Travel
I'm gradually getting it all together. Went shopping this morning for last minute items - fruit, lunch meat & rolls, etc. I splurged on a bag of cherries because they are so good to munch on while driving, but the cost was steep compared to what I hope it is in CA. I've cut up carrots and celery for snacking in the car or for dipping in ranch dressing in the evening. I won't stop for lunch as I'm happy snacking along the way, and will make myself a sandwich at the motel for the first few days.
Everything will probably fit in the car but it will be tight and I hope not too uncomfortable for Lady. I plan to stop at rest areas more often and let her stretch her legs. The big problem with that is that it is difficult for her to get in and out of the car. I can't find a suitable step for her, and I might ask my son to make one when I get back to CA. Most that I've seen are either too small in area, or have more than one step.
I attempted to take Sandy and the boys to a restaurant for a birthday dinner yesterday evening. Both boys were tired because they had been to another birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's (that's the casino for kids). Josh changed his mind on the way about which restaurant he wanted, and then both boys said they just wanted buttered pasta. Buttered pasta, hell! I told Sandy we could make that at home - they were both asleep by the time we got back, but woke up later to eat buttered pasta while Sandy and I had grilled shrimp. I'm going to try again tonight but at something less elaborate and closer - maybe like Friendly's. As long as it isn't McD's as I wouldn't get anything but coffee there.
I have looked at maps, calculated mileages, looked up pet friendly motels, until my head is swimming with all the possibilities. One place I would have liked to stop is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. As I mentioned though, lodging isn't easy to find (at least for me) in North Dakota and along U.S. 2 into MT. I would dearly love to visit Glacier NP, but I looked up budget motels in one of the little towns along the way and found "Budget Motels--$88 and up", and a "Cheap Highway Motel" listed as $113/night. The reviews on these places tend to be awful, but I can't tell if that is a snobbish attitude from people who usually stay at Hampton Suites or places like that, or if they are really awful. Traveling with a large pet, I'm happy to find a place that is clean, safe, and cheap, and I don't care if they haven't updated the decor! $88 isn't cheap in my book though. I'm sure this would be much easier if I was traveling in an RV, so I'm really envious of all y'all out there who roll along with your home.
ONE MORE WAKE-UP!!!!!
- Just Loafin' Around
Other than accompany Sandy & the kids to look for soccer cleats, shin guards, etc. yesterday, I haven't done much. That's fine with me because I'm still recuperating from the long drive and so much sitting. I'm feeling...
- "day After" Exhaustion
I'm feeling the effects of all the driving, so Sandy, the boys and I went for a long walk on the rails-to-trails walkway this afternoon. I was very cold at first - beautiful sunny skies, but cold and windy. I soon warmed up after a bit...
- Graduation Weekend
My granddaughter is the 5th one back on the left. There were about 350 in the graduating class (out of 500 who began 4 years ago). It was a very nice ceremony and a beautiful sunny day. I forgot to put sunscreen on my shoulders and got a burn that is...
- Big Timber, Montana
I was on the road this morning at 8:00 am, headed for Jackson, WY and the VC for the Grand Teton National Park. I felt like I had already done half a day's work by the time I made umpteen trips to the truck with all the stuff. After driving about...
- Countdown!
One more wake-up and then Ara and I are on the way to camping for a week at Sly Park in the foothills of the Sierra. Today was the gathering-of-the-food day, and started with an early morning trip with Jeannie and Ara to the Farmers' Market in downtown...
Travel
Ready to roll!
I'm gradually getting it all together. Went shopping this morning for last minute items - fruit, lunch meat & rolls, etc. I splurged on a bag of cherries because they are so good to munch on while driving, but the cost was steep compared to what I hope it is in CA. I've cut up carrots and celery for snacking in the car or for dipping in ranch dressing in the evening. I won't stop for lunch as I'm happy snacking along the way, and will make myself a sandwich at the motel for the first few days.
Everything will probably fit in the car but it will be tight and I hope not too uncomfortable for Lady. I plan to stop at rest areas more often and let her stretch her legs. The big problem with that is that it is difficult for her to get in and out of the car. I can't find a suitable step for her, and I might ask my son to make one when I get back to CA. Most that I've seen are either too small in area, or have more than one step.
I attempted to take Sandy and the boys to a restaurant for a birthday dinner yesterday evening. Both boys were tired because they had been to another birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's (that's the casino for kids). Josh changed his mind on the way about which restaurant he wanted, and then both boys said they just wanted buttered pasta. Buttered pasta, hell! I told Sandy we could make that at home - they were both asleep by the time we got back, but woke up later to eat buttered pasta while Sandy and I had grilled shrimp. I'm going to try again tonight but at something less elaborate and closer - maybe like Friendly's. As long as it isn't McD's as I wouldn't get anything but coffee there.
I have looked at maps, calculated mileages, looked up pet friendly motels, until my head is swimming with all the possibilities. One place I would have liked to stop is Theodore Roosevelt National Park. As I mentioned though, lodging isn't easy to find (at least for me) in North Dakota and along U.S. 2 into MT. I would dearly love to visit Glacier NP, but I looked up budget motels in one of the little towns along the way and found "Budget Motels--$88 and up", and a "Cheap Highway Motel" listed as $113/night. The reviews on these places tend to be awful, but I can't tell if that is a snobbish attitude from people who usually stay at Hampton Suites or places like that, or if they are really awful. Traveling with a large pet, I'm happy to find a place that is clean, safe, and cheap, and I don't care if they haven't updated the decor! $88 isn't cheap in my book though. I'm sure this would be much easier if I was traveling in an RV, so I'm really envious of all y'all out there who roll along with your home.
ONE MORE WAKE-UP!!!!!
- Just Loafin' Around
Other than accompany Sandy & the kids to look for soccer cleats, shin guards, etc. yesterday, I haven't done much. That's fine with me because I'm still recuperating from the long drive and so much sitting. I'm feeling...
- "day After" Exhaustion
I'm feeling the effects of all the driving, so Sandy, the boys and I went for a long walk on the rails-to-trails walkway this afternoon. I was very cold at first - beautiful sunny skies, but cold and windy. I soon warmed up after a bit...
- Graduation Weekend
My granddaughter is the 5th one back on the left. There were about 350 in the graduating class (out of 500 who began 4 years ago). It was a very nice ceremony and a beautiful sunny day. I forgot to put sunscreen on my shoulders and got a burn that is...
- Big Timber, Montana
I was on the road this morning at 8:00 am, headed for Jackson, WY and the VC for the Grand Teton National Park. I felt like I had already done half a day's work by the time I made umpteen trips to the truck with all the stuff. After driving about...
- Countdown!
One more wake-up and then Ara and I are on the way to camping for a week at Sly Park in the foothills of the Sierra. Today was the gathering-of-the-food day, and started with an early morning trip with Jeannie and Ara to the Farmers' Market in downtown...