Walts Travelogue

[lance_s]

Well, I'm setting up a nice trip back east for sometime in July, at least after the 4th. I'm going to follow I-10 into Florida. I'll drive around the big cities, depending on the time of day I get there. I'll visit a few friends in Florida, then head north up to I-40. I want to visit a friend in Shreveport, then head up to Tulsa to visit my sister.

Once she throws me out, I'll take I-40 west to Santa Rosa, NM, then south on U.S. 54 to home. Gonna try to camp overnight at least twice. I've got a nice tent, sleeping bag and air mattress. Got a single-burner stove and coffee pot, too, so I may try to make my morning coffee. But I don't cook breakfast anymore. Plenty of restaurants out there. All that depends on the weather, I guess. I expect to take somewhere around 3 weeks. I'll miss some cam shows, but will check in when I can.

Sounds like a nice trip. Enjoy.

[greggl]

Heard this the other day and it reminded me of Walt's travels.

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[WalterB]

I forgot to mention, I'm heading to Nevada to meet up with a long-time friend this weekend. I'll leave here the 24th and get back on the 28th or 9th.

That means I'll miss Vicky next Monday.

[WalterB]

Taking off Westbound tomorrow morning. I'm going to stop by my son's, then try to make Phoenix. I don't look forward to that drive from Tucson to Phoenix. It's always busy Possibly I could overnight in Tucson, then hit that highway real early, before the day dawns. I wake up early anyway, so that would be easy. There's a route around Phoenix so I don't have to go through it, at least.

[WalterB]

Well, I'm off on "Walt's Summer Tour 2023 Part II" tomorrow morning. I've decided not to camp out due to the temps. They're forecasting the same temps they have here (105°) here) with 70% humidity (maybe 20% here, lol) So at my age I just don't want to push it. I'm kind of going to push on through. I mean, if I see something I like, I'll stop. My main meaning was that I'd probably have to stop a bit early, as those campgrounds are not all that plentiful. But in that heat, it just won't work.

[lance_s]

Taking off Westbound tomorrow morning. I'm going to stop by my son's, then try to make Phoenix. I don't look forward to that drive from Tucson to Phoenix. It's always busy Possibly I could overnight in Tucson, then hit that highway real early, before the day dawns. I wake up early anyway, so that would be easy. There's a route around Phoenix so I don't have to go through it, at least.

The road from Tucson to Phoenix has NEVER been busy when I've driven it.

(That was once, in the previous century!)

[WalterB]

Yeah, Lance, but I'm usually asleep at 3:30 A.M.

Made it to Florida just fine yesterday. Traffic was either good or horrible. Really bad around the larger cities. Waaayyyy too many wild-assed drivers that believe that 90 is the new 70. Seriously. You have to keep one eye glued to the rear view mirror. You will start to make a change and suddenly some AH will FLY past you (wheels not touching the ground, lol.) And he's usually crossing lanes. You know, from the entrance ramp all the way to the fast lane through them idiots only doing 70. But I managed to not get killed. Lived through 3 MAJOR traffic jams, usually construction.

Stopped in a nice place couple nights ago. It had the Hampton Suites logo on it, but it was seriously the city dump. There weren't even any towels. The property even looked dirty. The room was acceptable, barely, (meaning it had a bed and a sink.) The bed DID look clean. There was a coffee machine, but no coffee. And when you lifted the carafe, the base was filthy. The place was certainly not worth the $60 I paid. Found a used washrag wadded up on the corner of the tub.

I have noticed a LOT of places have started these "No refunds" policies. You know what that means, right? If you don't show up, tough. they keep (steal) all of your money. I don't care if your dog died or your house burned down. They keep it, no excuses. So I had to stay there. But don't worry, I took pictures and will be loudly complaining to Expedia AND Hampton Suites.

I usually don't mind the policies, because when traveling by car, I just wait until I'm sure of where I want to stop for the night. I pull off the freeway, do my research and get a room, maybe an hour before I get there. So I'm usually positive there'll be no issues. But I HAVE been caught a couple times.

