We're ALL home now!

Sunday morning we got up and going shortly after 8:30. On the final run home-yeah! Stopped in Rochelle, IL for potty stops, gas and drinks. Moving right along. Called Jim's to use up the lat 1/2 hour with OnStar. "I'm in Wisconsin now!" I said. Talked with Jim, Chad, Emily (who knows what she said), Eric and Tootie. Holly, don't you like me? I was past Elkhorn when I ran out of time. Felt like I was home now! Called Shell to see if they were stealing a boat today. Maybe later in the week. Drove in about 1:00. Murph's nose was really working when we turned onto Ryan Rd. Hauled everything in the house-and that's where it still is. Molly (dog 3 houses north) came to welcome us home, too. How did she know? Made a grocery run. Bought a ham steak, so I had some for Easter. Looked out later-Murphy was back in the truck. Guess he doesn't want me going anywhere without him. Took a nap in my chair. It still fits and naps well. I'm not lazy, I'm just getting used to being home and in a space that's 4X what I was in for a month!

Picked up the "boys" this morning around 8:30. OH MY, they look different. They're longer, wider and heavier! They barely fit in the carrier (for one) together. Any new habits they've developed will be charged to John. I know Laura wouldn't do that. They were packing for the Brewer's opener. Hope they're having fun. The kitties are having fun out in sunporch today. Checked out their old digs again and it looks and smells familiar.

Murphy is sitting in the truck again, today!

5 weeks, 1 day, 5077 miles, Priceless.

1 night in our own bed, Priceless-er!

Last Long Day on the Road

Mom fell asleep last night-she took a nap before she went to bed. She took me out about 12:30 am. So, I let her sleep in until 8:30. But, we still think we're on AZ time. There wasn't any wind right then! A lady held my leash while mom got some coffee. She wrote down her directions for today. Iowa City or Davenport? She made a reservation for Iowa City. Mom got ready and took me out to the car. She had some more coffee and something to eat. Continental breakfasts. I'm really good at riding the elevator, too. I bark just a little now when we start out. Mom gave me a beef stick in a wrapper yesterday to keep me busy for a while. I'm getting tired of watching the country go by, so sometimes I just put my head down on the pillow and take a nap. Mom said this is the last long day in the car. It won't take us long to get home on Sunday. She pets me and talks to me. Doesn't she know I can't answer her? We got to our hotel about 5:30. Then we went to eat down the street. Mom smelled like she had a beer and salmon. She said they need to go to culinary school. The sauteed veggies were mush. The salmon had lots of seasonings on it. I hope that doesn't make mom sick! Just relaxing. Oh, yeah, mom talked with Lois and Peggy today. Peggy thought PA or DC would be good trip ideas for this summer.

(Mom forgot to send this earlier today)

Rollin' along with the tumbling tumble weed

Wasn't that Roy Rodgers and the Sons of the Pioneers? Noticed I have a little tumble weed caught in the grill. Left Pueblo to the north, east, northeast, east, north maybe one more north and east to Kearney, Neb. Left the Rockies in the rear view mirror. Always majestic. Still windy today, but most of the time it's pushing me home. Stopped for lunch in Burlington, CO, just before the KS border. About half way of today's trail. Taking state roads (65 mph) to get to I-70, more state roads to get to I-80. Saw a couple feed lots. Definitely John Deere country! Chatted with Marla for a while today. Have about 1/2 hr left with Onstar. Who should I call now? Murph's been a much happier traveler on the way home. Just keep feeding him broken up cookies and treats to keep him quiet. He's even been on elevators each night, too. So many new experiences for him. Today is I-80 to Davenport, I think. Then it's a short jaunt home from there.
Pretty flat now, corn fields. No new pics. Got your eggs colored and hidden yet?

Still climbing-still windy

Trying to make the 1st hour time change. Not working. still operating on AZ time. Picked up some literature at the hotel. Took a look at Old Town and really didn't see any stores that would make me stop. Decided I should drive through since I was so close. Picked up info on Santa Fe. Drove on Rte 66 again through "Nob Hill" district. I-40 E to 14 and the Turquoise Hwy. Little artist towns along the way to Santa Fe. Nice scenic route. Drove into SF to look around. The skies are grey and gloomy today. And lots of dirt blowing around. I bet if the sun were out, I'd see things differently. Stopped at Walgreens for more zrytec. Now I know why I haven't slept well the past 2 nights. Zrytec D has that phenol------ crap that wires me up! I was reading the label while waiting in line and quickly changed it to plain on zrytec. Feeling like I'm not making any progress today. Making lots of pit stops but I'm not drinking that much. whatever. Chatted with Marilyn. Using up those minutes I've paid for with Onstar-hands free calling. Stopped for gas at a little town. Sinclair-still the old pumps, too. Asked the gal the difference in mileage between Pueblo and Co. Springs. She didn't know. It was 47 miles from there to Pueblo, and 87 miles to Co. Springs. Guess they didn't teach math in that town. I just wanted to know so I could call for a hotel. Picked Pueblo. Didn't think my eyes would hold out much longer. I'm getting tired of the wind and dirt in my eyes. (whine, whine, whine-no cheese tho). Cracker Barrel right next door. Stopped there first, then checked in. Looked at info on Co. Springs. Too much to do there-will need to come here as the destination. Planned out the rest of the trip. Will be out 2 more nights. It took 4 nights on the way out, so I'm ok with that. Will get home Easter afternoon.

WTP? (what's the point?)

Climbing out of AZ

Got packed up, turned in keys and stopped at the big dog park to give him a run before we left. 8:30 we were on the road. Went to Payson. Gorgeous views along the way. Saw the last of the Saguaro's for a while. Kept climbing. Now pines all around. Had breakfast at 10 in Payson. Looked up the Sisters Quilting store. Very nice selection. They tried to get me to cut or sew pillowcases for the million pillowcases donation. I said I didn't know how to cut or sew. They just didn't believe me. Now headed east to Show Low. Now I had to decide-stay on 60 all the way over to I-25, or go north now to I-40. Very nice lady at the gas station. I stayed on 60. Boy, was it windy up there in high country. Needed both hands on the wheel. 3 hours later, found myself on I-25. The speed limit kept changing. I laughed at the OK to pass or not pass signs. Not much traffic at all on this road! Chatted with Lois. Checked into hotel at 6; headed right over to a restaurant for supper. All homemade food. Blue corn enchilladas. Very good. The hotel has a courtyard that's fenced in so Murphy could do his own thing for a while. Tired. Eyes scratchy again and red. Tired, but didn't sleep well. Think I'll take the Turqoise trail to Santa Fe. Then toward Colorado Springs. Not sure where we'll end up tonight!