Spring 2023 Florida Trip
Day 19 - April 20, 2023
Fernley, NV to Redding, CA
233 miles
Finally made it home. About 6,400 miles total, 218 gallons of gas, 19 days, 16 states, 4 time zones, 42 different state license plates, 6 friends/family visited, and 2 Covid cases. I tested negative at the hotel this morning, Mary will test tomorrow. It wasn't the vacation we had planned, but it was the one we got. One thing it really showed us is that no matter what happens, we are happy when we are together!
A welcome result this morning. Maybe I should have tested yesterday?
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 19 - April 20, 2023
Fernley, NV to Redding, CA
233 miles
Finally made it home. About 6,400 miles total, 218 gallons of gas, 19 days, 16 states, 4 time zones, 42 different state license plates, 6 friends/family visited, and 2 Covid cases. I tested negative at the hotel this morning, Mary will test tomorrow. It wasn't the vacation we had planned, but it was the one we got. One thing it really showed us is that no matter what happens, we are happy when we are together!
A welcome result this morning. Maybe I should have tested yesterday?
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 18 - April 19, 2023
Wendoover, UT to Fernley, NV
364 miles
Well, we made it to Fernley, NV today. I feel like I could just roll home from here. I've made this drive numerous times for work and personal travel. By the time we get to Reno I know I could close my eyes and make it home. It's been 10 days since I tested positive in Asheville, NC, I can't believe we are almost home.
We have been playing the "find the license plate" game. So far we have 42 states. We have not seen AK, CT, HI, MD, MN, ND, RI, and WV.
Blake asked for a picture of Wendover Will (or as Blake put it, "giant big statue neon thing of a cowboy", I think that's the best way to describe it). Ask and you shall receive. I'm doing my best Wendover Will imitation.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Wendoover, UT to Fernley, NV
364 miles
Well, we made it to Fernley, NV today. I feel like I could just roll home from here. I've made this drive numerous times for work and personal travel. By the time we get to Reno I know I could close my eyes and make it home. It's been 10 days since I tested positive in Asheville, NC, I can't believe we are almost home.
We have been playing the "find the license plate" game. So far we have 42 states. We have not seen AK, CT, HI, MD, MN, ND, RI, and WV.
Blake asked for a picture of Wendover Will (or as Blake put it, "giant big statue neon thing of a cowboy", I think that's the best way to describe it). Ask and you shall receive. I'm doing my best Wendover Will imitation.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 17 - April 18, 2023
Grand Junction, CO to Wendoover, UT
397 miles
Today's drive was much more scenic than most. Western Colorado and eastern Utah have some nice features. It was windy again today. We started around 4,500 ft elevation, hit 7,477 ft along the way and now we are back down to 4,200 ft. There was a big wreck on I-80 west of Salt Lake City just before we got there. The delay was about an hour and 15 minutes. Once we made it past the wreck site it was clear sailing all the way to Wendover. With all the dust that the wind was whipping up and the rain that we hit in SLC, Mary's car is REALLY going to need a bath when we get home.
The dust and rain has taken a toll on Mary's car.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Grand Junction, CO to Wendoover, UT
397 miles
Today's drive was much more scenic than most. Western Colorado and eastern Utah have some nice features. It was windy again today. We started around 4,500 ft elevation, hit 7,477 ft along the way and now we are back down to 4,200 ft. There was a big wreck on I-80 west of Salt Lake City just before we got there. The delay was about an hour and 15 minutes. Once we made it past the wreck site it was clear sailing all the way to Wendover. With all the dust that the wind was whipping up and the rain that we hit in SLC, Mary's car is REALLY going to need a bath when we get home.
The dust and rain has taken a toll on Mary's car.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 16 - April 17, 2023
Limon, CO to Grand Junction, CO
336 miles
Once we made it through Denver we were able to see some pretty country. Glenwood Canyon is beautiful. Mary got some good pictures today, except for the ones through the dirty windshield. I washed it off at one point, but it just got dirty again. We are less than 1,000 miles from home now, yippee! I think three more easy days will put us at home.
For some reason Mary was looking for sire services in Colorado.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Limon, CO to Grand Junction, CO
336 miles
Once we made it through Denver we were able to see some pretty country. Glenwood Canyon is beautiful. Mary got some good pictures today, except for the ones through the dirty windshield. I washed it off at one point, but it just got dirty again. We are less than 1,000 miles from home now, yippee! I think three more easy days will put us at home.
For some reason Mary was looking for sire services in Colorado.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 15 - April 16, 2023
Salina, KS to Limon, CO
345 miles
Another easy day. Mostly across Kansas. Skipped going to see our favorite Kansas town, Lucas. But we did take a loop through Goodland for gas and saw the largest Van Gogh. Lots of wind today and surprisingly enough, lots of windmills. Other than the wind, the weather was nice. Made it to Colorado, so we are closer to home. Mary is still feeling tired and my headache keeps coming and going, but otherwise we are doing good.