Went to the beach this afternoon and swam in the Gulf. 91° reported water temp. And it sure felt like it. Very warm and nice. Laid on the beach awhile, Enjoyed it a lot. Except now I got sand in every crack I got, and a few I didn't even KNOW I had. I'll have to go back tomorrow just to wash it all out.

[lance_s]

I remember pre-internet days when you'd get to your destination, THEN start looking for a room. I've travelled around Europe that way. And even if the hotel desk said they had rooms, you'd go up and take a look before signing the register.

But then you should see the pictures my daughter sent of her legs a few days after they spent 1 night in a hotel somewhere in Malaysia that had bedbugs... Apparently a really hot wash, and drying clothes at the high heat setting will kill bedbugs. And there are bedbug killing laundry detergents also.

[WalterB]

Well, looks like I'll be leaving here tomorrow. I guess Florida has had about all of me they can stand, lol. Went out for a short turn in the surf yesterday morning. Then out to eat in the afternoon at a nice seafood place (is there any OTHER kind of place in SW Florida? Well, I DID see a Waffle House, lol) I forget what they called the dish I had, but it was Linguini with clams, shrimp and a couple other items too, mixed with a creamy wine sauce.

Also drove up to see Charlee Chase on Monday. Was really good to see her again. She is managing a "shaved snow" shop about a hour north of where I'm staying. (That's why I was late to Vicky's show. I was dealing with traffic, lol.) It's not sno-cones. the 'shave' is much finer than that, almost creamy. And the flavors are totally real and good tasting, lots of sprinkles, strawberry bits, tasty syrup drizzled over it. The flavors were fantastic and there's quite a selection of flavors and concoctions.) Charlee said to be sure and say Hi to everyone. so, "HI, y'all!" (She may not have said "Y'all," lol.)

From here, I'll head north out of Florida, then gradually work my way to the northwest to get to my sisters just south of Tulsa. That'll take two days, maybe 2-1/2. I don't expect to get out of here too early, maybe 9 or so. I'm going to stick to freeways. I think it'll be further mileage-wise. But traffic headache-wise, it should be much easier. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll make better time, even considering the longer distance.

[WalterB]

Well, left Florida today. It was really great. but geez, they've got so many bridges, lol. Swimming in the Gulf was great. Reasonably strong waves kept knocking me on my tuckus, lol. But I managed to not drown.

Mentioned earlier, several good meals there. I eat better traveling than I do at home. I need to change that, lol. Stopped for the night in Forsyth, Ga, just west of Macon. Made 450 miles today. I should hit Tulsa around noon, Sunday.

[WalterB]

Well, it’s been a great trip so far. Made it here to my sister’s about 1 P.M. Sunday. We’re going to meet her son tonight for dinner, then I’m gonna leave for home tomorrow morning. It’s about a 12 hour drive, but I’ll gain an hour going west, so I expect to get home by about 8.

It’ll be easy. I drove even further than this to meet Vicky all them years ago. Well, I WAS a tad younger - 63 back then?

[lance_s]

Well, it’s been a great trip so far. Made it here to my sister’s about 1 P.M. Sunday. We’re going to meet her son tonight for dinner, then I’m gonna leave for home tomorrow morning. It’s about a 12 hour drive, but I’ll gain an hour going west, so I expect to get home by about 8.

It’ll be easy. I drove even further than this to meet Vicky all them years ago. Well, I WAS a tad younger - 63 back then?

Take care and stay safe. 12 hours is a lot of driving.

[WalterB]

Thanks, lance. I do it all the time - well, not so much these days. But I’ve done long trips for years. Living in El Paso, it’s 600 miles to Dallas (old GF,) and Denver. Lived in Denver for 17 years, so I’d drive to El Paso maybe every 2 or 3 months for the weekend to see Mom and Dad and the family.

These days I drive slower (kind of stick close to the speed limit, lol) and slow when I need to instead of accelerating thru traffic. With the speed limit at 75 all over out here and noticeably lighter traffic out west, 10-12 hours is pretty easy for me.

But thanks for the nice thoughts, lance.

[stickyvicky]

So impressed that you can drive like that at your age Walt! Seriously, a lot of younger people couldn't do it. You are a warrior!

