The Blacktop Awaits

We've had our rest, and we've visited with friends. It's time to return to the open road and do more traveling.

Early tomorrow morning we move out onto the road again. This hop will be a short one, however. We need to finish a few things in the Houston area before continuing on to Louisiana. We've got friends and others with whom to meet. We have a few more short adventures on the Texas Gulf Coast before rain soaks everything for the next week.

Yes, that's right. Rain is again going to be trailing behind us. If we stay in one spot long enough, everyone will get a bit of a wetting. Hey, what do you expect? It's winter, after all.

I'm glad for the prospect of moving again, of looking forward to new sights and experiences. Being stationary while visiting loved ones and good friends is a marvelous and welcome treat. But the road! That's where the unkinown calls, begging to be allowed into the circle of the campfire where stories are told on dark nights and goodies are roasted to perfection. It's that unknown that draws us, that keeps the  wheels rolling and the anticipation at fever pitch.

How many people hear the call anymore? I wonder. Have we given up  that part of ourselves that yearns to explore the far hills and valleys for possible treasures to end all treasures? Have we lost the ability to relate to our pioneer ancestors and their desires to move about the country in search of... So many things to search for...

Think about it. Did your ancestors search for gold in California or Alaska? What about black gold on the plains of Oklahoma and Texas? Did they put their few belongings into a covered wagon and risk everything to find a different, perhaps better life in the west? If you're not Native American, you're forefathers came from somewhere else. How long did it take them to get here and begin to build a new life?

See what I mean. All of those people risked everything for the sake of a possibility--a simple possibility. And yet, there is no such thing. Nothing is ever simnple. The "simple" act of throwing a ball is terribly complicated when you break it down to every last component that goes into that action. (I know. I just couldn't help myself. I had to throw that in.)

So, what's our simple possibility? you ask.

I suppose it's two/threefold. 1. To see our country, especially those places we're never been. 2. To write about the experience so that everyone can experience it, too. 3. To learn about ourselves and our own deepest desires.

Nevertheless, beneath everything else, it all comes down to one question. CAN WE DO IT?

I doubt either of us have a glimmer of answer to that question. We don't know for sure. We only know that we're going to give it our best shot. We're going to do whatever it takes to do as much of it as we possibly can.

No one knows the future. We don't claim that ability, either. We only know that we're the only senior wemen we've heard of who're traipsing around this country in a car filled  with camping gear and looking for a deeper adventure. That in itself should be world something.

Therefore, we begin again tomorrow. We know only where we plan to be for the next week. I hope everyone here and any others our readers can drag in for a looksee will stop by to witness updates when they're posted.

I do want to take time to thank everyone who comes by to see what Sister Jo and I are up to. It makes things worthwhile in a different way.

Until next time, take care, all, and God bless.

Claudsy

Needs For The Road and Other Considerations

It's so nice to come home for a few minutes to check in and say hello. It's been a while and we've traveled approx. 2500 miles so far.

We're taking this morning to update everything we can. We haven't had a great long opportunity to post.

We're currently sitting in Big Spring, TX. at a TA truck stop, coffee at hand, great waitress bustling around and decent music overhead--ever the Christmas reminder.

Some who've seen our car during this trip have turned away stunned by its contents. In an attempt to give everyone the proper perspective concerning our rolling household, I thought I'd give you an overview of what travels with us.

Our small HHR has an effective "cargo" space of approximately 54 cubic ft. That's 4' x' 4' x' 3'. In that space we haven crammed:

1- 2rm, 8 person, tent in its case                1- 12' x 16' ground sheet
2 - 3" roasting forks for hot dogs, etc.        1 twin mattress, inflatable w/pump
1- 5 gal. water jerry                                   1- XL, xlng canvass cot in bag
2- sleeping bags                                         1- tool kit
1- med kit                                                  3- extra blankets
2- large pillows                                           2- LED lanterns 1lg, 1sm
1- computer office for Jo                            1- writer's office for Claudsy
1- lg. suitcase for each of usCamera equipment for the photographer        
1- smaller bag w/toiletries, etc.
1- personal bag w/vitamins, meds, etc for each of us
2- lg. coffee mugs                                        Cell phones, sunglasses and necessary front seat items
1 18" x 30" x 18" kitchen box, holding 2 sauce pans, 2 skillets, 1 griddle, 1 coffee pot, 1 soup pot w/lid, place settings for 4 w/lg. salad bowl, 9 Sm. soup bowls, 2 glasses, varying spices, dry goods, and sundry other necessities for the kitchen chores.

The above inventory isn't in minute detail, you'll notice. It does give the overview of what we felt we'd need to stay on the road for approximately one year.

The hard reality is that fewer tenting camp areas exist. They're being shut down for "financial" reasons.We're having to go farther between destination points to find affordable camp facilities. Somehow, $35-$45 per night doesnt' represent "reasonable" tenting fees to us.

For any who contemplate taking the family on a summer camping excursion (with far less personal gear), please check ahead fifteen ways to Sunday to guarantee fee schedules in the areas you're visiting.

We did extensive research on destinations all over the country a couple of months before we left and ave been more than disappointed a few times. Many campgrounds have closed, many have raised fees, and others simply allow RVs only now.

Sudden changes like those above wreak havoc with travel budgets. Here in Texas, because of the extensive drought, there is a fire fan on. That means no camp fires and a camp stove is iffy.

Oh, one other thing. For any driving the highways along the southern corridor, be aware of the border patrol check points. They just had a border officer killed in AZ a few days ago and they're a bit nervous right now.

And in case anyone's curious, those stations can be as far north of the border as 40 miles or so.

Well, gang, that's all you get here today. The website and other blogs will carry other aspects of our trip so far. Check them out to see how things move.

Take care and God bless. Thanks for stopping by to check on us. Hopefully, I'll be able to write sooner next time.

Until then,

Claudsy