The Traveling Suits

Yesterday was an easy 250 mile drive, then we had a heck of a lot of fun. We had lunch outside with Anne and Vince, who are always great hosts. Then on to the Swanson’s house where we saw Grampy Foley, Beth, Brian, Maggie, Anna and John Swanson. Oh and there were 4 dogs too—Pal and Buoy made friends with Pearl and Daisy. Everyone tolerated Pal’s barking and John even figured out how to stop it: constant attention. He and Beth are the “dog whisperers.” What a treat for vaccinated adults to have a relaxed visit. Looking forward to more of that!

It was warm when we arrived so we sat outside and caught up. As is often the case when we see Brian, he grilled sausages and we were glad. We are all excited about Maggie coming east this fall to go to Harvard, which will also mean more Swanson time! Anna started high school remotely and has not skipped a beat. John was very enthusiastic about our rig and wants a 40 footer so the neighboring family can join them. That did not get much traction.

Really not on my blog-thinking game as no pictures of Anne, Vince and Jay Foley! A lot of dog pics were taken and it was no easy feat to get the four of them to pose:

We were in Chicago to visit family but did get to drive through on the way out, along that magnificent lake, and it always impresses.

The break neck pace continues from Chicago to outside Buffalo today, although the driver wants to go all the way to Becket, MA. The dogs and I voted down that idea.

While I believe every state and most regions have something to see, we are not testing that in Nebraska and Iowa. After a pretty drive through Colorado–where they are still skiing–we hit Nebraska. Six hundred sixty six miles in, we stopped at Grand Island– which is neither an island nor grand. But it was a good location with a clean place to lay our heads. We look forward to lunch tomorrow with two of my favorite people–cousin Anne and her hubby Vince–then to the Chicago Swansons for dinner with Grampy (Jay Foley) and that fabulous clan.

Colorado

Nebraska

Yesterday’s drive from southern to northeastern Utah was absolutely spectacular. Damn good thing because Arches and Bryce on a sunny Saturday in April (duh) were mobbed. As in two hour lines to get in mobbed. We kept moving, with a few stops along the way, until we arrived in Colorado and camped at the Colorado National Monument. It was a very hilly, twisty, tight, two- narrow -tunnels drive up the mountain in high winds–exciting for the passenger. The views, of course, were stunning and it was a pleasant night to camp under the stars.

We are making tracks today too–driving through Colorado to Nebraska. We have seen so much in a relatively short time and what a blast. Still more to see including relatives in Chicago!

Beautiful Utah

Colorado National Monument, curvy roads noted

Good bye California, hello Utah! We enjoyed another lovely night with Rachel and Beans in Malibu before heading out early today. An easy and interesting 485 miles today, passing by (but not stopping) Las Vegas to the incredible Zion.

Zion is amazing and even harder to capture in photos than the Grand Canyon. The town is cool too! The park has a trippy , snug tunnel under the rocks where they let oversized vehicles like ours drive down the center during certain hours. We went through the tunnel in the park and back before realizing our original place to stay was on the other side of the tunnel. When we went back, the tunnel was closed to us. It was the first glitch in accommodations but turned out fine. We got the last room in a very full Zion (so we were told) and walked to get take out from a crepe place. Tomorrow Bryce, Arches then Saddlehorn, CO, after a trip through that tunnel again. Going around adds two hours.

*Such different state mottos

We are in a happy groove of running the dogs on the beach, working or relaxing to the sound of the waves, eating our meals on the patio and listening to great music. Seems like there is a decent undertow, so trying to keep 12 lbs Beans out of the water is a lively game. He is devilishly fast.

We have had so much fun with Rachel’s roommates– and her boyfriend Alex made it out for dinner too. What a treat to spend time with Rachel and her friends and soak up that young, bright energy.

Planning the way back now, which will start Friday morning. Need to do some research to get us through places like Nebraska and Iowa–Utah has all the cool places! I think we will be home around May 4–that is the loose plan now.

We had that moment of hey!–We don’t have pictures together, so lots of people pics. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! See you when we are in Utah.

We reached Malibu! Quick stop through Palm Springs, then to see Rachel’s place and roommates in Santa Monica. They have a bright, spacious apartment in a terrific area. It was a bustling Saturday in the LA area and lots of traffic, which I guess is always the case. No thanks.

Saw lots of surfers and beach goers on the Pacific Coast Highway on a sunny day in the high 60s. Tonight Rachel and her roommates Grace and Rachel join us for dinner, with “our” Rachel staying here for the week. As amazing as this beach house is, the thrill for me might be 6 nights in the same bed! The house is right on the ocean, overlooking a private beach. The dogs are loving the beach walks and we are too. The neighbors said we may see Cindy Crawford or Kaitlyn Jenner walk by but that would not get me off the patio recliner.

Palm Springs:

The Drive from Santa Monica to Malibu:

Malibu Rental:

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We were reunited with Rachel and Beans last night! They are all well and boy is it great to see them. Rachel is one of the funniest people I know.

The outside of our accommodations are fabulous, pictures below, and it is right near the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The inside Rachel described as a Lego House–everything we touch breaks, falls down or just doesn’t work–the shades, the table leg, the lamps–but we are mostly outside. We will try the hot tub tonight! Weather here is dry and 72 in the day. 40s at night. That is when we huddle by the chiminea under the amazing stars.

Below are pictures of us and our place:

Joshua Tree is like a sci fi movie set. The town is not much but has a real groovy vibe.

The Grand Canyon lives up to the hype. It is like nowhere else. We went from a stopover in busy, hot Phoenix (89 degrees) to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon where it was 49. Hours later, we had overnight temps of 25 degrees, but the Rig was cozy! It was too windy for fires so we took a walk, then hunkered down. We were at the South Rim viewing areas at 7 am, with the place to ourselves. We could not hike below the Rim because dogs are not allowed. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Of course, it is impossible to capture the splendor, color and size in photos. So here goes:

Then the long, dusty ride to Joshua Tree. It was miles and miles of nothing but road, sky and scrub. Mad Max like scenery.

Miles travelled so far: 3337. Rachel meets us in J-Tree soon–we have not seen her in almost FIVE months. Tomorrow–my dear oldest brother Peter’s birthday–we hit Joshua Tree Park–we have more than a few of those crazy trees at our rental too. Beautiful.

Yep, that is how you say it: Saguaro. They are captivating and pictures do not work, but we tried. Gorgeous, majestic Saguaro get top billing but many other types of cacti are flowering and beautiful. The Saguaro are just starting to “flower” which looks like broccoli on the tops of the plant at this point–too tall to get a shot. We also saw Road Runners but they are as quick as the cartoon but much smaller and not red. We were in Saguaro West, the Tucson Mountain District, at 6 pm and it was wonderful.

Facts: Saguaro are slow growers and can take 70 years to grow branches, or arms. Full height of 40-50 feet takes about 150 years. Their woody ribs hold them up. What a treasure, thank you once again Teddy Roosevelt.

Last shots of hotel area: dogs trying to figure it out.

We drove 511 miles today, making our grand total so far 2,586 miles traveled. Our suits are wrinkled but our spirits are high.

The drive through New Mexico is other worldly–so arid and vast. Until Hatch, NM, the Chile capital of the WORLD–actually just a ticky-tacky town trying to make a buck. We crossed over the Rio Grande and saw no one trying to swim into the country. We arrived at our hotel in Tucson by 5 pm, now in the Pacific time zone. I brought in my make up bag and best duds but really, no one bothers anymore. Plan on taking a swim in the pool outside our door after my virtual training session tomorrow. Then to Saguaro in the afternoon!

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