I'm really sorry, once again, to be so remiss in posting.
Starting with the week we left for our trip, had a lot of work to do at the store before we left, that Thursday I didn't get home until close to 9, Robert & Cindy had loaded up the trailer with most everything except my stuff. So as soon as I got home I immediately started going through my clothes to decide what I was taking & started hauling all my things out to the trailer as well.
We had finally finished the guest bedroom, got a little touching up to do with the paint but all in all it's finished. Now I just need to figure out what I want to hang on the walls in there. It looks really good. We didn't have the blinds before we left so there still wasn't anything up on the window. But after we got home this past Saturday night, the blinds had arrived while we were gone & on Sunday Robert hung the blinds & the curtain rod, so I got the curtains hung up after he got everything else up. It looks really nice, I'm very pleased.
Back to the trip, we pulled out of here on Friday morning the 23rd at 7:30 AM, stopped at the gas station 3 miles up the road & bought breakfast burritos & coffee for Cindy then headed on down the road. We made it almost to Wichita Falls before we had a tire on the trailer blow out on us, not good. We had only been on the road an hour & a half. There are 3 tires on each side & this was the front passenger side right under the kitchen slide out. Needless to say it tore up the sheet metal & the trim as well as ripped off the hose that runs from the propane tank to the fridge which was running to keep our food. We had to quickly cut the gas off. Robert got the tire changed & we limped it into WF, finding a trailer place which sent us up the road to a hardware place which sent us to some hole in the wall place looking for a new hose to replace the one that runs to the fridge. Once we found the place which wasn't called "The hose place" like the people at the hardware store called it. Luckily right across the street was a tire place that did tires for every size vehicle you can imagine & enough room for us to pull in & turn around. Robert changed the hose out & got the fridge running again then we got the tire changed. Putting us back on the road close to 11:00, now we were about an hour & a half behind on the schedule. Got through WF & most the little towns until we stopped for gas & poor Robert had been doing so well it was a difficult place to get into & he was watching out the side mirror looking low that he missed how far out the pump hung up top taking out the pump & some of the sheet metal on the side of the trailer. No camera's, no one saw it happen but we did the right thing & Robert went in & spoke with the manager who told him they never would have known. Not sure if they'll contact our insurance or not?? Went on up the road to the next town where we were able to get some gas. We got 30 minutes east of Amarillo & once again another blow out, this one being the middle tire, the one behind the one from the morning. It was just after 5 so I got on the laptop & Cindy got on the Tomtom looking for a tire place. I called 3 different places that did not have the size tires we needed. Found directions to a place & when we got off the highway at 5:35 in the afternoon on a friday, rush hour traffic mess with a one ton four wheel, four door truck pulling a 40 foot 5th wheel that was quite the feat. The street we were trying to get down had to major accidents, the place we were looking for wasn't there but thank God there was a Firestone on the opposite side of the road from where we were & when there was a bit of a break in the traffic we crossed 4 lanes to pull into their drive. Robert went in to talk with the guys & they also didn't have what we needed but thankfully another store did & they sent a guy to pick two up. I didn't mention when the tire blew after looking at it & it being in the middle didn't change it driving very slowly into Amarillo so that by the time we made it to the tire place there was about an inch of rubber around each outside rim of the wheel & that was it. We had them change the middle & the back tire on the right side of the camper giving us 3 brand new tires on that side. Four weeks earlier we'd changed the left rear tire from that one blowing out after our trip to Hillbilly Haven. Cindy & I just prayed that the last two on the left would hold out even though we thought that we should have changed all of them there. We finally got back on the road around 7. Now we're a good 3 hours behind on the schedule. We made it into Albuquerque just after 9 PM their time(10 central). Tried two different gates to get onto the base one not made to get a trailer into & the other closed. We found the gate we could get into which was on the total opposite side of the base from were we needed to be. About a forth of the way to the FamCamp a small car pulled up beside us & asked if we were looking for FamCamp & told us to follow him. Good thing, the GPS was going to take us one way which wouldn't have been conducive for a 40 foot trailer. Got to the camp & got set up. Had called Justin when we got into town, then again after we got set up called him to tell him we were all beat after 15 hours on the road, which with out the trailer would have been around 10 hours, with the trailer we figured 12 even with gas stops. We just didn't figure on all the other probs we had.
