TEXAS

Austin, Texas- Travel Day, November 25, 2019

6AM alarm, rise and shine, all packed, coffee on, last minute checking of this and that. I anticipate I forgot one or two things, probably over-packed, my entire pile stacked by the door. In the dark of the morn I move my stuff insdie the ATXBreeze

El Paso, Texas, November 25th, 2019

Yay, made it to road trip destination number one, El Paso! Arrived at 1:30P, 2.5 hrs ahead of schedule. Did terrific time. Looooong stretch of road with 80 mph speed limit helped - AND - I erased an additional hour by driving into Mountain Time.

Fort Davis, Texas., December 2019

It was a long 7hr, 475 mile drive from Albuquerque to Victoria's front door, located outside Fort Davis (on White Tail). A long previous day + an over indulgence of spirits + an early rise and departure had me feeling tired and sleepy during the first part of the trip, but wide awake by the time I gassed up in El Paso.

NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe, New Mexico,, November 26, 2019

Arrived at snowy Santa Fe 2p or so, 4.5 hour drive, not bad in length or road conditions. Stephen was home and waiting and I grabbed my grip and went inside his and Robert's charming home located along the quaint, narrow street of Alto.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 28 - December 2, 2019

For the third time in three years, I traveled to Albuquerque N.M. while on my annual road trip to visit a longtime friend, Chiquita. Before I left Austin we touched base and decided that not only should I drop by for yet another visit, but that it should include celebrating Thanksgiving (on Thanksgiving day!).

ARIZONA

Burnt Wells Rest Stop, Arizona, December 2 2019

When I left Chiquita's place for the Starbucks early in the morning, I was 99% sure I would be leaving for Arizona. We chatted and coffee'd before she departed for work for what was to be a long work day for her as a polling judge.

CALIFORNIA

Indio, California, December 3, 2019

I pulled out of the the Arizona Burnt Wells rest area at the crack of dawn, a freshly brewed hot coffee in my cup holder, everything packed and ready to roll. I was heading to my favorite small California town, Indio. My destination was 200 miles ahead and would take three hours via I-10 West. The relatively short distance made the drive easy. The rising sun was inching up the horizon, almost directly behind me. It was casting a very soothing dim orangy blanket of light on the path ahead, which was very pleasing.

Fallbrook, California, December 7, 2019

For the second year in a row, I traveled from Indio to Fallbrook using a pretty straight forward route, I 10 West, then 215 South. Ain't exactly a straight line, you go through a bunch of small towns (Hemet, Wincester, Temecula, etc.), As you travel there, you head northerly halfway there, then take a hard left. Every one of these small towns has stop lights every few blocks

Los Angeles, California, December 9,2019

If I'm traveling the southwest region of the country, and especially if I'm in the Golden State, California, I make it a priority to arrange a visit with my daughter, Hannah. I waited a little too long to give Hannah a heads up that I was near LA and would like to see her (one day warning!), but she graciously agreed.

Oceanside, California, December 12,2019

After a leisurely mid-morn wake up time and easy-does-it breakfast, we headed for Oceanside for a day trip. We got there in a jiffy (30 minutes!). Pulled directly into a temp area where all the day trippers pull in and took a few snapshots. A friendly local volunteered and snapped a few of me and Bev.