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Posts tagged road trip
50 is fantastic… so far!
May 2nd
Oh. My.
Well, my birthday celebrations actually started the Friday before the actual date but other than the residual bruising on my boobs, I was ready to continue.
Last Thursday was #EVTM so I went up to Liberty Market to hang with that gang and received even more birthday wishes. I have such good friends!
Friday I got up and finished packing, took myself for my free birthday breakfast at Liberty Market – yes, it’s THAT good, you go two days in a row when you get the chance – and then picked up Krystal to get the rental car. After a rough start because car rentals at the fucking airport aren’t set up for local people and we blew half an hour trying to find the right place, we scored a Charger and went back to her place and loaded up the car with their stuff. Picked up Max, had lunch and finally got on the road to VEGAS BABY! Made it to the Stratosphere just in time to get decked up, gather the troops, pre-drink and go out.
Because CJ met us there and both she and Krystal (and I) love karaoke I decided we’d go a half-block away to Dino’s Lounge. Yes, it was a dive bar but aren’t those the best places for Karaoke? We had a BLAAAAAST! Max and Casey and his friend Jeff got up and sang Happy Birthday (so did everyone else in the packed bar) and then CJ sang my favorite CJ-sings-Karaoke song, The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun, to which I got up in my drunken way and cheered her on. Then Krystal rocked Shoop. I flirted with the numerous guidos around me and got as drunk as I’ve ever been. I must’ve had 8-9 vodka cranberries throughout the night. Everyone had a great time!
Unfortunately Vegas was experiencing a surprise cold spell and we froze our asses off walking to and from the bar. Nobody brought warm clothes except maybe CJ. We’re idiots.
Speaking of guidos, Vegas is overrun with Jersey Shore wannabes but damn do they dress nice and smell good. Lots of flirting and leaning in close, but that’s all. Most of those young men were tolerant of this old bat so it’s all good.
Saturday started with buffet breakfast with CJ, Crystal O’hara and her daughter Colleen (see, I remember her name now) and Shannon – then Max and Krystal eventually showed up. Us girls then headed to the outlet mall where I tried on 6 bras and started crying cuz I can never find a bra that fits right. Poor CJ was so patient with me. Then back to the room for a nap after which we dressed up and met at Nine Fine Irishmen for the BEST DINNER EVER!
I had the cider braised salmon (with a couple of ciders) and it was fantastic. Other than the food, I don’t think anyone was really enjoying the experience so we split up and went our separate ways.
Ended up back at my hotel and made CJ walk all the way to the HOT TUB!!1 only to find out they close the pool area at 6pm BOO! Who the fuck closes a hotel pool at 6pm? The Strat, apparently. So we went back to my room and dressed up again and went up to the Air Bar at the top of the tower, where the evening disintegrated even further. I’m drinking the whole time, but still. We were all getting tired and cranky by then so I gave up and went to bed.
Sunday morning we all gathered once more to watch Casey take the leap from the top of the tower. There’s video of that on my Facebook page if you want to watch.
So… there were down moments but it was mostly way up. I had the best time ever, wore make-up *gasp* and Krystal made my hair look great! I got to flirt a bit, got plenty drunk and spent a really great weekend with my sons and friends. We’re planning another family trip in November when Ginnie turns 21 and can go along.
Awesome start to my year 50!
The Rest of the Trip – FL Half
Nov 12th
Then somewhere in the dark Ginnie drove over christmas tree roadkill. Someone lost their cheap and tacky electrically wired tree in the middle of the highway and she made a split-second decision to straddle it to save the tires, but the wire caught up under the car and she could see sparks behind us and freaked out. We pulled over and I yanked out what I could reach, but the wires had wrapped around something under the car. So to avoid getting ran over by some semi, we hit the next exit where she borrowed scissors and crawled under the car. I’m pretty sure that’s where I lost my debit card, crawling around trying to see under the car.
Foggy mornings, so she had her first experience driving in the fog. Then 1 mile out of Florida she moved over to let a couple of GHP cars back on the road and one thanked her by pulling her over. Poor kid, excellent driver with shitty luck. He said she sped up when he got behind her and that was suspicious. Maybe it was the AZ plate. He asks her a bunch of questions, he asks me a bunch of stupid/useless questions (is the Grand Canyon in AZ? Do you have a lot of drug smugglers in AZ? Why were you in DC? How long will you be in FL?) and then wanted to search the car. Really?
