I thought of many poems last week on the road. Ideas percolated as I drove. Certain names of places sang to me: Tioga Downs. West Almond. Town of Friendship.
On the second morning, my dazzling car was coated with glittering ice crystals as we headed off to Indiana from Seneca Nation in Western New York.
The day after that, upon entering Cherokee Nation, it seemed the Sky God’s paintbrush had streaked feather-clouds across the wide blue dome.
Feather-clouds outside of Broken Arrow
That night, in the “Heartland of America”, I came across an asphalt manufacturing plant guarding ancient buffalo stomping grounds.
Asphalt plant at sunset. Clinton, OK
Across the road, not far from my hotel, when I walked out on the plains, I was amazed to feel the sonic ripples of stampedes, reverberating underneath my feet.
In our enigmatic universe of infinite space, time is not linear and poetry is everywhere.
May your heart be cradled by Great Mother, and your soul be blessed with love.
Epic Day Seven took us from a chilly morning in Flagstaff, due south towards Phoenix on Route 17, and then all the way home on I-10 West, via Quartzite where we stopped to refuel. From top to bottom, I-90 to I-10, in seven days. Incroyable!
Arizona aims to please with their thoughtfully appointed rest areas. Note the far-off, red hued mountains at left—pretty sure that’s Sedona.This old school “distant viewing” device accepts quarters.Crone Peace #2
It was sunny and warm (high 70s) when we got to Palm Springs a little past three PM. Timi and Clyde could not have been happier to finally arrive, and I mean that sincerely. It was a good, long trip for those intrepid little troupers. And now, it’s time to rest.
Sunrise palms.Timi was overjoyed to reclaim his favorite napping chair.Clyde prefers the bed. (Karuna Bear was happy to see us, too.)Destination reached…We are home!
My deepest thanks to all who came along on this trek, via the blog, with me and the crew. We probably could have done it without you, but it wouldn’t have been half as fun. Not even close.
The drive from Edgewood, NM to Flagstaff, AZ is the shortest of the trip, just over five and a half hours. This means I can take my time passing through the beautiful red mesas and striated buttes of Navajo country, and even stop to visit a trading post or two along the way.
Traditional Navajo horsehair pottery and painted pots.
There are several trading posts to explore en route along the I-40. When I stopped in Gallup to refresh myself, walk Timi, and reset my nervous system after our first 2.5 hours on the road, I was tempted to visit one I hadn’t tried before. But I wanted to return to the Navajo Travel Center, where I’d stopped on two previous trips. They sell beautiful crafts, the setting is unique—just off the highway, but in the middle of nowhere–and I always have a nice exchange with the Native women who work there.
A family of personable crows appears to make their home at the Navajo Travel Center—I saw them last year, too. (Also, decent gas prices, considering.)Timi waiting patiently while I shop for Navajo crafts.
It was a clear sunny day, not too hot. Nevertheless, I parked in a shady spot. Timi and Clyde should be comfortable while I browse.
Clyde says, “Don’t take too long in there. I want out!”
Inside the store, I became enamored with two small terra cotta pots. I didn’t want to spend too much time deciding which one I liked more, though, so what can I say? I bought both. 🤷🏻♀️ 😉
They are bubble-wrapped now, but I’ll try and post a picture after I get to California. Along with the horsehair pot I purchased last year, I now own three Navajo pots. Sounds like a bona fide collection to me. Support Native crafts!
Departing the Navajo Travel Center with New Mexico wildflower.
From Navajo, it was just two more hours to Flagstaff, where we spent the final hotel night of this journey at our favorite La Quinta.
Snow-capped mountains over Flagstaff, Arizona. Road elevation 5,000 feet.
One more day on the road and we’ll be home. Can’t wait! See y’all in sunny California! 💜🙏🏼🦉🌵 OBC
The sidewalks of Flagstaff are strewn with giant pine cones! ❤️One bold cat and one bold crone. Flagstaff, AZ ❤️ Day Six.Throwback to Rolla, MO ❤️ Day Three. We’ve come so far!
I wasn’t expecting to see snow on this trip, but the good news is, at least it wasn’t falling. Kind of delightful, kind of concerning. I’d best leave earlier next year.
Now for some scenes from Clinton Oklahoma, where we started off Day Five.
Waxing moon above the plains in Southwestern Oklahoma.Asphalt plant at sunset. Clinton, OK. Message from Mr. Rogers: Let’s all try to get along. ❤️
Day Five took us out of Oklahoma, across the Texas panhandle, and into New Mexico. It was as exciting as ever to go over that magic hill and see the landscape change. Suddenly, you are “out west.” Amazing.
