6,000 Miles
We hit the road Monday, June 9, beginning an almost 6,000 mile trek which included special places and people all along the way. Our daughter Athena ventured forth with us helping defray the costs and doing some of the driving. It was wonderful to share this time with her.
Part of our trip had been planned long in advance, but some of it was pure ad lib. We altered our proposed route to include Gulfport, MS, where we visited my brother Donnie who, as soon as he knew we were coming, rented us a room. He treated us to dinner in Biloxi that night and gave me $100 bill to take to Vegas.
We were up early the next morning, heading for the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, but opted for a side trip to New Orleans where we spent several hours exploring the French Quarter and enjoying some great local food and color. Richard and Athena think I got flim-flammed by a guy collecting money for a homeless mission, but I happily gave $20 anyway. We made it to the small Arkansas town of Magnolia that night and began our quest for diamonds Wednesday morning. We left after a few hours in the mud, bearing diamonds, the same ones I wore in, my wedding set.
Our next stop was the Oklahoma City Memorial which was more than moving. It is amazingly touching, heartbreaking, yet inspiring. We were there just before dusk and the lighting was gorgeous. We drove on from there to Amarillo, Texas.
Thursday was a long day of driving, but we made it to Monticello, Utah, not far from our family reunion site in Moab. We were both tired and starving, but there was no time to rest if we wanted to find an open cafe. In fact, we discovered we were too late for all but a steak house. Sadly, the chef was at a meeting and his fill in did not have the culinary talent we had hoped for. But when you are hungry enough, an overcooked steak or less than perfect veggies will do. Too bad, this fare still bore chef-prepared prices.
Moab, Utah Friday morning. Yay! But where is everyone? Too bad, the bulk of our family did not show up at all. Norman and most of his clan arrived later in the day. We had a wonderful two and a half days visiting and playing and eating with everyone. It was so good to see them all! Norman and most the others went 4-wheeling Saturday. They had quite an adventuresome time while Taunya, Candy, Alejandra and I stayed at the cabins, talked, napped and looked at pictures.
The 4-wheeling bunch hit the trail again Sunday before we all had to go our separate ways. They tried to conquer "Potato Salad Hill" with such passion that Louis actually twisted the drive line of his dad's Bronco. I have never seen anything like it, at least a one and a half circuit turn!
Next, it was on to Las Vegas where we spent three luxurious nights in a suite at the Venetian, on the house, no less! Quite a welcome change from the cramped and primitive cabin we crowded into at Moab. I loved it. Yes, I lost my brother's $100 bill and some of my own money as well, but had a great time, nonetheless. Athena rode the roller coaster at New York, New York and did some exploring on her own while we stayed on the ground and in mostly familiar territory. Richard's brother Jim and his wife June came to Vegas Monday and we visited with them as we checked out the downtown areas.
Off again early Tuesday morning, we arrived at Williams, Arizona in time for a buffet breakfast and our scheduled train ride to the Grand Canyon where we spent the day exploring and being awed by God's splendorous handiwork. Then, hot and tired, we were ready for the ride back. Our car had a delightful attendant, Sam. She was friendly and entertaining even if a bit less polished that her fellow employees who may have had more seniority. We experienced singing cowboys, a train robbery, a crusty, old sheriff and a splendid ride in an old Pullman coach.
Our room and a buffet dinner were also part of our package. The buffet was cold, but would have otherwise been good. I was exhausted, so the room was perfect, I slept like a rock!
Again, we left early, driving hard to reach Buena Vista, Colorado to meet up with Julia and Wyatt at the Topaz Lodge. We made time for stops at Dolores and Ridgeway to visit train museums and see the Galloping Goose. We saw a replica of Goose #1, the soon to be restored Goose #4 and the mostly restored Goose #5. Richard and his family rode the Galloping Goose when his mother worked at the Alta mines in the 1940's.
We stopped to visit Richard's folks' grave site in Montrose, Colorado, then drove through Gunnison. On the way, Athena recalled a special pizza place she loved when going to college there, so, using the Garmin and her new Blackberry phone, we called ahead and ordered the world's best cheese-garlic bread and a large pizza. We chowed down on these wondrous specialties behind the Western State College Student Union. By far, the best pizza and garlic bread I ever ate!
It was late by the time we met up with Julia and Wyatt. We were all tired, but Wyatt was a ball of energy. Buena Vista was full of bikers and bicyclists participating in various Ride the Rockies events. They partied all night and we had trouble sleeping even as tired as we were.
Friday morning, we were able to see Scott. Wyatt went with us and was very well behaved throughout the visit. When we first arrived they had no idea we were coming due to a miscommunication, but God worked it all out and we ended up with a longer visit than expected. Scott looked healthier than last visit. He has put on some weight and has a tan. He was quietly upbeat and I am thankful for that.
After the visit, we bid Julia and Wyatt farewell and headed east intending to stop for two short nights along the way home. we were all ready to be home so kept on driving and drove in shifts until we arrived in Orlando Saturday night. Brian met us there and picked up Athena and we drove on home. There's no place like home...
