SOUTH ALONG THE COAST
It is funny, or maybe strange, how different and yet similar different areas of the country are. We see the same national chain stores, Walmart, Home Depot, Payless Shoes, and all the fast food restaurants. People in different parts of the country dress the same, considering the weather. Then, you go into a Walmart and see entire counter of spicy salsa, or Heinz Chipotle BBQ Style beans, and cans of Hominy and collard greens!
In the middle-Northern states and in the west and mid-west, train tracks are usually close by the interstates and we can hear them rumbling by during the night, sometimes blowing their whistles at road crossings. One night though, we heard a roar overhead. We were parked right at the end of a runway, and jets taking off make quite a noise!
Traveling along I-10 in a winter storm,we arrived in Fort Stockton, TX. Funny, but the last time we were in Fort Stockton, it was cold, and snowy. (Next time we will by-pass Fort Stockton!) We stayed at Walmart with about ten other RVs that wanted to stop traveling during the storm. It was like being in a campground!
The next morning we decided to do something different for breakfast, so we stopped at a little restaurant called 'Pepito's.' It appeared to be a popular place since it was filled with locals. We sat by a window and ordered. Now, this is different. The waitress went to the window and opened it. Someone was in a car outside, and ordered breakfast! It was an 'old style' drive-up window. I guess they haven't heard of microphones. A little later, a town sheriff, who was eating breakfast, got up and went to the window. He opened it and had a friendly conversation with the person in the car. The waitress arrived with the order and passed it through the window, took the payment and off drove the car!
The southern coastal states have had some major flooding. What was a flat, dry area last time we went through, is now a large lake. This explains the long, long bridges we traveled over. One was 27 miles long! In Lafayette, LA, the Planet Fitness gym had been flooded with 3" of water. Fortunately, the exercise equipment wasn't damaged, but they have to check for mold, and replace some of the floor and wall moldings.
We had seen a flyer for a big flea market in Lafayette, LA, so on Saturday morning, that was our first stop. It was really big, with aisles inside full of vendors and some outside, too. We probably missed some of the booths, but we each purchased a little stool for sitting at parades, etc., Joan bought a pretty bracelet and a floppy hat. James bought some hose clamps. So much for the big shopping trip of the American Vagabonds! Think of the saying that one person's junk is another person's treasure.
Traveling through the southwest, we passed through towns that have songs named after them. "Is this the way to Amarillo", "City of New Orleans", and "El Paso," reminded us of those cities. Then there was Tombstone, of Wyatt Earp fame, and the Rocky Mountains, from John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High". All the old TV westerns and their theme songs come to mind when traveling along through that area.
Along the Gulf Coast, it is everything Cajun and Acadian. In Lafayette we stopped at Walmart on Evangeline Blvd. It reminded Joan of reading Longfellow's poem "Evangeline" about young lovers who were forced to relocate from the north to Louisiana by the British and became separated. They found each other at the end of their lives, and by the end of the poem, Joan was trying to hide her tears from her eighth grade classmates!
We found a dance in Mobile, AL. Actually, it was at a ballroom dance club that we had been to a few years ago. The hall was decorated for Mardi Gras. The dancers were friendly and several spent time talking to us. On to Pensacola and the Naval Air Museum where we experienced a simulation of being on an aircraft carrier flight deck. It was really cool to sit in a chair, feel the 'deck' tremble, and air blow across us as planes on the screen landed and took off! They even 'piped' in the smell of jet fuel. As he promised when we went into the chamber, James could not smell the jet fuel.
From Pensacola we drove along the coast to Florida and St. Petersburg, FL to visit Joan's high school girlfriend, Barrie, brother in Winter Haven, and cousin in Altamonte Springs. And, from there, we will head north toward Connecticut.
Don't forget to check out our website: http://www.americanvagabonds.net
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Arizona and Back to Texas
ARIZONA AND BACK TO TEXAS
We left Pasadena and entered the Arizona desert. Most people think of the desert as being all sand and no vegetation. There are parts of the desert with low shrubs, and beautiful cactus. The distant mountain ranges look treeless, and have unique rocky sillouttes formed by centuries of wind. They are quite beautiful and serene.
We stopped outside of Pheonix in Oro Valley to go to the gym. The mountains across from the shopping plaza were spectacular. We were going to stay at Walmart for the night, but this is an upscale area and the city has an ordinance against overnight parking. We continued on and after looking at the map, decided to take the scenic route to Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
TONTO NATIONAL PARK
Tonto National Park in Arizona is breathtakingly beautiful and the road, RT 88, is frightening for anyone only accustomed to driving in New England! Imagine traveling on a road with no guardrail, a drop of hundreds of feet, and no shoulder in a large, 5-ton RV. Up ahead is a 90 degree turn to the left and a drop straight down in front of you--no guard rail. If an oncoming vehicle takes a wide turn you have no place to go--but down or collide! But look up, and you can see the most scenic, beautiful vista you can ever hope to see. When James drives in many parts of this beautiful country he is constantly reminded of New Hampshire's State motto "Live Free or DIe," yes indeed! That is Tonto National Park! (A short video of RT. 88 is on our YouTube channel--SuperTraveler2012.)
We started on RT. 88, heading to Theodore Roosevelt Lake. As the road climbed, we went over two one-lane bridges, through a small 'frontier town' called Tortilla Flat, and past a private marina at Canyon Lake filled with boats put to bed for the winter. There is an expensive (especially for off season) campground at the marina, and a restaurant. We by-passed that and kept going--rarely seeing another vehicle. At one sharp turn, brush scraped against the VIEW. If James had moved over, we would have been across the mid-line of the road, and possibly hit an on-coming vehicle. Every once in a while we would see a sign warning of animals on the roadway. If we did meet one, it would own the road! Fortunately we did not meet any wildlife. All along the sides of the road, and the hillsides, were Saguaro Cactus. Joan loves seeing them as they seem to each have its own personality. There is a national park in Arizona named for the Saguaro Cactus, where there are pathways around the cactus. You can get up close---but not personal with the cactus.
Suddenly we came to a sign, "PAVEMENT ENDS 500 FEET AHEAD." There was a dirt road for the next 22 miles. RVs are not all terrain vehicles. We had to turn around and go back the way we came--90 degree hairpin turns, no guardrails, and narrow road. With the slow going, it was beginning to get late--and dark. James decided that it would be too dangerous to drive after dark so we found a pull-off that was fairly level and parked for the night. After eating a steak supper (we eat like we do at home) we played some cards and went to bed. We only heard two vehicles go by during the night. Night driving on Rte 88 is too exciting for us!
