Category: OBC blog

Between Rolla and Richmond lie two major cities, St. Louis and Indianapolis. I suppose it’s a good thing, getting them both crossed off the list and out of the way on the same day, which I have learned through experience to always schedule for a Sunday, giving the best chance of encountering only light traffic. (Reminds me of that old movie, “If It’s St. Louis, This Must Be Sunday.” Or was that Rome?)

I wasn’t too happy about having an hour added to the day’s trip for just possible flooding. However I chose the alternate route to be on the safe side. Luckily, in the end, the flood warning was lifted, Maps put me back on my original route, and the only hour I lost was from time change number three since Wednesday.

That said, I feel very grateful to my sister Katie in Florida for checking the weather when the warning first showed up, and to my friend Cat in Massachusetts who stayed in touch with me all the way through the potential danger zone, even finding interesting places for me to stop along the alternate route, such as the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Casey.

Indianapolis was exhausting after all that, but at least the lane changes are not as rushed and drastic as in St. Louis. All I had to do in Indianapolis was keep left. And except for plenty of wind, the weather was fine for Day Five of seven. Phew! Getting there…

🙏🏼🌵🦉💫

So grateful for another beautiful weather day for the drive out of Oklahoma and into Missouri. Day Four of seven. Halfway there!

Today was day three of seven on the road with the OBC caravan. We started off in Edgewood, New Mexico, headed east on the I-40, and per Siri continued straight “for about 395 miles”…

Hard to believe this is our sixth cross country sojourn, and the third time heading in this direction, which is to say, East, so in a way, Clyde and Timi know the drill, but that doesn’t mean it’s their favorite activity.

Getting Clyde out from under the bed added about 15 minutes to our planned departure time, and then maybe half an hour in, we hit another delay due to an accident. Traffic stopped for several minutes before we all got to pass by the site, as workmen were sweeping up broken glass on the side. I hope everyone survived the crash. Scary.

From there on in, it was smooth sailing, though. 75 mph speed limit all the way. Surreal watching the landscape change at that speed.

The western Texas panhandle is a high prairie full of wind farms and cattle ranches, with very little to see in the way of buildings, trees or even shrubs. But after Amarillo, TX, a Wild West metropolis of sorts, the terrain starts to change. Things get greener, less dry. Approaching the Oklahoma border you start to see some real trees on the side of the road, with thick trunks, and spreading branches. And then, just like that, you’re not out west anymore.

A little farther into Oklahoma, there’s a sign warning you that “hitchhikers may be escaped inmates”.

Good to know.

Back in Grants, New Mexico it was “gusty winds may occur”. I think I’ll take gusty winds over escaped inmates. How about you?

🌵🦉

Some pics from Day One…enjoy!

🌵🌵💜🦉🙏🏼OBC

All systems are go

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!

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.

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.

With so much LOVE! and GRATITUDE! ❤️ OBC 🙏🏼🌕🦉🌵✨

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

One more day on the road and we’ll be home. Can’t wait! See y’all in sunny California! 💜🙏🏼🦉🌵 OBC

Yep, thats snow alright!

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.

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.

After filling up in Tucumcari, we stopped at our favorite rest area–Pajarito–and watched a train roll by.

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