Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
So they say!
Our journey of 10,000 kilometers was a while in the planning.
One month earlier we still weren't sure it would happen...
with pandemic concerns and a travel advisory in place...
nothing was certain.
My sister passed away in south Texas in August of 2020.
The plan was always to have a memorial service once it was safe to do so...
and when those of us from Canada would be free to travel.
Last fall we it was decided to set the memorial date for February 23, 2022...
which was Bev's birthday.
In the end...
things fell into place...
and on February 16th we rolled out of the yard and down the road.
Though the shortest route to Texas would have taken us cross-country...
we chose to avoid the mountain passes...
and followed the I5 south the California and the I10 east to Texas.
One can never be too cautious when travelling with an RV in winter!
The first day took us to southern Oregon...
where we were discovered that our credit card was frozen due to 'unusual activity'.
Yes, very unusual for us to be in USA!
It took us all evening to sort it out with 'the powers that be'...
since the primary cardholder had no idea how to answer the security questions.
How would he know the balance on our account...
or the date of last credit?
Feeding him answers in the background was not the solution!
Despite their assurance that we no longer need to notify our credit card company before travelling...
I will always be doing that in the future.
We carried on past Mt. Shasta...
...and almost took the exit to Gibson Road.
Home...to us!
We always find the drive to southern California interesting...
past blossoming orchards, ranches and dairy farms.
From Palm Springs east...
through Arizona, New Mexico and an endless stretch of Texas...
there is not a whole lot so see along the I10.
We had planned to take a side trip to the Carlsbad Caverns on our way by...
but discovered we were required to reserve tickets online 48 hours in advance.
Next time!
We arrived in McAllen, Texas and booked into an RV park right close to my nephew's place....
where we spent a week.
How good it was to see Lenny after all the happenings of the last few years!
I went with him to make the final arrangements for the memorial service...
and then we drove to Ricky's group home where arrangements had been made to pick him up and take him 'home'.
We wondered what his reaction would be...
when he saw us.
He calmly looked at us and then said our names.
He spent most of that week with us...
quietly sitting or standing for hours wherever we were.
So thankful that he has adapted to life without his mom...
the one who looked after his every need until shortly before she passed.
The service was lovely...
at the Baptist Temple in Sharyland.
Bill (my brother) and Jeanne drove down from Iowa and my Dot (my sister) and Terry also made the long drive from BC.
One of Bev's good lifelong friends from Chilliwack and her husband also came for the memorial...as well as a few friends and acquaintances for McAllen.
We all shared our memories and a few tears.
Lenny honoured his mother with a beautiful tribute.
Her legacy lives on in her boys.
The day after the memorial...
we thought it would only be fitting if we drove out to South Padre Island for the day...
since it was Bev's favorite spot.
We had not expected it to be so cold!
I have been to Texas a number of times in February or March...
and it has always been warm.
8C (46F) is not exactly beach weather...
especially when the wind is howling!
But we dressed in our Canadian woolies...
and headed for the beach!
We deal with drifting snow back home on occasion...
here they deal with shifting sand!
We were the only brave souls on this beach at the north end of the island...
and Jeanne was the only one who 'stuck her toe' in the water.
We had lunch at Bev's favorite seafood place before leaving the island...
where you could have 'the catch of the day' served up on a platter.
My brother quite enjoyed it!
I prefer not to see skin or eyes when I eat fish...
and opted for a traditional fish 'n chips basket.
We were thankful for the opportunity meet in South Texas and 'remember Bev'...
and spend time with Lenny and Ricky.
This had been a long time in coming!
We left South Texas for points further north.
Specifically...
Waco, Texas.
It wasn't that much of a detour...
and the silos at Magnolia were calling!
What a great place to visit!
Magnolia Market occupies two city blocks in downtown Waco...
and is owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame.
The silos belonged to the Brazos Cotton Oil Mill...
which closed some 60 years ago.
There was lots to see and do on site...
from home decor shops, to garden shops...
...food trucks, bakery, coffee shops.
Even a church...
if one wished to sit and be still.
It was a great place to visit and worth the slight detour!
I came home with a few souvenirs.
We found a nice RV park along the river in Waco...
and enjoyed beautiful sunsets both nights we were there.
departing for Mesa, Arizona...
...where we camped near Superstition Mountain and Lost Dutchman State Park.
It was a great place to hike...
...with vegetation so unlike that back home.
We met up with good friends who make Mesa their home for a few months of the year...
and now know why they keep going back!
Our next stop was Indio...
where my sister and her family were staying.
We spent a few days with them...
before they flew back home.
This place never disappoints!
Bonus...
we met up with friends from home for Mexican food one night.
Petunias in March.
Only in Palm Springs!
Our last stop before heading home was Sky Valley Resort in Desert Hot Springs.
It was surprising to find the warm mineral pools empty quite often.
It was a great place to relax on the tail-end of our long road trip...
play pickleball, soak in the hotpools, and even take in a free concert.
Oh yes...
and meet up with friends and cousins that we never even knew where there.
We made ourselves at home on the back deck of an Airbnb that belongs to acquaintances from back home...
and sent them a pic!
It looked like a great place to stay.
And just like that...
it was time to leave for home.
We stocked up on sacks of oranges...
and returned the way we came.
We stopped for lunch in the shadow of Mt. Shasta...
...and carried on homeward.
Audio books and coffee mugs make the miles zip by!
Four weeks after the journey began...
our road trip USA of 2022 came to an end.
We are grateful for the opportunity to travel again...
and for all the memories that we will treasure.
Until next time...
What a trip! You honored your sister well. How good to connect with your nephews again and that Ricky remembered. It means the world to be supported in a time like this. Glad that you visited so many places and saw so many friends and family. Were you singing "I've been everywhere, man"?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip to honour Bev and see your nephews and other family. I'm glad you had a relaxing time, as well. South Padre Island is such a beautiful place. We spent a year in Edinburg TX, next to McAllen, studying Spanish, and enjoyed two trips out to the Island. Now to enjoy spring at home!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip! Y'all know how to do all things well. Glad you enjoyed Waco and Magnolia. I still haven't been to Magnolia Table yet.....but plan to go soon. I know you are relieved to be back home after such a long trip. But it must have felt good to be able to travel once again.
ReplyDeleteSuch a special time of gathering to remember Bev. How sweet that Ricky remembered your names. It is also amazing that you could connect with family and friends here and there and everywhere!! I'll have to show Laura the photos you took in Waco. She was there with her mom in October.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip! We're hoping to get over to Waco one of these days. I'm sure the time with friends and family was bittersweet, but healing. Thanks for taking us along...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous and meaningful trip! You honoured your sister so well by being there for her family! Looks like you took in all the sights and enjoyed every bit of your travels. Now to enjoy Spring at home ...
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post! I’m so glad you could finally travel and gather to celebrated Bev’s life. Such a bitter sweet time. The rest of your trip sounds amazing too, parts of it quite familiar to us.
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