Post script

Our cross-country drive was completed about a week ago, and we've been enjoying the So. Cal warmth and sun this past week. Alas, this is our final day in Paradise. We've enjoyed swimming every day in our pool, with the palms, the birds, and the sky as our backdrop. And most days, a beautiful sunset to end the day.
Ciao,
David & Yi

Trip statistics

Washington, D.C. To Palm Desert, California, August 18-September 1

Total miles driven: 3,496
Gas usage: 147.8 gallons
Avg. MPG: 23.65
Gas cost: $521.36
Avg. price of mid-grade gas: $3.53/ gal.

RE: Day 15.2: Some Like It Hot

CONGRATULATIONS dear Virginia and David !  I am happy to read you have made it safely to Casa Somera (I feel quite nostalgic typing these words!).

 

I just had a quick look at your road blog and am impressed with your journey.  Bravo and thanks for sharing and putting this online for us! I will go back to it this week and read every single word.  From what I have seen and If I had to pick two pictures/locations, my favourites would be the Tent Rock Canyon (this gives me an excuse to return to the USA as we have not seen this canyon !) and Day 7. seeing Virginia (a nutritionist) in an American diner (you know how much I love this stuff)!!!

 

I really envy you being in Desert Springs and will never forget the great relaxing time we have spent with my family there.

 

Will write more once I have read the blog.  When are you back in DC ?

 

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy, and please say hello to Dolores and Mark J

 

Bacci

Marc

 

 

 

 

From: David Cieslikowski [mailto:dcphotozone@verizon.net]
Sent: 02 September, 2013 1:23 AM
To: David On The Road
Cc: TOCATLIAN Marc, DCD/SDF
Subject: Day 15.2: Some Like It Hot

 

Around 4:30 pm at Casa Somera, and it's cooled down to 100 F, almost 40 C. The pool is a chilly 88 F.

 

David Cieslikowski
David Cieslikowski Photography
Email: Dcphotozone@verizon.net
Website: www.dcindc.zenfolio.com
Tel:(202) 244-6004
Mobile: (202) 415-1489

Follow us on our road trip to California, Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, at: dcontheroad.blogspot.com

Day 15.2: Some Like It Hot

Around 4:30 pm at Casa Somera, and it's cooled down to 100 F, almost 40 C. The pool is a chilly 88 F.

Day 15.1: Mission Accomplished

We arrived at Casa Somera in Palm Desert at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon, September 1 as per our schedule. Compliments to our north star navigator, Yee Sin Yi, aka Virginia. And to our hardy, road worthy 1998 Volvo V70. I'm looking forward to more road trips in our future; you get to see a lot more of the country this way.

Thanks for tuning in to our little road show.
Cheers,
David & Yi

Day 15.0: The beginning of the Last Day

I mentioned that we are at "The Boulders"; here's a proper picture of the local boulders, with the bonus Saguaro cactus in the foreground.
We'll be on the road in about 1/2 hour...trying to beat the 104 F. Temperature expected today.
David & Yi

Day 14.1: Boulders

We're staying at a resort hotel in Carefree, Arizona, named the Boulders. Here's an example of one of the boulders with the Sonoran Desert signature cactus, the Saguaro.
David & Yi

Day 14.0: Taliesen West

Short drive from Sedona to the Phoenix area...about an hour and a half. We had three main objectives today, and we succeeded at all three. First was to visit the Soleri workshop in Scottsdale (a suburb of Phoenix). Paulo Soleri was born in Torino, and moved to the Scottsdale area around the 1950s. He died recently, but he was a well known architect, designer, and arcologist (think archeology and architect). His wind chimes are world famous; they're made of bronze, in various shapes and sizes...each of them cast individually and producing unique sounds. A friend gave us one in Washington, D.C. Years ago, and we've enjoyed it's special sound for years. We bought one for Casa Somera, our Palm Desert house. Objective #2 was to visit Taliesen West, Frank Lloyd Wright's western home and architecture school in Scottsdale. If you've studied American architecture, FLW and both Taliesen (in Wisconsin) and Taliesen West are touchstones of 20th century architecture. We were not disappointed in the tour of this special place, despite the 100 degree F weather. Objective #3 was to go for a swim in the afternoon. We were thwarted in our swimming plan yesterday due to a thunderstorm that closed the pool. Success today at the Boulders in Carefree, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix. Our last objective is to drive to Palm Desert on Sunday....about 290 miles.

