The Last Song

This will be my last blog on this Independence Tour. I may write some of my thoughts from time to time in the future and will post like I have been doing.  I will at bare minimum blog my next trips (Cuba-Dec, Argentina-Feb, Greece-June).  I hope you all enjoyed it and I loved the feedback I heard.

Out trip seems to have come to an abrupt end as we pull into Harrisonburg Walmart at 11 PM.  It is bitter sweet because we are excited to go home and see our kids and 30 of our closest family members for 5 long days living in our house next week (lol or crying out loud) but have also found that we can and will do this RV thing again.  We already want to plan our next trip but with the following guidelines.

200 miles per day, 2 night minimum stay and get to the campground by 2pm.  We learned this from some of our RV friends.  Remember Jen's friend she met in blog 22?  Neither does she!  

I guess our last night would not be fitting if it wasn't parked in a Walmart in the town where we started, Harrisonburg.  The only thing that didn't work out was going to dinner with Abby because she had a test and had to go to bed early and we did not get here until late.  She did ask if they could go to dinner without us to Outback on us (just kidding).   The best part is how comfortable we are in the parking lot, actually sleeping in until 9 am with our slides out and cars now parked all around us.  Not that we are now in a rush, we are making our breakfast before we leave for home.    

Shout out to Jake for selling a 28 Chris Craft and collecting the money (thats when we count it sold, after receiving all the money!),

The time change really f us up.  It was great heading west because the surprise of having an extra hour was fantastic.  Coming home it was again a surprise and really screwed us up.   We will be glad to be back on the Atlantic Side of the world in good old EST.  A lot of people ask us why we have to get back so soon and our response isn't, well we have 30 family members and our kids coming to stay with us for thanksgiving, or we have to get back to work but we have to be back by Tuesday to let Zulady in to clean the house for the 4th time since we were away.  I may see if she can clean the rv instead.  

By the way, we really liked Tennessee, especially Nashville.  The people were really nice and it was fun.  We are going to list the places we want to come back to.  

Trip Summary

• 
  
• Days gone 37
• Traveled 8700 Miles
• Percentage of driving-John 75% Jen 25%
• Days without Hot Water-14
• Days smoke alarm went off while Jen cooked breakfast in morning (even with warning from me) -Everyday
• Soda Spills-14 (that I know about)
• Days we hiked or walked at least 5 miles-Everyday less 3
• Dog fights-6
• Days without headlights-14
• Days I had to pick up Arky and all the things Jen left on her nightstand like we were in a stable house-Everyday
• Number of bikes we brought with us-2
• Number of bikes we brought home-1
• Number of times we rode bikes-0
• Days something broke on the RV-22
• Days we had arguments 7
• Days I received a D or worse Grade 1
• Times Zulady cleaned our house when no one was there-3
• Beers drank-a lot
• Soda drank-more
• Jens Favorite part--Tahoe to Arches
• Johns Favorite Place-NAPA hands down
• Weirdest place-Salt LakA City
• Days it rained during the day- ZERO
• Days it rained or sprinkled at night-2
• Days below 30 degrees-2
• Highest elevation-8500 (hike)
• Most expensive Campground-$110
• Least expensive Campground besides Walmart-$20
• Gallons of Diesel bought-A lot
• Number of times Jen tried to sneak a summer sausage heel to me-4
• Number of times I kicked the water or food bowl and spilled all over camper-5
• Soda left in arsenal-8 12 packs
• Days my toe nails look FABULOUS -37

So a lot of times, Jen and I finish each others sentences.  It is weird but happens a lot.  For example, yesterday Jen said, "The first thing I am going to do when I get home is..."  she said-go to work, I said take a bath.  This time we were not on the same page but most of the time we are.  

Anyway, I hope our last leg home will be uneventful and traffic free and I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.   Since my accident with Julian in August and Arky Passing away, I have decided life is too short and no one can know when things will happen.  We are going to live the rest of our life with this in mind and enjoy the ride as long as we can.  I hope everyone I know will adopt the same plan.  In the words of one of my favorite singers,"There's always gonna be another mountain...I'm always gonna want to make it move....always gonna be an uphill battle... sometimes I'm gonna have to lose...Ain't about how fast I get there..Ain't about whats waiting on the other side... 

IT"S the Climb.....

Almost a catastrophe ends our trip

2 day blog--Saturday and Sunday Steaming home to work like horses.

