Our idea of spending the winter in one of the Southern states had everything to do with escaping the cold and wet winters of the northern states. We wanted beautiful sunshine, clear blue skies and warm temperatures. Most years that’s what we’ve found … most of the time. This year has been very different.
When we pulled out of Washington state and headed to the Oregon coast, we had nice weather. Our timing was perfect. It was just like we hoped it would be. However, as we traveled farther down the coast we ran into very dense fog. We actually didn’t say goodbye to the fog until we were south of South Francisco. From there we made a mad dash towards Bakersfield. Finally, the sun was shining down on us and it was definitely nicer traveling under the blue skies. Finally.
We enjoyed many nice days in Las Vegas until recently. After all this is fall and winter is just around the corner. Sometimes we tend to forget that. However, the recent weather has reminded us of that. It’s been cold, the wind has been blowing and the clouds opened up with buckets of rain. We didn’t like it one bit. Thus, once we returned from our trip to Virginia, we decided it was time to head a little farther south.
First we needed to find an opening in the weather to reload the kayaks on the Jeep. Well, we never really found that opening but at least the rain slacked a little and the winds weren’t as strong. By noon on Saturday we were ready to get on the road again. It wasn’t a nice day but it was better than the day before.
Our drive was to be a short one. We were only going as far as Kingman. We really did have a mission. A prescription was waiting for Terry at the Wal-Mart in Kingman.
We did see a break in the clouds and even a little blue sky in the afternoon. We were just hoping it would stay that way. It didn’t.
Yes. Christmas is coming----
The Wal-Mart in Kingman has signs posted in the lot indicating that overnight camping is not allowed. However, we had stayed overnight before at that Wal-Mart. We knew the city ordinance against RVs spending the night was not enforced. .Besides if we got kicked out, we figured the other dozen RVs would be kicked out too. Needless to say, we didn’t worry about it and parked the motorhome in their lot anyway. Then, we went down the road and had dinner at Cracker Barrel. We hadn’t seen one of those since we pulled out of Arizona in the spring. I love their catfish!
Sunday morning rolled around and we woke up to more fog. Go away, Mr. Murphy! We figured the next 200 miles would put us in the weather we had hoped for. Well … not quite. it took almost the full 200 miles to get out of the dark clouds. The good thing was that we were behind the rains. We could tell we were following them by the puddles all over the roadway. All in all it was an uneventful drive. We like uneventful drives.
Finally we pulled into the Scottsdale Elks. Hmmm …. not sure how long we’ll stay though. One of the first things on the agenda is for Terry to call his mother and let her know he’s close. The second thing will be to figure out how I’m going to get to Portland for Thanksgiving. Then … after that what’s next? We have yet to figure that one out.
‘Tis life on the road.
It finally happened. I got the GPS lady so confused, she said, "In one-quarter mile, make a legal stop and ask directions."
Well - we followed the weather pattern in the south-west and have been saying that maybe there is a reason why we can;t get down there this year. Afterall we do have the cold here without the traveling part. And the winds have been nasty lately. It's still storming like crazy outside. We are cooped up in the rear of the house now - away from the front windows where the wind hits.
ReplyDeleteLast winter the same thing happened to us...we followed horrible weather and ended up in San Diego for awhile...couldn't go much further!
ReplyDeleteThe "after that! what's next?" Is the fun part about RVing! Hope you have a safe flight to Portland.
Not much great weather anywhere right now, when you find some think we will go there and check it out.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels.
Don't come to Houston. It has rained for the last five days. It is pouring right now and very cold. Thank goodness, no snow in the forecast.
ReplyDeleteWatching the weather this morning I thought about you and were glad you weren't trying to get to New Jersey this year. Hopefully the trip to Portland won't be too bad. Thank goodness it's quit raining and starting tomorrow we'll be back in the 70's. Yippee.
ReplyDeleteThat horrible thunder, lightening and rain storm is behind us now. Sunny skies and warm temperatures are all we're gonna see from here on !!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping all this bad weather wears itself out before we head south in just 2 more weeks. Some places sure have got blasted with rain and even snow. Nothing we can do about the weather though except make the best of it.
ReplyDeleteBack on another plane so soon? Wow - you guys do get around from coast to coast.
Love the GPS lady comment!
ReplyDeleteI don' even want to look out my windows because I know the puddles are still there. But, I THINK they've stopped growing.
I loved the GPS lady too. I posted it to Facebook.
ReplyDeleteThe sun is shining right now but it was so cold this morning. Brrr
And whaty do they say about climate warming?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a good thing you bring those lifeboats you have strapped on top of the JAGEEP. With all that rain, you might actually need them. :cO
ReplyDeleteGood luck flying to Portland for Thanksgiving, the busiest travel time of the year (like I have to remind you). Can't wait to see what adventures you have this time! :c)