Homeward Bound

Monday, April 1
We got up this morning and headed to California
~ APRIL FOOLS ~
we mean ~ headed toward home.
As we drove through St Louis and saw the "arch". "The Gateway Arch stands as the iconic monument symbolizing the westward expansion of the United States." Located on the western bank of the Mississippi River, it is the nations tallest man-made monument at 630 feet. Although we didn't have time to stop and visit, it was impressive to see.




We always say the trip will NOT be about food, well now that the sight seeing is over and there are just miles and miles to go ~ it has become about the food. John had done some reading about his famed pork tenderloin sandwiches and found that Indiana seems to claim to be the tenderloin capital of the country. So while John was driving Lynn did some extensive research. To avoid driving too far out of our way, John settled for an old fashioned "drive-in" car service restaurant where they delivered the food right to the car window.
















He was pleased but it didn't come close to the one we found in Iowa on our last trip. The sandwich was huge. Lynn only managed a quarter of hers and John couldn't even help her finish!


Tuesday, April 2


Back to reality ~ we are driving through Ohio ~ 28 degrees and SNOW!

Entering Pennsylvania ~ gray and snow

Entering New York ~ sunny and 32 degrees ~ oops right around Buffalo and here are the snow flurries!

Our last meal on the road ~ Buffalo's finest ~ Teds Hot Dogs.




Now we know we're home ~ the trip is over.

Ok, this is too much, snow squall on the thruway in Victor!

We stopped in Victor to see Jean and then headed home.

We traveled 7100 miles on this trip, drove through seventeen states, visited in nine of them ~ but it's good to be home ~ family get together this weekend.

Wondering where the road will take us next ~



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Oklahoma Bound

Thursday, March 28
We started out early this morning from Scottsdale and headed east on
Rt 87. The terrain was not what we thought of when we think of Arizona and in one area we actually saw snow!
Things changed as we entered New Mexico on Rt 40 but the buttes, mesas and plateaus were beautiful.








~ just taken from the car window ~








Friday, March 29
We left Amarillo Texas this morning heading to Oklahoma. On our last trip we drove along Old Route 66 through this area so we didn't want to do that again. We saw the "Cadillac Ranch" last time but never found the "Bug Ranch" so we decided to take a look at that this time. The "Bug Ranch" is a mock on the Cadillac Ranch and consists of five Volkswagen Beetles buried nose first in the ground. The tradition is to go to these two places with a can of spray paint and leave your mark.












From there it was a straight shot to Chickasha. We arrived about 3:00 and Terri was still at work but Mike was there to greet us with his usual "I'm just so damn happy." ( we know he was really glad to see us ~ even if he'll never admit it). There was a house full for dinner that night and we got to meet Kallyn for the first time ~ what a cutie!




With a few margaritas in hand, we spent the evening catching up and reminiscing. Mike seemed to relax when he found out we were only staying for the weekend.
































Saturday, March 30
Mike and Krista went to a few garage sales. Then Mike took John to a "swap meet" ~ a flea market for car parts and junk. John was happy to find some work gloves he'd been looking for and Mike was the proud new owner
of a wire basket ~ what a great "man day" of shopping ~ not quite like the outlet mall shopping but ~ (We got to keep Kallyn)




Krista and Kallyn took Lynn and Terri to see Krista's new school and run a few errands.
Then the preparation for Easter Brunch for 29 people began. We didn't really have much to do because everyone was bringing something so we took pictures of Kallyn.
















As usual the Okies got Lynn into some new tech stuff/game and this time it was Candy Crush!
Mike spent the rest of the day cooking pulled pork which turned out delicious and he was gracious enough to share his recipe ~ Frito Chili Pie last year, Pulled Pork this year.
In Oklahoma, it's important to listen to the weather reports and Mike is prepared with a weather radio. Several times the radio went off indicating storm watches so Mike and John had to check each one out.




Storm clouds forming ~




Several passed us by but the wind and heavy rain arrived around 4:00 in the morning.
Sunday, March 31
HAPPY EASTER!
Everyone showed up around 10:30 for a GREAT brunch and egg hunt for the kids. Family connections were re-established and some new ones made.
















































After brunch, Mica took us over to see her new apartment.
















Then it was off to the Oklahoma University Women's Basketball Sweet 16 playoff game at 2:30.
















Many of the 29 people from the brunch went to the game and it was lots of fun. The game didn't quite go their way but they played a good game and it was a great accomplishment to get that far. We really enjoyed being part of the Oklahoma hype.




It was a quick visit but it was great to see everyone and we will resume in Fairport this June.
At 6:00pm we started our journey home.