Got up the next morning, had breakfast, got cleaned up & Robert took Cindy & I to Justin's. It was so nice & I wished someone had had a camera to take a picture of Kali's face when she saw me. It was wonderful. I came in the door, gave Audrey a hug, turned to my left into the kitchen & she was in the living room looking toward the front door to see who was coming in & when she saw me her face lit up & she hollered MIMI, I just melted right there, all the bags I was carrying as well as myself dropped right there to the floor & held out my arms which she promptly ran into & gave me the biggest hug. In case most of you don't know, I've only seen & spent 4 other occasions with her since she was born & she's only 2. So I was very very happy she recognized me & came to me. I have so much love for her it's so hard to explain. Those of you who are grandparent probably understand. I love all my children so very much but there is something about a grandchild.
She'd been up since before 6 so not long after we got there she was getting very cranky. Robert had left because he has work to do on the trailer, the siding, the gas hose, the trim above the wheel wells & the air conditioner. Cindy & I went with Justin & Audrey & Kali to Walmart. We all needed to get a few things. Kali was still throwing a fit, she was so tired & wouldn't fall asleep. We finished up at the store, headed back to the house dropping Kali, Audrey & the groceries off so that Cindy, Justin & I could go to his football game. He's coaching 7 yr olds in little league football. We dropped Justin off at the field & Cindy & I went to Dion's, a pizza place very popular in Albuquerque, really good pizza. Heard from Robert just as we got there & he was done so wanted to meet up with us. We all had a great lunch then headed to the park. The game was supposed to start at 2, it was about 2:15 before it got started. We stayed & watched for a bit but when we found out they'd be there playing a full game till like 4, unreal in my mind for 7 year olds. And people think Texas is gungho about football. Anyway, standing outside, even though it was a beautiful day, that high of an altitude under the sun at 2 in the afternoon, no shade, we didn't stay long. The 3 of us went back to the trailer so Robert could get cleaned up then we went back up to Justin's house. Kali was up from her nap & in a much better mood. She helped me make cornbread for dinner & was supposed to help with the peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies too but got side tracked. LOL We had a very nice dinner & visit with Audrey's dad Art & a co worker/friend of Justin's, Adrian, had come over so they could make some beer. After Kali went to bed around 9, Robert, Cindy & I headed west to Rio Rancho to some old AF friends of ours that was having a get together. We hung out over there for 2/3 hours visiting. Cindy had a chance to meet the Smith family. Topper, Debbie & their son Dalton, their daughter Dotty was at the homecoming dance. Around 11:30 we headed back over to Justin's, Cindy & I spent the night their & Robert went back to the trailer.
The next morning we all got up & Audrey made a wonderful breakfast while Cindy & I played with Kali. We watched Rio & Ringo, Kali & I played airplane in the kitchen after a while. She loves to fly. So for about 10 minutes we're going round n round in the kitchen. Kali saying "do it again, do it again", we had fun. Robert finally showed up around 10 & we all just hung out around the house for the day. Later in the afternoon Cindy, Audrey & I decided to take Kali to the park around the corner from their house, Kali fell asleep on the ride in her stroller so when we got to the park we just sat & visited under the pavillion. Robert caught up with us & we enjoyed the outside & each other's company. While I was taking pictures something woke Kali up & it wasn't a good thing. She wasn't ready to wake up & she became a very cranky kid.
We went back to the house, Justin & Art had been working on the back yard wall when we left & returned. There was a low place & earlier in the week one of their dogs had gotten out & disappeared for the week. So they built it up & got it fixed. We had another nice dinner, played more with Kali, gave her her bath, got lots more pictures, played a little bit more before she went to bed. We hung out for a little while longer then decided we'd better head back to the trailer because we would be getting up earlier the next day to head on over to Arizona. It was bitter sweet, I never get enough time with my boy & his family.
We got up before sunrise Monday morning, ate some breakfast, cleaned up, packed up, hooked up & headed out of Albuquerque, west. We got on the highway just as the sun was coming up over the mountains. We had a wonderful drive during the day, making a few stops. One of the stops we made we spent 2 hours at the Petrified Forest National Park. WOW. Amazing sights to see. We made it to the Grand Canyon just after 4, got to our campsite & got things set up then walked to the market which was about a mile or so from our camp. Checked out the store & bought a couple of things. Robert went back to the trailer & Cindy & I walked out to the canyon rim as the sun was setting to get some pictures. AMAZING. Definitely one of the most amazing natural wonders I've ever seen. Up there with some of my favorite places in Iceland. Cindy & I made it back to camp, gathered up my laptop & her nook & we went back over to the cafe by the market to get online. Met some wonderful people who work at the park, we shared a table with a young lady who was also on her laptop. We got online but the speed was very very slow. Connections up there not good same goes for cell reception. Verizon seems to be the only one that works. Cindy is Sprint & we're AT&T. We hung out till a bit after 10 then went back to the trailer. Watched some tv then we all went to bed.