[Davest]

I have a friend who is a consultant who helps companies and factories set shift schedules, so he is an expert on sleep. Driving tired your reactions aren't much different than driving drunk. So, when I do my 600-mile drives and I see the sign that says 'Rest Stop 2 miles, Next Stop 59 miles' I ask myself if I think I'm going to be tired in 59 miles. If yes, I stop in two miles and catch a nap. 20-30 minutes is a good rejuvenator. Since a normal REM sleep cycle is 90 minutes, any longer than a 30-minute nap and you risk waking up in the middle of a REM cycle, which can leave you feeling more groggy than before. A 30-minute nap is good, a 90-minute nap is great, a one hour nap and I feel like crap. That's also why I try to schedule my nightly sleeps in multiples of 90 minutes; minimum of 6 hours, 7.5 hours is best (9 hours if I am super tired). Good luck on the drive home Walt!

[WalterB]

That sounds familiar, Davest. And thanks for the wishes. I usually have a goal in mind. But on a trip line this (multi-day) I lay out an expected route, then just see where I am when I'm tired. I pull over, make a reservation somewhere within an hour or so, and off I go, lol. If there's a nice local restaurant close by, I'll go there.

[WalterB]

Made it home about 10 last night (Thursday.) Probably won't do anything until Monday. Well, unpack, etc. etc. Stopped later yesterday at White Oaks, New Mexico to try and get a picture of Sue McSween's gravesite in the local cemetery. I found it once before, in the mid '90's or so. But I couldn't remember where it was. Now I have a picture to help me, so I want to go back. It's an easy one-day trip.

The visit to the cemetery was generated by watching the John Wayne "Chisum." The movie is pretty loosely patterned after John Chisum around the 1880 era. Sue lived long beyond that era after her husband Alexander was killed at the end of the Lincoln County War of 1880. I found her grave when my son and I stopped in about '94 or so. But I couldn't remember for sure and couldn't find it this tine. But I have a picture of it now, so will head back to get a better shot of my own.

[stickyvicky]

I have a friend who is a consultant who helps companies and factories set shift schedules, so he is an expert on sleep. Driving tired your reactions aren't much different than driving drunk. So, when I do my 600-mile drives and I see the sign that says 'Rest Stop 2 miles, Next Stop 59 miles' I ask myself if I think I'm going to be tired in 59 miles. If yes, I stop in two miles and catch a nap. 20-30 minutes is a good rejuvenator. Since a normal REM sleep cycle is 90 minutes, any longer than a 30-minute nap and you risk waking up in the middle of a REM cycle, which can leave you feeling more groggy than before. A 30-minute nap is good, a 90-minute nap is great, a one hour nap and I feel like crap. That's also why I try to schedule my nightly sleeps in multiples of 90 minutes; minimum of 6 hours, 7.5 hours is best (9 hours if I am super tired). Good luck on the drive home Walt!

This is absolutely fascinating Davest about the REM Cycles, it now makes perfect sense to me! Sometimes at night when I'm in bed watching TV I get incredibly tired - I have to fight to stay awake, but I want to finish the episode of whatever it is I'm watching so I finish it and then when it's over I am wide awake and it takes me more than an hour to fall asleep!

[stickyvicky]

Post pics Walt!

[Detroit314]

Made it home about 10 last night (Thursday.) Probably won't do anything until Monday. Well, unpack, etc. etc. Stopped later yesterday at White Oaks, New Mexico to try and get a picture of Sue McSween's gravesite in the local cemetery. I found it once before, in the mid '90's or so. But I couldn't remember where it was. Now I have a picture to help me, so I want to go back. It's an easy one-day trip.

The visit to the cemetery was generated by watching the John Wayne "Chisum." The movie is pretty loosely patterned after John Chisum around the 1880 era. Sue lived long beyond that era after her husband Alexander was killed at the end of the Lincoln County War of 1880. I found her grave when my son and I stopped in about '94 or so. But I couldn't remember for sure and couldn't find it this tine. But I have a picture of it now, so will head back to get a better shot of my own.

You do a lot of driving all over. Do you ever get to the Midwest? To Michigan at all? If you do I'd like to buy you a couple of beers Walt.