Saturday--New Mexico--Uneventful
Sunday-NM, Ok, TX,AR--Even more uneventful

Last time we were in OK (26 years ago) we were driving home with the bun in the oven in Jen's POS Subaru and driving so fast that a fish and wildlife cop started flashing his spot light on and off (he did not have real lights).  We decided to pull over and he asked me if I knew how fast I was going and I said, "no, the speedometer only goes to 85 and it was buried." (I was only 20 at the time).  He then said, well I can assure you that you were going over the speed limit (he had no radar).  Let me off with a warning.

Ok, we got up early to put some miles on so we can get home.  We were going to stay in Santa Fay but decided to just stop there and talk Jen for a walk and then go on.  On our way, I saw a really cool  firetruck with a huge American flag flying at a local Veterans park.  Had to get a picture of the Flag in front of this Flag for my Veterans Day post.  After circling the small parking lots 4 times, I traversed a speed bump (remember the last one that got me good and killed all my wine glasses) and heard a huge crash.  Looked behind me and the Jeep was not there or at least not tailgating me like usual.  I stopped immediately and got out (Jen did not even spill her soda).  Holy Shit.  The Jeep was off the hitch, bikes under the jeep and everything mangled.  I was just looking and assessing the situation while Jen was asking what we do.  My silence of thought led her back into RV as I was trying to figure out what happened, a solution and thanking my lucky stars this happened while driving in a town and not at 75 MPH on a highway or it would have been game over.

I have been towing shit for 30 years and in my time doing so I have never seen a hitch pin snap, until now.  I bought some really expensive, locking hitch pins because Jake said people may have stolen the jeep or bikes and I should lock them).  Thanks Jake!    Here is the amazing part,  Started dismantling the mess, piece by piece and layout my options.  My bike was ok, kaseyb bike mangled, one receiver mangled, damaged bumper, bent ladder but for what this could have been we were very fortunate (only one small tear in tx on the wrap).  30 minutes later and black handed from all the diesel fuel, we were up and running with bikes in jeep hooked up.   Glad I brought my tools and extra parts.  We literally lost about 30 minutes (Jen was impressed).

Onto our trail in NM which was not quite 5 miles but a strong uphill.  Had to find or make other trails for Jen to get the full 5 miles which ended up being 6 miles and back to Flag right at dark.  Lights helped us travel a little further and we got to a Walmart at about 10 pm.  This RV thing is so awesome. We pull into a Walmart, put our legs down, slides out,  close curtains and we literally could be in the middle of our own land wherever.   We were exhaled but still went inside to buy stuff (that is why it is a good thing for Walmart to allow parking).  Bought a new hitch receiver and we are back in business.  We were exhausted so went to bed and woke up at 9 AM--CRAZY (We did lose an hour on time).

Steaming home we pushed hard through Oklahoma City (our target stop), and moved on to make up time.   Had my cheese platter for breakfast and once again, Jen tried to sneak in a summer sausage heel like she always does.  She does this with bread as well (like I am a kid and just won't notice).  The dogs don't even like the heel.

Anyone ever see Rain Man?  Remember the part where they had to stop to watch The Peoples Court or Dustin Hoffman would have a breakdown?  That is what I was reminded of when trying to find a place to walk on our way to our campground.  Guess what?  WE DID NOT WALK!  First time in a very long time and I had to talk Jen off the ledge a bit.  I convinced her she could dance later to make up for the steps.

Sorry to miss Sully's Christening but heard he was an Angel.  Also, shout out to Roberto for his birthday.  We wish we could visit you guys in Atlanta but it is impossible on this trip.

Oh, by the way, I think Julian is now reading the blog!  Apparently, Tyler told him NOT to read it and that was the trigger.  Go figure.

Passed all the cotton picken' fields and to our campground.  It was still Light out (YEA).  Took showers and went to town.  Stopped by local grocery to pick up some beer but unfortunately we landed in a dry county (or Jen is a mastermind planner).  Off to dinner where we drinks, steaks, apps, and anything we wanted for the price of $44.00.  We tipped $20 to the cute (Jens word) waitress.  My only regret was that I did not have my cowboy Oil money outfit to wear while I was here.

Last thought before our dance party--Jen always puts things on the counter while we are driving that makes no sense at all.  If a fan was blowing, it would fall over but she leaves with all the confidence that it will stay there while driving 75 MPH in a 60' missile.

Onto Memphis!