In the morning we continued down the mountain. After passing by the marina again, we began to meet more cars. The drivers all with two hands on the wheel--obviously concentrating on the road!
We had been having intermittent problems with our batteries. Although the three speciality batteries had been replaced in December, we woke up one morning to dead batteries. After this happened twice, we went to a dealership who did a diagnosis, but not much else. The next place, in ElPaso, was a Dodge dealership which could work on the Sprinter part of the problem, but not the Winnebago part. So the next stop was a Camper's World where the defective part was diagnosed and ordered. It had to be ordered and shipped overnight, so we packed the scooter with our overnight items, and went to a motel for the night.
The next morning we were told that 'overnight' meant it would arrive on Monday! The next two nights we stayed in the VIEW in their parking lot. On Monday night, a little skeptical of their repairs, we stayed at the Walmart in town. Our batteries were dead by 8:30 pm!! So much for their good work. On Tuesday morning we returned to Camping World and after much hassel, and much complaining to the General Manager, we finally got new batteries. Not willing to trust their workmanship, we drove to the grocery store for a few items, and back to Camping World for another night in their parking lot.
James has written many times to the news media concerning the state of American business today. The local technician you know and trust at home is not replicated all over the country. "Caveat Emptor" is required whenever repairs are necessary. For service, we say, we know, and we have experienced-"Sometimes you eat the Bear; and, some times the Bear eats you!"
End of this saga. Don't forget to check out our website, http://www.americanvagabonds.net. We added a new page 'Fitness' to evaluate gyms around the country.
The following pictures are all from Tonto National Park.
We left Pasadena and entered the Arizona desert. Most people think of the desert as being all sand and no vegetation. There are parts of the desert with low shrubs, and beautiful cactus. The distant mountain ranges look treeless, and have unique rocky sillouttes formed by centuries of wind. They are quite beautiful and serene.
We stopped outside of Pheonix in Oro Valley to go to the gym. The mountains across from the shopping plaza were spectacular. We were going to stay at Walmart for the night, but this is an upscale area and the city has an ordinance against overnight parking. We continued on and after looking at the map, decided to take the scenic route to Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
TONTO NATIONAL PARK
Tonto National Park in Arizona is breathtakingly beautiful and the road, RT 88, is frightening for anyone only accustomed to driving in New England! Imagine traveling on a road with no guardrail, a drop of hundreds of feet, and no shoulder in a large, 5-ton RV. Up ahead is a 90 degree turn to the left and a drop straight down in front of you--no guard rail. If an oncoming vehicle takes a wide turn you have no place to go--but down or collide! But look up, and you can see the most scenic, beautiful vista you can ever hope to see. When James drives in many parts of this beautiful country he is constantly reminded of New Hampshire's State motto "Live Free or DIe," yes indeed! That is Tonto National Park! (A short video of RT. 88 is on our YouTube channel--SuperTraveler2012.)
We started on RT. 88, heading to Theodore Roosevelt Lake. As the road climbed, we went over two one-lane bridges, through a small 'frontier town' called Tortilla Flat, and past a private marina at Canyon Lake filled with boats put to bed for the winter. There is an expensive (especially for off season) campground at the marina, and a restaurant. We by-passed that and kept going--rarely seeing another vehicle. At one sharp turn, brush scraped against the VIEW. If James had moved over, we would have been across the mid-line of the road, and possibly hit an on-coming vehicle. Every once in a while we would see a sign warning of animals on the roadway. If we did meet one, it would own the road! Fortunately we did not meet any wildlife. All along the sides of the road, and the hillsides, were Saguaro Cactus. Joan loves seeing them as they seem to each have its own personality. There is a national park in Arizona named for the Saguaro Cactus, where there are pathways around the cactus. You can get up close---but not personal with the cactus.
Suddenly we came to a sign, "PAVEMENT ENDS 500 FEET AHEAD." There was a dirt road for the next 22 miles. RVs are not all terrain vehicles. We had to turn around and go back the way we came--90 degree hairpin turns, no guardrails, and narrow road. With the slow going, it was beginning to get late--and dark. James decided that it would be too dangerous to drive after dark so we found a pull-off that was fairly level and parked for the night. After eating a steak supper (we eat like we do at home) we played some cards and went to bed. We only heard two vehicles go by during the night. Night driving on Rte 88 is too exciting for us!
In the morning we continued down the mountain. After passing by the marina again, we began to meet more cars. The drivers all with two hands on the wheel--obviously concentrating on the road!
We had been having intermittent problems with our batteries. Although the three speciality batteries had been replaced in December, we woke up one morning to dead batteries. After this happened twice, we went to a dealership who did a diagnosis, but not much else. The next place, in ElPaso, was a Dodge dealership which could work on the Sprinter part of the problem, but not the Winnebago part. So the next stop was a Camper's World where the defective part was diagnosed and ordered. It had to be ordered and shipped overnight, so we packed the scooter with our overnight items, and went to a motel for the night.
The next morning we were told that 'overnight' meant it would arrive on Monday! The next two nights we stayed in the VIEW in their parking lot. On Monday night, a little skeptical of their repairs, we stayed at the Walmart in town. Our batteries were dead by 8:30 pm!! So much for their good work. On Tuesday morning we returned to Camping World and after much hassel, and much complaining to the General Manager, we finally got new batteries. Not willing to trust their workmanship, we drove to the grocery store for a few items, and back to Camping World for another night in their parking lot.
James has written many times to the news media concerning the state of American business today. The local technician you know and trust at home is not replicated all over the country. "Caveat Emptor" is required whenever repairs are necessary. For service, we say, we know, and we have experienced-"Sometimes you eat the Bear; and, some times the Bear eats you!"
End of this saga. Don't forget to check out our website, http://www.americanvagabonds.net. We added a new page 'Fitness' to evaluate gyms around the country.
The following pictures are all from Tonto National Park.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Tournament of Roses Parade
PASADENA>>>PLACES>>>PEOPLE>>>PARADE
Since this was our fourth trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade, we weren't going to write about it---again. But then, there are people who haven't read our previous blogs, and since we wanted to expand on what we wrote, we decided to go ahead and write.
Most people in the East watch the parade on television. It is a good way to begin the new year, relaxed in front of the TV in their 'jammies' drinking coffee. What they miss, is the before parade fun, the interaction with many local people, and the close-up look at the floats and the majesty of it all. We sit with our feet on the 'blue line' which is the closest anyone is permitted to the parade--but then I should start at the beginning.
