Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Friday we said good bye to some our new friends. Cleaned condo, finished packing and put some stuff in the car. We will be looking like the Clampitts going down the road. We have our van packed with so much stuff and most of it is not ours. There are 2 suitcases, 2 Rubbermaids filled with clothes, a big donkey and cart, a microwave, a toaster, 4 big rugs, lots of bags stuffed into corners, 2 sets of golf clubs and there is more. Then for our last hurrah we went out to eat and sat on the patio next to a pretty, man made lake. We all knew that it would be some time before we will be able to eat outside again.

Saturday--packed rest of car and did some finishing swipes and wipes of the condo and closed the door. Took off for our journey home at 6:40 am. We went through some of the most awesome scenery the first 3 hours. We were in the mountains that were sprinkled with the Suguaro cactus and the sun rise was just starting to come over the tops. We climbed and went down quite a few times. We were in canyons and rims. It was incredible. Stopped the first night in Tucumcari, New Mexico. We did almost 600 miles today and spent about 1o hours in the car. Sweetie Pie (our GPS) gives us all that info and then some. Gloria got a call that her dad was put into the hospital. Not good news.

Sunday--up early again. We are all early risers. None of us slept well. On the road again. Stopped for breakfast in small town in Texas. Pudge & Jim got made fun of because of their shorts by some of the cowboys in the restaurant. The waitress's name was Flo and I am not kidding. Not much scenery today. We are in a Hampton Inn just north of Topeka watching the Super Bowl. Spent another 10 hours in car. Found out Gloria's dad is doing somewhat better.

Tomorrow we plan on being home. I think we are all looking forward to it somewhat--except maybe Jim--he still says he is dreading going home. Doesn't want to deal with the snow and slop. At least the weather has warmed somewhat. I do have to say it was tough leaving that gorgeous weather and I am going to miss a lot of things. There will be a lot to think about and many memories.

Signing off with anticipation and excitement about being home but also with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes about leaving. Such is life.