So I packed up my "treasures" ready to head to Punta Gorda Florida
(5000 km away) for 3 months. I loaded up my truck (thanks Bev) with
little room to spare on Oct. 9 and headed south. I figured 5 days at
11 hours of driving/day & I would be there.
Day 1 - I made it as far as Cranbrook & had my first stop (for those
of you who don't know - that is only 1 hour south of my place).
Stopped & had a great visit with my good friend (thanks Tanya). Now
it is early afternoon & I still have 10 hours to go.... oops. Oh well
- it was worth it. My friends are important to me.
Heading to the border I finally managed to finalize "living
arrangements" for my cat - Bubba. My cousin Gloria & her partner
Brian have taken the Bubster until into January. Big THANKS to G & B -
totally saved me on this. I know they will take good of Bubba. Amazing
really - cause Brian is allergic to cats.
So now it is early afternoon - I am 1 hour from home & have at least
10 more hours of driving to go (I know it makes no sense).....made it
to Bozeman Montana.
Day 2 - Drove from Bozeman to Denver Co. - long driving stretch
through the lovely state of Wyoming. It was a great trip - beautiful
weather - nobody on the road - speed limit is CRAZY fast 70 mph - just
me & my music. I did a TON of singing. Sometimes it is so great to
be out on the road driving - well I love it. Gives you lots of time to
work through EVERYTHING - good - bad - purposeful & meaningless.
After another 11 hours of driving I landed at Beth & Wally's (my step-
sister & husband's) place in Denver for 2 days of laughter & love or
was it wine & wisdom. Regardless it was a much needed visit. Thanks
Bethie & Wally for our time together - I am soooooo looking forward to
Christmas at your place.
Day 3 - this was probably one of my most favorite days..... I got to
pick my mom up at the Denver Airport & she drove with me the rest of
the trip to Punta Gorda. 3 more days of driving 11 hour days &
finally arrive to Punta Gorda late on Oct. 15. It was such a great
trip with my mom. I don't remember ever spending that much time with
her - it was great. I really liked that I was able to share a bit of
my crazy life with her. I even managed to get her involved in "boat
work". Now for those of you who don't know what that means - it is not
fun. More often it is dirty, body contorted in weird positions & is
always done on the hottest day in the hottest parking lot. Of course
she was a trooper & might even enjoyed herself (although she might not
admit it). We did a quick trip to St Petersburg Florida to pick up my
bike from a friend's place, she helped me move into my condo & she got
a drive through Alligator Alley (I-75 South) but unfortunately we did
not see one alligator. Mom flew out of Miami & I started the first of
many training sessions. Thanks Mom!!!!
Sorry not many pictures & really not that good of pics!!!! I am so
bad for taking pictures. Here are a few..... me driving - cause that's
exciting. Also a nice one of the St Louis Arch. Oh forgot this one of
Hopkinsville, Kentucky - only the sign - we were on a tight timeline
so no stopping. Last picture is of my Lucky Duck on the dashboard.
My good friend Meg gave me the Lucky Duck in Weymouth UK last
June. Turns out it was a Lucky Duck cause after I got him - my life
took a great change. Now LD travels everywhere with me.
Brenda
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Driving through St Louis |
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St Louis Arch |
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Yes - a town named after me!!! |
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Lucky Duck in Tennessee |