We arrived in the Pasadena area on December 25th. After the festivities of Christmas, we rode the scooter into Pasadena, about a 30-minute ride, to scope out the area where we planned to park the VIEW (RV). There already were RVs parked on street near the end of nthe parade. The internet has a page of information on the parade, which stated no parking on the streets until noon of the 31st. We rode around, but no other RVs were in sight.
On Friday, the 28th, we had to move the VIEW for a few hours for street cleaning, so we drove into Pasadena again. We got some diesel fuel, and again looked around the streets for RVs. We saw the same ones, and were told that they would allow street parking on the 29th. Those parked earlier would receive a parking ticket! We returned to Rosemead, CA and loaded the scooter in anticipation of moving to Pasadena the next day.
We arrived and parked in 'our' spot. This is the same spot we have parked in every year. We picked it out because it is close to Colorado Blvd., has fast food restaurants and many other businesses that we frequent. It also has porta-potties, which used to be an issue, but are not an issue any more as we have the VIEW. Since where we park the road is wide, traffic is not an issue, as it is with other narrower streets.
We unloaded the scooter, and rode up and down Colorado Blvd. Now there were more and more RVs parked on the side streets. Eventually, some of the streets had up to ten RVs parked on them, making them into one-way streets!
On the morning of December 31st, we were up early and out on the sidewalk by 6:00 AM. There were one or two others out, but the dark and cold probably kept the rest in. The reason we go out that early is to reserve our space to watch the parade. After a while, the sidewalks began to fill up. People were bringing their chairs, tables, and other supplies for the day. Usually, the police drive by and make everyone stand up, but this time we were allowed to sit in our chairs against the fence. They want to keep the sidewalk open, but when everyone is standing and moving around, the sidewalk gets clogged. This way, we were sitting down, not blocking the sidewalk. There is a sort of beautifully executed and elegant anarchy to the machinations prior to the parade and we are continually amazed at how everything works out for everyone. And, the City of Pasadena, with all its experience and monetary return to the local economy, has the elements of the day down pat! We hypothesize that everyone appreciates the commitment we all share braving a certain amount of discomfort with the cold in the evening and the expected New Year's Eve hoopla that occurs on Colorado Blvd. Anyone can spend the money for a bleacher seat; but we few choose to test ourselves and our resolve to a group dynamic unique to the American Experience.
This movement usually goes on until around noon--but this year we moved up about 11:15. Moving up means you can move all of your 'stuff' up to the curb. Where we stay, it is a grassy strip between the sidewalk and the road. Once we move up and really stake our claim to about ten feet of space, we settle in for the rest of the day. This is when the classic cars, motorcycles, and bikes come out. They cruise up and down Colorado Blvd., entertaining the growing crowd. We have been trying for a few years to start a tradition of "scoring" the cars, but only having one card with a 10 and a 9 on the backside. We don't want to offend anyone, but we like some better than others. Perhaps in a few years, Southern California classic car owners will be greeted with thousands of happy spectators scoring 10, 9 and who knows what. And this all will have begun with a couple of Connecticut Yankees on Colorado Blvd. Dec. 31st, under the cover of being the American Vagabonds.
This entertainment goes on all day, and as the sun warms us we shed our heavy coats, winter hats, and gloves. We put a sign on the front of our table, "CONNECTICUT and the AMERICAN VAGABONDS salute the TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE." It gets a lot of attention, and people wave, and stop by to speak to us. This year we met folks from Winsted, Bristol, Southington, New Haven, and Manchester. One guy in a classic car remembered us from last year! He said James gave him a "10" last year too! James said he deserved it. We hope "it made his day."
We went back and forth to the VIEW to make lunch and supper, and to use the bathroom. As the crowd grew, we rode the scooter up Colorado Blvd. to see what was going on. The RVs were really pulling into the side streets. Every available parking lot had RVs parked in a line. Some were charging up to $250.00 to park for one night. The second night could cost as much as $100.00. We were parked for free!
People had filled the sidewalk with chairs, tables, cots, and piles of blankets. Rugs and tarps were put on the sidewalk to help reduce the cold from the cement. They were playing cards and boardgames, and some of the tables were loaded with food and drinks. It was a regular street party. (I took a video as James drove, and we will be putting it on our YouTube channel as soon as we can.)
When it started to get dark, and colder, the coats and hats came back on. Fire pits were lit as were propane heaters to ward off the cold. The classic cars disappeared and out came the silly string and tortillas covered with shaving cream. These were thrown at passing cars (which is why the classic cars disappeared) which became covered with 'glop', but also shot back with ammunition. We were bombarded with marshmallows at one point, but that was our only attack---only here in Pasadena!
The girls next to us were running out into the street to throw things, and the police, who patrolled constantly, told them to stop as it was dangerous in the street. One of the girls began to talk back, and the officer said, "I can issue a citation and you will be removed from the parade route." That ended that! Both thge city of Pasadena and the LA County Sheriff's Department do an impressive job of keeping people safe, but not dampening the spirits of the crowds.
There were vendors working the street, and one guy with three youngsters stop to ask where we were from. He was originally from New Haven, and frequently visited his grandmother who still lived there. Everything you might find at a parade was on sale. There was even pizza delivery. James wants to test his theory of being there with nothing save his good spirit and see if the masses will take care of him. Joan thinks NOT!
At 11:00 PM we were allowed to move up to the famous 'blue line' painted on the street. This is the closest anyone can get to the parade, and where we spend the night. We got into our sleeping bags and chairs, but the street was still alive. It was very cold, in the low 30's, and as prepared as we were, we were still cold and didn't get much sleep. Other years Joan slept like a rock, but not this year. Finally, she went to the VIEW to sleep for about an hour.
What she missed, was the 5:30 wake-up call. All of the tow trucks that pull the broken floats(?) in the parade drive down Colorado Blvd. with air horns blasting, waking everyone who is still asleep. This is a tradition! As we began to pack up our things, crowds of people began to fill in behind us. The stands behind us probably hold 5,000 people, and seats go for $45.00 - $90.00 along the route. We get a front row seat for free. The crowd is so thick, that people cannot get to the stands and their seats.
In past years, a Stealth Bomber flies over the parade route as the parade starts at 8:00 AM. We were out in the street with cameras ready, when the police told us that the bomber would not fly over until the Korean Memorial Float began the route. Every year Joan has wanted to get a picture of the Stealth, but it comes so quickly and quietly, it is nearly impossible. This year she did get a picture, but not a good one. (It is in the pictures at the end of the blog.)
The parade got to us around 9:00 AM. The beautiful floats, bands, and horses were led by Grand Marshall, Jane Goodall. A perfect and most deserving Grand Marshall.
