Well, faithful friends, when I last left you we were just leaving Durango, CO and I was of the opinion the last of our interesting views was behind us. I'm happy to say that for the first 6 hours I was wrong! The drive out of Durango was as beautiful as the drive in, actually better. Hwy 550 starts to climb almost immediately reaching the first pass at 10340 feet. It's the highest I'd been, other than in an airplane. Breath taking views as far as we could see. Then, back down and through the quaint town of Silverton. It's another mining town from the late 1800's, but it wasn't as touristy as Durango. Back up, this time reaching just under 11000 feet, and then gently down through the mountains to Ovray, CO. This time a Victorian town that still held all it's charm. It's tucked away quietly in the Colorado Rockies and is well worth the visit. Gently down again and we make our way through Montrose, nothing to report there, but we are on the rise again and this time we top out at 11500 feet. Officially, the highest I'd been in a car! Once we made our way out of the Rockies boredom hit for the next 1200 miles or so. Well, that was until we made it to western Kansas and the dozens of deer on the side of the road. It was a bit tense in Blue Flash while we both kept and eye out for deer crossing. I'm from the South, but I'm not really into road kill for dinner!
The night passed quickly and we were coming through St Louis, then Illinois, and Indiana. Finally, we crossed into Ohio and safely to Scott's mother's house. It was a wonderful visit. We spent a lot of time cooking and laughing. I ask, could it get any better? Wednesday, we went to Cleveland and visited with Scott's second cousin. Thursday, after a drive toward Toledo, we met up with Scott's sister and the only niece of his I hadn't met yet. A lovely time! Friday we made our way south of Canton to see some of where Scott's family is from. It was nice watching mother and son share memories. Friday night, it was more family, with Scott's brother, his wife, nice, her husband, and 2 grand-nieces (both girls funnier than the other). Watching the stars come out we realized it was time to head in, but no one really wanted to. The hardest thing about living this far, it the time with family we miss.
Saturday was an early morning, for those of you who know Scott, not an easy thing. I drove the morning shift. Atlanta was our goal for the day, and we had 11 hours to drive and dinner plans in 13 hours. All was fine until Columbus, all south bound freeways had detours, delay 15 minutes. Then in Kentucky, an accident in the southern end of the state, delay 30 minutes. In Tennessee, road closed down to one lane due to construction, delay 45 minutes. We were late, but we had half and hour to spare. Glad I shaved in the car! It was dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with my best friend and a group of their friends. Then two days of giggles and wine. The time is always too short when we get together.
My favorite aunt lives just north of Atlanta. I couldn't pass through without a visit to her! We drove up and she had enough food to feed and army. Scott and I aren't big eaters, but I tried. She is my favorite aunt after all. Poor Scott, if you think I can talk (no smart comments please), well you should meet my aunt. Just the same we had a lot of fun. She and I were up late catching up and sharing family stories. The next morning she and I went shopping and got lunch, then it was time to head home.
Wednesday we drove through Greenville on our way to visit my parents. It was the beginning of 4 days of my mother trying to feed us. If Scott didn't know where I get my ability to try and feed everyone, after a day with my aunt and 4 with mom, he surely knows now! I never have enough time to see all my friends and family when I'm home and this was no different. We had dinner with my uncle and his wife on Thursday, and Friday we celebrated my father's 70th birthday with my step sister & her husband, my step brother, my nephew, and my aunt. We all laughed so hard it started to hurt. Saturday, after years of Scott hearing about the infamous Jockey Lot, he finally got to see it. The Jockey Lot is one of the largest flea markets in the South. I don't know how many acres, but it's huge. I think the people watching is some of the best, come on, we're talking rednecks at a flea market! How can that be bad? That afternoon and one more visit with a dear friend and we were ready to start heading west again.
Sunday morning we left Greer, SC and headed up to catch I-40 and start our trip west. Monday afternoon we pulled in to Palm Springs for a couple of days to ourselves.
Finally Wednesday, we were home and Reisender was sitting there safe and sound, waiting for us. We needed this break, and we needed to see our families just as badly. Seeing people who know you and love you despite your craziness is always a good thing!
Well, we are home in Newport and planning our next trek, this time on Reisender.
