California, Here I Come..., Or Maybe Not!

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After weeks of anticipation, last Monday, Max and I finally pulled out of Round Rock headed for the Teagarden Jazz Camp somewhere in the Sieras above Sacramento, California. The trip across Texas was uneventful. We spent Monday night in one of our favorite overnighting spots in Littlefield, Texas and struck out fresh and bushy tailed early Tuesday morning.


Tuesday morning was pro forma, following highway 84 west to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, then north to Interstate 40 where we turned west. As you know, I really don't like driving on interstate highways. I love twisty-curves little roads because I "know" that just around the next curve, or at the crest of the next hill, there will be a scene of such breathtaking beauty that existence of the very universe will be totally justified! I soon realized that this was not going to be a twisty-curvey kind of trip.

We stuck it out on IH 40 although several times I did consider lashing the steering wheel like an old time sailing ship and crawling into the back to catch a little nap before the next curve in the road. Max helped keep me awake by crawling into my lap and begging for a chin rub.

We spent Tuesday night in a rest stop somewhere along IH 40, nestled between two 16 wheelers. This is one circumstance where my deafness is a magnificent advantage. I take off the hearing aids and absolute silence is guaranteed for the night. Early Wednesday morning we are back in the saddle with the rising sun to our backs.

Flagstaff, Arizona was the first spot that caught my attention. There were real trees! We did not take time to explore Flagstaff, we just turned north toward the Grand Canyon. I will try to post more as we progress on our journey.


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