We certainly didn't know what happened to this silo, but it probably isn't good. Nor cheap to fix.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Salina, KS to Limon, CO
345 miles
Another easy day. Mostly across Kansas. Skipped going to see our favorite Kansas town, Lucas. But we did take a loop through Goodland for gas and saw the largest Van Gogh. Lots of wind today and surprisingly enough, lots of windmills. Other than the wind, the weather was nice. Made it to Colorado, so we are closer to home. Mary is still feeling tired and my headache keeps coming and going, but otherwise we are doing good.
We certainly didn't know what happened to this silo, but it probably isn't good. Nor cheap to fix.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 14 - April 15, 2023
Kingdom City, MO to Salina, KS
319 miles
As we were getting ready this morning we had a pretty good thunder storm going on. Luckily it was all over by the time we left town. The sky looked pretty cool though. As we left town we stopped to see the firefighter memorial that was just across the freeway from where we stayed. The statue there was the second one intended for this memorial as the first one was travelling through New York City on 9/11/01. A few days later the statue was presented to the New York Fire Department. A second one was constructed and is the one we saw today.
We knew we were going to hit some weather somewhere along our trip today. Turns out it was right around Topeka on I-70. It started raining and then the hail hit. Luckily the hail was only about the size of a dime where we were. It soon stopped hailing and was only raining, but pretty hard. A few miles down the road the rain stopped and we were through it. It looks like the weather will be good for us for a few days now.
We were watching AccuWeather on the hotel TV after we got in and discovered that earlier today about 20 miles from where we are there had been 4-inch sized hail! Glad we missed that. We went into the town of Salina to get some dinner-to-go from a really good restaurant. We toured around the town a little bit and saw some great old buildings, some restored. Unlike some of the older downtown areas we have seen, this one is very much alive and vibrant. Not block after block of boarded up storefronts. It was refreshing to see this.
Yay, we dodged most of this weather!
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Kingdom City, MO to Salina, KS
319 miles
As we were getting ready this morning we had a pretty good thunder storm going on. Luckily it was all over by the time we left town. The sky looked pretty cool though. As we left town we stopped to see the firefighter memorial that was just across the freeway from where we stayed. The statue there was the second one intended for this memorial as the first one was travelling through New York City on 9/11/01. A few days later the statue was presented to the New York Fire Department. A second one was constructed and is the one we saw today.
We knew we were going to hit some weather somewhere along our trip today. Turns out it was right around Topeka on I-70. It started raining and then the hail hit. Luckily the hail was only about the size of a dime where we were. It soon stopped hailing and was only raining, but pretty hard. A few miles down the road the rain stopped and we were through it. It looks like the weather will be good for us for a few days now.
We were watching AccuWeather on the hotel TV after we got in and discovered that earlier today about 20 miles from where we are there had been 4-inch sized hail! Glad we missed that. We went into the town of Salina to get some dinner-to-go from a really good restaurant. We toured around the town a little bit and saw some great old buildings, some restored. Unlike some of the older downtown areas we have seen, this one is very much alive and vibrant. Not block after block of boarded up storefronts. It was refreshing to see this.
Yay, we dodged most of this weather!
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 13 - April 14, 2023
Clarksville, TN to Kingdom City, MO
365 miles
Our trip home is not going to be very interesting, but I'll keep posting updates and pictures when we have them. Today was an easy day. We took a while getting up and getting going, not wanting to push ourselves too much. We stopped twice, once at a rest stop and then again at a gas station. Lunch was just some snacks that we had (tortilla and some cheese). Dinner was our leftovers from Cracker Barrel the night before. Finally doing laundry tonight, couldn't have made it much further.
Mary is warming a tortilla.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Clarksville, TN to Kingdom City, MO
365 miles
Our trip home is not going to be very interesting, but I'll keep posting updates and pictures when we have them. Today was an easy day. We took a while getting up and getting going, not wanting to push ourselves too much. We stopped twice, once at a rest stop and then again at a gas station. Lunch was just some snacks that we had (tortilla and some cheese). Dinner was our leftovers from Cracker Barrel the night before. Finally doing laundry tonight, couldn't have made it much further.
Mary is warming a tortilla.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 12 - April 13, 2023
Clarksville, TN
Just lying low today letting Mary's antiviral meds kick in. We actually did a curbside pickup at Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight. I realize it's probably the first real full meal I've had since Sunday. Otherwise we are just relaxing and following the storms that are passing through various parts of the country on the Weather Channel. We are both feeling better tonight.
These are our Covid support friends: Buford Blue Beauregard III and Ruby.