Got up around 7 the next morning, Robert cooked breakfast outside for us, we got showers, dressed then headed over to the West village where most the hotels & shops are. We started at the west side taking pictures & checking the sights, looking through the shops. We were supposed to meet Kelley & Kim at the ice cream shop around noon, we got there around 11:15 & waited but never heard from them. We finally left around 1 & went back to the trailer. Decided to relax & watched Alpha & Omega. Around 3:30 we finally heard from Kelley. They were late coming back up out of the Canyon. Cindy & I left Robert at the trailer & went to their rooms around 4:30, hung out for a bit & went to catch the redline bus to Hermit's Rest to get some sunset pictures of the canyon. Told Robert we'd be back at the trailer for dinner around 7/7:30. Which we were. He'd made penne rustica for us with sour dough bread. It was sooo good. After dinner, Robert had a book he'd been reading so he went to the master bedroom to read, Cindy & I decided to watch Thor. We didn't finish it cause we both started dozing. I got up & got my stuff ready & laid out for the next morning because I was getting up at 5 to catch the bus to the East rim out at Yaki Point for sunrise pictures. Went to bed & crashed.
Got up a little before 5(which at home was really 7), got dressed & headed to the bus stop. Caught the bus with a little couple who are avid & professional bird watchers from Canada. They were also going to Yaki Point, it was very nice to visit with them. They are working their way to Texas. He has a conference the first week in November in Houston, they were headed to Harlingen. I headed back to the trailer around 7:30 getting back just after 8 for breakfast & in time to start getting ready for Kelley & Kim's ceremony. We were supposed to meet them at the point but Kelley called & they were running late, so we decided Cindy & I would go to their room to finish getting ready & help her. Kim & Mark would head to the market to get the burger makings for our cook out & pick up Robert at the trailer. Cindy & I got to the hotel & Kelley was just starting her make up, I still needed to get mine on as well as do my hair & get dressed. I got finished, Kelley needed help getting her hair done. Cindy was already done & ready before we got there & looked great. Sue just needed to change into her dress. We all finally got ready it was after 10 (when we were already supposed to be at the point). Got some pictures & it was so funny walking through the hotel lobby in our semi formal dress, Kelley who looked amazingly beautiful in her long red dress with her bouquet of red flowers. She got quite a few complements from the staff. Needless to say we didn't look like we were going hiking like most everyone else. LOL All us girls loaded up into our truck, again a funny sight, remember it's a 4 wheel drive 4 door one ton long bed pick up. I have to step up on the running boards just to get in, Kelley & I both in long dresses climbing into that truck. Once we got to the road that we needed to take to the picnic area, it was a private road so no one could drive back except us cause we had the key to the gate. Driving back up into the woods toward the rim & passing hikers on the road driving in also got us some looks, again 4 women, all dressed up in a big ol truck. The boys were already there & had most everything set up. I had to hurry to the point with my tripod to get things set up with the camera & make sure everyone got to were they needed to go.
It was sooooooo beautiful. The day was perfect, the weather, not to hot, a slight breeze & a few clouds in the distance. All Cindy & I could say almost the entire time from Monday until we left Friday was WOW. Every sight we saw was awesome. The ceremony was wonderful, we all cried. Afterward we took a bunch of pictures(imagine that) lol, then headed back to the pavillion where Robert cooked us all some burgers. It was funny at one point a couple came hiking through & were sorta looking at us, I made the comment "yes, we always dress formal when we hike". LOL the lady looked, stopped a bit & said " Oh my, you are all dressed up". We all got a great laugh out of it. We drove out a little after 1 to head back to camp, they headed back to the hotel so everyone could change & rest or whatever. We meet back up at their hotel around 5 for cake & champagne. Cindy & I then left & went to dinner at the Bright Angel hotel restaurant. After our dinner we went back to their hotel room, where Robert was still hanging out, gathered him up & went back to the camper. Got into bed around 11 & crashed.
