Driving from Chicago to LA, more than 2,000 miles all the way, we made it last night, July 12, to the Pacific Ocean.
Driving into LA on Route 66 was not as much of a nightmare as I had imagined it might be. Actually the traffic moved very smoothly past the Hollywood sign on the hill and past Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. We never thought the Pacific would come into view, but there it was and we almost dead ended into the Santa Monica Pier. After a hilarous bout with parking the car (remember we almost never made it out of Chicago's parking garage) we opened the champagne and ran to the railing on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. We did not linger because the temperature was around sixty degrees. That morning in Las Vegas the temp was around 106.
We found Joy's niece, Marcy Walton, easily. Marcy is a freelance producer and works on shows such as Extreme Makeover, Home Edition. She's currently working on a food show with TLC. She regaled us with stories about life in LA over a Sushi dinner in Santa Monica. However, her passion lies in a documentary she is currently making on Maoist conflict in Nepal and how it is affecting displaced children in that country. More than 200,000 children have been displaced because of this conflict.
We are spending a few days at Marcy's recovering before heading up the coast highway to Portland. John, Joy's husband, flies into LA this morning. Both daughters have now left the trip.
Things will change today, but that just makes it more exciting. I'll post again when we hit the road, this time going north.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Winding Down
July 11, 2007
Last night we stayed in Seligman, AZ, on the longest stretch of uninterrupted Route 66 in the country. Seligman capitalizes on their location with every establishment boasting Route 66 signs and cars from the '50s and '60s.
We stayed at the Deluxe Inn where our host hailed from Bombay, India. He told us his philosophy on money (it doesn't make us happy) and fullfilment (do what you love).
We ventured down to the Roadkill Cafe where every type of animal, including a turkey, graced the walls, shelves and tables. Moose, elk, jacklopes and cougars stared at us with glass eyes as we ate our steak and ribs. We heard many stories last night from people passing through just like us. The bartender, Art, told us that many of the people traveling Route 66 these days come from Europe.
Today we cotinued our drive on Route 66 to Kingman. The landscape changed to hills covered in rocks. Not much action here although we did come upon a wonderful place for breakfast in Truxton. The Frontier Cafe is just what it is - an old Route 66 landmark without any prettying up for the tourists. The owner, Betty, makes six pies daily and we bought an apple pie that we have brought to Las Vegas and Ernie's house. Ernie and Joy went to elementary school together in California. He drove us into the Red Rock Canyon today and after making a Mexican dinner for us he plans to take us downtown to the strip.
Anna left yesterday and it seems like we have left someone behind everytime we stop. We went into a memorabilia store today and there was an old fashioned soda fountain with three empty stools and on the fourth sat a manniquin. We had our picture taken by a young man from China and said that made us feel whole again with the fourth member there at the fountain.
Tomorrow at this time we will be in Santa Monica at the end of Route 66. Today we felt sad everytime we realized this part of the trip will soon be over. We're ready to turn around and take the road backwards.
Last night we stayed in Seligman, AZ, on the longest stretch of uninterrupted Route 66 in the country. Seligman capitalizes on their location with every establishment boasting Route 66 signs and cars from the '50s and '60s.
We stayed at the Deluxe Inn where our host hailed from Bombay, India. He told us his philosophy on money (it doesn't make us happy) and fullfilment (do what you love).
We ventured down to the Roadkill Cafe where every type of animal, including a turkey, graced the walls, shelves and tables. Moose, elk, jacklopes and cougars stared at us with glass eyes as we ate our steak and ribs. We heard many stories last night from people passing through just like us. The bartender, Art, told us that many of the people traveling Route 66 these days come from Europe.
Today we cotinued our drive on Route 66 to Kingman. The landscape changed to hills covered in rocks. Not much action here although we did come upon a wonderful place for breakfast in Truxton. The Frontier Cafe is just what it is - an old Route 66 landmark without any prettying up for the tourists. The owner, Betty, makes six pies daily and we bought an apple pie that we have brought to Las Vegas and Ernie's house. Ernie and Joy went to elementary school together in California. He drove us into the Red Rock Canyon today and after making a Mexican dinner for us he plans to take us downtown to the strip.
Anna left yesterday and it seems like we have left someone behind everytime we stop. We went into a memorabilia store today and there was an old fashioned soda fountain with three empty stools and on the fourth sat a manniquin. We had our picture taken by a young man from China and said that made us feel whole again with the fourth member there at the fountain.
