzy up to about 68 mph. She drives really well there and we made it home safe and sound. 

Ben came over the next day, unhooked Libby and we went paint shopping for exterior paint for the house. I picked out a pretty cream with deep red and deep blue accents.  I didn't realize that paint was so expensive! It will be worth it to not have the house looking like it was ready to fall down.  She will have a new coat of paint and will be all spiffed up again. I think I feel her already shuddering with joy!

I had one glitch while I was at the trailer park.  I couldn't get my black tank to dump.  I had to take it to an RV dealer this morning, they couldn't get it to dump either. I left it with Floyd's RV in Goldsby,OK, they put in a chemical that dissolves crud, having to leave it overnight for it to work, they will dump it tomorrow and clean the black tank out.  Hopefully it wasn't the dreaded Pyramid of Death! That is why I don't put toilet paper down my stool. This problem was from the previous owner. 

Tuesday was my birthday. The day started out not well as I was missing my birthday routine that Dave always did. Then I had a Dr's appointment where I had electrodes shocking my nerves in my legs and needles inserted and muscles measured for nerve damage. Fun eh! Thankfully it didn't take long and I was out the door and buying myself a Keurig Coffee maker for my birthday. After getting home and starting vacuum the carpet my sweeper went on the fritz so back to Wally World I went and got myself a Bissell sweeper.  It is nice and does the job. 

Wednesday I had another medical test, this time it was a spinal tap with contrast dye inserted in my spine and a CT scan to map my nerves. I'm a weenie when it comes to pain. On my Dr's visit on Monday I had my physician give me more pain killers and I made sure I took them for the test on Wednesday. If your lucky you won't have the dreaded cerebral headache, I wouldn't know if I did, because I kept myself medicated all day.  Nothing like be a cross between a hazy daze and a floating opportunity! Thanks goes out to my buddy Ed, who drove me up to and back from the city.  

Friday is almost here and I have another Dr's appointment tomorrow. Sheesh enough already! I guess this is how it is when you are out on the road. Use your down time wisely!  

I miss my family already, so here are some parting shots!

Mother and Daughter

Daddy and his little girl

Sleeping Princess!

All right where's MOM!

Big Brother and Lil Sis!

Happy trails....

Andy man and Lennox

Learning The Ropes...

Its been rather quiet here due to the weather.  Lots of snow and clouds.  I've been staying at my daughter's house to help with early morning appointments since she is not yet able to drive.  

We had a big snow storm in which I made my way out to the RV park where Izzy is parked before it hit, checked my propane levels and set up heaters inside the rig. All of them on low of course but able to keep things warm.  I need to make a propane run but everything is so wet and yucky that the electric heaters will have to suffice until I can see dryer ground. As for cooking, the microwave does just fine. I found out that propane trucks will not come to fill motor homes, however propane is cheaper here than in Oklahoma, $3.00 a pound. 

The doggies seem to have adjusted to confined living. When the first snow hit with a layer of sleet underneath, I tethered them to the 12 foot lead and sent them out the door and then shut the lead in the door. They did their business and made a hasty retreat back into Izzy. 

Andy getting his coat put on by Dad...Wiggle Worm!

Noah holding still for Dad...

All the boys ready to build a snowman and
have snowball fights!

Great Snowman!

Sad demise!

J and the boys built a wonderful snowman. He looked like the Cat in the Hat, but he met a terrible demise the next day due to warmer temperatures. Getting the coats on two wiggly excited boy was a chore for dad. Maggie got to "see" her first snow!

Maggie's first snow at 1 week old.

I managed to get two of my three slides in, but made the mistake of leaving my big slide out and now there is a snow and ice wedged on top and the slide will not come in at the top. I will have to wait until it melts to bring in the slide before the next ice storm.  All of this is a learning process.  

I have lost 7 lbs and my blood sugar is coming down due to it.  Lots of up and down here at the house running after the boys and holding little Miss Maggie.

My back and hips were hurting so bad I could barely move. J literately made an appointment for me without my knowledge with the Chiropractor and took me.  My back from my waist to my tailbone was out of place as well as my hips.  After 4 appointments I feel better, but will still have to have surgery to relieve the spinal stenosis problem. 

At the moment I am doing some laundry and getting ready for a one day trip to Dallas tomorrow for a Tastefully Simple training. I will be getting to taste our new Spring and Summer line that is now ready for online orders. I'm making rustic beer bread this afternoon to go with dinner.  It is so good and so simple. My grandson Noah will help me.  He loves to cook. 

Time to fold laundry and get some things done around here.

As for me, life is in the simple lane!

Happy Trails...

The Long Wait is Over...In More Ways Than One...

Meet our little Miss Maggie!

Last Friday morning I was up and loading the last of what I thought I needed into Libby my Honda. I did a once through the house, unplugged the coffee maker and such, loaded the dogs into Izzy, did a quick walk around the whole set up, locked the house up and fired up Izzy and pulled out of the drive-way at 11:30 a.m. heading southbound on I-35 to Texas. The drive was tiring as I was bucking a good head wind of about 15 to 20 mph winds. Not fun at all, but we made it to the RV park in White Oak, Texas at about 6:45 p.m. All in all it was not a bad drive.  The only mishap was somehow I ran my battery down and could not start my car. J my "son" came and rescued me after my daughter was unable to get the car jumped. 

Saturday was spent trying to get things stowed away inside and meeting the new neighbors, Sandy and Thomas.  They are very nice and Thomas was a huge help in getting me set up with showing me how to flush the RV anti-freeze from my lines and get  fresh water into my system.  He also help solve a water problem with a water line running to a non-working refrigerator.  He also showed me how to set up my sewer system.  Then he helped me with my furnace. Now I am all good and in the process of figuring things out. 

Managing the dogs has been interesting.  Fitz is learning that he is not the big dog, I am. I have had to make a couple of shopping runs to pick supplies up like a 30 ft. covered steel wire to let the big dogs out to do their business and a pooper scooper, as we are required to keep the poop picked up around our site.

Monday afternoon J picked me up from the house where I had been watching the boys while he and Heather were at Dr. appointments and took me to a Chiropractor to try and help me get some relief for the pain in my back.  Afterwards we went to Jucy's Hamburger Joint and had dinner.  I went back to the RV and was getting ready for bed when the phone rang at 11:00 p.m. and I was informed that Heather's water had broken and they were headed to the hospital and could I go and watch the boys. I got redressed, let the dogs out one more time and penned them in my bedroom.  Off I went to watch the boys. We curled up on the couch and watched 101 Dalmatian's. J's parents walked in the door and said that I need to go to the hospital that Heather had asked for me.  Off I went, heading for Good Shepherd Hospital.  

All ready to meet the family

Auntie Christie snuggling with
her new niece

Welcome to the world Margaret Sophia "Maggie"

Getting into the hospital after hours is like getting into a Federal Court House. Once inside I made my way up to Labor and Delivery. Heather was in the same room she had for Andy and the same nurse. Since she had eaten just a few hours previous we had to wait until 2:00 a.m. for

Big Brothers waiting for little sis Maggie

    

Noah holding Maggie for the first time

Andy holding Maggie for the
first time

Daddy and his little princess!

little Miss Maggie to make her appearance.  She was due to come Ash Wednesday but had other plans.  A girl with her own mind.  

Miss Maggie and Mamma

Mother and daughter are doing well and came home yesterday.  Big brother is lavishing lots of kisses on Miss Maggie. Andy is not quite sure what to do with her. I know one thing...she is going to have to hold her own with her brothers. Somehow I think she will. 

Happy trails...

Maggie and her brothers at home