How is Roger?

 

Recently we had a text asking about Roger. We realized when we last posted, Roger experienced issues while we were in California and was going in for a check-up when we returned home.

Now let us be perfectly clear here, it is Roger, the truck and not our close friend, Roger, for whom he was named.

Roger’s condition was more serious than we expected, requiring a heart engine transplant. During the procedure, additional issues were detected that needed attention. It has been a three week procedure but compatible parts have been found and he is progressing well. We are optimistic he will be released soon. Hopefully he will be healthy for another 23 years.

The home renovation is progressing very slowly as it requires re-plastering the walls on the main level of our house. The plasterer, like most good craft persons, is in high demand . Since our project is considered a small project, he is working us in between his larger jobs. To be ready for his crew when they can get to us, we are being prepared by packing up the non-essentials, which means it looks like we are preparing to move. (We are not, well not anytime soon.)

This, along with Margareta Magnusson‘s book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, has inspired us (at least ABN) to seriously reduce our stuff . ABN looks at this as a gift to our family by reducing the burden of cleaning up after us when we can no longer care for ourselves. Oh, and also, it makes dusting a lot easier! Now, what to do with all that nice stemware we no longer use?

The garden renovation is going at a better pace. Three weeks, 11+ bags of garden debris, 

lots of occultation (love learning new words! this means killing weeds by covering them with black plastic), 

 ABN is making progress.

A recurring thought as she works is what brings her pleasure in the garden. This does not make the list!

We realize most of our friends and family are not really interested in our mundane life, but we (actually ABN) really enjoys writing and blogging presents an outlet and also a journal. The downside of blogging is the constant change in the blogger platform presents challenges to the aging mind. To stay up to date, we will continue to post.

Marathon Road Trip 2024, The End!

 Two months, seventeen states and over 7000 miles, we are home!

That was after driving through the prairies and hills of Kansas, where we stopped in the Swedish town of Lindsborg to visit with Cousin Joy and Shannon, and also with Cousin Faith whom Captain had not seen in over 50 years.

State # 16

And through State # 17,

and back through State #1, Illinois.

Take aways from this whirlwind trip,

·        RV travel is a good practice of intentional living, especially when boondocking. With limited waste storage space, no electrical connection and limited fresh water supply, we have to constantly be aware of the resources we use. And we have to seriously consider the clothing we pack, the food we bring, and our creature comforts. After 2-3 months on the road, we have a great appreciation for long showers, waking to a warm house, push button coffee, high speed internet, reliable cell service, TV (for captain,) our air fryer, and all the other conveniences that our home provides.

·      Maybe the Kentucky stereotype is changing. When answering the question, where are you from, we got a lot of aww…, bourbon country. Of course, European travelers gave us a blank look, so we clarified with “south of Chicago.”

·        Recycling wasn’t as universal as on previous visits. At the RV Park in Washington, only aluminum was recycled. The KOA in California didn’t recycle, an Illinois rest stop recycled only metal, aluminum and glass, recycling bins in Kansas clearly stated “no plastic”.  So we collected and recycled whatever was excepted.

·        Road travel makes us acutely aware of the diversity in our country;  in the landscape, the agriculture, natural resources, industry, economy, culture and even in the English language (ABN got a few comments about her accent.)

·        Driving more than three days in a row is not a good idea.

 

Neither of us is ready to stop traveling, but we think it might be time to change the style. No, we do not plan to hang up The Wanderer’s keys, but will keep her travel closer to home. More about our future travel pans as they develop.

Now that we are home, let the next race begin!

Up next is completion of stage 2 of our home renovation and stage 1 of the garden redesign before our planned winter trip.

Marathon Road Trip 2024, States 13, 14. and 15

Heading east, through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, across the Nevada state line, through Reno, we arrived at our Harvest Host stay on Olde LYFE Alpaca Farm just outside of Carson City. 

After a quiet night and entertainment by our hosts,  

we continued toward home on America’s Loneliest Highway, US Hwy.50.

Miles of road through the high desert,

we found a spot to spend the night.

Arriving mid-afternoon, with no TV connection and limited WiFi, what can we do? How about a new hairstyle?

Waking up slowly, watching the sun rise, drinking coffee, reading our local newspaper, we continued our trek along US Hwy 50 east.

The scenery began to change a bit in Utah, but the traffic remained sparse. It seemed like at least 50% were other RVs.

Our next overnight was in an empty parking lot in Scipio, Utah.

After 600 or more of boring miles, America’s Loneliest Highway joined I-70 and the drive became beautiful with mountains and interesting rock formations.

We are frequently asked about our favorite states. That is a difficult question as the states are diverse and we find different ‘likes’ depending on our experiences. Utah ranks near the top for beauty. We have driven this route several times; we continue to be awed with a different, spectacular view around each bend.

It is one of those ‘you have to experience to appreciate.’

 

Once again, our Harvest Host was Peach Fork Vineyard and Orchard in Palisade, CO, where we parked in the peach orchard. Unfortunately we were too late for the delicious Palisade peaches and the view was compromised by the smoke from a wildfire in Utah.

Leaving I-70, 

Grizzly Creek Rest Stop on I-70

for U.S. Hwy 24, we made it to the home of our good friends in Buena Vista.

After four nights of boondocking, we were grateful for some electricity, especially with the night temperatures in the 40s. Parking in their driveway (for about the third time,) we enjoyed a couple of relaxing mornings and adventurous afternoons.

We met Adele and Steve 6 years ago at Patagonia Lake State Park in Arizona and became fast friends. They spend about half of the year in Colorado and the other half in Arizona

When Steve asks if you want to go for a drive, he doesn’t exactly have the tourist vista views in mind.

But it will be quite interesting.

Herd of Big Horn Sheep

Free Range Cows

Aww....the Aspens!

Buena Vista is a charming, small town with artsy shops. The multi-use trail along the Arkansas River is stunning, especially with the colorful cottonwood trees.

We always love the time we spend with Steve and Adele, sharing stories about our families, our history, our travels, and many other topics. We never run out of conversation. Saying goodbye until we meet again this winter in Arizona, The Wanderer is back on the road and continues toward home.