Stops Five and Six

On our way to Kansas City we spent a night in Gallup, New Mexico and and one in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Not a lot to report, just motel rooms on the way to somewhere else. Hot as hell there as it has been everywhere. Both towns are located on the historic Route 66. The whole area seemed a little sad to us. Lots of closed businesses. I'm sure there were places of interest, but unfortunately we had two cats in the car and we weren't going to leave them in the heat while we explored.

So instead of pics of desert towns, I present pics of: Cats in Motel Rooms!

You may notice in some of the pics they no longer have their harnesses on. This is because Christer thought he would take Emma for a walk while we stayed with our friends in Prescott. Let's just say Emma took him for a run. and then leaped over a large rock and out of her harness. Luckily, a dog started barking on the other side of a fence and fascinated, she paused to check it out. Christer quietly approached her and snatched her up! Whew! That was Emma's big adventure. :)

We made it!

After one last final five and a half hour drive from Gallipolis, Ohio we pulled into Greensboro, North Carolina around 5:30 p.m on Saturday, July 7th. Our friend John (in-game name Shinjuku Chan) met us at our new temporary home. John has been the driving force behind our move. He introduced my husband to his job opportunity here and while we were on our travels he happened to close the deal on a duplex he and his father, Bill bought for rental property. They kindly offered to rent it to us on a month-to-month basis while we get to know Greensboro and find the area we want to settle down in.

John and Bill put in new carpets, new counter tops and sink in the kitchen for us and had it freshly painted before our arrival! I wouldn't mind staying here, but it's a corner lot and one side is a very busy major street. It's also a slightly iffy neighborhood, but safe enough for now.

Our first night here. Hurray for air mattresses! We're not sure when our furniture will arrive. It could be another ten days. We'll find out more on Monday.

Our first night we immediately went to the nearest Big Lots and bought a table and two camp chairs along with other basic necessities: trash can, larger litter box, sheets, pillows, and two fans. So now we have our bed set-up and a place for our computers. For the two of us geeks that means: Life is Good!

Obligatory weather check: today's temperature 100 degrees, 52% humidity

Stop Four: Prescott, Arizona

Prescott, Arizona: we stayed here for three nights.We finally get to meet Jon (Janda in game), an old Asheron's Call friend that we have known for 10+ years, but we've never met in person and his beautiful wife Annglia. We've talked on the phone, but this is the first face-to-face meeting.

A very awesome and beautiful mountain town. We had no idea what a nice town Prescott is, it reminded me of the area around Lake Tahoe, NV. Did you know the elevation of Prescott is higher than Denver? I didn't. We liked it so much we actually looked at the craigslist ads for housing and jobs. Housing met our price range, but there's not many jobs available. :(

So much fun we forgot to take pics. John and Annglia were so much more than the perfect hosts. We love you guys! Oh yeah, and they turned us on to Double Chocolate Vodka. From the first sip you knew it was T-R-O-U-B-L-E, but oh so delicious trouble!

John,you are an awesome chef! We had barbecued marinated pork loin for dinner, scotch eggs for breakfast and much more. We actually had so much fun we neglected to take pics, so here are pics of their kitties taken by my husband during morning Mimosas ( ignore the blurriness). Splatt is the dark Norwegian forest cat and Garlic Salt is her baby. Black Pepper was camera shy. 

Obligatory temperature reference: Just above 100 degrees, but easier to handle because of the breeze during the day,

Nearing the end of the journey

All the stops along the way! If all goes well we will be in Greensboro NC tomorrow... 3253 miles.

Click here for a map of every town where we spent the night.

So close to new home

We are two days away from the new home (Greensboro NC), still trying to catch up on the road trip in progress. We have lots of pics and it's been lots of fun, but not a lot of time to document it. In Indianapolis tonight....and yes another day over 100 degrees. Can't wait to share more of our journey.

The third night: Blythe, CA

We're trying to drive a maximum of 4-6 hours a day for the comfort of the cats. Found a nice old-fashioned motor inn with palm tress and a big swimming pool in Blythe, CA. From our room we can see smoke from the Edison Fire just outside of town. It's 106 degrees there that day.

Stop Two: Banning CA

Day 2, June 21: We stop in Banning, CA to visit a good friend of my husband, Christer that he used to work with at his job in Santa Cruz. Not too many things to take pictures of in Banning, just Missy and us getting together, giving her a well-needed break from her family and having a good time. :)

Our friend Missy and I in the air-conditioned motel room in Banning. It's 104 degrees outside.

Missy's kitty with little ones.

Just opening their tiny eyes, so cute.