Okay, I understand about probable cause and all that shit, but the minute you say no they get all butthurt and cause you more grief. I laughed and pointed at the back seat piled with blankets and crap and told him the trunk was full as well, have a ball, baby. So Ginnie and I stood on the side of the highway for half an hour while he and some other GHP guy searched my car. They even yanked the back seat out! I didn’t even know you could do that with my car. Then the trunk… until the redheaded cop unzipped my sexcation kit and the big burly bald black guy almost fell over laughing. That was that, they tossed everything back in with a thank-you-very-much and no eye contact, and gave her a warning about my windshield. Whatever.
Got to Mom’s – food – Brittany came and picked up Ginnie for the night – helped Mom with her cell phone – next day picked up Ginnie and went to Dad’s – hung out – out to Olive Garden – hung out – dumped Ginnie back at Brit’s – next day to my sister’s to see the boy then back to Mom’s to help her clear out some stuff. Last day brunch with Dad and Bonnie and then hit the road home.
There’s pictures on Flickr and pictures on yFrog (which I HATE) and I can’t figure out how to link to the set.
On the way home we stopped at the Oklahoma City Memorial, Window Rock and then Winslow AZ.
SmallChild is now pissed because I’d rather finish this than take her spoiled little ass to McDonald’s.
The Rest of the Trip – DC Half
Nov 8th
Yeah, this is long. And confused so bear with me. I’m still recovering but if I don’t get this down I’ll forget even more.
We left Tuesday morning and drove up through New Mexico, Texas, and somewhere in Oklahoma Ginnie took a wrong fork and we decided to go for it. Up through Missouri and Kentucky, a bit of Tennessee and finally Virginia. Ginnie got to see her first massive leave changing, the hills and mountains of the east (they are vastly different than the mountains we have here) and we did plenty of talking. We slept in the car the first night but got a room the second. I didn’t want to show up at my friend’s house smelling too bad. Somewhere in there we had tire issues. Or I thought we did, turns out there was nothing wrong with the tire, just that obsessively checking the pressure and using inferior air pumps made the tire appear to be leaking.
We decided to take the Blue Ridge Parkway up though part of Virginia. Now she understands why I loved Virginia so much. It’s a beautiful state and I wish I could still live there but I can’t deal with the cold. Or as it turns out, the traffic. That started backing up clear down to where I used to live in Stafford and didn’t get any better the rest of the weekend. How do those people deal with it? Loopy roads that pretzel so bad you couldn’t possibly find your way around without a GPS. And my Google Navigator was having trouble!
We got to my friend’s Paul’s house and got situated for the night. I had the asthma attack and the day proceeded as I said in my previous post. After the Rally, we took the train to an Atheist/Humanist meetup and eventually found Brian and Janice and especially Bruce. Ginnie really liked Bruce. I probably should have accepted his invitation in the first place. I think Ginnie would have been more comfortable. Anyway, we got back and watched most of the Rally they had recorded.
Sunday we got up and went back into DC. With the Marine Corps Marathon running most of the roads were blocked so we parked the car and rode the train again. The walk from the Smithsonian station to the Air and Space Museum was hard on me but we did it. Halfway through that we decided to hit the Holocaust Museum too. THAT walk was hell. I swear the cold air was trying to kill me but Ginnie was a trooper and patient as could be.
I think out of the whole trip the Holocaust Museum was the most important. Slow and crowded, but it was slow because everyone wanted to see, read and absorb every panel and display. It was very… moving.
From there we went back for the car and drove back into the city. Found a decent parking space nearby Lincoln and wandered around there. Then down to the Vietnam and Korean war memorials.
Monday morning we packed up our stuff and went to the Iwo Jima thing and then headed to Arlington Cemetery and took advantage of tourmobile. I certainly couldn’t have walked up those hills. Though other than not being able to breathe I felt fine. We visited the Kennedy gravesites and then watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I’d swear that ceremony was way more elaborate years ago when I lived at Fort Myer. Oh well. At the gates of the cemetery is the Women Veterans Memorial so we went in and looked up my name and there I was. I need to send in more information but the basic stuff is there. I think Ginnie was proud of her old mom.
Then off to Florida.
Rally Recap
Nov 8th
I didn’t actually make it to the rally.
Here’s the thing, I’m sure I’ve told you I’m asthmatic. So I got to my friend’s house fine*, woke up at 4am unable to breathe and had Ginnie take me to the hospital. By the time that was dealt with, the pharmacy trip was dealt with and getting back to my friend’s house happened it was almost 11. We all decided to go to the last stop on the train line for a best chance to get on a train. I’d passed the closer station and spotted the very long line so it seemed like a smart choice. 