Tomorrow at this time we will be in Santa Monica at the end of Route 66. Today we felt sad everytime we realized this part of the trip will soon be over. We're ready to turn around and take the road backwards.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sedona Rocks
Monday, July 9
Sedona, Arizona is a city surrounded by red rocks rising majestically from the ground. Houses are tucked away in canyons and crevices of the clay mountains. We met up with a friend of Joy's yesterday who lived in the Hawthorne, Florida, area for years. She moved to Sedona 12 years ago and owns a massage school.
Nancy told us to wait until 6 p.m. to attempt any climbing. The temperatures soared to 106 degrees yesterday in the high desert of Sedona. We rested in our suite at the Village Lodge (a real treat at $79 a night for a 1 bedroom apartment). The "monsoon" season began when a rain storm hit (our first of the trip) so we were grateful we decided against camping last night. By the time 6 o'clock rolled around the rain had stopped, dropping the temperature down to 76 degrees. We climbed half way up Cathedral Rock and sat on an outcropping. All five of us including Nancy remained quiet for five minutes each lost in revery and respect for the nature before us as remnants of rain clouds and the setting sun provided us a light and shadow show against the red and brown limestone.
Afterwards we opted for dinner at the Full Moon Saloon where a welcome sign said Sunday was karoke night. We had traveled the whole way from Chicago on Route 66 looking for a karoke place so we could show off our singing abilities honed finely during the trip. Sedona marked the last night that Anna, Hillary, Joy and I would be on the road together since Anna flies out of Phoenix tomorrow and Anna and I are now at my brother's in Scottsdale. We had given up hope that we would find karoke but as we have found all along on this trip, things find us when we need it most.
We rocked in Sedona to On the Road Again, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Sugar Shack and American Pie. We became known as "the Girls on the Road."
Tomorrow after dropping Anna at the airport I drive back to Sedona to meet up with Joy and Hillary and we continue on Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman on the longest stretch of old Route 66 in the country. Then it's on to Las Vegas for one night.
Sedona, Arizona is a city surrounded by red rocks rising majestically from the ground. Houses are tucked away in canyons and crevices of the clay mountains. We met up with a friend of Joy's yesterday who lived in the Hawthorne, Florida, area for years. She moved to Sedona 12 years ago and owns a massage school.
Nancy told us to wait until 6 p.m. to attempt any climbing. The temperatures soared to 106 degrees yesterday in the high desert of Sedona. We rested in our suite at the Village Lodge (a real treat at $79 a night for a 1 bedroom apartment). The "monsoon" season began when a rain storm hit (our first of the trip) so we were grateful we decided against camping last night. By the time 6 o'clock rolled around the rain had stopped, dropping the temperature down to 76 degrees. We climbed half way up Cathedral Rock and sat on an outcropping. All five of us including Nancy remained quiet for five minutes each lost in revery and respect for the nature before us as remnants of rain clouds and the setting sun provided us a light and shadow show against the red and brown limestone.
Afterwards we opted for dinner at the Full Moon Saloon where a welcome sign said Sunday was karoke night. We had traveled the whole way from Chicago on Route 66 looking for a karoke place so we could show off our singing abilities honed finely during the trip. Sedona marked the last night that Anna, Hillary, Joy and I would be on the road together since Anna flies out of Phoenix tomorrow and Anna and I are now at my brother's in Scottsdale. We had given up hope that we would find karoke but as we have found all along on this trip, things find us when we need it most.
We rocked in Sedona to On the Road Again, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Sugar Shack and American Pie. We became known as "the Girls on the Road."
Tomorrow after dropping Anna at the airport I drive back to Sedona to meet up with Joy and Hillary and we continue on Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman on the longest stretch of old Route 66 in the country. Then it's on to Las Vegas for one night.
The Wild West
Friday, July 6
We are in Gallup, New Mexico tonight tired after so many days of driving. When we came out of Tucumcari the landscape began changing and we drove among the mesas and plateaus of the west.
Lunchtime found us in Santa Fe, a town that contains only adobe-style buildings and homes. Its Main Street is picturesque but with touches of Disney to take away some of the charm.
Joy became excited about some pottery until she picked it up and looked at the bottom. "Made in China" forced her to quickly place the bowl down and move away.