It was such a blessing to be able to leave and know all was taken care of here. Danny watched our house and pets and we were at complete peace about that. Everything was taken care of beautifully.
Part of our trip had been planned long in advance, but some of it was pure ad lib. We altered our proposed route to include Gulfport, MS, where we visited my brother Donnie who, as soon as he knew we were coming, rented us a room. He treated us to dinner in Biloxi that night and gave me $100 bill to take to Vegas.
We were up early the next morning, heading for the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, but opted for a side trip to New Orleans where we spent several hours exploring the French Quarter and enjoying some great local food and color. Richard and Athena think I got flim-flammed by a guy collecting money for a homeless mission, but I happily gave $20 anyway. We made it to the small Arkansas town of Magnolia that night and began our quest for diamonds Wednesday morning. We left after a few hours in the mud, bearing diamonds, the same ones I wore in, my wedding set.
Our next stop was the Oklahoma City Memorial which was more than moving. It is amazingly touching, heartbreaking, yet inspiring. We were there just before dusk and the lighting was gorgeous. We drove on from there to Amarillo, Texas.
Thursday was a long day of driving, but we made it to Monticello, Utah, not far from our family reunion site in Moab. We were both tired and starving, but there was no time to rest if we wanted to find an open cafe. In fact, we discovered we were too late for all but a steak house. Sadly, the chef was at a meeting and his fill in did not have the culinary talent we had hoped for. But when you are hungry enough, an overcooked steak or less than perfect veggies will do. Too bad, this fare still bore chef-prepared prices.
Moab, Utah Friday morning. Yay! But where is everyone? Too bad, the bulk of our family did not show up at all. Norman and most of his clan arrived later in the day. We had a wonderful two and a half days visiting and playing and eating with everyone. It was so good to see them all! Norman and most the others went 4-wheeling Saturday. They had quite an adventuresome time while Taunya, Candy, Alejandra and I stayed at the cabins, talked, napped and looked at pictures.
The 4-wheeling bunch hit the trail again Sunday before we all had to go our separate ways. They tried to conquer "Potato Salad Hill" with such passion that Louis actually twisted the drive line of his dad's Bronco. I have never seen anything like it, at least a one and a half circuit turn!
Next, it was on to Las Vegas where we spent three luxurious nights in a suite at the Venetian, on the house, no less! Quite a welcome change from the cramped and primitive cabin we crowded into at Moab. I loved it. Yes, I lost my brother's $100 bill and some of my own money as well, but had a great time, nonetheless. Athena rode the roller coaster at New York, New York and did some exploring on her own while we stayed on the ground and in mostly familiar territory. Richard's brother Jim and his wife June came to Vegas Monday and we visited with them as we checked out the downtown areas.
Off again early Tuesday morning, we arrived at Williams, Arizona in time for a buffet breakfast and our scheduled train ride to the Grand Canyon where we spent the day exploring and being awed by God's splendorous handiwork. Then, hot and tired, we were ready for the ride back. Our car had a delightful attendant, Sam. She was friendly and entertaining even if a bit less polished that her fellow employees who may have had more seniority. We experienced singing cowboys, a train robbery, a crusty, old sheriff and a splendid ride in an old Pullman coach.
Our room and a buffet dinner were also part of our package. The buffet was cold, but would have otherwise been good. I was exhausted, so the room was perfect, I slept like a rock!
Again, we left early, driving hard to reach Buena Vista, Colorado to meet up with Julia and Wyatt at the Topaz Lodge. We made time for stops at Dolores and Ridgeway to visit train museums and see the Galloping Goose. We saw a replica of Goose #1, the soon to be restored Goose #4 and the mostly restored Goose #5. Richard and his family rode the Galloping Goose when his mother worked at the Alta mines in the 1940's.
We stopped to visit Richard's folks' grave site in Montrose, Colorado, then drove through Gunnison. On the way, Athena recalled a special pizza place she loved when going to college there, so, using the Garmin and her new Blackberry phone, we called ahead and ordered the world's best cheese-garlic bread and a large pizza. We chowed down on these wondrous specialties behind the Western State College Student Union. By far, the best pizza and garlic bread I ever ate!
It was late by the time we met up with Julia and Wyatt. We were all tired, but Wyatt was a ball of energy. Buena Vista was full of bikers and bicyclists participating in various Ride the Rockies events. They partied all night and we had trouble sleeping even as tired as we were.
Friday morning, we were able to see Scott. Wyatt went with us and was very well behaved throughout the visit. When we first arrived they had no idea we were coming due to a miscommunication, but God worked it all out and we ended up with a longer visit than expected. Scott looked healthier than last visit. He has put on some weight and has a tan. He was quietly upbeat and I am thankful for that.
After the visit, we bid Julia and Wyatt farewell and headed east intending to stop for two short nights along the way home. we were all ready to be home so kept on driving and drove in shifts until we arrived in Orlando Saturday night. Brian met us there and picked up Athena and we drove on home. There's no place like home...
It was such a blessing to be able to leave and know all was taken care of here. Danny watched our house and pets and we were at complete peace about that. Everything was taken care of beautifully.
© 2006 by Iona Hoeppner
| 4:15 PM
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