Tomorrow will mark the end of our two week learning experience of driving cross-country. It's a big, diverse country, with every state offering something special. We have found people who have been friendly and helpful. And the National Parks and Forests are incredible assets that we should all take advantage of. And the best "senior" deal is the National Parks membership for only $10...good for a lifetime! t gives you free entry to National Parks that charge a fee...and up to three people in your car!
David & Yi

Day 13.2: And the beat goes on

Sedona's red mountains (red due to the high iron content that is rusting) are dotted all over the landscape, unlike our Palm Desert mountains that form the Coachella Valley on an east/west axis. These mountains and buttes have a lot of vertical lines (perhaps except for some of the mesas). For maybe the third or fourth time we've shared a 12 oz. steak for dinner...just the right size. And as usual in the west, if you want a rare steak, you order a medium-done steak. The wine selection has been slim in most places, so we try a few by the glass...with reasonably good luck. Blue Moon has become my favorite summer beer.
David & Yi

Day 13.1: The sky's the limit

Actually the skies in the west seem limitless. While photographing the stunning landscapes, you have to ask yourself...do I want these alluring mountains or the powerful clouds in the frame? One can now understand why there is so much atmosphere in Turner, Constable, Ansel Adams, etc. landscapes.
David & Yi (sadly, only two days left of our cross-country venture)

Day 13.0: The Chief

The drive from the grand Canyon to Sedona only took about an hour and a half. Seems like Arizona could have been named Redzona...lots of red rocks, soil, mountains, and cliffs. They also have quite a greeting ceremony where visitors are given cigars from the locals. We had a picnic lunch and a small hike to Boynton Canyon, then checked in to our hotel. We'll be going to see the cathedral Rock, then go to a restaurant atop a mesa with a good view if the surrounding mountains. We had a few showers and lightening, so it kept us out of the pool; we may have another thunderstorm later this evening
David & Yi

Day 12.3: The plague...and the last post for the Grand Canyon

This was the scene when we arrived at the El Tovar Hotel/restaurant at the Grand Canyon for dinner on Thursday evening just before sunset. An impressive thunderstorm and rain ensued. When we were walking up the steps to the hotel, many people were on the porch & front steps...we thought they were looking at the thunderstorm. But it was an elk...probably about 10-12 points on the antlers. He was still there a few hours later, as if he knew he was a big attraction for hotel guests.

I guess I forgot to mention that the GC has more squirrels than tourists. They're everywhere...on the trail, the lodges, and the vista points. They're very aggressive, and not afraid of people. When we stopped for a rest on the way up the Bright Angel Trail, we had a nut & fruit power bar; catnip for squirrels. One of them practically tried to snatch mine. He was persistent, and would't go away after a few threatening gestures and a pebble thrown at him. These little critters have lice that carry the PLAGUE, as in the plague that killed about half of Europe's population in the 14th century. GC squirrels are therefore to be avoided!

Day 12.2: Thunderstorm over the South Rim

I didn't capture lightening in this photo, but I tried. Taken just as we arrived at El Tovar for dinner; one of the National Park's historic hotels. Buffalo dinner was a bit tough.

Day 12.1: If you haven't been to the Grand Canyon, you haven't seen The USA

View from the South Rim of the Grandissimo Canyon. And there are many more like it. Every time you turn a bend on the trail, there is something new to startle you. FYI, Mann spricht Deutche in the GC. Gruss Gott!
David & Yi

Day 12.0: What's the superlative of Grand?

Perhaps Grandissimo would have better described the Grand Canyon. We hiked the Bright Angel Trail on the So. rim...3-4 mile round trip descending from about 7,500 ft to about 5,000 feet and up again. We did encounter mule shit on the trail, but as Virginia says, at least you can smell it before you see it (to avoid it). Later we hiked the Rim Trail for another few hours, and also hopped on and off the shuttle buses between vista points. Altogether, we covered about 40 miles of the So. Rim yesterday afternoon and today. More shots to follow.
David & Yi

Day 11.3: First and lasting impressions of the Grand Canyon

The GC is vastly larger and majestic than you can imagine. We'll be hiking on the So. Rim and down the canyon today (day 12). Certainly there will be more photos to post. Hopefully we'll minimize the number of blisters; we've got band aids and good biking boots.
David & Yi

Day 11.2: Hard Rock

These petrified logs are actually like rocks now...minerals have replaced the cellulose over eons of years. As the soil erodes, more of them appear on the surface. We saw some slices of a log that had been polished, and it was a beautiful natural sculpture. At the end of the day, around sunset, we arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Day 11.1: In the silence of the desert

A panorama of the painted desert. We've had clear blue skies and warm weather at the lower altitudes (5,000 ft) of a out 85-90 F, and at 7,500 ft around 70 F.
David & Yi

Day 11: Painted and Petrified

The Painted Desert has all of the Pantone colors, and it's a out 200 million years old. This was a detour on the 450 mile drive from Albuquerque to the Grand Canyon. One may say there's nothingness in these deserts, but we have found amazing paintings and sculptures in these deserts. Hopefully some of our pictures will convince you, too.
David & Yi

Day 10.2: How can you beat this for scenery?

