ROAD TRIP!!

Time to share some memories from our recent road trip!  Did you know it is 2019 miles from Orlando, FL to Gilbert, AZ?  Jennifer's Nissan Altima was packed as the picture shows...

but what you don't see is the 2.5' square area in the backseat where "mama" parked herself for those 2,000 miles.  (Actually, I did get to drive a couple of times, and, Jen gave Vince a few rest breaks.)  I enjoyed my backseat view...and it was nice and cozy too!
Here is Vince making sure all the car's fluids were up to snuff...

We had good weather for the entire trip, EXCEPT for the Florida panhandle.  THAT was an experience I won't soon forget.  We were tuned into the weather news as the rain was coming down in torrents...there was driving wind, and Vince was only able to see the road because of the yellow reflective markers. He was about ready to pull of the road, driving only 40 mph on the Interstate.  Fortunately, our guardian angels helped us safely through the storm! (There were tornado watches and schools being closed in the exact geographical area where we were driving.)   I tried to snap a few pictures from my backseat view...

Here are the choppy waters (there were "white caps") as we crossed the bridge over Mobile, Alabama Bay.

We were able to drive from Florida to Gulfport, Mississippi on the first day driving.  That even included a stop to see my birthplace in Biloxi, Mississippi. 

This is the water tower on the Keesler Air Force Base where we lived in the early 1950's when my father was serving in the Air Force.
Our second day found us starting early from Gulfport, driving through Louisiana, with a stop in Baton Rouge for a Starbucks...."really, mother, a picture now?"  Vince enjoyed a piece of crumb cake there for a treat!

We drove over the great Missippi River, by-passing New Orleans, and on into the state of Texas....the HUGE state of Texas.  The end of our second day found us stopping in Boerne, TX, west of San Antonio.

Once in New Mexico, the boring scenery of west Texas blended right into the boring scenery of NM.  However, between rest stops, and plenty of snacks, we were listening to a great audio mystery book in the car, so the time passed by enjoyably. 

It was VERY windy and COLD in TX and NM; Jen and I were dressed for the weather.  I can't say the same thing for my husband who decided the only wardrobe items he would pack for the trip were shorts and t-shirts...in January!  He loves the cold weather!! 

With the trip west, we gained some hours.  We had originally planned to stop for another overnight in Las Cruces, NM, but arrived there by 2:30 pm.   So, we voted to keep on truckin'...and arrived safely home to Gilbert, AZ by 10:00 pm on the third day of driving.  Tired and weary, it was great to get home!

The next day, everyone came over for pizza to welcome Jennifer back to Arizona!  Even Sancho and Diego (Alissa & Alan's cats) made a special picture for Jennifer!