What a lovely day today. We met Fran's son Kevin for lunch on Acadia in Little Rock. I had the most amazing Gouda Mac and Cheese with Portabello Mushrooms. Yum!
We heard on the news when we got up this morning that interstate 40 was closed between Little Rock and Memphis because of flooding. The detour was going to add more than 80 miles to our trip. I was definitely not looking forward to that. However, when we got to where the detour was, our side of the highway was open. The other side of the road was completely under water and the water was almost on our side of the road but not quite. We just got lucky enough to get by before the road was closed. I must be living right!
Then, once we got to Nashville, we met my nephew, Scott, for dinner at our hotel. It is always great to see him and we had a lovely dinner together. He goes back home to Atlanta tomorrow and we are heading to Ft. Thomas, KY to spend a few days with my son, his wife and their lovely children. I really can't wait to see them all. I haven't seen the kids for a few weeks. They change so quickly.
We'll be there through Mother's Day. I can't remember the last time I got to spend Mother's Day with my son. It has been at least 6 or 7 years, I'm sure. It should be fun.
I'm heading off to bed now. I have about 6 hours to drive tomorrow and then I'm staying put for a few days. I'm definitely tired of driving.
About Me
- Jill
- Reisterstown, MD, United States
- A practicing attorney who is trying to find the time to develop a small business designing, making and selling handmade jewelry.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Road Trip Day 3
Today was a short day. We left Dallas at 9:30 a.m. and did a leisurely drive to Little Rock, Arkansas. We had planned to meet my nephew (Fran's son) for lunch in Little Rock tomorrow so we didn't have any reason to hurry. Fran's son, Kevin, is a travel writer and is working on a project for Lonely Planet. He is traveling the southern US right now. We are meeting for lunch tomorrow at Acadia www.acadiahillcrest.com. The menu looks pretty good.
We had planned to visit 2 bead stores here in Little Rock. However, once we arrived here this afternoon, I discovered that both of them closed at 5:00. Unfortunately, neither of them opens again until 11:00 and 12:00 tomorrow. We can't stay here long enough to visit them because we have to meet another nephew (my sister Susie's son Scott) for dinner tomorrow evening in Nashville.
We just hung out at the hotel this afternoon and then had dinner at Outback. Not very exciting, I know, but Outback is always good. Now we are back in the room reading and hanging out until we can go to bed. We are so old.
Tomorrow after lunch we'll head to Nashville where we will be spending the night tomorrow. I'll try to remember to take some pictures for you.
Hopefully, we'll be able to find and actually visit a cool bead store or two in Nashville before we head to Ft. Thomas. Wish us luck.
We had planned to visit 2 bead stores here in Little Rock. However, once we arrived here this afternoon, I discovered that both of them closed at 5:00. Unfortunately, neither of them opens again until 11:00 and 12:00 tomorrow. We can't stay here long enough to visit them because we have to meet another nephew (my sister Susie's son Scott) for dinner tomorrow evening in Nashville.
We just hung out at the hotel this afternoon and then had dinner at Outback. Not very exciting, I know, but Outback is always good. Now we are back in the room reading and hanging out until we can go to bed. We are so old.
Tomorrow after lunch we'll head to Nashville where we will be spending the night tomorrow. I'll try to remember to take some pictures for you.
Hopefully, we'll be able to find and actually visit a cool bead store or two in Nashville before we head to Ft. Thomas. Wish us luck.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Road Trip Day 2
Up at 6:30 after a sleepless night tossing and turning. I guzzled a large coffee and grabbed a quick shower. Then hit the road at 7:30. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly and it was 48 degrees when I climbed in the car. I walked through the breakfast room at the hotel (breakfast was included) but I didn't see anything that struck my fancy. I got another cup of coffee to go and headed out.
The day actually went pretty well. First I listened to 6 CDs while I headed towards Amarillo, TX. The scenery was interesting, if not what I would call beautiful. Lots of rolling hills and empty spaces. When I stopped to get gas, I thought I would be getting hungry soon so I picked up a pay day. I can't remember when I last had one.
When I got back in the car, I put a audio book on and drove on. The book was "Shit my Dad Says." It was fairly entertaining and before I knew it, I was getting to Dallas. Fran was going to leave her car at her daughter's house so when she flys back on the 14th, she can drive herself home. So, I met Fran at Tracy's house. We spent a couple hours there just catching up before heading over to Fran's. Unfortunately, it wasn't too long after we left Tracy's place when Fran said "I don't have the key to my apartment." We had to turn around and go back to Tracy's to get her keys.
I guess it could have been worse. It will be bedtime soon and then tomorrow we are heading to Little Rock. I think we'll get there early enough to go bead shopping, Two possibilities to check out...
Argenta Bead Company and Kitties Kreations. If anyone knows anything about either of these shops or knows of another one in or around Little Rock, leave me a comment and we'll check it out too.
The day actually went pretty well. First I listened to 6 CDs while I headed towards Amarillo, TX. The scenery was interesting, if not what I would call beautiful. Lots of rolling hills and empty spaces. When I stopped to get gas, I thought I would be getting hungry soon so I picked up a pay day. I can't remember when I last had one.
When I got back in the car, I put a audio book on and drove on. The book was "Shit my Dad Says." It was fairly entertaining and before I knew it, I was getting to Dallas. Fran was going to leave her car at her daughter's house so when she flys back on the 14th, she can drive herself home. So, I met Fran at Tracy's house. We spent a couple hours there just catching up before heading over to Fran's. Unfortunately, it wasn't too long after we left Tracy's place when Fran said "I don't have the key to my apartment." We had to turn around and go back to Tracy's to get her keys.