Clarksville, TN
Just lying low today letting Mary's antiviral meds kick in. We actually did a curbside pickup at Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight. I realize it's probably the first real full meal I've had since Sunday. Otherwise we are just relaxing and following the storms that are passing through various parts of the country on the Weather Channel. We are both feeling better tonight.
These are our Covid support friends: Buford Blue Beauregard III and Ruby.
Day 11 - April 12, 2023
Asheville, NC to Clarksville, TN
360 miles
We headed back out on the road today to drive home. I was feeling a little better today. I got some paxlovid antiviral medicine, and that seems to be helping. We are trying to cut the days a little shorter on the return trip. Mary tested negative last night, but wasn't feeling great when we got to the hotel today. She just tested positive. We were hoping she wouldn't get it, but it's not surprising that she did.
I guess we're back in Buc-ee's country again.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Asheville, NC to Clarksville, TN
360 miles
We headed back out on the road today to drive home. I was feeling a little better today. I got some paxlovid antiviral medicine, and that seems to be helping. We are trying to cut the days a little shorter on the return trip. Mary tested negative last night, but wasn't feeling great when we got to the hotel today. She just tested positive. We were hoping she wouldn't get it, but it's not surprising that she did.
I guess we're back in Buc-ee's country again.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 10 - April 11, 2023
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........
Day 9 - April 10, 2023
We had intended to visit friends in Cary today, but still holed up in Asheville.
We had intended to visit friends in Cary today, but still holed up in Asheville.
Day 8 - April 9, 2023
Meridian, MS to Asheville, NC
509 miles
Made it to Asheville in time to have a late lunch with our friend, Chuck. We were planning on visiting with our friends Jeff and Jan, but unfortunately didn't work out. I had a headache and generally wasn't feeling well, so I took a Covid test. Sure enough it was positive. So our trip has completely changed from a fun trip of seeing friends and family and playing music, to one of tracking down meds (Mary), isolating (for me), and heading straight home. So far Mary isn't ill, but we expect there is a good chance she will be. We are hunkered down in the hotel in Asheville for three nights, then we will assess whether we start our journey home or rest a bit more. Probably really depends on how Mary feels.
Bummer.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Meridian, MS to Asheville, NC
509 miles
Made it to Asheville in time to have a late lunch with our friend, Chuck. We were planning on visiting with our friends Jeff and Jan, but unfortunately didn't work out. I had a headache and generally wasn't feeling well, so I took a Covid test. Sure enough it was positive. So our trip has completely changed from a fun trip of seeing friends and family and playing music, to one of tracking down meds (Mary), isolating (for me), and heading straight home. So far Mary isn't ill, but we expect there is a good chance she will be. We are hunkered down in the hotel in Asheville for three nights, then we will assess whether we start our journey home or rest a bit more. Probably really depends on how Mary feels.
Bummer.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 7 - April 8, 2023
Katy, TX to Meridian, MS
552 miles
We didn't do much stopping today or sight seeing. Just wanted to get there. Mary took some good pictures though.
I wasn't feeding.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Katy, TX to Meridian, MS
552 miles
We didn't do much stopping today or sight seeing. Just wanted to get there. Mary took some good pictures though.
I wasn't feeding.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 6 - April 7, 2023
Katy, TX
0 miles!
We had a relaxing visit with our friends Jim and Melinda in Katy, TX. Played lots of pinochle, which we haven't played since Jim and Melinda moved from Redding two years ago.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Katy, TX
0 miles!
We had a relaxing visit with our friends Jim and Melinda in Katy, TX. Played lots of pinochle, which we haven't played since Jim and Melinda moved from Redding two years ago.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 5 - April 6, 2023
Junction to Katy, TX
308 miles
We had some heavy rain as we drove through San Antonio today. We stopped in Columbus, TX and had lunch and a nice visit with one of Mary's friends from one of her summer jobs back in her college days (Lisa and her husband Herb). We hadn't seen them since we passed through here in 2016. We then headed to Katy, TX where we are staying with friends (Jim and Melinda) for a couple days. Thunderstorms Thursday night were quite loud with lots of lightning and thunder. We haven't seen that since we lived in San Antonio in the mid 80s. We had a nice dinner with Jim and Melinda and then hunkered down for the night.
I made a friend at the mall.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Junction to Katy, TX
308 miles
We had some heavy rain as we drove through San Antonio today. We stopped in Columbus, TX and had lunch and a nice visit with one of Mary's friends from one of her summer jobs back in her college days (Lisa and her husband Herb). We hadn't seen them since we passed through here in 2016. We then headed to Katy, TX where we are staying with friends (Jim and Melinda) for a couple days. Thunderstorms Thursday night were quite loud with lots of lightning and thunder. We haven't seen that since we lived in San Antonio in the mid 80s. We had a nice dinner with Jim and Melinda and then hunkered down for the night.
