Tuesday, 9/8 – DAY FOUR

Left Albuquerque, NM at 9:20 AM (MST) and arrived at the Grand Canyon-South Rim, AZ at 5:00 PM (PST), including a 2-hour tour at the Petrified Forest National Park. About 6 hours driving time, 412 miles.

What a great day!

Arizona’s landscapes are just amazing. You never know what’s coming up over the next hill. I reached for my camera many times today. But pictures can’t capture the dramatic, panoramic views.

Today was a day to reflect and pay homage to Mother Nature. I remember Aunt Shirley suggesting, in response to a minor worldly problem I was experiencing many years ago, that I go to the beach and observe the ocean – something much larger and more important than my problem. Her words came back to me again as we traveled through Arizona, feeling quite humbled by all my eyes could see. What a wonderful world in which we live.

I found myself wanting to take a picture of everything. The beauty was overwhelming. Yet nothing I can say or show to you is adequate. You must come and see for yourself.

We crossed the western continental divide today, at 7,275 feet. Samuel explained this was the place where a drop of water would run towards the Pacific Ocean, rather than roll towards the Mississippi River/Gulf Coast.

While in the Petrified Forest National Park as we were busy snapping pictures, Samuel and I suddenly and simultaneously experienced a most unique phenomenon – COMPLETE and UDDER SILENCE. Absolutely QUIET. No traffic, no people talking, no TV, no cell phones, nothing, nada. Well, maybe a crow cawing at a distance. I’d like to come back here when I have more time, climb to one of the higher perches, and just sit and listen to nothing. What a natural high!

Marvin, we thought about you as we traveled through the Petrified Forest National Park. This place resembles what we think Mars might look like. You and Janis must plan to visit soon, as we think you'd like it here.

Samuel and I rocked out to The Eagles late in the day, kicking off the Eagles-fest with “Take It Easy” as we cruised through Winslow. “I was standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona when such a fine sight to see. A girl, my lord, in a flat bed board was slowing down to take a look at me...”

The Eagles took us from Winslow to Flagstaff, from the colorful desert to mountains with lush pine forests. Poor Samuel….he had to listen to me sing all the way. (I know ALL the words, but none of the notes.)

Tonight we are staying just outside the Grand Canyon National Park. Tomorrow, we’ll see as much as we can see in a day, including (hopefully) sunset at the Canyon.

Missing all of you, but so happy to be on this trip. :-)

Will post pics later. In the meantime, check out Samuel’s blog for some awesome pics. He has a great camera, a wonderful eye and good timing.

Pictures from DAY TWO

Mississippi River at Memphis


Bridge, crossing from Tennessee to Arkansas
Memphis skyline
Pyramid-Memphis

Monday, 9/7 (Labor Day) - DAY THREE

Left OKC at 8:20 AM (CST), arrived Albuquerque, NM 3:45 (WST). 8 hours, 45 minutes, 518 miles. Traveled western half of Oklahoma, Texas, and eastern New Mexico. Western Oklahoma is much prettier than eastern, though the roads are still very bad. HPD was out in force in Texas, though the majority was on the opposite side of the road. Traffic was almost non-existent; not at all like we’d experience between the coast and Raleigh on the last day of a 3-day weekend.

We stopped for lunch in Amarillo, Texas, at Chick-Fil-A, enjoying free sandwiches by wearing our favorite team’s logo. Sam wore NC State and I had on my “almost favorite” grad school Florida Gators tee-shirt. Most folks were wearing Texas Tech, Texas A&M or Texas shirts.

On the way out of Amarillo, we passed the Cadillac Ranch. Too funny!

We had 2 NC sightings today. The first was an NC State alumni sticker on a truck with NC plates as it passed us. Later as we passed them, we gave them the wuffie sign and everyone grinned and gave us thumbs up. Ironically, 4 hours further down the road we all ended up at the same gas station and exchanged stories. Three guys from Lexington, NC headed to Colorado on a hunting trip. The second was a USDOT truck with NC tags and DEECO, Raleigh, NC on the side. We “wuffed” him and got a big grin and thumbs up in return.

The most exciting part of the day for me was the windmills in Oklahoma and Texas. They were huge and numerous, like fields of flowers with 3 rotating flowers. I felt like Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Very sci-fi.

And, the landscape. Wow! Texas and New Mexico bring to mind Pete Townsend’s lyrics… ”I can see for miles, and miles, and miles.” So much space, so few people. Just lots of sagebrush, cattle, and pick-up trucks.