Welcome to New Mexico!
After filling up in Tucumcari, we stopped at our favorite rest area–Pajarito–and watched a train roll by.
Please enjoy this minute of peacefulness, and breathe….Timi was not too interested in the points of interest.
From Pajarito, it was just a couple more hours of driving. Near the end of that haul is when I saw the snow, and not surprisingly, it was quite windy and cold when we arrived in Edgewood. Temps went down to freezing overnight. Glad I brought my down vest, hat and gloves.
Off to Flagstaff next, and thankfully, our last night on the road. But first, the prettiest day of the trip awaits. Onward! 🙏🏼🌵🦉 OBC
Day Four of this westbound, One Bold Crone cross-country adventure was momentous, as it involved the milestone “crossing of the seam” event, made possible by our friends at Rand McNally.
As we like to say in my family, “There are maps, and there are Rand McNally.”
We are now left of the seam, in red earth Oklahoma, not far from the Texas panhandle border. This is windmill country, the Great Plains, and gateway to the American Southwest where we are headed next.
I’d write more, but Clyde is currently hiding behind the bed, so I need to cut this short and go get a broomstick. Wish me luck!
Day Three dawned in drizzle, which was disappointing, but that was only the beginning. As I was loading the car, an activity which involves a few back and forth trips, Clyde disappeared.
I knew he was hiding somewhere in our room because Clyde had “disappeared” the previous day as well, only to magically reappear as if nothing had happened after I returned from searching the corridor and speaking with the front desk people who informed me, “Sometimes cats will hide behind the air conditioning units, or get up inside the bathroom vanity.”
Good to know.
Clyde plotting his escape on the morning of Day Three.
Anyway, after loading every bag and even Timi into the car, I figured Clyde would show himself. But no.
“Clyde! Clyde!” I called.
Silence.
So I started checking all the places. He wasn’t behind the desk or the platform bed. He wasn’t under the ottoman or the chair. On my hands and knees, I looked behind the air conditioning unit, but he wasn’t there either. Ditto for the bathroom vanity, which I duly examined from underneath, courageously poking my hand into all the nooks.
Where could he be?
When I checked the head of one of the two matching Queen beds again, I figured it out. The platform it rested on had only three sides. It was open at the top! Clyde had squeezed in between the wall and the head of one of the beds, and was hiding underneath. I could not see him, of course, but I knew he was there.
Boy was I mad! It’s raining, we’re already 20 minutes behind schedule due to these feline shenanigans, and I can’t move such heavy beds. Arghhhh! Back to the front desk I go.
Two strong young men were called into service. They tipped one bed on its side, and there was Clyde! But he ran out and dashed under the other bed before I could catch him. The guys tipped the other bed on its side. Clyde leapt out, realized neither bed was an option, and dashed towards the bathroom, presumably to get up inside the vanity.
But the bathroom door was closed. I had him trapped in a corner. “Curses, foiled again!” he exclaimed telepathically. Back to the clinker for the furry little fellow in the tux.
The Great Clydini
After all that excitement, a little rain was nothing.
Leaving the Great American City of Richmond, IN …and a new MPG record: 36.3 😲I was hoping for a rainbow!
It only rained for an hour and a half, or so, with good visibility the whole time. Forecast looks good from here on out. Anticipating clear skies for the rest of the trip, and counting my blessings.
🙏🏼💜🦉🌵 OBC
Day Three: Indiana to Illinois to Missouri and blue sky all the way, after the rain.Waxing moon over Blue Lake, Rolla MOPeaceful Sunset at Blue Lake with Timi Hendrix
One interesting thing about the Fall 2024 One Bold Crone Odyssey is how familiar everything seems. This is our third time doing the West-bound drive, our fifth trek altogether, and the first time we stay exclusively at repeat hotels. Which is kind of nice. Knowing what to expect, and all.
The fastest route offers a glimpse of Lake Eerie.
Day Two began in Western New York State. Skirting the Pennsylvania border, we passed through the rolling wooded hills of Seneca Nation before merging with I-90 near the shores of Lake Eerie.
The Pennsylvania panhandle takes only about an hour to traverse, and then you’re in Ohio, where I recommend stopping at the lovely, park-like Ohio Welcome Center if you ever do this drive.
Interpretive plaques and plantings at the Ohio Welcome Center.Purple Lovegrass sounds nice!
People and pets enjoy stretching their legs on a wide, circular trail featuring child-height plaques of every page from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Spoiler alert: He was a beautiful butterfly!It was breezy and cool, having frosted last night.Wild geese.
