Short Highlights of our Journey

Here are some last general thoughts, in no particular order, about our journey.  Check back periodically to read about our other upcoming adventures during this year of transition to my new "post retirement" life. 

• Water played key role in most places we visited -- some places had an abundance with over-flowing rivers and creeks from snow melts and others were in multi-year droughts.  Beautiful waterfalls were seen in Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and Idaho. 
• SO-OO many dead skunks along the roads!
• Lots of trucks hauling the huge blades for wind turbines; they are so much bigger than they look from afar!
• Only real casualty:  a chip in the windshield from a truck throwing a pebble  
• Such beautiful wildflowers throughout the country in the spring!
• Underestimated the impacts of wind and hail out west
• Campers are the friendliest people; everyone wants to talk about where they are from, where they've been and are going and asking you about the same.  If all neighbors could just be as friendly as fellow campers.
• Advice:  when changing altitude regularly, open bottles carefully.  Beware exploding lotion bottles!
• A slow leaking air mattress is a real problem when sleeping on frozen ground; buying a new air mattress was a necessity (and finding on sale was a joy!)
• Nothing like sharing sinks at the campground in the morning with young ladies busy curling their eyelashes when you are just trying to do something with your hat hair.  
• My thanks to the many great tour guides, rangers, information center workers and fellow travelers who offered advice and made our trip so much more meaningful.
• Nothing tastes better after hiking for hours than a delicious fresh orange.  I'm glad I live in a citrus producing state!
• With all those beautiful girls at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, all I could think about was how they are ruining their feet in those stiletto heels they were wearing. 
• Why do people own huge yachts on small interior lakes? Do they ever get tired of the same scenery?
• Camping schedule:  time for bed at sundown cause you'll wake up when the sun rises, sometimes before 5 a.m.
• Canadian geese have turned into the "pigeons" of many campgrounds.  Why don't they fly north in the warm weather any more?
• Now I know why they call it Cottonwood.  I thought someone was shredding pillows at first!
• Utah has some of the most beautiful rest areas; we had great picnics and almost hated to leave.
• I have a better appreciation of those who were part of our western history, especially the native Americans, the pioneer settlers, and the adventurers.  Our country is built on the fruits of their hardships.
• You can't get a bad lunch at a place that promotes its "Homemade soups and pies"
• The most beautiful man-made site:  a garden of wind sculptures in Taos.  The most beautiful natural site:  just too many to pick one. 
• Cuba, our waitress in Houston, gave us the theme for our trip when she ran out of the restaurant to wish us a good trip and advised:  "Drive fast and take chances!" 
• My heart did a little happy jump every time friends or relatives said "Welcome Campers" or "Welcome Travelers" when we arrived.  Nothing like great hospitality after being in a tent!  Thanks to all who welcomed us!