Eastern New Mexico’s landscape was similar to Texas until we approached the Santia Mountains. Albuquerque sits in a valley inside the Santia range, like Asheville, NC. The mountains are beautiful, but very different than the Smokies, with very few trees, lots of rocky outcrops and striations.

Looking forward to the Grand Canyon tomorrow.

Sunday, 9/6 – DAY TWO

Left Nashville at 7:20 AM, arrived Oklahoma City, OK at 5:45 PM (CST). 10.5 hours, 711 miles. Traveled through the western half of Tennessee, all of Arkansas and the eastern half of Oklahoma. (Tennessee was THE BEST!) Arkansas roads were not good, but Oklahoma roads were just horrible.

The Burrus’, our wonderful neighbors, loaned us their Garmin GPS and it has been invaluable. As Erik told us, it’s very intuitive yet appealing to techno-geeks. Mr. E, we may have to have one of our own for all those trips we’re going to make when you retire.

Anyway, we are SO glad to be snug in our hotel room and off of I-40. Photos to come later!

Saturday, 9/5 - DAY ONE

Today we traveled 542 miles in 9 hours and 25 minutes, with 3 stops along the way. (If I had done well in Mr. Godwin’s Algebra class, I could tell you our average speed. Sorry, Mr. Godwin.) What a great day to travel. Lots of football flags flying. ECU and App State headed east, couple of Georgia flags. Did you know it was football time in Tennessee? Lots of orange and white out here. We tuned in to the Tennessee v. Western Kentucky game in the afternoon. Go Vols!

Our first night on the road, we were the guests of my dear cousin, Janis, and her friend Marvin the Martian. Christy, Chad and their beautiful little girl, Calleigh, came over. Calleigh seemed to like Ms. Wuffie, almost as much as the pretty pink ribbon from the gift box. Maybe Calleigh will come to Raleigh one day to visit me (her first cousin, twice removed) and meet Mr. and Mrs. Wuffie in person. And, even though he was under the weather, Kenny was also on hand to welcome us. Not to mention Little Girl and UT, resident felines.

To the best of our memories, this was Janis’ and Samuel’s first meeting. Samu now has another Holton relative to add to his contact list, and Janis has a face to put with the name she’s been hearing for.....oh, only 22 years.

After enjoying a delicious homemade dinner of Memphis style (slow cooked) baby back ribs, slaw and cornbread, we headed downtown with Janis as our tour guide. Titan stadium was all lit up, hosting a local college’s football opener. Crowds congregated along the waterfront for the Saturday evening edition of a weekend jazz festival. Broadway was packed. (Isn’t it ironic that the destination street in Nashville bears the same name as the popular New York destination?) Samuel sampled local brews while Janis and I sipped on new age fuzzy navels, my new favorite potent potable. Janis took us down the back alley where we wove in and out of several popular music venues along Broadway. No cover, great music, lots of interesting looking folks – natives and tourists alike. ;-) As we headed home for the evening, Janis pointed out buildings of architectural and historical interest, including the Customs House and Union Station. Nashville is a lovely, vibrant city with seemingly limitless attractions. If only we had more time.

We’re on the road again, departed at 7:20 AM, headed for Oklahoma City, via Memphis and Little Rock. ETA of 5:35 PM (Central Standard Time). Our longest day will feel better when it is behind us.

Thanks for a wonderful evening, Janis! Tell Marvin we’re sorry there wasn’t room for him on this trip.

Christy and Janis

Samu and UT

Kenny

Janis and I on the pedestrian bridge

Friday, 9/4 - Packing Day

The best that can be said for this day is we survived and are still speaking to each other. Packing of the Blazer began in earnest around 11 AM and concluded around 7:30 PM, with almost everything inside. Several adjustments in plans for transporting the surfboard occurred during the day, adding to the suspense of whether or not everything that needed to go would indeed fit inside. While it would have been so cool to ride cross-country with the board on top, it is now hanging upside down and backwards between the two of us, suspended cleverly from the ceiling. (Great job, David & Samuel!) Instead, we have a nifty cargo carrier crowning the Blazer on its journey west.

Family dropped by throughout the day, with encouragement and packing tips. Bebee, Aunt Nan and of course Mr. E. was there. The best tip was “Don’t say anything. It will be okay.” And, it was! J

That evening, Brett and Arienne provided much needed nourishment by delivering and serving a wonderful dinner of “assembled” food. Arienne shared her assembly techniques for the perfect summer sandwich including pesto-artichoke-lemon spread and home-grown tomatoes. And, they left us with a bag of chocolate chip cookies for the road. Thanks so much, B&A!

Off to bed at 10PM, in anticipation of earlier than normal rising. Also, here is the link to Samuel's blog should you like to see what he has to say about the trip!