We left Quartzite with the sun returning and as we drove north the desert began changing, greening. As we traveled (near the California border) through Parker and then began heading east, beautiful sunlit mountains flowed by, a river wound, a lake stretched beside and below us, and thick clumps of substantial palm trees appeared. I understand the joy of oasis in a way I never did before. And resort. Motels. Motor homes lined up along the water, boats, more palm trees, sunshine. Luscious landscape after the spread-out desert of Quartzite, with its scores of RV parks and plastic-white-tented marketplaces hoping to lure the semi-permanent residents and those passing through.
Heading east, we stopped for the night in Kingman, Arizona, woke to cold, wind and heavy clouds, and returned to the highway.
Almost from the start, it clouded over. Soon, it was sleeting, snowing, but we kept on, until we were slowed when it all built to blizzard. After a few miles of following a police car with lights flashing—a pace car—we left the line of semis and cars at a Williams exit and returned to a park where we'd stayed last year.
Tuesday we started out in sun. As we crossed into New Mexico, we saw traces of snow under darkening skies. Again we encountered bursts of sleet and small hail, as well as the monumental landscape imprinted with the human hand.
Last night we stayed in Gallup, New Mexico, rocked by the wind, pelted occasionally by small hail under gray skies. Our last miles to Albuquerque today were rich with the changing landscape, sun and light snow highlighting red rock formations, snow falling on the mountains now and then to either side of us. Climbing and then descending, until we arrived at this familiar RV park 10 miles east of town.
We set up. The plan was dinner with Frank & Mary tonight, seeing Dad tomorrow, and the next day leaving for the slow drive to Tulsa where we'd meet them later this week. Then, on to Fayetteville.
After choosing books from the book for book trade shelves (over-populated as usual with romance fiction), I decided to venture out for groceries. My attempt to start the car was accented by a torque that shook the car, but no ignition. Yes. The same problem that stopped us in Mississippi and was fixed—for 200 miles—in Fayetteville.
So here we are, waiting. The 2nd Toyota dealer Andre called was able to locate a rebuilt starter (diagnosis courtesy of Toyota at home), the tow truck was summoned, arrived, departed—and here we sit with the familiar wind, blue sky, clouds. The repair might be complete this evening. Or in the morning. A courtesy shuttle will come to take us to pick up the car, and I will be able to see Dad again. And buy groceries. I have the happiness, relief and gratitude of prayers answered.
Wind, sun. No snow! People to see, but no way to go...
The tow truck is here!
Andre talks to the tow driver
Heading east, we stopped for the night in Kingman, Arizona, woke to cold, wind and heavy clouds, and returned to the highway.
Almost from the start, it clouded over. Soon, it was sleeting, snowing, but we kept on, until we were slowed when it all built to blizzard. After a few miles of following a police car with lights flashing—a pace car—we left the line of semis and cars at a Williams exit and returned to a park where we'd stayed last year.
Tuesday we started out in sun. As we crossed into New Mexico, we saw traces of snow under darkening skies. Again we encountered bursts of sleet and small hail, as well as the monumental landscape imprinted with the human hand.
Last night we stayed in Gallup, New Mexico, rocked by the wind, pelted occasionally by small hail under gray skies. Our last miles to Albuquerque today were rich with the changing landscape, sun and light snow highlighting red rock formations, snow falling on the mountains now and then to either side of us. Climbing and then descending, until we arrived at this familiar RV park 10 miles east of town.
We set up. The plan was dinner with Frank & Mary tonight, seeing Dad tomorrow, and the next day leaving for the slow drive to Tulsa where we'd meet them later this week. Then, on to Fayetteville.
After choosing books from the book for book trade shelves (over-populated as usual with romance fiction), I decided to venture out for groceries. My attempt to start the car was accented by a torque that shook the car, but no ignition. Yes. The same problem that stopped us in Mississippi and was fixed—for 200 miles—in Fayetteville.
So here we are, waiting. The 2nd Toyota dealer Andre called was able to locate a rebuilt starter (diagnosis courtesy of Toyota at home), the tow truck was summoned, arrived, departed—and here we sit with the familiar wind, blue sky, clouds. The repair might be complete this evening. Or in the morning. A courtesy shuttle will come to take us to pick up the car, and I will be able to see Dad again. And buy groceries. I have the happiness, relief and gratitude of prayers answered.
Wind, sun. No snow! People to see, but no way to go...
The tow truck is here!
Andre talks to the tow driver
posted by Susan at 2:48 PM
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