I’d say the Ohio Welcome Center was the highlight of Day Two, the rest of which was spent driving South (!) navigating the outskirts of big cities—namely Columbus, Akron, and Dayton—before finally crossing into Indiana, where we landed in Richmond. (If you’re ever in Richmond, by the way, Gulzar’s Indian restaurant does not disappoint. I’ve gotten takeout from there three times. Exquisite!)
Did someone say “curry”? 😛
Incidentally, the Forester is getting stellar mileage for a gas-powered “compact” SUV. Of course It doesn’t compare with my former hybrid, a 2012 Prius-C, which averaged 50 MPG. I loved the Prius for that, but I didn’t feel as safe or as comfortable on the road as I do now.
Anyway, my Subie is rated for 33 MPG highway….but get a load of this!
Record breaking mileage for the 2021 Subaru Forester!Mileage schmileage.
Clyde couldn’t care less about MPG. He just likes getting out of his crate at the end of the day. Note the frost on the window above, back in Olean before we departed….and here he is on the flip side, in Indiana.
Another bed, another window.Another chair, another towel.
For those of you who read down this far…
Thank you! It’s such a pleasure having you along! See you on the flip side.
Ready for adventure! Well seasoned travelers Timi & Clyde.
The OBC caravan departed yesterday morning under bright cold skies, and after six hours on the road, one pause mid-way, we arrived at destination #1 right on schedule, which is to say, well before dark. In other words, around 3:30 PM. Is it me, or does dusk seem to be coming extra early this November? And I don’t mean metaphorically.
The OBC Odyssey, Fall 2024 (Note the dotted yellow line and six green Xs.)
I screen-shotted the predictive map above on Tuesday morning, i.e. election day here in the US, a mere four days ago. All the beige states turned red or blue, and a clear winner emerged. For that fact alone, I am relieved. Who needs another “hanging chad” drama, let alone J6?
Whether one feels upset and concerned, or pleased and overjoyed, or simply ho-hum (such people do exist) regarding the election results, everyone now has the opportunity to make another choice.
We can decide how to approach the coming days, weeks, and months of our wild and precious lives.
Peace Crone
I choose kindness. Beauty and wonder. Conscious creativity. A deepening connection with my soul, my higher purpose, nature and the earth. And I choose loving service, freely given, as best and often as I can. Service in joy to my fellow travelers, human and non-human.
New Moon, First of November Greetings to You from my cozy Massachusetts kitchen at 5:55 AM.
Although it’s early, I just listened to the entirety of “Axis Bold as Love” — my all-time number one favorite album for arrivals, and maybe departures, too. The two go together. (When one door closes…)
Maple and Mums
If you don’t know the album, it’s by Jimi Hendrix. “Little Wing” is probably the most famous song on there. “Axis” (as we call it for short) happened to be the first record I played after I moved into my Hampshire College dorm room in 1977 and set up my stereo. Since then, I’ve always put it on first whenever I move into a new place.
Today, one week before I hit the road, I’m on the other side of arriving. But hearing all those songs today, singing and dancing along in the kitchen, somehow felt fitting. End of Autumn, “we don’t have to wait till tomorrow”, and all that.
Tobacco Barn, Route 47
That said, between you and me, the real reason I got the idea to listen to “Axis Bold as Love ” this morning was because my tooth hurt. I think I might have a micro crack in one of my bottom molars. It was bothering me when I got up, which made me think I’m probably going to need a crown on there, sooner or later.
That thought instantly led to the creation of a song parody, as (for better or worse) thoughts and phrases are wont to do in my brain. I just start singing them to the tune of whatever, out of the blue. In this case the parody was to the tune of “Castles Made of Sand”, probably my favorite song on that heart-opening Hendrix album we’ve been discussing. The parody goes something like this:
…when your teeth keep grinding down / they need a crown / eventually…
Timi Hendrix in the Leaves
Speaking of the Miracle of Aging, as I call it, my sweet and loving Timi is now ten years old. You can see it in his face. As for clever Clyde, escape artist par excellence, he turned sixteen in September. I look forward to escorting this venerable but still agile and lively crew across the country in seven days.
Window Dressing
Have you heard the old saying “age is just a number”? It really is true. Or as Jimi would say, “it’s all in your mind.”
You create and shape the story of your life. Whatever story you tell yourself about the world you live in IS the world you live in. Whatever story you tell yourself about your life IS your life. Why not make it a magical journey of awakening?
See you on the road. 🙏🏼🦉🌵 OBC
Light Pole for Fairies & Mount TobyTimi and Julep Run FreeCrocs ‘n ClydeGoing for the Gold Be Happy ❤️🧡💛
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One Bold Crone 