I’m getting really good a prepping for travel. I started stowing things last night, washed what few dishes were in the sink and secured the desk area. So this morning I got out of bed and put the bedroom TV on the bed for travel and finished putting the rest of the inside stuff away while my coffee brewed.
Since I woke up at 5:06 am local time, Arizona doesn’t practice daylight saving time. I had everything except the coffee pot put away before 6 am. That left me time to do some planning today. I’m 30 minutes from Winslow Arizona so you know what that means. There’s no way an 80’s kid can avoid stopping and looking for a flat bed Ford. It’s more likely to to be someone in a B Class Sprinter looking back at me these days. Times change.
I only needed two afternoons after work to see Petrified Forest. You can read about that in my post, National Park-a-palooza Begins!. That left Saturday open and I decided to rest my sore ankle, blog and prep the camper for travel. I did go get lunch and stopped at the local saloon for a beer. I met a couple of ladies from Bristol, TN who were actually staying in my RV Park.
I had a wonderful chatting with them. They are on a journey similar to mine but going further north than I am. Susie is a retired school teacher and she has nice little camper and a friend she drug along. Some of the best things in life are a good conversation with a stranger. I pointed her to the blog and told her if we were in the same place to message me and we would share another beer. It’s fun to hear others stories and she had a few.
All in all this has been a short but productive stop. It was a good low impact test of my new Hoka hiking boots and my ailing ankle. I’ve come to the conclusion that my big adventure is going to be painful. I told some friends that I might have to use ice and Advil every night and have surgery when I get back to Chattanooga but I’m determined to do what I have planned.
As this adventure gets truly started. I have to acknowledge that doing it solo is different that what I envisioned for this trip before I was solo. There are solemn moments, especially when you are out in nature totally alone with no one around that your thoughts go to what should have been. There are also advantages too I guess. The great news is that it’s a technologically wonderful time from a communications standpoint and my friends are always in touch with me and lets face it. I’m always making friends along the road.
One of the great things about breweries is you can join a group of people and have conversation. It’s almost expected with the long tables and standing bars. Which brings me to my next musing of the morning. right across from “The Corner” is a brewery that opens at 9 am. Which is about the time I’ll be visiting Winslow. Is that to early to add to my Untapped lists?
Since the drive from here to Grand Canyon is reasonably short in RV terms. I’ve decided to add a stop at the Meteor Crater. Just to close not to stop for a least a short look-see.
As I wrap this edition of musings, words are foremost in my mind. Majesty from my time at Petrified Forest. Blessed because of the opportunity that has been afforded to me. Thankful that for my friendships and encourage which is what I want to do to each of you. You are never going to sit with friends years from now and talk about that one Monday at work. Go find some adventure in your lives. It’s a new world were we are not tied to one spot as strongly as we used to be. I also encourage you to go camping sometime. There’s nothing like time spent around a campfire.
Well, It’s time to go hookup…The camper that is and go stand on a corner then look at a big hole in the ground. Ahhh the life of a vagabond!
- Campgrounds, Curveballs, and Cold Beers
This summer was supposed to be spent in the great state of Wyoming, checking off some more national parks. The President and Mr. Musk had different plans. Due to the federal cuts, the national park scene has a lot of uncertainty. - Chateau Le Coeur
Just a short ways off of I-10 you will find a winery named Chateau Le Coeur. The owners moved to northern Florida from the Great Northwest. They have wineries and vineyards in Washington and Oregon. They have an interesting story they tell about starting the winery. - Sunday Morning Musings Ep. #6
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T. S. Eliot