The rocks became more colorful as we approached the western border of New Mexico. We decided to drive as far as we could because tomorrow we head to the Grand Canyon and want to spend some daylight hours exploring.
The skies of New Mexico seem wider and more expansive than anywhere else so far. We are mere specs on the highway and the relics of the past of Route 66 remind us that man's presence here is simply a short expanse of time in comparison to our surroundings on this ribbon of road.
Each of us faces new challenges in our life this year, but as we travel further west the pull of my life's difficulties seem insignificant when viewing the distant rocks that have withstood and witnessed the passage of centuries. And they survive.
And so will we.
We are in Gallup, New Mexico tonight tired after so many days of driving. When we came out of Tucumcari the landscape began changing and we drove among the mesas and plateaus of the west.
Lunchtime found us in Santa Fe, a town that contains only adobe-style buildings and homes. Its Main Street is picturesque but with touches of Disney to take away some of the charm.
Joy became excited about some pottery until she picked it up and looked at the bottom. "Made in China" forced her to quickly place the bowl down and move away.
The rocks became more colorful as we approached the western border of New Mexico. We decided to drive as far as we could because tomorrow we head to the Grand Canyon and want to spend some daylight hours exploring.
The skies of New Mexico seem wider and more expansive than anywhere else so far. We are mere specs on the highway and the relics of the past of Route 66 remind us that man's presence here is simply a short expanse of time in comparison to our surroundings on this ribbon of road.
Each of us faces new challenges in our life this year, but as we travel further west the pull of my life's difficulties seem insignificant when viewing the distant rocks that have withstood and witnessed the passage of centuries. And they survive.
And so will we.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Flying Over the Grand Canyon
Sunday,July 8, 2007
We slept on the edge of the Grand Canyon last night in Kaibab National Forest. The light woke us all far too early – 4 a.m. Anna and I began sneezing and tossing and turning until 6 a.m. when we needed to pull ourselves up out of the tent and head to the Grand Canyon airport where a pilot named Jason and a helicopter awaited our arrival.
Jason flew us over the Canyon and the Colorado River which looked like a two-lane highway from our mile-high perch. Jason informed us that we were looking at 120 foot wide river with 25 foot white water caps. We also flew over a 1.7 million years old canyon floor. Anna worried us when she turned white and held her mouth but Jason took particular care to point out the white paper bags with each seat. He asked Anna to use hers since she sat right behind him. She said she would not vomit but she might have a heart attack. We managed to return to earth healthy and whole.
Right now I sit writing in a hotel in Sedona, Arizona, as Anna naps, Joy conducts business on the cell phone now that she has service and Hillary watches a movie. I look out over Castle Rock, red and majestic. Cathedral Rock, fifteen minutes away, awaits our hiking boots if these Florida girls (and one Portland chick) can manage a climb in this high altitude.
Tomorrow the trip changes as Anna and I go to Scottsdale, where we’ll visit with my brother and wife, and Joy and Hillary stay here in Sedona. Anna flies to Portland Tuesday from Phoenix and I hook back up with Joy and Hillary for more Route 66, Las Vegas and then we bring it on home to California by Thursday afternoon. Stay tuned.
I have not had lots of time to write and sometimes the Internet has been sketchy so I apologize if I have not done this trip justice. I find writing about what is happening right in the middle of it difficult. Perhaps I will find some quiet time in Scottsdale.
I can say with certainty that this trip has brought us much laughter and escape from the day to day movements of our regular lives. Having both of our daughters with us has only enhanced the experience and brought us all just a little bit closer.
We slept on the edge of the Grand Canyon last night in Kaibab National Forest. The light woke us all far too early – 4 a.m. Anna and I began sneezing and tossing and turning until 6 a.m. when we needed to pull ourselves up out of the tent and head to the Grand Canyon airport where a pilot named Jason and a helicopter awaited our arrival.
Jason flew us over the Canyon and the Colorado River which looked like a two-lane highway from our mile-high perch. Jason informed us that we were looking at 120 foot wide river with 25 foot white water caps. We also flew over a 1.7 million years old canyon floor. Anna worried us when she turned white and held her mouth but Jason took particular care to point out the white paper bags with each seat. He asked Anna to use hers since she sat right behind him. She said she would not vomit but she might have a heart attack. We managed to return to earth healthy and whole.