I made a friend at the mall.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 4 - April 5, 2023
El Paso to Junction, TX
500 miles (again)
We decided to do a side trip down to Fort Davis, TX today. That took us by the University of Texas, Austin McDonald Observatory. The area is one of the darkest places on earth (who knew that would be in Texas?) Pretty cool place though. We had driven past it one night in 1986, but it was dark and we didn't see the observatory. We were on our way back from Big Bend National Park over Thanksgiving weekend when Michael was about 7 months old. Today was clear and not dark, a beautiful day really. It was a scenic detour from the grind of sailing down I-10 in west Texas (speed limit 80 mph). Still windy, but not as bad. Supposed to be rain tomorrow, driving to Katy, TX.
One of the telescopes (Hobby-Eberly Telescope, HET) at The McDonald Observatory.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
El Paso to Junction, TX
500 miles (again)
We decided to do a side trip down to Fort Davis, TX today. That took us by the University of Texas, Austin McDonald Observatory. The area is one of the darkest places on earth (who knew that would be in Texas?) Pretty cool place though. We had driven past it one night in 1986, but it was dark and we didn't see the observatory. We were on our way back from Big Bend National Park over Thanksgiving weekend when Michael was about 7 months old. Today was clear and not dark, a beautiful day really. It was a scenic detour from the grind of sailing down I-10 in west Texas (speed limit 80 mph). Still windy, but not as bad. Supposed to be rain tomorrow, driving to Katy, TX.
One of the telescopes (Hobby-Eberly Telescope, HET) at The McDonald Observatory.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 3 - April 4, 2023
Prescott Valley, AZ to El Paso, TX
500 miles
Took the scenic route today through Tonto National Forest. Hit a low temperature of 24 degrees and saw some great scenery. We drove by Theodore Roosevelt Lake and visited the Roosevelt Lake Visitor Center. The original dam construction was competed in 1911 and dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt. The dam was raised 77 feet with construction that was completed in 1996. Supplies for the original dam were transported to the site using mule teams pulling wagons. The original dam was constructed of masonry, and the addition was constructed of concrete.
It was still very windy today and dusty in New Mexico. It was a fun day though.
We met this guy at the visitor center.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Prescott Valley, AZ to El Paso, TX
500 miles
Took the scenic route today through Tonto National Forest. Hit a low temperature of 24 degrees and saw some great scenery. We drove by Theodore Roosevelt Lake and visited the Roosevelt Lake Visitor Center. The original dam construction was competed in 1911 and dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt. The dam was raised 77 feet with construction that was completed in 1996. Supplies for the original dam were transported to the site using mule teams pulling wagons. The original dam was constructed of masonry, and the addition was constructed of concrete.
It was still very windy today and dusty in New Mexico. It was a fun day though.
We met this guy at the visitor center.
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 2 - April 3, 2023
Bakersfield, CA to Prescott Valley, AZ
397 miles
Today felt more like we were really on vacation (ok, vacation from retirement). The temperature got down to 34 going over the Tehachapi range (about 3,200 ft). We had strong winds all day and the dust (sand) was really blowing in the desert. Visibility was down below 100 yards for a bit just due to the blowing sand. We made it to Arizona and had a nice visit with Mary's sister. In addition to the wind today we had clear sunshine, rain, hail, and even a little sleet. It's on to El Paso tomorrow.
Mary got some baking in today :)
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Bakersfield, CA to Prescott Valley, AZ
397 miles
Today felt more like we were really on vacation (ok, vacation from retirement). The temperature got down to 34 going over the Tehachapi range (about 3,200 ft). We had strong winds all day and the dust (sand) was really blowing in the desert. Visibility was down below 100 yards for a bit just due to the blowing sand. We made it to Arizona and had a nice visit with Mary's sister. In addition to the wind today we had clear sunshine, rain, hail, and even a little sleet. It's on to El Paso tomorrow.
Mary got some baking in today :)
Click on the picture for a link to our photos on SmugMug.
Day 1 - April 2, 2023
Redding, CA to Bakersfield, CA
446 miles
Pretty boring day, but the trip has started. We left Redding just before 10:00 am. Stopped at Granzella's in Williams for lunch. Filled up with gas in Stockton.
Arrived in Bakersfield at about 6:00 pm.
Dinner at Firehouse Grill. Too much food, but it was really good. Service was fast and everyone was friendly.
No pictures from the road today, nothing to see really. Here's the last view from our back yard. Won't be seeing that for a while.
Redding, CA to Bakersfield, CA
446 miles
Pretty boring day, but the trip has started. We left Redding just before 10:00 am. Stopped at Granzella's in Williams for lunch. Filled up with gas in Stockton.
Arrived in Bakersfield at about 6:00 pm.
Dinner at Firehouse Grill. Too much food, but it was really good. Service was fast and everyone was friendly.
No pictures from the road today, nothing to see really. Here's the last view from our back yard. Won't be seeing that for a while.
Updated 8 February 2025