It's been a few days since my last blog -- and this is REALLY the last blog. We were beginning to think it had become the trip from, well, you know where. Last Thursday we were fat, dumb and happy someplace in Oklahoma when Don got the news about his brother's death. We drove to Memphis on Friday and cousin Jim helped Don get himself clothed and shod prior to our 9- hour Jeep trip to Chicago on Saturday. The Sunday Memorial Service was wonderful and the church was packed. We headed back down to Memphis on Sunday but stopped for an overnight outside of Effingham, IL. On to Memphis Monday and a long drive home on Tuesday (yesterday). We had intended to NOT try and drive all the way home in one day but once we got the smell of Pensacola in our heads there was no stopping us.
Now Memphis was quite wonderful. First off, it was in the low 80's and that's our kind of weather. In Chicago, it rained and, once more during the trip, managed to break some kind of new low temp. Also, there were leaves on the trees! And flowers! And Beale Street! And some great food! While Don was off getting clothes, I waltzed across the parking lot of 'The Graceland RV Park'. Now, the rv thingie was just behind 'The Heartbreak Hotel,' which we initially drove by on the way in. During the really scary turn around, I was outside doing an excellent 'on foot' reconnaissance job but somehow the Watson bus made the turn and left the navigator to walk a quarter of a mile to catch up. If you know Memphis, you will understand how enthused I was to make that walk.
Anyway, I crossed the parking lot and bought the PLATINUM PASS to the Graceland tours. So, there I was, doing the Elvis thing. Had a great time, took weird pics, or pics of weird things, and managed to NOT have any cheeseburgers. I do want to point out that the Platinum Pass enabled me to tour, in addition to the 'mansion', the 'Lisa Marie' which was El's plane. Now, having also toured Prez Kennedy's Air Force One while in Tucson, I can tell you that when flying across country Elvis lived large and Prez John F. did not. We're talking junk in Air #1 and gold seat belt buckles in the 'Lisa.'
Later in the afternoon, my cousins, Jim and Jackie, took me into town to tour Sun Studio and that was an absolute blast from the past. A little old place that turned out some of the great R&B and b-bop sounds of 'my' (notice I didn't say "our") youth: Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more. Some not so great people, but great performers.
As a final note, the trip was valuable. It was something we had to do and, now that it's over, been there done that don't need to do it again. EVER. By the time we logged over 3,600 miles, replaced a slide motor and air brake lines, fixed the transmission computer in Memphis, drove into the wind no matter which way we were going, bought socks everyplace we stayed, found out California wine is really expensive in California, and missed most of the wonderful sights we hoped to see in the west, we were incredibly tired of being 'On the Road.'
Thanks to all who followed us!
(FINAL Note From Don) -- Thanks to all for kind words and encouragement during this really difficult period. Little did we know when we began this trip that it would end with our being in Chicago for a Memorial service for my recently departed brother Stan just the other day. It all happened so fast... again, my sincere thanks!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Cows Keep Moving
Hey! from Shamrock, TX. Don arrived back in Albuquerque yesterday about 1:15. We rushed over to the Rally exhibits so that he could pretend that he actually attended it but by the time we got there most were already down. However, we DO have t-shirts showing that we were there.
On Sunday I managed to snag breakfast at Le'Peep, a great chain of breakfast places and on the way there watched as over 30 balloons took to the air. Then, I visited exhibits, bought those t-shirts and got to visit and have lunch with Lisette, a very long time friend. Lisette and I lived across the yard from each other in Indianapolis when we were wild and crazy youngsters. We're still crazy, but the young part seems to have changed. She has lived mid-way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe for, gosh, 24 years now. Last evening the three of us got together for dinner at a fabulous local southwestern restaurant. Even yesterday and today there were 7-8 hot air balloons ascending in the early morning.
We are now sitting in the middle of no-where right off I-40 and Route 66 and looking out over a Texas range with cows roaming in the distance and a real barbed wire (I touched it) fence. There is such a heat wave that both of us have on shorts for the first time since Tucson, AZ. Despite being 'rural', this little place has all the amenities and 60 foot long pull throughs. It is quite pleasant and relaxing and has filled up with RVs going both east and west. It's one of those relaxed places where ya pays your fee in cash and pick your own spot. Since we didn't unhook the Jeep, we have no idea if Shamrock is a real town. All I know is that it doesn't have a Cracker Barrel and I'm sure you know that's a civilization marker for me.
On to Oklahoma tomorrow and on Thursday we land at Graceland and what could be more fun then a tour of the Elvis grounds, buying an El cookbook and on to Beale Street!
And Don says:
What a wonderful trip this has been! Of course, there are (as Peg points out...) those "special" moments but by and large they are quick to pass (although the worn brake lines we found in California will probably take a VERY long time to get over) ... this has been some real quality time.
I had told Peg I wanted to add a short paragraph in today's blog to say thanks for all the support from so many people concerning my brother Stan who has been in hospital for a couple of months now. I was in Chicago over the weekend by his bedside and his spirits were high as we had some moments together. Our brother Chuck and his wife Betty also came to Chicago from their Indiana home and it was a very special time together. Again, thanks for prayers and thoughts which mean a lot at this particular time.
On Sunday I managed to snag breakfast at Le'Peep, a great chain of breakfast places and on the way there watched as over 30 balloons took to the air. Then, I visited exhibits, bought those t-shirts and got to visit and have lunch with Lisette, a very long time friend. Lisette and I lived across the yard from each other in Indianapolis when we were wild and crazy youngsters. We're still crazy, but the young part seems to have changed. She has lived mid-way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe for, gosh, 24 years now. Last evening the three of us got together for dinner at a fabulous local southwestern restaurant. Even yesterday and today there were 7-8 hot air balloons ascending in the early morning.
We are now sitting in the middle of no-where right off I-40 and Route 66 and looking out over a Texas range with cows roaming in the distance and a real barbed wire (I touched it) fence. There is such a heat wave that both of us have on shorts for the first time since Tucson, AZ. Despite being 'rural', this little place has all the amenities and 60 foot long pull throughs. It is quite pleasant and relaxing and has filled up with RVs going both east and west. It's one of those relaxed places where ya pays your fee in cash and pick your own spot. Since we didn't unhook the Jeep, we have no idea if Shamrock is a real town. All I know is that it doesn't have a Cracker Barrel and I'm sure you know that's a civilization marker for me.
On to Oklahoma tomorrow and on Thursday we land at Graceland and what could be more fun then a tour of the Elvis grounds, buying an El cookbook and on to Beale Street!
And Don says:
What a wonderful trip this has been! Of course, there are (as Peg points out...) those "special" moments but by and large they are quick to pass (although the worn brake lines we found in California will probably take a VERY long time to get over) ... this has been some real quality time.
I had told Peg I wanted to add a short paragraph in today's blog to say thanks for all the support from so many people concerning my brother Stan who has been in hospital for a couple of months now. I was in Chicago over the weekend by his bedside and his spirits were high as we had some moments together. Our brother Chuck and his wife Betty also came to Chicago from their Indiana home and it was a very special time together. Again, thanks for prayers and thoughts which mean a lot at this particular time.
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