Tropics to the Tundra

Blogger is on the fritz today. The pictures disappeared. Text clues will help you place them. There were four, now there are two.

My day of rest after storiing the RV was a rainy one-a perfect day for rest. Monday night the kids took me for a bon voyage dinner at Marcello's. From the outside Marcello's is a little bistro in a strip mall. From the inside, a classy Italian food venue with food to die for.

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Tuesday after morning rush hour I took the leisurely usual route past the park then to the Florida Turnpike. It irks me to have to pay for roads just as crappy as the free ones but it does save a lot of miles. It was a hot day and our first rest stop for the dogs was at Canoe Creek rest area. Buster collapsed. I had to lift him into the van. I had planned a little sidetrip to Panama Beach but decided getting to cooler climes was in his best interest. It was downright cool at the Cracker Barrel just before Pensacola where I fed dogs, myself and took a nap. After four hours we were on the road to Biloxi/Gulfport in the dark.

A rest stop at the Mississippi Welcome Center produced the picture of the jet flying above the moon. Great concept, not so great picture.

The GPS's had a battle in Gulfport and I had to settle it in finding the highway to Hattiesburg. That four lane is usually tranquil but with the reinvestment act, it was torn up and congested. Mississippi spends little money on its roads and Jackson, the capitol was a nightmare. Signage was of no help but the GPS finally saw me through it. Keeping to my intention to spice up the trip when I could, 20 miles past Vicksburg, we turned north to go up what the map said was scenic Louisiana. To my right was at least ten miles of aging railroad cars. To the east was farm country- nice, but not spectacular. Then I came to Transylvania! The elementary school was defunct and spooky and the main scenery was in my head. For miles thereafter I concocted a novel set in Transylvania, Louisiana. There really is a very beautiful lake and resort area after you go past two correctional facilities. Then I found myself in Arkansas where I intended to pick up I-40 at Little Rock. Everybody and their dog has a church. Passed a "biker church" and other churches of original names and crappy theology Passed "Toad Suck Park" near Little Rock. (google it)

The last time I took I-40 in Oklahoma it was bumpy enough to send my head into the ceiling and windy enough to require a constant vigilance. I am not pleased to report that it is much the same. They deserve no tourists in Oklahoma. Up I-35 to Wichita was a smooth trip and a model of what you pay a toll for. I waved to ancestors's graves on I-135. The plan was to go to Oakley, Kansas and take another jog north to North Platte via McCook, Nebraska which impressed me with its cobblestone streets 10 years ago ((RV trip home Jason and Lori's wedding in Texas.) It has changed. Now it is sliding in some areas (old blighty) and is trashed up with fast food places etc. (new blighty). I saw some farms in back country Kansas that operate on a scale I have not seen before. It was all 55 mph two lane but pretty good road. So I enjoyed it.

North Platte is also benefitting from economic stimulus funds. All torn up and no motel rooms for man and dogs. So we took a good nap in Hershey, Nebraska (Western Truck Stop) starting at about 10:00 pm. Honey who passed many opportunites to relieve herself in five states decided it was time about 4:00 a.m. She woke me up and after a refreshing short walk we were on our way to Ogallalah and up highway 26 to Scottsbluff. Another four hour nap in Bridgeport, Nebraska. A walk and supplies at Walmart in Scottsbluff. Stopped at the Cenex in Torrington, WY and bought gas and gloves! It was starting to snow. My hands were freezing and painful. The winds on I-25 were so strong the van, which is pretty tight, was wailing like a woman from the wind whistling through the side doors. I was planning a stop to see Rich in Casper but it was starting to really blow and snow so I called Delores for a Riverton weather report and pressed on after a gas fill at Flying -J (restaurant defunct). Driving in the snow for 120 miles, watching snow caked vehicles coming towrd me was concerning but Riverton was not bad, I can see green grass here. The house was very cold and it is just getting warmed up. I went to bed on a heating pad last night. The dogs are glad to be home. Buster seems improved. Honey is pleased and playful. I am glad to be here too and I am told the weather will get better.