As soon as the parade was over, the crowd began to disperse, leaving behind garbage. We carried our things to the VIEW, and since the traffic is horrendous, we had lunch and loaded the scooter. We didn't plan to leave for at least an hour.
What everyone watches on television is nothing like the real parade. Next year, anyone wishing to see the parade and all the festivities, is welcome to join us. Bring food and drink, bring warm clothing and chairs; but, most importantly bring a spirit of adventure and friendliness. You will experience a wonder of the American Spirit occurring once a year in Pasadena, USA--the Tournament of Roses Parade.
We will have front row seats saved for you when you get there!
Since this was our fourth trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade, we weren't going to write about it---again. But then, there are people who haven't read our previous blogs, and since we wanted to expand on what we wrote, we decided to go ahead and write.
Most people in the East watch the parade on television. It is a good way to begin the new year, relaxed in front of the TV in their 'jammies' drinking coffee. What they miss, is the before parade fun, the interaction with many local people, and the close-up look at the floats and the majesty of it all. We sit with our feet on the 'blue line' which is the closest anyone is permitted to the parade--but then I should start at the beginning.
We arrived in the Pasadena area on December 25th. After the festivities of Christmas, we rode the scooter into Pasadena, about a 30-minute ride, to scope out the area where we planned to park the VIEW (RV). There already were RVs parked on street near the end of nthe parade. The internet has a page of information on the parade, which stated no parking on the streets until noon of the 31st. We rode around, but no other RVs were in sight.
On Friday, the 28th, we had to move the VIEW for a few hours for street cleaning, so we drove into Pasadena again. We got some diesel fuel, and again looked around the streets for RVs. We saw the same ones, and were told that they would allow street parking on the 29th. Those parked earlier would receive a parking ticket! We returned to Rosemead, CA and loaded the scooter in anticipation of moving to Pasadena the next day.
We arrived and parked in 'our' spot. This is the same spot we have parked in every year. We picked it out because it is close to Colorado Blvd., has fast food restaurants and many other businesses that we frequent. It also has porta-potties, which used to be an issue, but are not an issue any more as we have the VIEW. Since where we park the road is wide, traffic is not an issue, as it is with other narrower streets.
We unloaded the scooter, and rode up and down Colorado Blvd. Now there were more and more RVs parked on the side streets. Eventually, some of the streets had up to ten RVs parked on them, making them into one-way streets!
On the morning of December 31st, we were up early and out on the sidewalk by 6:00 AM. There were one or two others out, but the dark and cold probably kept the rest in. The reason we go out that early is to reserve our space to watch the parade. After a while, the sidewalks began to fill up. People were bringing their chairs, tables, and other supplies for the day. Usually, the police drive by and make everyone stand up, but this time we were allowed to sit in our chairs against the fence. They want to keep the sidewalk open, but when everyone is standing and moving around, the sidewalk gets clogged. This way, we were sitting down, not blocking the sidewalk. There is a sort of beautifully executed and elegant anarchy to the machinations prior to the parade and we are continually amazed at how everything works out for everyone. And, the City of Pasadena, with all its experience and monetary return to the local economy, has the elements of the day down pat! We hypothesize that everyone appreciates the commitment we all share braving a certain amount of discomfort with the cold in the evening and the expected New Year's Eve hoopla that occurs on Colorado Blvd. Anyone can spend the money for a bleacher seat; but we few choose to test ourselves and our resolve to a group dynamic unique to the American Experience.
This movement usually goes on until around noon--but this year we moved up about 11:15. Moving up means you can move all of your 'stuff' up to the curb. Where we stay, it is a grassy strip between the sidewalk and the road. Once we move up and really stake our claim to about ten feet of space, we settle in for the rest of the day. This is when the classic cars, motorcycles, and bikes come out. They cruise up and down Colorado Blvd., entertaining the growing crowd. We have been trying for a few years to start a tradition of "scoring" the cars, but only having one card with a 10 and a 9 on the backside. We don't want to offend anyone, but we like some better than others. Perhaps in a few years, Southern California classic car owners will be greeted with thousands of happy spectators scoring 10, 9 and who knows what. And this all will have begun with a couple of Connecticut Yankees on Colorado Blvd. Dec. 31st, under the cover of being the American Vagabonds.
This entertainment goes on all day, and as the sun warms us we shed our heavy coats, winter hats, and gloves. We put a sign on the front of our table, "CONNECTICUT and the AMERICAN VAGABONDS salute the TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE." It gets a lot of attention, and people wave, and stop by to speak to us. This year we met folks from Winsted, Bristol, Southington, New Haven, and Manchester. One guy in a classic car remembered us from last year! He said James gave him a "10" last year too! James said he deserved it. We hope "it made his day."
We went back and forth to the VIEW to make lunch and supper, and to use the bathroom. As the crowd grew, we rode the scooter up Colorado Blvd. to see what was going on. The RVs were really pulling into the side streets. Every available parking lot had RVs parked in a line. Some were charging up to $250.00 to park for one night. The second night could cost as much as $100.00. We were parked for free!
People had filled the sidewalk with chairs, tables, cots, and piles of blankets. Rugs and tarps were put on the sidewalk to help reduce the cold from the cement. They were playing cards and boardgames, and some of the tables were loaded with food and drinks. It was a regular street party. (I took a video as James drove, and we will be putting it on our YouTube channel as soon as we can.)
When it started to get dark, and colder, the coats and hats came back on. Fire pits were lit as were propane heaters to ward off the cold. The classic cars disappeared and out came the silly string and tortillas covered with shaving cream. These were thrown at passing cars (which is why the classic cars disappeared) which became covered with 'glop', but also shot back with ammunition. We were bombarded with marshmallows at one point, but that was our only attack---only here in Pasadena!
The girls next to us were running out into the street to throw things, and the police, who patrolled constantly, told them to stop as it was dangerous in the street. One of the girls began to talk back, and the officer said, "I can issue a citation and you will be removed from the parade route." That ended that! Both thge city of Pasadena and the LA County Sheriff's Department do an impressive job of keeping people safe, but not dampening the spirits of the crowds.
There were vendors working the street, and one guy with three youngsters stop to ask where we were from. He was originally from New Haven, and frequently visited his grandmother who still lived there. Everything you might find at a parade was on sale. There was even pizza delivery. James wants to test his theory of being there with nothing save his good spirit and see if the masses will take care of him. Joan thinks NOT!
