The Long & Winding Road

A new adventure awaits this wanderlust soul of mine. In less than a few hours, I will begin an epic solo road trip to the great Pacific Northwest. I did a similar road trip 49 years ago, with my best friend in high school. As serendipity would have it, I’ll be stopping to visit her and her family, as my last stop before I reach my destination of Vancouver, WA.

My high school friend, Becky and I, drove 10,000 miles the summer of 1976 over a two-month period. We headed out in my new Ford Econoline van, that I had customized over my junior and senior years of high school. I took wood shop my junior year to build the cabinets for the cargo area in the back of the van. In my senior year, I designed the graphic panel for the ceiling of the interior in the rear portion of the van, in my art class. Our “beds” were the entire floor area, since I put a 4” thick foam pad on the floor in back. I then covered the foam pad with a sculptured shag carpet. Do you remember that style of carpet?!

The van had captain’s chairs that swiveled to the back area. I installed an ice box (we literally kept our food cold with a block of ice inside it) behind the driver’s seat. We had a couple of bean bags to relax on. Our clothing was in one cabinet with our food and miscellaneous supplies in the other cabinet. Here are a couple of shots of my “faithful steed”. Pardon the resolution on these images, they are from my photo album made after our trip.

You might be wondering why I’m traveling solo at this point in my life. It is due to a variety of change of plans from my partner (pet related) which is why I’m journeying solo. He will be flying up to join me after I arrive. As many of you might know by now, this wanderlust soul of mine is no stranger to solo travel. I thrive on meeting fellow travelers when I’m on my own. Some of my best travel experiences have been the result of conversations, with strangers, some of whom are friends to this day.

The itinerary I have planned has some wonderful stops along the way. I’m keeping my daily drives to about 6 hours each day. This is not a trip to be rushed through by any means, since there is so much to explore!

Here is my itinerary more or less. My first stop is Lubbock, TX, where Buddy Holly was born. I’ll visit The Buddy Holly Center in the afternoon. Next a bit of Route 66 kicks via Tucumcari, NM. Then on to Winslow, AZ where I’ll be “standing on the corner”. You know that song, right?! From Winslow there is The Painted Desert just an hour north. Westward another hour is Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, which is massive from what I’ve read. Onward to Sedona, AZ for a couple of days of R&R to explore its vortexes and galleries. Then up to Utah to Escalante National Monument to view hoodoos for the first time. The Petrified Forest is nearby, as well. Finally driving to Boise, ID to visit Becky and family and my last stop is Vancouver, WA. I’m planning on about 7-8 days total of the open road.

It is a journey I know I will savor. I am so fortunate at this point in my life. And being recently retired gives me the all the time away, I could ask for! We will be in the Pacific Northwest till early August. Family will be visiting us at our rental in Washington from Hawaii and Florida. I have to escape the Texas summer heat. We’ve already been in triple digit temperatures in Austin this May.

I find it unbelievable some people still question climate change. Ridiculous.

In 1976, fresh from graduating high school, gas was 65 cents/gallon. I think we had about $400 between us for food and gas. We camped at KOA Campgrounds, we stayed only twice in a hotel, first in Las Vegas and then in San Francisco.

I dropped Becky off with her Aunt Leslie, for two weeks in Vancouver, WA, where Leslie still lives. My brother flew me to Hawaii as a graduation gift. Leslie has become a dear connection for me when I return each year to Washington. This will be my fourth summer visiting.

When I returned to Vancouver, I picked Becky up and we continued together through more beautiful national parks, such as the Tetons and Yellowstone. I finally dropped her off in Bryan, TX where she was attending college and I continued home to Louisiana.

The budget is definitely a lot more that in 1976. I’m estimating gas at about $3.50/gallon and no, I’m not camping out this time either! =) But the road is calling my name and the journey awaits.

Life is a long and winding road and how our paths cross in this life’s journey is part of the adventure. Isn’t it?

A hui ho’!

(Until we meet again)