Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The End of the Trail

Folks have been on my case to gather the loose ends. Today (the 29th)is exactly a month since we began Mimi and Grandpa's Magical Mystery Tour. For the past few days we have been busy getting retrained for the life "not on the road". Lately we have spent so much time living out of a suitcase and eating out of a box that our kitchen seems like a foreign country. ("Where do we keep...?")

Let me say without any reservation that it was a great trip - no accidents, illnesses, muggings or anything of the like. It was all we had hoped for and more. Ready to be disappointed by all the hype of television programs, magazine articles, brochures and testimonials of friends and strangers on the street we were still pleasantly surprised at every turn by the beauty and grandeur of our country. God's hand is surely in all of it. We thank Him for our safe journey and the opportunity to have see so much of it while on this trip.



Interested in the final tally ?? Just some fun facts:


In 27 days -


9,169 miles


28 gasoline fill ups - the average mpg -24.8


23 states visited - not counting PA


20 different hotels - that's also 20 different soaps, shampoos, conditioners , shower pressures and fixtures (some states put the Hot on the "other side!) - also 20 different key card entry systems, not to mention room numbers to keep current and the location of the ice machine, or the bathroom for that matter


Here might be the place to mention that when you go on a trip with your spouse you must keep in mind that the only time you are apart is during trips to the restroom. Hotel bathrooms don't count. Restaurants, museums, etc. and the like... Just food for thought . Depending on your bladder...... 27 days x _?_ bathroom trips x minutes = time alone. You do the math.

10 rolls of film - yes, the old fashioned kind (and the 250 pictures are great and already in an album!) We have digital pictures too, so many more than we posted. Believe me. About an hour of movies were taken too. Haven't watched them yet - that reminds me -I must get Dramamine.

8 time zone changes - back and forth - back and forth

We located 49 out of 50 state license plates (that illusive Hawaii) /+ 8 Canadian/Mexico

81 meals on the road - ranging from Cheerios and oatmeal in our hotel room courtesy of a Hot Pot and a cooler, some free continental breakfasts, some picnics made with provisions from our "box in the back", to MacDonald's, Subway or Wendy's, or to experiencing the local culture at "Pickle's Place" , the Rte. 66 Diner or the Sky City Restaurant atop the Space Needle in Seattle.

Did you know we never found a salad bar in a grocery store?

At least 2 doz. bags of M&M's consumed - 99.9% by Major Tom - but never before 9:30 AM . He was suffering from Tastey-Kake withdrawal too.

Our favorite spots?? Let's say Top 3 - For me - Bryce Canyon in Utah, the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as far as natural beauty. Man made? Maybe the Lincoln museum, the tour at Taliesin West in Phoenix, the Pike Market in Seattle (what a colorful place!) - so many to choose from. . On a serious note - I would have to mention the Oklahoma City Memorial and Slave Haven in Memphis as being very worthwhile. On a totally different scale - the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

For Major Tom - he agrees with Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon in general and that area called the "Breadbasket of America", and as for man made: the Cass Scenic Railroad, Truman's home and the city of Memphis. You see? something for both of us - something for the individual.



For those interested in more of the logistics:

Keep in mind, we had reservations for all our overnights. Places like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon should be booked as far in advance as possible (and any excursions you want to add). I had a three ring binder equipped with plastic inserts holding each different hotel reservation and any special information for the area we were visiting.

We had two coolers with us - one for the day's lunch or snacks and drinks, and a larger one with ingredients for sandwiches, etc. - things we wanted to stay cold so we didn't open it unless we needed to. We bought ice along the way at a variety of prices.

We each had a "carry-in" suitcase with toiletries and overnight things, unmentionables, two or more changes of clothing and medicine. (Actually, I had to take a separate bag for all my medicines and supplements......oye.) Then we had a huge (30"?) suitcase with more clothes. Remember, we were going during what we thought would be the changing of the seasons. How could we know we would be experiencing record heat ! Anyway - every couple of days we would bring that suitcase in and switch things around.

We had planned on doing laundry at about three locations. (We took detergent and softener sheets with us - they charge for those things you know - $1.00 here and a $1.00 there...)and each load is 1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry.) We had a small square laundry basket with us that came in handy for laundry, of course, but during the rest of the trip housed our heavier coats and sweatshirts, etc.

In closing - This trip was intended for us - to see the things on our list. ..to get to some states we had not been in before, to see places we had always wanted to see that were of the top priority. If we never get to go again... Some people have asked ... "Did you see__ or ___?" and I have to say "No___we ..."


Some have wondered why we seemed to go to great lengths to "avoid" California and Nevada. Not really - we have been to California (San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, the Palm Springs and Indian Wells area (a number of times)to name a few. And we have been to LasVegas at least half a dozen times (with a trip to Hoover Dam). I liked San Antonio, TX. but it is such a big state to cover on a trip with so many other destinations. We've been through Colorado ..... so you see - we planned this one for us!

We know that there is more to see and maybe we will get to do this again. If we are able, what would we put on that itinerary?? I'd love to see Crater Lake in southern Oregon, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, maybe the Great Lakes. I know Hubby wants to go to Maine and if that's on the plan, I want to get to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Have to get our passports ready!



I do have a word of caution. Probably in using an unsecured site (one of those 20 hotels?) our credit card was compromised. Imagine - a few days since returning home, bank of America called us after flagging a transaction at a K-Mart in Greenville, NC. Two attempts were made to use our number (we have the cards) - the first went through, the second (probably within a very short time) was denied. Hard to believe that with all our gallivanting around, they noticed something out of the ordinary. So -watch your back. Maybe the person taking out their phone in the line behind you might also be taking your picture!



Finally, thanks to my son-in-law, Adam, for setting up this blog. (He's "CEO" of the Brown Software Group). The family wanted to hear all about the trip and I wanted my granddaughters Corinne and Emily to be able to track the journey. (Grandson Garrett is too young - I think he might have missed us though.)

I hope I imparted a little wisdom (with some wit) to those who followed us. To all you armchair travellers, I hope you felt a part of the experience. Thanks for coming along. I really hope we get to do it again.

For now - I am signing off! Roger, Wilco ... and Out!
Yours Truly,
The Tour Director

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