At 11:00 PM we were allowed to move up to the famous 'blue line' painted on the street. This is the closest anyone can get to the parade, and where we spend the night. We got into our sleeping bags and chairs, but the street was still alive. It was very cold, in the low 30's, and as prepared as we were, we were still cold and didn't get much sleep. Other years Joan slept like a rock, but not this year. Finally, she went to the VIEW to sleep for about an hour.
What she missed, was the 5:30 wake-up call. All of the tow trucks that pull the broken floats(?) in the parade drive down Colorado Blvd. with air horns blasting, waking everyone who is still asleep. This is a tradition! As we began to pack up our things, crowds of people began to fill in behind us. The stands behind us probably hold 5,000 people, and seats go for $45.00 - $90.00 along the route. We get a front row seat for free. The crowd is so thick, that people cannot get to the stands and their seats.
In past years, a Stealth Bomber flies over the parade route as the parade starts at 8:00 AM. We were out in the street with cameras ready, when the police told us that the bomber would not fly over until the Korean Memorial Float began the route. Every year Joan has wanted to get a picture of the Stealth, but it comes so quickly and quietly, it is nearly impossible. This year she did get a picture, but not a good one. (It is in the pictures at the end of the blog.)
The parade got to us around 9:00 AM. The beautiful floats, bands, and horses were led by Grand Marshall, Jane Goodall. A perfect and most deserving Grand Marshall.
As soon as the parade was over, the crowd began to disperse, leaving behind garbage. We carried our things to the VIEW, and since the traffic is horrendous, we had lunch and loaded the scooter. We didn't plan to leave for at least an hour.
What everyone watches on television is nothing like the real parade. Next year, anyone wishing to see the parade and all the festivities, is welcome to join us. Bring food and drink, bring warm clothing and chairs; but, most importantly bring a spirit of adventure and friendliness. You will experience a wonder of the American Spirit occurring once a year in Pasadena, USA--the Tournament of Roses Parade.
We will have front row seats saved for you when you get there!
Stelth Bomber and Goodyear Blimp.
Bikers before the parade started.
A car covered with silly string.
Crowd waiting for the parade.
Cool motorcycle with sidecar.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Calfornia, Here We Come
California, Here We Come!
Finally heading west to California, we traveled on RT 118, the 'scenic route' which was hilly and winding. We saw signs warning of "loose livestock on the road." Thankfully, didn't encounter any. It was extremely windy, and tumbleweed blew across the road, piling up against the fences. When the road dipped down, there were signs warning of sudden flooding. And, in the dips there were rain gauges with measures up to 5', to let travelers know how deep the water was. Fortunately, we didn't see any flooding,--just the wind.
We stopped at a I-10 rest area for the night, and in the morning entered Mountain Time. Here, the speed limit was 80 mph! Cars and trucks whizzed by us, but we kept to a moderate 65 mph. Our experience throughout America is that too many drivers will exceed the posted speed limits especially on the Interstates. We stopped in El Paso at the Planet Fitness to exercise. This was a gym that we had stopped at last year when we traveled this way. We left, and were almost out of El Paso when we saw a terrible accident on the other side of the highway. A tractor trailer, a police car, and 2 or 3 cars were involved, and they were crushed! We had to keep going, so we never learned what the injuries were. New Mexico was next.
We stopped for the night in Las Cruces NM, and in the morning our batteries were dead. They were all the original batteries, so it was not surprising that in the cold weather, we couldn't start the VIEW. We called AAA, who arrived fairly quickly, and after we got started, we headed to a RV dealer which was fortunately close by. These were speciality batteries, and we had to wait for a while before they got our new ones. We left, but didn't travel for long. It was so windy that the VIEW was being blown all over the highway. We stopped at the next Walmart we saw, and the parking lot slowly became crowded with other RVs and tractor trailers who also stopped to get out of the wind. Even walking across the parking lot was difficult. There was sand blowing around, too. No matter the skill of a driver, mistakes or carelessnes of another can involve anyone. The American Vagabonds believe in prudent and defensive driving.
The next day, after the wind calmed down, we crossed the Continental Divide. We decided to leave the interstate again, and follow a state route. We entered the Sonaran Desert National Monument and went through a small Indian village, Casa Blanca, which appeared to be very poor. The homes were small, with dirt yards and there were piles of trash in the yards. We passed a cemetery that had mounds above the ground--instead of burying in the ground. It seemed a bit unsettling, to see all those mounds with flowers and crosses on them. This was part of the AK-Chin Indian Reservation.
Near Gila Bend, we went by the Solana Generating Station, a solar producing electrical plant with a 250 mega watt capacity. When it is complete in 2013, it will produce enough electricity for 70,000 homes. Renewable, clean energy for America. We traveled through an area of volcanic rocks and entered California and Pacific Time. We had gone through several boarder patrol checkpoints by this time, but the next checkpoint was different. This was an agricultrual checkpoint. The officer asked if we had any apples or oranges with us--which we did. You aren't allowed to bring any fruit into California because some carry a fungus. The officer actually came into the VIEW and inspected the refrigerator and took all of our apples and oranges!
On December 22nd, just about a month after leaving home, we arrived in San Diego, CA, and parked in front of James' Aunt's home. She, Aunt Frances and her husband live in a residential area near a shopping mall. She is 90 years young so we tried to impose as little as possible. We parked in front of their home, but ate inside with them--making dinner and cleaning up after each meal. Her husband still helps with his wife, and does his share around the house. Not all men are from Mars!
We only stayed in San Diego for two days, and then left for Rosemead, which is only 10 miles from Pasadena. We went to visit a lady we met on our first trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. She had 'showed us the ropes' on that first visit, and we see her each year. We arrived on Christmas Eve, and went directly to her brother's home where they were having a family Christmas party. They welcomed us warmly, and we had a great visit.
When we left the party, we followed our friend, Cecelia, to her home, and parked outside on the street where we stayed until December 29th. While we were in Rosemead, Cecelia took us to Los Angeles to tour the town. We stopped at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. to look at the stars on the sidewalk, and the hand and foot prints of the stars. The next day we went to Griffin Observatory. Inside, there are exhibits of the solar system, and the night skys. Outside, we could see all of LA, sparkling in the night. All of this is free to the public! This place is so famous it finds its way into many movies.
We had unloaded the scooter, and rode it around the town, and into Pasadena to check out the parking situation for the parade. We saw some RVs already parked on the side streets, but signs indicated that the 29th was the earliest date to park without getting a ticket.
On the morning of the 29th, after loading the scooter back on the VIEW, and saying our good-byes, we headed for Pasadena and our favorite parking spot. It is near Pasadena City College where the bands practice, next to a 24-hour fast food, and very close to a $0.99 store that sells almost everything, including fresh produce. We rode the scooter up and down Colorado Blvd. checking out the other RVs. We still think that we have the best parking place!..and we are from Connecicut!