Still having difficulty breathing, the walk to the line and then finally (after more than 2 hours in line) we squished into a (the fifth train that went though) train and made it downtown. I managed to walk about 50 steps before I’d have to stop and rest for a while. It was the cold air. I have a real problem breathing in cold air.
So… I got to a bench on the Mall and gave up. Sent Ginnie off to see if she could get close enough to the stage to actually hear anything but the crowd was so thick she couldn’t get in at all. And that was around 3:30 when it was almost over and lots of people were leaving.
I enjoyed the camaraderie of the crowd. People were happy and cheerful and I got to see lots of signs passing by. Some humorous, some serious. I’d tweeted my location hoping any of my friends would come find me but no luck. I’m still glad I went. I felt I accomplished something though I didn’t accomplish anything at all. Does that make sense?
*Watch for the rest of the road trip in another post.
A New Plan
Sep 26th
So here’s the plan:
I’m really really interested in attending Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity on October 30th.
This means another road trip, this time across the country to D.C.
Evo’s sure I can find people along the way for resting/showers and to stay with once I get there. I’m not as sure, so I’m not planning on help.
I figure it’s three days (I-40 most of the way) driving out, so I’d leave on the 27th. Weather should still be decent so I can again sleep in the car if needed.
IF I can find someone to go with me, the time frame might change.
IF I can find someone to go with me, my after-plans will change. I might hang around the east coast for a bit, visiting friends.
Fingers crossed. Open for suggestions. Anyone want to go along? Road trips are FUN!
Whaddya think?
Vacation Summary
Sep 9th
This is gonna be really long. That’s why all my photos are on flickr and if you want to see them go there.
My car had issues with one of the coils or spark plugs or whatever but I got that fixed and took off. 10 minutes in the car and I decided to go completely off my rocker and head towards areas talked about in those Little House books. I wandered back roads to Sleepy Eye and then Walnut Grove to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. That’s where I got this giant chip busted out of my windshield. I don’t even know where the rock came from. Oh well.
From Walnut Grove I went to De Smet where she actually grew up. I stopped by the homestead, but they wanted a chunk of money and a wagon ride to show me everything so I passed. Ended up near Murdo, SD for dinner and then spent the night in the car.
Guy walks in the restaurant and says anyone wanna see a horse? Everyone goes outside. I’m in freaking South Dakota! Horses are unusual?
The next day I stopped at the infamous Wall Drug for (an expensive and not very good) breakfast then toured the place. Bought a nice leather purse I liked for $14. Wall Drug is enormous and completely touristy. Way too much crap.
Wandered through Sturgis and Sundance before heading to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Breathtaking and way cool. I managed to walk the path around the entire tower (1.3 miles) though I was done about two seconds before I came across the Halfway Point sign. Shit. But I did it and am kind of proud of myself. I decided right then and there to pony up the cash and camp at the KOA at the foot of the damned thing. Had my tent up and shower done by 7 because the campground movie was… can you guess? Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Which was canceled because of this ginormous storm. I should have stashed the tent and stayed in my car! That storm was scary as hell! Lightning and thunder and wind and rain and I’m zipped in the tent and can’t see anything and the wind is gusting and my fat ass is the only thing holding that stupid tent down. It kept folding over on me (no, the stakes disappeared years ago) and I kept picturing myself wrapped up tubal in a polyester tent and sleeping bag. Eventually it passed and I crashed until about 1am when the cold drove me into the car after all. My light AZ sleeping bag isn’t very useful when the temp drops too far.
Next day I headed towards Deadwood, SD for breakfast. I love Deadwood. I could live there if it didn’t get cold in the winter. Then to the Crazy Horse Memorial Monument. Huge museum and a bumpy bus ride to get closer. From there I stopped by Hot Springs but I didn’t do anything.
Blew through Colorado on the major highway. You don’t really see much doing 85 mph. Stopped for the night in Santa Fe at this cute little Silver Saddle Motel, but I really didn’t get to enjoy much because the elevation made it hard for me to breath. Saturday morning I decided to take another back road home. South of Albuquerque I found the US60 and headed west.
And stopped almost immediately because some little town was having it’s Labor Day parade on the ONLY STREET. I’m stuck behind the last police car disappointing small children because I’m obviously NOT part of the parade. So I blared some George Hrab as loud as I could stand it the whole length of the parade.
