7/30 Thanks Len!

My journey has filled me to overflowing with gratitude -- to God and to life and to the marvelous Earth. We live in an Eden that we don't stop to see, and need to open our traveler's eyes every day to the uncountable wonders and blessings surrounding us. 

But I especially give my gratitude to Len, who not only supported and funded our "car trek," but kept our home and yard, and animals and plants, in tip top shape. He sorted mail, paid bills, and did all those many other household tasks in addition to his usual hard work at the tire store.  

Thanks for letting me commemorate my 60th year in such a special way. Hope your trip to Iceland is equally inspiring!

 

(Our home in Bangor Michigan 1976-78.) 

7/29 -- Thanks Jarad!

The best part of the entire trip West for me was sharing it with Jarad. He was so enthusiastic about everything!  The parks, the scenery, the animals, the food, the people -- and even the driving!!  

Jarad was a great travel buddy, because he encouraged me to push my limits with the hikes and swims and mule ride. And the 32 foot wooden ladder up to Balcony House at Mesa Verde!  Yet he also respected my limits when I was tired.

He was the chief baggage schlepper, gas pumper, and music meister.  Anyone who can jump out of a car at a moment's notice and play bagpipes is pretty special 

With his eagle eyes, Jarad was the one to spot details, especially wild animals. Then he took the most amazing photos!

Jarad also did more than half the driving. 

But what meant the most to me was Jarad's patience. He never rushed me to leave a beautiful scene (or fun gift shop!)

Our paces were in sync, from bedtimes to rising times to meal times. We could sit together in silence taking in our favorite views. And Jarad put up with, even joined in with, my reminiscences. 

Bless you Jarad. Thank you!  I love you!  Let's do it again sometime soon!  

7/26 Pics Part 3

Wrapping up the unblogged photos:

Jarad contemplating the infinite...

To infinity -- and beyond!

One of my favorite flower combos -- asters and Queen Anne's Lace. They line the streets in Michigan!

Lifelike Impressionism!

Final mile tally!

7/26 Pics Part 2

More pics that didn't make the blog:

I was thinking so hard at Old Faithful, my brain started to overheat!

Our mirror mascot from home...

The sunset crowd at the Grand Canyon!

California condors aren't pretty up close!

Fried ice cream as big as your head 545.

Kissing ravens!

7/25 -- Don't go away! Pics Part 1

Going to post a few pictures that didn't make it on the blog. 

In the middle of the USA Day 2!

Sunrise clouds over Badlands Day 3...

Yellowstone Lodge tourist bus Day 7...

How many hummingbirds?  At the ho'made pie restaurant outside Zion...

Clouds over red desert are pink beneath!

The burrito as big as your head!

My emergency haircut at Walmart in Paige AZ!

Day 32!!! 7/24 -- HOME

Jarad drove all the way from Sandusky Ohio to Greenfield, about ten hours straight, with one lunch, one gas, and two pit stops.  The green forested hills and Massachusetts border were -- well, a welcome sight!  

Arrived home at 9 pm. Our odometer topped out in the driveway at 8280 total miles!  Wow!!  Thank you, dear Odyssey!  Even with three big boxes sent home, we still had a lot to unpack -- mostly rocks!

This is the view I'm looking at now from my bed. Romeo has found the warmest, softest spot in the house -- my belly!  He's purring and staying close. Cats hate to admit such things, but I think he missed me!  The air is refreshingly cool tonight, and it's good to not be in motion. Home. Sweet, familiar home.  Praise be!

Things we've learned on Cartrek 2013

Here are some things we've learned on our travels, in no particular order:

If a sign says 15mph around this curve out West, believe it. 

People in Mississippi and Rhode Island don't travel far (given the fact that we had all 47 states' license plates, except for Hawaii, since the Grand Canyon... Didn't see RI until today in NY!)

Being late + hunger + fatigue = CRANKY

Nice scenery + being in the moment + 

     sugar = HAPPY

If you don't like the weather -- drive!  

Jarad starts to imitate Mickey Mouse when he gets tired. 

Elks' preferred diet is lawn grass. 

Waiting in line for 5 hours in 100 degree weather is a drag -- even if it's for your favorite rock band. 

A two and a half hour rain delay at an outdoor rock concert is also a drag. 

The book "Great Gatsby" is a lot longer than the movie -- and a lot worse!

The last mules in line get the dust.  Bring a bandanna. 

If you get a bota, rinse it out with lemon juice (unless you like the taste of plastic). 

Don't stand on a sand dune in a lightning storm. Or on an 8500' Mesa top. 

Don't depend on there to be guardrails or fences in National Parks. Watch out for slippery cliff edges, especially in Bryce, Badlands, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone...

There are many many more stars in the night sky than we can possibly see in the Northeast US. 

Sequestration stinks. The National Parks need our support -- financially and legislatively.