Finally heading west to California, we traveled on RT 118, the 'scenic route' which was hilly and winding. We saw signs warning of "loose livestock on the road." Thankfully, didn't encounter any. It was extremely windy, and tumbleweed blew across the road, piling up against the fences. When the road dipped down, there were signs warning of sudden flooding. And, in the dips there were rain gauges with measures up to 5', to let travelers know how deep the water was. Fortunately, we didn't see any flooding,--just the wind.
We stopped at a I-10 rest area for the night, and in the morning entered Mountain Time. Here, the speed limit was 80 mph! Cars and trucks whizzed by us, but we kept to a moderate 65 mph. Our experience throughout America is that too many drivers will exceed the posted speed limits especially on the Interstates. We stopped in El Paso at the Planet Fitness to exercise. This was a gym that we had stopped at last year when we traveled this way. We left, and were almost out of El Paso when we saw a terrible accident on the other side of the highway. A tractor trailer, a police car, and 2 or 3 cars were involved, and they were crushed! We had to keep going, so we never learned what the injuries were. New Mexico was next.
We stopped for the night in Las Cruces NM, and in the morning our batteries were dead. They were all the original batteries, so it was not surprising that in the cold weather, we couldn't start the VIEW. We called AAA, who arrived fairly quickly, and after we got started, we headed to a RV dealer which was fortunately close by. These were speciality batteries, and we had to wait for a while before they got our new ones. We left, but didn't travel for long. It was so windy that the VIEW was being blown all over the highway. We stopped at the next Walmart we saw, and the parking lot slowly became crowded with other RVs and tractor trailers who also stopped to get out of the wind. Even walking across the parking lot was difficult. There was sand blowing around, too. No matter the skill of a driver, mistakes or carelessnes of another can involve anyone. The American Vagabonds believe in prudent and defensive driving.
The next day, after the wind calmed down, we crossed the Continental Divide. We decided to leave the interstate again, and follow a state route. We entered the Sonaran Desert National Monument and went through a small Indian village, Casa Blanca, which appeared to be very poor. The homes were small, with dirt yards and there were piles of trash in the yards. We passed a cemetery that had mounds above the ground--instead of burying in the ground. It seemed a bit unsettling, to see all those mounds with flowers and crosses on them. This was part of the AK-Chin Indian Reservation.
Near Gila Bend, we went by the Solana Generating Station, a solar producing electrical plant with a 250 mega watt capacity. When it is complete in 2013, it will produce enough electricity for 70,000 homes. Renewable, clean energy for America. We traveled through an area of volcanic rocks and entered California and Pacific Time. We had gone through several boarder patrol checkpoints by this time, but the next checkpoint was different. This was an agricultrual checkpoint. The officer asked if we had any apples or oranges with us--which we did. You aren't allowed to bring any fruit into California because some carry a fungus. The officer actually came into the VIEW and inspected the refrigerator and took all of our apples and oranges!
On December 22nd, just about a month after leaving home, we arrived in San Diego, CA, and parked in front of James' Aunt's home. She, Aunt Frances and her husband live in a residential area near a shopping mall. She is 90 years young so we tried to impose as little as possible. We parked in front of their home, but ate inside with them--making dinner and cleaning up after each meal. Her husband still helps with his wife, and does his share around the house. Not all men are from Mars!
We only stayed in San Diego for two days, and then left for Rosemead, which is only 10 miles from Pasadena. We went to visit a lady we met on our first trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. She had 'showed us the ropes' on that first visit, and we see her each year. We arrived on Christmas Eve, and went directly to her brother's home where they were having a family Christmas party. They welcomed us warmly, and we had a great visit.
When we left the party, we followed our friend, Cecelia, to her home, and parked outside on the street where we stayed until December 29th. While we were in Rosemead, Cecelia took us to Los Angeles to tour the town. We stopped at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. to look at the stars on the sidewalk, and the hand and foot prints of the stars. The next day we went to Griffin Observatory. Inside, there are exhibits of the solar system, and the night skys. Outside, we could see all of LA, sparkling in the night. All of this is free to the public! This place is so famous it finds its way into many movies.
We had unloaded the scooter, and rode it around the town, and into Pasadena to check out the parking situation for the parade. We saw some RVs already parked on the side streets, but signs indicated that the 29th was the earliest date to park without getting a ticket.
On the morning of the 29th, after loading the scooter back on the VIEW, and saying our good-byes, we headed for Pasadena and our favorite parking spot. It is near Pasadena City College where the bands practice, next to a 24-hour fast food, and very close to a $0.99 store that sells almost everything, including fresh produce. We rode the scooter up and down Colorado Blvd. checking out the other RVs. We still think that we have the best parking place!..and we are from Connecicut!
L.A. at night
Einstein statue at Observatory
Mickey Mouse star on the Hollywood Blvd.
Michael Jackson look-alike.
Tom Cruise prints in cement!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park
We headed south from San Antonio to Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is about the size of Rhode Island and borders on the Rio Grande River. The American Vagabonds always try to visit national parks and forests as they are unique and special places. An added benefit from this visit was to see an elementary school classmate of Joan's, who lives in Study Butte, just to the west of the park.
Big Bend is a desert, but doesn't have the sand dunes that we generally associate with deserts. Big Bend has rocks, rocks, and more rocks. It has canyons and cactus plants. The colors of the desert are not just brown. They are red, kelly green, sage green, yellow, and many hues and tones in between. In fact, the colors inspired Joan to purchase paints and try to capture the colors on canvas---with mediocre results!
As we drove along Rt. 385, we saw nothing but rocks and cactus. Once in a while a dirt road branched off to the side. We saw a sign pointing to Hot Springs, and thought that an interesting name. (More about that later.) The road to our campground, Rio Grande Village, was about 50 miles long into the desert.
When we arrived, we picked up a map and drove around to find our campsite. The first thing we saw as we rounded a corner, was a Javelina (hav-uh-LEE-nuh) an animal that resembles a black, hairy pig, but is not from the 'pig family', which ran into the brush when it saw us. Our campsite was across from a trail that we were told was a perfect way to view the sunsets. We unloaded the scooter and changed into hiking boots.
