There I was in Las Vegas working for one of the busiest roofing companies in town.  The city was growing and business was good.  Andy, my husband, retired from the Air Force and 3 months later we took a 2 week vacation and drove our RV across the country to Annapolis, MD.  We started out with a simple "WOW this is nice."  Which turned into "We should do this when we retire."  Which quickly became, "No let's do it right now."  And so by the time we arrived in Annapolis we had decided that now was the time to sell everything and live in the RV.

On the trip back across the country we planned.  Andy drove and I made notes.  We would stop for the night and review the notes.  Then repeat the same process the next day.  By the time we were back in Vegas we were ready to sell the house and everything in it.  I gave notice at the roofing company.  When the house finally sold we were off on our adventure.

Apr 25, 2005 - Finally on the road
All of our belongings have been distributed. They are either in the RV (clothes & dishes), stored at Dianne's (picutres & family heirlooms), sold (anything we could) or given away (everything else). The house is sold. We have both quit our jobs and have had our goodbye meals with family and friends.

The plan - Head to California. Start with the LA area. Dinner with Frank B (Grandpa John's cousin), then a week in San Francisco, then head to Fort Bragg and spend some time with Aunt Johanna. After that we head across the northern states to be in Annapolis on June 17th.

The phone call - Ma has something going on with her heart. They have done tests, and she will know by the end of the week when and what type of surgery she needs.

The decision - What is there to decide? Any reason to press on with the plan is selfish. San Francisco will be there forever. Montana, North Dakota, we can't find anything that would replace Ma. We head for Annapolis.

The new reality - We start out for Annapolis. By the time we get to Memphis, we find that we have almost a week before Ma's surgery. We decide to stay one day in Memphis to regroup. We then stayed three nights in Nashville, and then continued on to Annapolis.

Apr 27, 2005 - Bug Ranch, a cross and gas prices

On the west side of Amarillo is the Cadilac Ranch. This is on the east side of Amarillo and not nearly as well known in the circles I run in.

And about 20 minutes down the road, we have the nation's largest cross.

Apr 28, 2005 - Laundry
Silly me left with dirty laundry. That's okay there is a laundry at the campground. 2 very small washers, and dryers that need to be full to start. Even if you only need a few minutes. So I am down there 3 hours, and I have spent $20 and none of my laundry is dry. That's okay I will bring it back to the RV and string a clothes line inside (avoid the trash look) and my clothes will dry. Well maybe they will in Vegas, but not in this humidity. After we strung the line and the rig got stuffy, our next brilliant idea was to turn on the heat and leave. We came back to a sauna and wet clothes. I used the blow dryer to dry the sheets, left the rest until the next night and swore never to make this mistake again.

Apr 30, 2005 - Grand Ole OpryOur 3rd trip through Nashville and we finally stop at the "Grand Ole Opry". It is closed. The program did not include anybody we wanted to see, so we walked around and took some pictures.

As we went into the building Andy saw a woman standing in the doorway. One would have sworn that this was Reba. Standing right there. But as we followed her around the gift shop we were never really sure whether it was her or just a look-a-like.  We would have bet on look-a-like, but Glen Campbell was getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Hmmmmm?

May 1, 2005 - Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B, Ryman, Wildhorse, Coyote Ugly and more
Still in Nashville we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame. A grand disappointment we were not allowed cameras. Kris Kristoferson was inducted the day we were there. Maybe that was Reba at the Opry.

From there we took a tour over to Studio B.

On the way back from Studio B, we passed this statue. In downtown Nashville our guide let us know the difference between Naked and Nude. Nude you have no clothes on. Naked you have no clothes on and you are up to no good.

We walked on over to the Ryman Auditorium.

Then we went to the Wildhorse Saloon. Famous place where the "In" people eat. All the "In" people in town were at Kris Kristoferson's induction.

And then there was Coyote Ugly. Even on Sunday afternoon it is what you heard it was.

In Nashville there is a replica of the Parthenon. Something to do the the World's Fair. But two things I learned real quick in this world, "Closed on Sundays" and "Off season". In this case it was both.

May 2, 2005 - Virginia - Just Passing Through
This is our favorite park in this area, we stay here coming or going to Maryland

I don't even remember exactly where in Virgina I was when I took this picture. I love the grass and trees on the side of the road.

May 7, 2005 - Annapolis MD
We are here because Ma is having a heart procedure.  You know the one where they send the Rotor Router guy in to clean it out.  The picture on the left is the view out the RV window.  It is so nice to wake up to trees, birds, deer and other assorted wild life. 

The pic of the right is the WWII memorial in Annapolis.  What a beautiful view across the bay.

May 14, 2005
Driving around the North Severn side of the Naval Academy.  It is so pretty here.  Just standing on the dock looking across the river to the rest of the town.  How lucky these people are to live among all of this.

May 15, 2005 - Woolford MD

I think I like this more than they do.  There is a town on the Eastern Shore named Woolford MD.   The town was named after Andy's family, although none of his immediate family has ever lived there.  The house and the barn were part of the family property back in the day.

There is also a book called Fishlighters that delves into fishing in the Chesapeake and Andy's grandfather is mentioned in the book. 

Feb 26, 2014 - Heading to Patterson, CA



I am taking heading to Patterson, CA.  This trip is to train users at IDC how to use Crystal Reports.  I met Gabby and Aubrey in the classroom.  They decided that enough of their co-workers would benefit from a Crystal Reports class that it was worthwhile to have me go to Patterson.  I am very excited about this trip because I get to spend the night in Bakersfield on the way home to spend some time with family.