I guess it could have been worse. It will be bedtime soon and then tomorrow we are heading to Little Rock. I think we'll get there early enough to go bead shopping, Two possibilities to check out...
Argenta Bead Company and Kitties Kreations. If anyone knows anything about either of these shops or knows of another one in or around Little Rock, leave me a comment and we'll check it out too.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Road Trip Day 1
So, 600 miles later, I'm in a Hampton Inn in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. The first day of the trip was uneventful. I didn't leave Phoenix until about 10:30 because of my manicure so it was a late start. I was dressed in shorts, sandals and a short sleeve shirt and when I stopped in Flagstaff to put gas in the car, I about froze to death. It was about 50 and windy. The rest of the day, the temp ranged from 46 to 54. I wonder why I didn't realize that it would be so much chillier.
I stopped in albuquerque at a Cracker Barrel for dinner and then on to Santa Rosa. I stopped here because it was getting dark and I don't like to drive after dark, especially when I don't know where I'm going.
Northern Arizona and western New Mexico are beautiful places. I saw mountains, canyons, mesas, bluffs and a lot of tumbleweed. For awhile, it looked like I was driving on the surface of another planet. What was really amazing was the wide open spaces. Mile after mile of undeveloped land.
I guess I'll get a few hours of sleep and then do it all over again. Tomorrow's goal is Dallas.
I stopped in albuquerque at a Cracker Barrel for dinner and then on to Santa Rosa. I stopped here because it was getting dark and I don't like to drive after dark, especially when I don't know where I'm going.
Northern Arizona and western New Mexico are beautiful places. I saw mountains, canyons, mesas, bluffs and a lot of tumbleweed. For awhile, it looked like I was driving on the surface of another planet. What was really amazing was the wide open spaces. Mile after mile of undeveloped land.
I guess I'll get a few hours of sleep and then do it all over again. Tomorrow's goal is Dallas.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
On the Eve of the Road Trip
So, my apartment in Scottsdale is all packed in the back of my SUV. There is just enough room in my car for me, my sister and our suitcases. Oh, yeah and a box of window treatments that Fran made that I'm picking up in Dallas. One set goes to my granddaughter's room in Ft. Thomas, KY and the other set gets installed in my living room in Baltimore. There isn't an inch of extra space. Marty and I had planned to ship a couple of boxes of clothes but we ended up shipping 8 boxes. We had 5 of those boxes in the car but the passenger seat was all the way forward and I couldn't live with putting my 70 year old sister in that cramped space for 4 or 5 days of driving. Also, when I sat in the driver's seat, my knees were hitting the steering column and I couldn't see out the back window at all. I threw a little fit and got Marty to take out a bunch of stuff and take it to Fed Ex. Now, Fran can be comfy and I can see out the back window.
One thing I've loved about being in Scottsdale these last few years is the Lamar Spa. It is a great spa and competes with all the fancy big resort spas here but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I dig there pedicures. I've also found the perfect person to do my nails. I have been getting a manicure every other week for the last couple of years. My nails have looked great. In fact, I have one last appointment tomorrow morning at 9:15 to get them done one final time. Then, I'm going to hit the road.
When I drove my car out here a few years ago, I dropped my sister off in Dallas and then drove to El Paso and spent the night before driving the rest of the way to Scottsdale. Texas is one big ass state! This time I've decided to head northeast (for El Paso, I would be heading southeast) and spend tomorrow driving through New Mexico. I don't know if the drive will be any prettier but I do know that it cannot be worse than driving through southern Texas.
I don't know where I'm going to be staying yet but I'll see how far I get before I get tired. I woud like to get as far as possible so that I can arrive at my sister's in Plano by mid to late afternoon. We'll see. Looking at the map, I may be staying in Santa Rosa, NM tomorrow night. Or, if I get to cruising, I may make it all the way to Amarillo, TX.
Yesterday, Marty and I took a break from the packing and took a trip to my favorite bead store in Scottsdale, Scottsdale Bead Supply. It was my last visit until I don't know when. I bought some lovely beads (red backed abalone and green jasper). I'm sad to be leaving such a great store behind. Perhaps, I'll be able to visit them again when I come back next year for the Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show.
I'll let you know how the drive goes tomorrow.
One thing I've loved about being in Scottsdale these last few years is the Lamar Spa. It is a great spa and competes with all the fancy big resort spas here but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I dig there pedicures. I've also found the perfect person to do my nails. I have been getting a manicure every other week for the last couple of years. My nails have looked great. In fact, I have one last appointment tomorrow morning at 9:15 to get them done one final time. Then, I'm going to hit the road.
When I drove my car out here a few years ago, I dropped my sister off in Dallas and then drove to El Paso and spent the night before driving the rest of the way to Scottsdale. Texas is one big ass state! This time I've decided to head northeast (for El Paso, I would be heading southeast) and spend tomorrow driving through New Mexico. I don't know if the drive will be any prettier but I do know that it cannot be worse than driving through southern Texas.
I don't know where I'm going to be staying yet but I'll see how far I get before I get tired. I woud like to get as far as possible so that I can arrive at my sister's in Plano by mid to late afternoon. We'll see. Looking at the map, I may be staying in Santa Rosa, NM tomorrow night. Or, if I get to cruising, I may make it all the way to Amarillo, TX.
Yesterday, Marty and I took a break from the packing and took a trip to my favorite bead store in Scottsdale, Scottsdale Bead Supply. It was my last visit until I don't know when. I bought some lovely beads (red backed abalone and green jasper). I'm sad to be leaving such a great store behind. Perhaps, I'll be able to visit them again when I come back next year for the Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show.
I'll let you know how the drive goes tomorrow.
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