Just a quick note to say hi and wish all a safe and happy new years eve...hope you are spending it with those you love. No pics to upload..took videos today as we left Arkansas, crossed over to TN, and stopped for the night a bit early to avoid the "crazies" out there driving to and from celebrations. We'll be home tomorrow; I'll pick up my car and head home to attend to critters and home. It's been lovely..will have some final pics tomorrow.

Thanks to all who have shared this wonderful journey with us...can't wait to meet my newest great nephew.

Remainder of the pics from lunch, Doug and John, John and me, etc.

We awakened Wednesday to find the temp had risen and we were snow free! Joy!! We got off to a slow start as we were meeting my brother John around noon in Oklahoma City, OK. We visited nearly two hours over lunch, sharing memories and stories. It was difficult to say good bye once again since it had been five years since we were together but we left with promises of a visit this coming Spring. Doug and I headed off across the remainder of OK and crossed into Arkansas, stopping for the night just outside of Ft Smith. Difficult to believe that tomorrow is New Years Eve!
Enjoy the pics....John, myself, and Doug plus pics of the countryside we crossed today.

Tuesday was a lonnnnnng day watching Doug drive across all 300+ miles of New Mexico. We crossed into Texas late in the afternoon and also entered into Central time, stopping for the night in Shamrock, TX. We had thought to make a few possible side trips but were running away from the snow all day. We drove through a few brief snow showers but as of yet are safe. I've called ahead to family to make emergency preparations for the critters at home! Tomorrow we hope to meet with my brother, John, and Saundra in Oklahoma City....not much to share but a few pics of the drive and another of our favorite stops - Petro stations for coffee and "rest" breaks.

Drove from Las Vegas, NV across to Gallup, New Mexico today. We attempted to venture up to the Grand Canyon but the roads were dreadful. We now have a future trip in mind! We made a short trip down the old Route 66 and then back on to I 40. You'll see pics from our trip over Hoover Dam; we were both amazed at the difference since each of us visited years ago. Tonight we are in Gallup, NM and it is FREEZING!

Pics from crossing Nevada on the way to Las Vegas....we went from 17 degrees to over 40 within hours....passed a variety of "tourist" attractions...

Sunday the 27th we said our good byes and headed towards Las Vegas on our drive home.
The visit was great; it was difficult to leave but we both are getting homesick. Egon and Janet have promised to head our way next Spring; we can't wait!
Next post will include some photos of the drive along the way today.

Keith returned to Willits on Saturday so we went for brunch in Reno before seeing him off....On Sunday Doug and I headed off for home.....so Saturday night Egon, Janet, Doug and I had dinner at a great Mexican restaurant in Carson City....

Christmas Day was spent having a wonderful family dinner, napping on the sofa, and just sharing memories....Egon, Janet, Keith in their living room, pics outside of their home in Carson City, Christmas dinner.

My nephew Keith drove up from Willits to spend Christmas with his folks and us...these pics are from Christmas Eve....definitely a white Christmas! It was the best seeing Doug's surprise when he opened the copy of his grandparent's family home.
Top photo is my surprise and joy when I opened my gift from Doug!

We refreshed Doug on Pinocle and taught Egon and Janet Shanghi....it quickly became our favorite at-home passtime. One afternoon we watched old family videos.

At Scheels the second floor has displays of life-sized mannequins depicting various U.S. presidents...they "speak" text from famous historical speeches....this is one example. The rest are on the video tapes once I figure out how to upload them.

Janet playing her favorite machine...proof of Doug playing so he can't deny it...don't fret...we played the penny machines!

Before going to The Atlantis we stopped at "Legends", a massive shopping center as Egon wanted us to visit "Scheels", a sporting goods store that puts Bass Pro Shops to shame...inside was a massive floor to ceiling aquarium and near the back an enormous ferris wheel - the guys wouldn't ride but Janet and I did. Yes, the photo proves I have done nothing but eat, sleep, and visit for nearly a month! Back to working out once we return home, I fear.

Egon, Janet, Doug and I took off for The Atlantis in Reno...to eat, visit, eat, gamble, eat, gamble, and eat.....Of course we stopped at the Chocolate Factory on the way....Lunch was shared at The Claimjumper - great food and awesome service..that is Egon (Mary Anna's brother) and Doug in front of restaurant.

So, on Monday the 21st we head off for Carson City, NV...trusting Doug's GPS..which took us over Highway 88, as Egon put it..."A lovely drive in July but not practical in December"...I wondered why everyone (the few there were out there) was going the opposite way!...We finally arrived in Carson City and began a week-long visit, leaving today (Sunday the 27th)....