We settled in and before sunset, we ventured onto the trail. As soon as we began, there was a sign saying it was unlawful to purchase items from Mexican Nationals. This was a little puzzling until we started the climb up the canyon. We came upon a little display of hand-crafted trinkets and a paper giving prices for them. There was a jar to put money in. As we hiked on surrounding trails, we would come across these displays, some with very pretty items. What we realized was that at sometime, most likely during the night, the crafters would sneak across the Rio Grande River to put out their wares and collect any money from the jars. We never saw any money in the jars, so business couldn't have been very good. Also, they were taking a big risk trying to sell illegally.
We continued up the trail, and found a few others on the bluff waiting for the sunset. Unfortunately, it wasn't very spectacular, but the view was. We could see Mexican cowboys riding horses along the river on the other side. Here was the famed Rio Grande River, rolling along below us, with specatular buttes on the other side.
That evening, we went to the ampitheater to listen to a ranger speak about the park. She was informative and we could tell her love of the desert and all of its uniqueness. At the end of her talk, she brought our attention to the night sky. The stars seemed to be within reach, more stars than we have seen in a long time. The park has made a concerted effort to reduce the lighting and the dry air makes the constellations visible with the naked eye.
The next day, Wednesday, we rode the scooter into Study Butte to find Joan's classmate. This was a 50 mile ride--one way through the desert. Study Butte is a very small community, and it wasn't difficult to locate the bank where Carol works, and we arranged to meet for lunch on Friday. We then rode to Terlingua, a ghost town, that used to be a mining community. We then headed back the 50 miles to camp.
When we got to the turn off for Hot Springs, James decided to follow that gravel road to see what the Hot Springs were. The road soon narrowed and became rough and difficult to navigate. At the end of the road, we hiked a quarter mile to the springs. We passed abondoned buildings that used to be a resort in the 1930s and 1940s. In places, the trail was narrowed by rocks that had broken off the cliffs above. At the springs, we found people floating a a small, pool-like area. We took off our shoes and socks and put our feet in the water. WARM! The water that comes from the spring is 1050 F. It then flows into the Rio Grand. We rode the scooter back over the rough road, spotting three mountain goats scampering over a hillside.
The next morning, we decided to hike to the Hot Springs, to 'take the waters.' The signage said the Hot Springs Canyon Trail is 3 miles long. What it didn't say is how difficult a trail it is. We went over bluffs, down limestone, shale, and sandstone canyon sides, and over rocky ground. At one time, this area was under water and we saw a ammonite fossil imbedded in the rock. Along the trail we saw the droppings of large, unknown animals. We did know that there are Mexican Black Bears and Mountain Lions in the area.
After almost two hours over difficult terrain we reached the spring. There was another couple there, lounging in the warm water. We removed our boots, socks, and eased into the water. It was like soaking in a very warm bathtub. Instead of rejuvenating us, the warmth made us lethargic. Joan did not feel that she could return on the trail and we decided to go by the road. It would be longer, but easier walking. But, we were fortunate, some kind people gave us rides. One gave James a ride back to get the scooter while Joan waited. Joan then got a ride to the paved road, saving James tranversing the diffiuclt gravel road.
Friday morning, we loaded the scooter, and left Big Bend. It is a wonderous place of unusual geology, animal life, plants, and insects. Along the trails we saw no litter, only resepct for nature. We drove to Study Butte so Joan could reminiss with Carol the past 50+ years since they had last met.
Rio Grande River rolling past Hot Spring.
Sunset on the ridge.
We headed south from San Antonio to Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is about the size of Rhode Island and borders on the Rio Grande River. The American Vagabonds always try to visit national parks and forests as they are unique and special places. An added benefit from this visit was to see an elementary school classmate of Joan's, who lives in Study Butte, just to the west of the park.
Big Bend is a desert, but doesn't have the sand dunes that we generally associate with deserts. Big Bend has rocks, rocks, and more rocks. It has canyons and cactus plants. The colors of the desert are not just brown. They are red, kelly green, sage green, yellow, and many hues and tones in between. In fact, the colors inspired Joan to purchase paints and try to capture the colors on canvas---with mediocre results!
As we drove along Rt. 385, we saw nothing but rocks and cactus. Once in a while a dirt road branched off to the side. We saw a sign pointing to Hot Springs, and thought that an interesting name. (More about that later.) The road to our campground, Rio Grande Village, was about 50 miles long into the desert.
When we arrived, we picked up a map and drove around to find our campsite. The first thing we saw as we rounded a corner, was a Javelina (hav-uh-LEE-nuh) an animal that resembles a black, hairy pig, but is not from the 'pig family', which ran into the brush when it saw us. Our campsite was across from a trail that we were told was a perfect way to view the sunsets. We unloaded the scooter and changed into hiking boots.
We settled in and before sunset, we ventured onto the trail. As soon as we began, there was a sign saying it was unlawful to purchase items from Mexican Nationals. This was a little puzzling until we started the climb up the canyon. We came upon a little display of hand-crafted trinkets and a paper giving prices for them. There was a jar to put money in. As we hiked on surrounding trails, we would come across these displays, some with very pretty items. What we realized was that at sometime, most likely during the night, the crafters would sneak across the Rio Grande River to put out their wares and collect any money from the jars. We never saw any money in the jars, so business couldn't have been very good. Also, they were taking a big risk trying to sell illegally.
We continued up the trail, and found a few others on the bluff waiting for the sunset. Unfortunately, it wasn't very spectacular, but the view was. We could see Mexican cowboys riding horses along the river on the other side. Here was the famed Rio Grande River, rolling along below us, with specatular buttes on the other side.
That evening, we went to the ampitheater to listen to a ranger speak about the park. She was informative and we could tell her love of the desert and all of its uniqueness. At the end of her talk, she brought our attention to the night sky. The stars seemed to be within reach, more stars than we have seen in a long time. The park has made a concerted effort to reduce the lighting and the dry air makes the constellations visible with the naked eye.
The next day, Wednesday, we rode the scooter into Study Butte to find Joan's classmate. This was a 50 mile ride--one way through the desert. Study Butte is a very small community, and it wasn't difficult to locate the bank where Carol works, and we arranged to meet for lunch on Friday. We then rode to Terlingua, a ghost town, that used to be a mining community. We then headed back the 50 miles to camp.
When we got to the turn off for Hot Springs, James decided to follow that gravel road to see what the Hot Springs were. The road soon narrowed and became rough and difficult to navigate. At the end of the road, we hiked a quarter mile to the springs. We passed abondoned buildings that used to be a resort in the 1930s and 1940s. In places, the trail was narrowed by rocks that had broken off the cliffs above. At the springs, we found people floating a a small, pool-like area. We took off our shoes and socks and put our feet in the water. WARM! The water that comes from the spring is 1050 F. It then flows into the Rio Grand. We rode the scooter back over the rough road, spotting three mountain goats scampering over a hillside.
