The Long Drive Home - part 3, the last leg

Sedona is absolutely stunning, and paradise for a photographer. Even though we had very limited time, I wanted to squeeze in a few minutes for photos. We got an early start, and zoomed around town and up the 89A north a bit to snap a couple before we headed south, towards Phoenix, and ultimately, San Diego. My camera snapped away, and although I didn't get a lot of keepers, these were a couple I thought were worthy of posting.

Once we left Sedona, it really started to sink in that this was the last leg of the trip home, and that I'd be walking into the house and seeing the left-overs of his room. Needless to say, I didn't feel much like taking pictures for a while. The tears came, and I let them.

Just as we were getting ready to cross the border from Arizona into California, I saw this, and picked up my camera. I liked the serene look of it.

And boom-back to California we are.

Am I happy to be home? Well, yes and no. I am happy to be back to my own bed, back to Bear, my folks, and the dogs, among other things. Am I happy to be in San Diego, when my son is in Indiana? No, not at all. Look for a new countdown clock coming soon to the side of my blog. His flight home for Thanksgiving has been booked and I'm already looking forward to it more than words can say.

The Long Drive Home-part 2

Yesterday was a very long day in the car. We left Oklahoma City in the morning, and finished up the day's drive in Sedona, Az. Hubby drove 897 miles yesterday and it took us about 13 hours. Considering we had a few stops here and there, we made excellent time!

On our way out of Oklahoma, we saw a lot of scenery like this



And lots of Route 66 stuff!


We crossed thru the Texas panhandle.


I thought about stopping to see if this little fixer upper was for sale, but decided against it...it was a little too new for my liking.


When people say that everything is bigger in Texas, I wonder if they mean the rest areas too. This one was HUGE!


New Mexico was next on the road, we drove across the entire state. Most of what we saw was very desolate.


I had to take a picture of this transport trailer for my friend Shirley. She loves Corvettes, and the guy was hauling 11 brand new ones.


Once we got past Albuquerque, the terrain changed and we started seeing some beautiful buttes and mesas.


I thought this little grouping of pueblos was pretty interesting.


More pretty scenery...






By late afternoon, we were rolling into Arizona.


Again, just some gorgeous scenery.


As we headed towards Flagstaff we came across this monster of a cloud. The amount of water that came out of it was unbelievable! It felt as if were in a flash flood or something! It went from being completely dry to absolute crazy down pour in seconds.


With the rain came the beginning of a fantastic sunset.


We decided not to stop for the night in Flagstaff, and instead decided to go on to Sedona. Hubby had been there years ago, but I'd only ever heard about how beautiful it was, and wanted to see for myself. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona was serene, and the smell of pine filled the car.


Our first peaks of the red rock were pretty cool.


We were racing the setting sun though, and with the fading light it was hard to get decent photos.


Not being able to get good photos only meant one thing...I'd have to talk Hubby into letting us stay for an hour or so in the morning so I could get some...and of course, once again, he obliged.


This morning was much better for my photo taking...more to come soon.


-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad and we are nearing the end of our trip.

The Long Drive Home- part 1

After our departure from AJ, we made made a quick stop to gas the car up and then we hit the road.

So long Indiana, Illinois and Missouri! As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are taking a more southern route home. This was our view of The St. Louis arch as we cruised by it yesterday.


We don't have bridges like this in San Diego...but then again, we don't have rivers like the Mississippi either!


It has been very interesting to see the different terrain along the way. We drove a long way on roads that were cut through the mountain, like this one in Missouri.


The traffic is a bit different than we we are used to too!


Late in the afternoon, we crossed the state line into Oklahoma.


By the time we got into Oklahoma City, it was getting pretty late. I had one place in mind that I really wanted to stop and see, so before heading to our hotel, Hubby obliged and took me to the Oklahoma City National Memorial.


It is a very beautiful tribute and memorial.

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial off comfort, strength peace, hope and serenity."








These are fences along the outside of the memorial, where even today people come by to leave tokens of remembrance. There are pictures of lost loved one, notes, cards, stuffed animals, medals from memorial runs, etc. It was good to see that even after 16 years people have not forgotten.


Pickle took a ribbon from her hair and tied it onto the fence near the picture of a 17 year old girl that was killed in the blast because she had stopped by to pick up some children she was going to babysit. Every story was tragic, and every death was senseless.


168 lives were lost that April day in 1995. Each life is represented by one of these chairs, with smaller chairs representing the 19 children that were lost.





There is a long, beautiful reflecting pool, bordered by "the Gates of Time" - these twin gates frame the moment of destruction. The East Gate, pictured here, represents 9:01am on April 19, 1995, and the innocence of the city before the attack. The West Gate, mirroring this one at the opposite end of the reflecting pool, represents 9:03am, the moment things changed forever.


It is hard to explain the emotions one feels when visiting a place like this. It is, to say the least, a very sobering and somber experience. I am very glad that we were able to go by, if even for a short time. If you are ever in the Oklahoma City area, I highly recommend you take some time and visit this National Memorial. If you are interested in learning more about the memorial, please visit www.OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org

So, after about 13 hours in the car, and 822 miles behind us, we were happy to get to a comfortable hotel for the night.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad as we are crossing from Texas into New Mexico.

The Big Drop Off

I know, I know, you are all wondering how the actual drop-off and leaving of the Boy went. Well, I suppose it went as good as it could have, considering the circumstances.

Pickle was able to spend Saturday night in the dorm room with AJ, so that was kind of cool. The roommate wasn't there yet, and she camped out on the futon. They got to have some quality sibling time, and it was nice knowing he wasn't spending his first night in the dorm alone.

Sunday morning we checked out of our hotel and picked them up for breakfast at about 8:30am. We made one last stop by one of the campus book stores and picked up some push pins, and a last souvenir. We found a local spot for breakfast, and enjoyed a last meal together.

Before long, it was time to head back to the dorm...where we tried to take some pictures. I did pretty good for the first couple of pictures, I really did. Then the water works kicked in a little. Just some tears, no big "ugly" cry. I only went thru a Kleenex or two...no, not a box or two.

Round one of pictures looked like this-











After those few, it was Kleenex time for a sec...I know we were all dreading the actual driving away part, and postponing as much as we could. AJ asked if we would stick around for a few more minutes so he could run up to his room, grab his Frisbee so he and Hubby could toss it around for a few minutes. OF COURSE we could stick around!!


They had a good time playing one of the Frisbee Golf holes on the course just across the street from AJ's dorm.


Round two of pictures was a bit better, I didn't start crying until we got in the car. Last hugs, last kisses, more tears.


Oh, I do love this boy!


And whether or not they will admit it, I know Pickle and AJ will miss each other a lot. (Bear already had to say her goodbyes since she couldn't come on this trip with us.)





Finally at about 10:30am, we got in the car, and pulled away. Yes, it was tough, very, very tough. But he is happy, and I keep reminding myself of that.

So long Purdue, I hope to see you again soon. Take care of my Boy.


-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad and we are on the road, heading home.