The road west

Ted. Judy and I knew we’d get itchy feet after a few weeks back in the US so we decided to take a road trip west to visit with friends and family and, once again, marvel at how beautiful our own country truly is. 

Early Wednesday morning, May 14, we piled our stuff into Raymond, our beloved 2004 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, and hit the road. On the way to our first destination, we enjoyed one of our favorite road trip activities - eating like locals. You can’t get any more local than Gus’s Hot Dogs in Adamsville, Alabama. Based in Birmingham, they are a local legend. 

Arriving that evening in Memphis, we met up with Judy’s older brother Billy and nephew Marty for dinner at a Moroccan restaurant and I had my first couscous in a while. After lots of catchup conversation and hugs it was off to bed. 

The next morning found us back on the road and we stopped at the Sugar Shack in West Fork, Arkansas for lunch. They featured a very limited menu and were not taking credit cards that day because “It’s over 100 degrees in the shack and the machine don’t work when it’s this darned hot!” Still - the food was good. 

One of Judy’s good friends lives near Wichita, Kansas so we ended our day with a home cooked meal at Terry’s. 

In the morning, I left Judy to visit for a couple more days and drove solo to Colorado, stopping for tacos at a food truck in the town of Burlington. Again, it was cash only so I forked over my remaining $7 and was handed two tacos. 

Over the next couple days, I visited with my two sisters and their husbands and also met long time friend Rick for ribs and beer. 

Ted & Cindy (I forgot to get a photo with Kathy)

On Sunday afternoon, I drove to the Denver airport, meeting Judy who flew from Wichita. We flew together to Seattle to spend a few days with good friends Terry & Sue. One day we explored the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. 

Wednesday morning we bid farewell and flew back to Denver, where Raymond the truck waited patiently. The next morning we met for breakfast with Rick and Margot before heading east to Kansas.

Lunch was at a Mexican mom and pop in Colby with a name that translates as “Like at home” and then it was on to Topeka.

 Our wedding anniversary dinner consisted of deli sandwiches and wine in the lobby of our hotel where we chatted with the assistant manager, Jahy.

The next day was another long drive, crossing the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers before ending up at our hotel in Ft Campbell, Kentucky where we enjoyed a Vietnamese dinner.

Our last stop was at our son Stefan’s house on the west side of Atlanta. After a fun night playing with his two boys we made the final push to Athens on Sunday, May 25. 

As we relaxed over a celebratory glass of vintage Madeira wine, we concluded that the 11 day journey was well worthwhile but also exhausting. No more expeditions are planned till we leave for Europe on July 8!

Packing

Judy.  In March when I visited my friend Emma in Valencia, she reminded me that she'd asked us several times if we'd write a blog on how we pack. She was impressed that for my 3-day stay with her I'd come with only a daypack. Truth is, Ryanair charges more if you use an overhead bin, and even more if you check a bag. Over the years, we've learned to be frugal in our clothing.

For a long weekend, it's easy enough. I wore a pair of hiking slacks, and packed three shirts, underwear, a t-shirt to sleep in, my iPad, and toiletries. I also wore my trusty raincoat/windbreaker, and a scarf, a trick I learned from Europeans. There was no one to impress--Emma's a dear friend. Comfort was the name of the game--that, and keeping it small. Keeping an eye on the weather helped me know how little I could get away with. The pack measures 10"x 18".

My little day pack...

...and what was in it

For longer trips, like to Malta, Ted and I share a small rollaboard, and he takes the small daypack for incidentals. For those trips, it's worth it to pay Ryanair for the overhead space. With no place (besides the sink) to do quick laundry, I take a bit more. Sometimes there are souvenirs to bring back, and I can use the space. That little case measures 15" x21", and it can expand if need be.

My side of the rollaboard

For our 3-4 month trips, we each take a large suitcase. Mine measures 19"x25" and can expand. (We also take the rollaboard with a change of clothes in case our luggage gets lost.)

The cloth bins fit nicely

A zippered compartment for dresses

I am a huge fan of cloth packable bins to keep organized, and I have four: one for shirts, one for pants and skirts, one for swimsuits and exercise clothing, and one for underwear. (Ted uses one as our "junk drawer," with first-aid supplies, wine opener, wine stoppers, etc.) They fit neatly in the case, and odds and ends, like my makeup bag, fit in between them. I also usually carry watercolors and colored pencils and paper to play with at our destination. In my bag there's a lovely zippered section where my dresses can fit.

We're always aware of the 50 pound weight limit, and have a portable luggage scale to keep us from paying excess baggage fees. It has saved us from previous anxious moments when we were juggling items from one case to another.

My big suitcase and the rollaboard

Eight years ago, when this started, I actually had a smaller suitcase and took less. Then I got in a bad habit of thinking, "Oh, but I LOVE this. Maybe I'll get a chance to wear it!" This resulted in leaving clothes in the second hand shops as we picked up souvenirs. Now I'm much better, packing a slightly larger version of my clothes for Valencia. And there are always second-hand shops. In Australia, it was hotter than I thought it would be, so I bought two sundresses for less than $10 American. When we got ready to leave, back they went to charity shops. 

Sometimes it's tricky, like this summer when we'll be in Norway, Scotland, Lithuania, and Bordeaux, France, and there will be different weather patterns. But we layer when need be, and buy used when we need to.  

I still have too much stuff. I'm still working on simplicity. But carrying just enough to get me through is a good life lesson.