The next morning, we decided to hike to the Hot Springs, to 'take the waters.' The signage said the Hot Springs Canyon Trail is 3 miles long. What it didn't say is how difficult a trail it is. We went over bluffs, down limestone, shale, and sandstone canyon sides, and over rocky ground. At one time, this area was under water and we saw a ammonite fossil imbedded in the rock. Along the trail we saw the droppings of large, unknown animals. We did know that there are Mexican Black Bears and Mountain Lions in the area.
After almost two hours over difficult terrain we reached the spring. There was another couple there, lounging in the warm water. We removed our boots, socks, and eased into the water. It was like soaking in a very warm bathtub. Instead of rejuvenating us, the warmth made us lethargic. Joan did not feel that she could return on the trail and we decided to go by the road. It would be longer, but easier walking. But, we were fortunate, some kind people gave us rides. One gave James a ride back to get the scooter while Joan waited. Joan then got a ride to the paved road, saving James tranversing the diffiuclt gravel road.
Friday morning, we loaded the scooter, and left Big Bend. It is a wonderous place of unusual geology, animal life, plants, and insects. Along the trails we saw no litter, only resepct for nature. We drove to Study Butte so Joan could reminiss with Carol the past 50+ years since they had last met.
James on scooter.
Joan at Hot Springs.
Rio Grande River rolling past Hot Spring.
Sunset on the ridge.
Monday, December 17, 2012
These pictures were omitted from the TEXAS blog.
 |
| James going through gate. |
 |
| James going through unusual gate at Belton Dam. |
 |
| The River Walk in San Antonio. Joan on cement bench. |
Sunday, December 16, 2012
TEXAS
TEXAS
We entered Texas at
Dennison and stopped at the Welcome Center. The woman behind the counter was
very helpful in giving us information on places to visit. She told us we were
welcome to stay there overnight--which we did.
In the morning, after breakfast, we headed south, planning to stop in
Temple to visit Joan's great nephew Logan, who is 16, and his mother, Kristy.
We arrived while Logan
was still at school and Kristy was at work, so we unloaded the scooter and went
into Temple to check it out. When we got back, we had a great reunion with
Kristie and Logan, and then we went out to eat at McAlister's which is a
restaurant similar to Panera Bread. This restaurant had super service. After catching up on Logan's participation in
the Blue Knight Drum Corps, we went to bed.
The next day, we went
to the Belton Dam and Miller Springs Park for a walk around the trails in the
park. The dam is so high, that tractor trailer trucks crossing it looked like
toys from down below. We wanted to walk along the dam, and at first it looked
like there was a fence across the path. We watched as another hiker with his
dog went through the fence, so we went closer to investigate. The gate had a
swing mechanism that neither of had never seen before. We went through the gate
and continued along the trail.
That night several of
Kristy's friends came and we had a picnic. The next afternoon we went to the
H.E.B. Festival of Sharing--which was somewhat of a disappointment. Two years
ago we went to the Festival in San Antonio, and had a great time. Since then we
have gone to one in Jasper and the one in Temple, and neither was of the
caliber of the one in San Antonio. It is
assumed that size of city does matter.
Our schedule does not
permit the San Antonio "Feast" this year. For the country this is a model in community
outreach by a large corporation. H.E.B.
is a grocery chain with 23 stores in southern Texas and Mexico, and during the
holidays they give back to the communities. They give free meals to everyone
who goes, and have entertainment during the meals. To our knowledge, this is
the only grocery chain to do this.
That night, Kristy and
her friends went to a 'girls only' Christmas party. They go for fun, and make
the weirdest hairdos they can think of. Kristy had a Christmas tree topper, a
crown, woven into her hair. Actually, it was quite an attractive do! So with
sparkles in their hair and in high spirits, they left for their party. We
stayed at the house and visited with Logan.
In the morning, after
good-byes, we loaded the scooter onto the VIEW (in a misty drizzle) and
continued south for our next stop which was to be in Universal City to meet and
visit with Joan's cousin, Carisma, whom she had never met--but had corresponded
with via the internet.
We were welcomed into
Carisma's family like old friends. With children: Stevie, 18 months, Isis, 7,
Gabby, 8, and Zach, 13, it is a busy, boisterous, and warm family. Steve and
Carisma couldn't have been more welcoming to us. We shared meals, and family
history. Carisma resembles her second cousin, Tammie June. They even have some
of the same mannerisms. On Sunday, the Vagabonds rode the scooter into San
Antonio, which is a 45 minute ride
(using the side roads.) We enjoyed several hours in the city--which is one of
our favorite places to visit.
James speaks often of
his concern for the future of America.
With the promising young people
we meet like Carisma's and Kristy's children throughout this great country,
these concerns always seem to mitigate with the encounters the American Vagabonds experience.
SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio is one of
our favorite cities to visit. There is so much to do and see, particularly the
River Walk, which has beem expanded to eight miles. During the daytime, it is a
pleasant stroll, with ducks swimming in the river, and beautiful plantings
along the walkways.
There are restaurants,
bistros, hotels, and little shops for souvenirs. At each street crossing, there
are steps to go up to the street, or down to the river making it accessible
from all along the route of the river. There are also bridges for crossing to
the other side if you want to stop or go back the other way. Under the bridges, the walls are decorated with
mosiac murals, cement 'couches' for resting or just hanging out with friends.
At night the walk
takes on a more festive atmosphere. There are colored lights in the trees and
people everywhere. The sidewalk restaurants are full of customers, you can hear
music coming from inside. To take away the chill, heaters are placed along the
way, along with luminaris to add to the ambience.
There are also boat
taxis along the river. You can take the entire ride, or hop on or off at the
many stops along the route. The taxis are open, and the pilot narrates as you
travel.
Along with the River
Walk, San Antonio has museums of art and history, the Alamo, cultural exhibits,
children's museums, and entertainment. There are parks, self-guided walking
tours and so much more. No wonder it is one of the Vagabonds, and thousands of
others, favorite places to visit!
We got back to
Carisma's in time for dinner! The next evening, we decided to treat the family
to pizza for dinner, and the only way to get it home was by scooter. If you
have ever seen a TV commercial with a pizza delivery boy on a scooter, that is
what we looked like. Three large pizzas held by Joan on the back of the
scooter, while James carefully navigated the street corners! The American Vagabonds are resourceful
indeed.
The next morning it
was time to say good-bye and head further south. Big Bend National Park was our
next destination. We love to visit the national parks, and to support our
government's efforts to preserve special areas for generations to come!
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