Right now I sit writing in a hotel in Sedona, Arizona, as Anna naps, Joy conducts business on the cell phone now that she has service and Hillary watches a movie. I look out over Castle Rock, red and majestic. Cathedral Rock, fifteen minutes away, awaits our hiking boots if these Florida girls (and one Portland chick) can manage a climb in this high altitude.
Tomorrow the trip changes as Anna and I go to Scottsdale, where we’ll visit with my brother and wife, and Joy and Hillary stay here in Sedona. Anna flies to Portland Tuesday from Phoenix and I hook back up with Joy and Hillary for more Route 66, Las Vegas and then we bring it on home to California by Thursday afternoon. Stay tuned.
I have not had lots of time to write and sometimes the Internet has been sketchy so I apologize if I have not done this trip justice. I find writing about what is happening right in the middle of it difficult. Perhaps I will find some quiet time in Scottsdale.
I can say with certainty that this trip has brought us much laughter and escape from the day to day movements of our regular lives. Having both of our daughters with us has only enhanced the experience and brought us all just a little bit closer.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Tucumcari
We say the name of this town just because it is fun to say. Tonight we are staying at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari. I sit in a yellow metal chair outside of our room as the traffic on Route 66 tears by. The rooms are quaint and the beds are covered with quilts. The phone is from 1936. Later we plan on going down the road to the Pow Wow, the only bar in town and it serves food.
We find ourselves slowing down and letting road take us where it will. Whenever we think we have lost the Mother Road, the brown and white sign proclaiming, Historic Route 66, appears and all is right with our world.
Last night we camped in Purdy, Oklahoma, on Frank Walton's property and set off fireworks and celebrated Frank's life. Joy loved being there and seeing the place where her father had been born in 1923. She found the spring where he got his water and the road where he walked to school.
We have seen so much that I find we see the odd as normal now and often times don't even reach for the camera. Today we had one of those moments when we passed by the Leaning Tower of Texas, a tilted water tower on the side of the road.
More later as we head into the west and the desert.
We find ourselves slowing down and letting road take us where it will. Whenever we think we have lost the Mother Road, the brown and white sign proclaiming, Historic Route 66, appears and all is right with our world.
Last night we camped in Purdy, Oklahoma, on Frank Walton's property and set off fireworks and celebrated Frank's life. Joy loved being there and seeing the place where her father had been born in 1923. She found the spring where he got his water and the road where he walked to school.
We have seen so much that I find we see the odd as normal now and often times don't even reach for the camera. Today we had one of those moments when we passed by the Leaning Tower of Texas, a tilted water tower on the side of the road.
More later as we head into the west and the desert.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Springfield, Missouri
There have been times in the last few days when we could not remember what state we were in. I guess vacation mode has finally set in here on the road.
We have a mascot, our little Best Western rubber ducky, picked up from the hotel in Chicago. She rides on the dash board with a Route 66 patch stuck to her back. We bring her in places with us and ask the people we meet to hold her for pictures. Great conversation starter and sometimes a stopper.
Yesterday we only traveled 300 miles in nine hours but we have remained true for the most part to Route 66. The road is not well labeled in sections because in most places so far it no longer exists except as road bed for other highways. Sometimes we will be riding along thinking we've lost the road and then in the middle of no where a brown and white sign appears. We all cheer that the road once again found us. Or as we like to think of it - our duck took us there.
Today we are up early to begin driving before noon for the first time. We have a destination in mind today and we have 350 miles to go. We will probably stick to Interstate for great amounts of time, except in Kansas that boasts 13 miles of the Mother Road that is well preserved. We must find a small strip of land near El Reno, OK by this afternoon. Joy's father was born there in 1923 and tonight we send his ashes up in a bottle rocket in celebration of his life and the Fourth of July.
On the road with a mission in mind,
Pat
We have a mascot, our little Best Western rubber ducky, picked up from the hotel in Chicago. She rides on the dash board with a Route 66 patch stuck to her back. We bring her in places with us and ask the people we meet to hold her for pictures. Great conversation starter and sometimes a stopper.
Yesterday we only traveled 300 miles in nine hours but we have remained true for the most part to Route 66. The road is not well labeled in sections because in most places so far it no longer exists except as road bed for other highways. Sometimes we will be riding along thinking we've lost the road and then in the middle of no where a brown and white sign appears. We all cheer that the road once again found us. Or as we like to think of it - our duck took us there.
