Live from Miami

(Roadside phox and other signs we are in Florida; beautiful springtime roadshow across I-10 & FL)

Woke up this morning, looked out the window and realized that we're no longer in the southwest! A coconut palm out one window and playful squirrels in the live oak tree out the other. There's even a mango orchard next to the entrance here at the Thompson County Park in southwest Miami. Ajusting to the humidity and temps is the big challenge. Second is getting used to the kamikaze drivers around who apparently haven't learned benefit of turn signals or lane integrity! Yes, folks, I'm becoming that geezer I've been practicing to be for some time. Anyway, have already managed to find the Barnes & Noble cafe and partaked of our first lechon asado marinated roast pork), moros y cristianos(black beans and rice mixed) and fried bananas and the first of probably many Cuban restaurants. We begin our explorations today of the city and area after a nice bike ride in this very beautiful county-operated RV park adjacent to the Metro Zoo. Quite appropriate, really.
We're also experiencing intermittent issues with the satellite internet system and may not have regular access as long as the sun is shining and the humidity is high...we think everything has dried out to point that any moisture screws up the transmitter...too much time in the dry desert southwest. Happy trails for now...

Tampa area...

Well, we continue to progress down towards our Miami destination but decided to take a day off from driving and stop in the Tampa area at a small RV park Lake Como. Our first day in more than a week of no motorhome driving. But, a large part of day was spent on the phone with Hughesnet Tech Support! Stopped long enough for the satellite internet modem, transmitter or something to malfunction. Fortunately we have wifi access in the park...so we're cyber connected still. Quite an admission of dependence on this new technology even in the simpler, mobile lifestyle. Anyway, not sure how long we'll be offline, but will keep you posted. Our reservation in Miami is for Sunday, so hopefully we'll be up and going then. Until then, happy trails...

Into the land of GREEN!

We crossed the 100th meridian yesterday near Junction, TX, left the west of dry air and blue skies and entered the green lands of central Texas near San Antonio. We'd forgotten the many shades of green available in a watered landscape, like the shades of brown in the desert southwest. We noticed the relative humidity double from 17% to 35% as we made this transition, and now nearing Houston we're at 66% with overcast and drizzle. It's also how we now have all our clothes, linens etc. transformed into "laundry". Time to find an RV park and laundromat. We've enjoyed the many roadside parking overnight spots we've encountered along and near I-10 here in Texas. Today it's on through Houston to Louisiana. Happy trails...

West Texas

Roadrunner atop mesa overlooking Las Cruces, NM
And on closer examination, its a statue made of trash and recycled junk

It was a great time and a wonderful overnight with friends Al, Deanna and Chuck in Tucson. Unfortunately it was shorter than we would have liked, but the road to Miami is long. Left with great expectations for the drive east, but distances, time changes and general over the road fatigue combined for a shorter day than planned and we pooped out at 5pm and only 250miles. Today we made over 350miles and even had a sense of humor and a good walk after. We're in an area referred to as the Permian Basin, a large seabed millions of years ago that is today covered with limestone and dotted with old oil wells in the lowlands and wind electric turbines on the higher mesas. Here on a parallel road to an overnight camping site, we cross the Pecos River. after so many years, we're no longer west of the Pecos! Sweet Dreams and on again tomorrow. Our hope is to get beyond Houston by Sunday night, and there's a lot of Texas to go, so...Happy trails for now.

Well, we achieved escape velocity by 10am yesterday...after a last minute flutter when the satellite internet dish wouldn't stow properly and a pair of broken glasses when Tom tried to wedge into a compartment to turn off a valve to prevent the fresh water tank from overflowing. But today was the day and that was it. We had a long day crossing the desert, enjoying the "dancing" windmills in Banning Pass near Palm Springs and then rush hour in Phoenix. 360 miles down, only 2300 more to Miami. We're staying with friends Al and Donna in Chandler and tonight we're on to Tucson and visit with other friends. Weather is sunshine and temps in the 80's. Looking forward to some travelin'...happy trails

Here we go...

Can't believe it's been two weeks. And in that time our plans have changed again. Looks like we're heading out in the morning bound for Miami, Florida to attend to family matters. Ah humidity and bugs...it's been such a long time! Ah, the warm Atlantic and Keys, ah fried bananas, black beans and lechon asado...it too has been a long time.

So, these past days we've been spent readying the RV for the trip...grease, some fluid changes, cleaning out and reordering the basement and making sure the worms are all buckled up for the trip!

Have really enjoyed the time here in the Corona area. Managed to help out with compost and garden project here in the park. Also managed some time in the organic garden nearby at Glen Ivy along with some volunteer work with Riverside Waste Management in their public composting program. Some great hikes and swims...not bad but where did the 2 weeks go?

Also had some time with my mom who's improving a lot since the second surgery for a broken femur. Her attitude and outlook both have improved. Hopefully she'll continue improving and will actually enjoy getting out more. Nancy's adjusting to das "boot". The stiff walking boot to try and heal a badly torn achilles tendon in her right foot. It's been nearly 8 months since the original injury and still shows little improvement. We're going to try a bit of immobility for awhile.

That's it from here...hasta la vista for now folks

From along the trail...

Well, Interstate 10 that is...we left our "home" at Lynx Lake Monday after a wonderful stay, good weather, good visits with friends and still with that special sense the Prescott remains "a place of the heart" for us in our travels.

We dropped down the "hill" along Hwy 89 and by noon we found ourselves in Congress and 15 F warmer. Time to change clothes to tshirts, shorts and sandals...time to readjust to 80F. Spring was well on, too, as we enjoyed the mallow, brittle bush and lupines along the roadside and desert for pretty much the whole trip. We decided to make for Desert Center, CA as a good overnight spot. We shared the night with others too tired to continue on in an abandoned space in what's left of a town. Although there is a RV resort, recreational lake and golf course a few miles to the north but the gas station/garage, market and small snack shop are boarded up. The only operating business appeared to be the US Post Office and a small cafe. The town appears to survive, if you can call it that, on the railroad workers that may still live around and the state highway department garrisoned here. If you look on any map, you'll see why this place is called Desert Center...

Off to Palm Springs and on into SoCal later today. Need to get some new window screens. These 10+ years of desert sun have left ours brittle and bedraggled. Nancy has done her best to keep them stitched up, but there comes a point. Time to support the economic recovery a bit.
Happy trails