Had plans to meet up with everyone back at the hotel for breakfast, which was very good. Afterward, I went on a hike with Kim, Cindy went shopping with Kelley, Mark & Sue did some shopping & sight seeing & Robert went back to the camper. His ankle & knee wouldn't allow him to hike to much. Our hiking trip took longer than I thought it would so when I got back to camp Robert was very upset with me. The one thing he wanted to do we didn't do because he said it was to late. It was 3, sunset wasn't until 6:30 but he was angry with me so therefore we couldn't do it. So I went shopping since I hadn't gotten any gifts or souvenirs yet. The one big ticket item I wanted I didn't get because it was expensive but after getting back to camp & telling Robert about it, he asked what time the shop closed, which was 6, it was 5:30 he said I would make it to get it, I said if I take the truck instead of the bus I could. So I drove back over & got it. Got all my shopping done by 6:30. We had steak & baked potatos for dinner outside on the picnic table then did roasted marshmallows. Cindy played on her nook, Robert & I on our laptops, he online with our sprint connector, I downloading & organizing pictures. We all went inside around 10 or so. Robert went to the bedroom to read, I got online with the sprint connector for a bit, Cindy reading her nook. Then we were all in bed & asleep I think by 11:30.
We all got up early to pack everything up to head out. Time to leave & head east toward home. Boo hoo, didn't want to leave. It would have been nice to stay a couple more days. We had a very nice drive back through Arizona, made it into New Mexico & 30 minutes west of Albuquerque one of those other tires on the trailer finally blew. The middle one on the left side of the trailer. We pulled into the Route 66 Casino & travel center got the spare put on & limped about 5 miles up the road to Camper World, again being 5:30 in the evening & they closed at 6. Bought 2 new tires to replace the last two that were on the left side of the trailer. Finally getting back on the road around 6:45, we drove straight through Albuquerque since there wasn't a place to keep the trailer since the Balloon fiesta opening day was the next morning. All hotels, camping areas everything was full. We went on to Santa Rosa, getting there around 9 & set up for the night. The next morning Robert started breakfast, then ran to the store, I finished breakfast up by the time he returned. We chowed down, loaded & closed everything up & headed on to Texas.
We stopped at the Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo for Cindy, got some pictures & back on the road. We pulled into our drive way around 5:30, got the trailer pulled up onto the blocks & parked finally. Cindy gathered up her things, we unloaded some stuff from the trailer. Cindy headed home, we unpacked some, then vegged out for the night.
Sunday morning we got up, Robert & I just hung out in the living room watching his morning shows & on our laptops. Then he had some errands to run, while he was gone I went out & cleaned the trailer, thoroughly, took me 3 hours. But it looks great & is ready for the next trip.
Monday - Robert was supposed to have knee cap replacement surgery, he didn't. The dr decided to just scope the knee to check out exactly what the inside looks like, cleaned up a bunch of stuff in his knee. We waited longer for them to take him back than the whole surgery. He didn't have to spend the night which please him greatly. Got back to Hudson Oaks around 2:15, dropped off his script at Walgreens. They said 3 so we went to Boo Ray's to get a late lunch. Picked up the prescription & headed home. Spent the rest of the day taking it easy.
Tuesday - Friday, ugh, back to work. Orientation on Tuesday with four newbies. 2 servers, a host & a grill cook. Lost a grill cook, cashier, server & manager while I was on vacation. Busy week catching back up, the only bad thing about leaving for more than a couple of days. Had another orientee Friday, a server. Got somethings caught up. Doug our new manager started the first Saturday that I was on Vaca. Been trying to get him in our store for over a year. He's Domino, my workout buddy's boyfriend. Really glad he's finally in our building. Mani went to Arlington, which he told me before I left for vaca. Doug is great. I think everyone is liking him. I know I do, finally someone with the guts to do their job.
Well, there ya have it folks, a bit of a book I know. But I think I've finally caught up on this. Rangers still playing, it's still raining here at my house and it keeps moving that direction. They are still in the 5th inning due to 2 rain stops. Go Rangers. I really hope they win.
I have to work tomorrow as Shift Leader, ugh, I have another orientation lined up for Tues/Weds, a server, dish, & I think 2 seasonal retail.
Till the next time, have a wonderful day, God Bless
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