Today we are up early to begin driving before noon for the first time. We have a destination in mind today and we have 350 miles to go. We will probably stick to Interstate for great amounts of time, except in Kansas that boasts 13 miles of the Mother Road that is well preserved. We must find a small strip of land near El Reno, OK by this afternoon. Joy's father was born there in 1923 and tonight we send his ashes up in a bottle rocket in celebration of his life and the Fourth of July.
On the road with a mission in mind,
Pat
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Day 1 Almost Killed Us
Monday, July 2
We woke in our hotel in Chicago after a night of adventure in the Windy City. We ate dinner at a rooftop restaurant and then were given instructions to Buddy Guy's place on Wabash. The waitress said sometimes Buddy showed up for a set. When we arrived we discovered it was the 20th anniversary of the club and we received VIP seating that later was closed to others. Buddy played as did other musicians who had come to honor him. Joy and I had our photo taken with him. In the morning Hillary, Joy and I stumbled down to a corner market and stocked up on supplies for the trip including mimosa makings to send us off on our way. We found Lou Mitchell's for breakfast quite easily at the start of Route 66. Great place where the food is served in a skillet and after most of us ordered two eggs over medium we discovered in Chicago two eggs means four. You gotta a love a city like that.
We nearly didn't make it out of Chicago. First we got lost in the parking garage and we only had fifteen minutes to exit after having paid $15 for one hour of parking. Finally we hit the road only to have a Fed Ex truck come at us and swerve at the last minute. That was the auspicious beginning to a day filled with so much laughter that we often talked about how much our sides hurt.
We lost Route 66 at one point and found ourselves in a cornfield for over an hour but as I pointed out we came out intact because we always traveled in the direction we were going. That is only one such profundity from a day filled with the spirit of the road. There is so much more but suffice it to say Jack Kerouac ain't got nothing on us. Today we leave St. Louis after going to the top of the arch. Now that we're on the western side of the Mississippi we feel we're almost there wherever we're going.
We woke in our hotel in Chicago after a night of adventure in the Windy City. We ate dinner at a rooftop restaurant and then were given instructions to Buddy Guy's place on Wabash. The waitress said sometimes Buddy showed up for a set. When we arrived we discovered it was the 20th anniversary of the club and we received VIP seating that later was closed to others. Buddy played as did other musicians who had come to honor him. Joy and I had our photo taken with him. In the morning Hillary, Joy and I stumbled down to a corner market and stocked up on supplies for the trip including mimosa makings to send us off on our way. We found Lou Mitchell's for breakfast quite easily at the start of Route 66. Great place where the food is served in a skillet and after most of us ordered two eggs over medium we discovered in Chicago two eggs means four. You gotta a love a city like that.
We nearly didn't make it out of Chicago. First we got lost in the parking garage and we only had fifteen minutes to exit after having paid $15 for one hour of parking. Finally we hit the road only to have a Fed Ex truck come at us and swerve at the last minute. That was the auspicious beginning to a day filled with so much laughter that we often talked about how much our sides hurt.
We lost Route 66 at one point and found ourselves in a cornfield for over an hour but as I pointed out we came out intact because we always traveled in the direction we were going. That is only one such profundity from a day filled with the spirit of the road. There is so much more but suffice it to say Jack Kerouac ain't got nothing on us. Today we leave St. Louis after going to the top of the arch. Now that we're on the western side of the Mississippi we feel we're almost there wherever we're going.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Sunday Morning Blues
Not really. I'm not feeling blue today. Yesterday was spent in happy pursuits with my family. Boat rides on Lake Michigan and laughter at silly family memories. Good friends, Linda and Karen, gave me a Route 66 care suitcase last night. The suitcase, a Samonsite from the '50s, was filled with tequila, Jack Kerouac and Route 66 books, kazoos, and car games. By the way, I would like to offer a correction to a previous log thanks to the better memory of Linda. We met at Silver Lake in Michigan. And she is right. It was never about the Sleeping Bear Duns.
After a family luncheon today, we're off to Chicago where I meet up with the rest of the Route 66 contingent. Hillary flying in from Orlando and Joy somewhere in the midwest in a red Sedona mini-van headed for O'Hare airport.
Tomorrow a.m. we're finally on the road. But the truth is, we've always been on the road now we manifest it.
After a family luncheon today, we're off to Chicago where I meet up with the rest of the Route 66 contingent. Hillary flying in from Orlando and Joy somewhere in the midwest in a red Sedona mini-van headed for O'Hare airport.
