Day one: Arizona

I had a wonderful visit with my parents last night, and drove away at about 7 this morning headed for Texas... as I left Corona, my mind drifted back exactly 12 years ago, when Paige and I flew into California on Christmas Eve Day. We arrived at Dad and Sandy's to find a huge banner plastered across the garage door that read "Welcome Rhonda & Paige!"

And as I pull onto the 91 headed toward the 10, my mind flashes back on so many wonderful memories with my Dad and Sandy and the rest of the Bradley crew - My Aunt Effy and Uncle Sandy & my cousin David. Along with a whole bunch of othere "Bradleys" including the doggies - Angel, Pete & Baby.

And I say a quiet thank you for my family, and for their understanding and support for this next phase of my life, even though I know it's hard for them to see me go.

I drive away with the hopes that the people in my life - my family and friends - that they know how important they are to me. I wonder, "Did I show them? Did I make it clear? These people that mean so much, did I do enough to let them know how much they mean to me?" And I make a clear mental note that my future will include taking a little more time, a little more effort, to be sure that the important people in my life know just how much I love them, and how much of a difference they make in my life.

Then I pop in a CD that I bought 10 years ago and never listened to :)) As I left California and crossed over to Arizona, "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" was playing " Everybody's leaving town... "

The hours in the car were a blending between the thoughts in my mind, the lyrics from the music, and a half a dozen times where I stopped myself from pulling the car into the emergency lane. to take pictures that I could share with you all

OMG! Gas - $2.88 per gallon...a speed limit of 75 (which meant they were driving 90 - a little too fast for my Corolla!)...mountains in the oddest shapes I've ever seen... and cactus that to me seemed outrageously big! And I can't believe this -I darn near did a U turn on the Freeway when I saw an Ostrich Farm!!!! An Ostrich farm!!! I really wanted to turn around and take pictures.

I tried a late breakfast at a little diner just past the border. I wasn't really hungry, just wanted to soak up a little Arizona culture & the 50 cent coffee sounded appealing. I ordered the oatmeal, which was sticky and lumpy and somehow seemed more "homemade" that way.

The half and half I asked for with my coffee turned out to be skim milk with what I think were chunks of crushed ice floating on top. But I was fairly certain that had I complained, the waitress would pop me in the nose, so I smiled and said thank you - then made sure she couldn't see through the window when I dumped it in the trash can outside the door :)))

The radio started working again as I got closer to Phoenix and it seems country music hasn't changed much over the years.... "That's my home and my car, that's the dog in my backyard...and my wife...and some other guy living my life..." One thing about Arizona - they really know how to do "country" authentically.

I made it to the La Quinta Hotel in downtown Tucson at about 3:30 Arizona time after a smooth and beautiful drive (perfect weather too). And I may just stay here and sleep for 48 hours and recover from all the packing, or drive out to El Paso tomorrow, I'll just wait and see where the day takes me. This is such a wonderful, relaxing break and I've made a pact with myself to do more road trips in the future - just for fun - without all the packing and moving!

Keep in touch, I love and miss you all.