Heading West (Part 2)

After two full days and a half

of scorching sun filled hours of day time driving

I reached the fringes of 

Nevada (high dessert) and 

California (northeastern mountain ranges)

and a wonderful break from heat filled days of driving!

Temperatures dropped by 42 degrees
and more
as me and Subie drove further west!

Yes!
That's snow!!!

And a wonderful rain filled day driving!
Subie needed a wash down
from all the dust and bugs collected!

Couldn't help but think of all those who
suffered so many years before
crossing over the pass
that is now named after them...

And I grow closer and closer to my
loved ones...

Arriving just in time for
SUMMER FUN!

My heart is full
as my loved ones enjoy their gifts
from me and my travels
across the USA
East coast to West Coast
In three days!

I wonder if he dreams of traveling one day?
When I was little, playing with cars
I dreamed of so many wonderful adventures.
And despite the how and why reasons
of this trip
my adventure across the states was a wonderful one!
And something tells me,
it's only just begun!

Heading West (Part 1)

It all began with walking down these stairs...

So it finally happened!

My biggest fear became a reality!

I'm officially homeless!

Seriously, I have no home!

No address.

No place to rest my head with a roof over me!

Nada, zip, nothing!

So, my fear fed into the only thing I had
(or so I thought at the time)

to run, escape, travel, go to a place I thought I could find permanency!

I climbed into Subie

and hit the road...

"Come out west, your family and friends are here"

they said...

Driving out of Virginia...
I thanked the trees for the years I had enjoyed them so!

Over the Potomac
Would this be my last time?

The river was full and flowing fast, just like my heart was!

I briefly drove through Maryland and on into...

Pennsylvania!
Onto the highways and byways
heading west now...

Despite the fear that crept into my mind
the beauty I saw/experienced
was breathtaking!

The sun was warm and I was on an adventure!

The open road fed my spirit for adventure
AND
fueled my fear at times.
Homelessness was now a reality.

I stopped for the night at an obliging rest area
some 10 hours after heading out.
I woke to these cuties...

Tried to find the comfort in knowing
that I would be ok
if I just embraced my reality without so much fear!

The surrounding beauty comforted me
until...

My thoughts flooded in...

Homelessness is not acceptable
and being homeless now,
well, I was alone.

I began driving with a hungry tummy
but well rested.
What would my future be like?
 I worried and wondered.

I drove until I could not safely do so, anymore.
Another rest area welcomed me.

So many bugs were killed upon Subie's windshield!
But the sunset was lovely!

Rocky Mountain range in the distance.
I'd driven for two full days, and slept safely
in Subie
for two nights.
I was very grateful!

Seriously Wyoming!?! 
LOL
I'm gonna go my own speed
(which was slower)
But I kept moving forward.

It's been a very hot road trip!
Temps well into mid to high 90's.

This rest area was wonderful.
I knew I was growing closer to my destination!
After a quick wash-up
soaking my hair and body to cool off,
I snapped a few pictures of Subie...

Subie!
in all her glory!

Subie has been such a comfort to rest in
and rely on!

Ok Subie
Lets hit the road again...

Heading West continues on next posting...

My Summer 2015

So, here I post about moving 

and taking time away from blogging only to up

and stop blogging again!!!

I had intended to start blogging.

Then something happened...

But before I tell you my story please enjoy 

this picture

of a recent 

crochet project

I just learned how to make.

A crochet rag rug!
Made from old sheets.

                                  Now on with my story...

I hopped into my car and decided to drive from
the east coast to the west coast.
This was on day one
of my solo travels
 June 2015.

I visited loved ones in the very hot desert!

104 really is too hot for me!

Thank goodness for refreshing pool
and air conditioning!

I crossed bridges in the rain on my way to and from that hot desert!

I drove during the day, at night and everything in between!

I borrowed a bit of nature on my journey.

Sunrises mesmerized me!

Sunsets calmed me.

The smell of the Pacific ocean made my heart jump for joy!

Seeing palm trees made me giggle!

And the smell of rain comforted my weary gypsy soul.

                 Some may wonder why I took this solo drive from     

                                   one coast to the other... 

This is why!

My second grand baby needed her Nana there before
she made her big debut!

And I made it just six days before her arrival!!

Happy Birthday little lady!

And this too!!

My first grand baby needed his Nana too.

Little man spent many hours nestled with Nana!

                   Once home I returned to crocheting! 

                                                

                               Here are just a few items

                                                 

Minion creations for Little Man
and other little fellows...

                                                                         

Minion creations for Little Lady
and other frilly, girlie stuff!


Crocheting for my grand babies
brings me so much joy!

Love!

A Wonderful Day with My Son in D.C.

I spent most of yesterday
in Washington D.C.
with my son
who is on leave...

We drove around D.C. a bit
snapping a few pictures

The weather was wonderful
especially for a summer day
in July!

Once we finished driving around
we parked and headed over to
the
National Archives Museum

(Click on links throughout this blog post to visit ALL the exhibits I mention)

We had just finished viewing
 the
Declaration of Independence,
 Constitution of the United States
and
Bill of Rights

in the Rotunda

I really enjoyed looking through the

Making Their Mark exhibit

Then we walked over to
 the Smithsonian
National Museum of Natural History

My son takes good
iphone selfies!

There were ALLOT of kids at this museum
and
ALLOT of noise!
Especially at the African Elephant permanent exhibit!

Hey look who stepped into my selfie!

The Hope Diamondin the Mineral Sciences Exhibit

Sadly, I had no gum for

Moai Stone Figure!



Now we headed over to the
Smithsonian
National Museum of American History

We spent allot of time at this museum.

I actually remember going thru
Jack's drive-thru
when it looked like this!
Wow! I'm too young for memories
that are sparked by photo
in Smithsonian Museums...

This pictures above are from the

 FOOD: Transforming the American Table1950-2000

exhibit.
Click link above to see the exhibit online.

Very cool stuff here!



In the Flag Hall
(not pictured)

The Marine Corp String Quartet was playing

in front of

The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem

 We felt very fortunate
to have arrived during this
wonderful performance.

While viewing the flag,
we listened to live patriotic music.
It was deeply moving!

Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of the performers.
But I found

 their Facebook page

 full of pictures!

We spent a good amount of time
in

The Price of Freedom:Americans at War

exhibit

Part of the Berlin Wall

Upon exiting
look what I spied
in the

Artifact Walls - You Must Remember This

Harry Potter stuff!