Tomorrow a.m. we're finally on the road. But the truth is, we've always been on the road now we manifest it.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Trying to Get on the Road Again
Yesterday I began checking things off the list. By 11 a.m. I had finished the last of work chores and enjoyed meeting friends for brunch. Afterwards I went to the Post Office where there was a package. I left my purse and briefcase with laptop on the front seat because the trunk was filled with items I was donating to a yard sale for the homeless in St. Augustine. When I returned to the car, purse and briefcase gone.
Instead of leisurely packing and cleaning my apartment yesterday, I spent the day frantically on the phone trying to remember everything that needed cancelling or replaced. I cried a whole lot too because the laptop represents much of what I have come to define myself as: a writer. It also kept me connected to the world as did the cell phone that went with the purse. For several hours yesterday I contemplated cancelling the trip, but then cooler heads - such as Joy's - prevailed and with the help of several other friends managed to get things done. By 2 a.m. I fell into bed exhausted and welcomed sleep only to wake at 6 a.m. to finish packing.
The road beckons and Jack Kerouac would be proud.
Instead of leisurely packing and cleaning my apartment yesterday, I spent the day frantically on the phone trying to remember everything that needed cancelling or replaced. I cried a whole lot too because the laptop represents much of what I have come to define myself as: a writer. It also kept me connected to the world as did the cell phone that went with the purse. For several hours yesterday I contemplated cancelling the trip, but then cooler heads - such as Joy's - prevailed and with the help of several other friends managed to get things done. By 2 a.m. I fell into bed exhausted and welcomed sleep only to wake at 6 a.m. to finish packing.
The road beckons and Jack Kerouac would be proud.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Counting Down
I like preparing for a trip. The past week has been filled with frantic movements so my life is in order when I embark on this three-week odyssey, but as of last night as the work load lessened I began to get excited about the moment I walk out the door with my luggage and step into my friend, Tamara's, car for the ride to the Jacksonville airport.
Before we take off on Route 66 on Monday I head to a family reunion with Anna in South Haven, Michigan. I'm staying with my long-time buddy Linda Miazga during the weekend when 30 members of the Camburn family descend on this beach resort town in southwestern Michigan. Linda and I met in 1973 at Crystal Lake in the upper part of the mitten of Michigan. Although neither of us remember the weekend very well, the memory stuck enough for us to become best friends while enrolled in the same psychology class in early 1974. Another friend, Karen, will be there too and I met her through Linda and another mutual friend. It's been a long, happy 34 years of friendship. We've gone from silly high school girls to focused wives and mothers to crazy single (i.e. w/o children) women. It is fitting this journey starts with them.
Now the family is another story for another blog.
Before we take off on Route 66 on Monday I head to a family reunion with Anna in South Haven, Michigan. I'm staying with my long-time buddy Linda Miazga during the weekend when 30 members of the Camburn family descend on this beach resort town in southwestern Michigan. Linda and I met in 1973 at Crystal Lake in the upper part of the mitten of Michigan. Although neither of us remember the weekend very well, the memory stuck enough for us to become best friends while enrolled in the same psychology class in early 1974. Another friend, Karen, will be there too and I met her through Linda and another mutual friend. It's been a long, happy 34 years of friendship. We've gone from silly high school girls to focused wives and mothers to crazy single (i.e. w/o children) women. It is fitting this journey starts with them.
Now the family is another story for another blog.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Route 66 Pre Trip Jitters
One week from today, my friend Joy and I and our daughters converge on Chicago from all around the country. After a night of Chicagoing we get in the mini-van stocked with camping and writing gear, and head west on what remains of Route 66, even if it is buried under 9 inches of asphalt.
The anticipation of a journey buzzes around my head, but I cannot allow the buzz to become too strong as I struggle to get all of my work done before hitting the road for three weeks. Magazine deadline today keeps me somewhat focused although here I am writing this blog instead of preparing copy for the production team.
A sigh of relief when the day looms for departure because it will all be done and I will be exhausted.
The anticipation of a journey buzzes around my head, but I cannot allow the buzz to become too strong as I struggle to get all of my work done before hitting the road for three weeks. Magazine deadline today keeps me somewhat focused although here I am writing this blog instead of preparing copy for the production team.
A sigh of relief when the day looms for departure because it will all be done and I will be exhausted.
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