You know there’s a tiny town called Pie Town? Right there on the continental divide. I stopped for pie in honor of my friend Mur Lafferty. I’m not really a fan of pie, but I knew if I ever saw Mur again and passed up the opportunity she’d smack me.
And then I was home! Nice vacation but more expensive than I though it would be. I can’t tell you if the car ate more gas because the windows were open the whole time or if it would have been cheaper if the A/C worked. Who knows.
What I do know is, the next time some Fucktard tries to tell me I can’t do something they can just fuck off. I was fine. Better than fine. I did GREAT!
Thinking about my next road trip. Where should I go?
Road Trip!
Aug 15th
The plan is to leave here Wednesday morning to go to Minneapolis. This is my route. If you’re on this route, let me know and maybe we can catch a meal or a drink or something.
The first weekend I’m going to their Ren Fest.
While I’m in Minneapolis I’m hosting a tweetup, but you don’t have to be on twitter to come. You can see the invite HERE and let me know if you want to join us. 
The next weekend we’re going camping. SHF. Sacred Heart Festival? I dunno, she’s all pagan and shit so I think that’s what it is. All I know is there’s probably Strongbow because she’s the one who started me on the stuff.
After that… well… I might be heading a bit more East. I’m not sure yet. The person I want to see isn’t sure about his plans yet. Maybe.
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This is funny. People keep alternating between calling me an idiot for wanting to drive and suggesting places for me to check out on the way. I want to drive. I want to see some of this country and this is as good a time as any. I know I’ll likely be tired and sore, but I seriously HATE flying so much I’d rather drive. I’m hoping my car will get me through all right.
Summer Travels
Jun 17th
I’m going to TAM! Well, not really. I’m going to Vegas July 8-11 to hang out with the illustrious when they’re not at the actual convention. I really can’t afford the tickets to TAM 8 so I’m tagging along for the parties… and VEGAS!
Then July 21-25 I’m going to San Diego ComiCon with my friend CJ (@twinklergirl) . That should be a ton of fun but exhausting. Dragon*Con kicks my ass and this is bigger. But I can’t wait.
Then I have to move the first weekend in August. Gotta get a cheaper apartment… okay, a dump that costs less. I prepaid and bartered for the above trips but the next one is on me. And might cost a bit. So Ginnie and I are getting an apartment together again. She’s not a bad roommate, as long as there’s no guy along. We should be fine. Should.
The end of August I’m taking a road trip up to Minnesota. I’m not sure when I’m leaving (or coming back) but the sooner the better. I wonder how long I can stay there.
I suppose I should come back. I have commitments with PodCampAZ and podcasting. I thought about heading east after Minnesota, but the further I go there’s the long trip back. Alone.
Couch Surfing
May 22nd
In my multiple conversations with my pal Evo, he thinks my idea of sleeping on an inflatable mattress in the back seat of my car is bad. Bad idea? That I should use my contacts through social media to find couches to crash on at night.
So fine, here goes. I’m planning a road trip to Minneapolis from Phoenix in late August. I really don’t have a schedule so I’m flexible. I just want to be there in time for my friend’s birthday at the end of that month.
If you live on this highway path and have a couch or spare guest space (and preferably don’t have cats) and wouldn’t mind putting me up for a night, sing out. You can email me or whatever.
Phoenix to Albuquerque or Santa Fe, then through to Kansas City and up to Des Moines. Then to Minneapolis.
Also if you know of some attractions along that route that one shouldn’t miss, I might be interested in that, too. Like I said, I’m not in any hurry but I don’t have a bunch of money to throw around.
Actually, there’s another route more through Colorado and Nebraska than through Kansas, so if you’re on that route it works too. Sounds prettier (Kansas has to be booooorrrrring) and just about the same total miles.
Road Trip!
Dec 2nd
Yup, we leave tomorrow morning… er, as I notice the time I should say we leave later this morning. As soon as traffic clears, like 9ish. Casey, Kira, Ginnie and I. Max has decided not to go, which doesn’t surprise me. He’s supposed to be looking at houses later this week.
So I’ve been mostly packed all day, most of the food/drink is taken care of, and I got my new DROID phone today so I don’t need a map anymore. I’m just waiting on everybody else.
This should be fun! No really, we’ve always been a road trip family.
Should be fun.
I’ll check in. Or you can monitor my twitter page for updates.