New Mexico continues to amaze. These tent rocks are other-worldly.
David

Day 10.1: In the Canyon

The Tent Rock Canyon Trail gets so narrow at some points that the foot traffic is one way. Every time you round a new bend in the canyon, there is a magnificent view better than the last. A beautiful day!
David

Day 10.0: A hike to write about

Virginia & I hiked the Canyon and Cave Loop of the Tent Rock Canyon between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The rock formations are spectacular, formed about 6-7 million years ago by volcanic debris, ash, etc. with some erosion thrown in over the millennia. We hiked in the morning when it was about 78 degrees; glad we hiked in the morning since it got up to 91 in the afternoon. We went to Santa Fe for lunch, and ran into Bank/Arlington friends at the Whole Foods store! Perhaps a few more photos forthcoming.
David

Day 9.2: The View

Since I described the view from Nick & Terry's house, I didn't want to leave you without showing you the view. Earlier in the day there was a rainbow near the mountains. Did I mention that Canada geese flew in just above us...landing near the river.
Cheers,
David

Day 9.1 Open spaces

Long stretches of road with the background always mountains...as we pass one range to the next. There may be tumbleweed & cactus for 50 miles or so, then lava beds at the Valley of Fires, or, as in this picture, beautiful yellow flowers carpeting the Valley floor. And impressive clouds show up for this choreographed scenery.

Our hosts in Albuquerque are former Arlington, VA. residents, and they live in an incredibly picturesque area, where THE view from the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms is of the Rio Grand River! And the Sandia mountains and the "bosque" forest of trees along the Rio Grand for about 20 miles.
David

Day 9.0: A National Icon

After leaving Ruidoso this morning...a late start since we only had a few hundred miles to drive today...we drove through the Lincoln Forest. Ruidoso is at about 6,500 feet, and the surrounding mountains, like Sierra Blanca, are about 12,000 ft. So it was refreshingly cool during our morning drive. First stop was in Captain, to visit the Smokey the Bear Museum. Smokey was a young cub...just 10 pounds or so, when he was found during a fire in the Lincoln Forest. He was taken in by the firefighters, burns were treated, and he survived. He was flown to Washington, D.C. Where he spent the next 25 years at the National Zoo until his death in 1976. We paid hoage to Smokey today, and want to remind everyone that "Only you can prevent forest fires".
David

Day 8.2: This is not the Grand Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon is in the Texas Panhandle. Just a few miles before you arrive at the canyon, the landscape was flat, flat, flat for miles. I had never heard of Palo Duro until this trip. It's only about 40 miles from Amarillo, Texas.

Day 8.1: Panhandle blues

You get the Panhandle Blues after driving for hours in these parts.
The windmills pump water for cattle in these fields.
David

Day 8.0: Cadillac Ranch

First stop out of Amarillo...Cadillac Ranch just a few miles west of Amarillo. The Cadillac sculptures have been vandalized over the years...most parts stolen, and thick with graffiti. next stop was the Palo Duro Canyon...the second largest canyon in the USA after the Grand Canyon. pretty impressive...lots of red in the soil and rock. It was still cool in the morning, so we had a comfortable visit...driving the loop for about an hour in the canyon.

We drove through Clovis, New Mexico on route 60...very flat land...and when your at some elevation you can see about 50 miles or so. The railroad track was on our left, as we're all the grain silos. We must have seen about 50-60 grain silos in about 100 miles. They are large vertical structures that you see 10 miles away, so you know that's where the next little town is. It reminded me of traveling south of Paris in the wheat fields around Chartres Cathedral...and then all of a sudden you see the tower/steeple of Chartres appear. Along route 60 in Texas there were endless cargo trains...some of them about a mile long hauling containers from China. Then route 70 all the way from Roswell (only a few aliens sighted) to Ruidoso was a beautiful landscape with a big sky...eventually turning into mountains with alpine forests. Our betting on the horses at Ruidoso Downs gave us close wins...2nd and 3rd places...but since our bets were to win, not place, we had no winnings.

Day 7.1: What's that sound I hear?

This is pretty self-explanatory. No wandering off the trail around these parts in Texas!
David

Day 7: Going native

We started the day in Cave Springs, Arkansas, and by noon we had driven about 225 miles to El Reno, Oklahoma. Thanks to 75 mph speed limits on the Oklahoma turnpike, and later in Texas (thanks, Gov. Perry!), we drove the 470 miles in about 9 hours, including a few stops for gas, and lunch at Sid's Diner in El Reno. Sid's was written up in Virginia's Saveur magazine...famous for their burgers with fried onions (on the burger) and the usual lettuce and tomato and pickles. thankfully, we got a half order of fries for both of us...half of that order would have filled the bill. this, along with a coke, cost about $9.

W're in Amarillo this evening, fixin' to go to a steak restaurant here in downtown Amarillo.
cheers,
David

Day 6.2: Too good to not post...in Bentonville, Arkansas

This photo of us together is too good to leave out of our On the Road blog. on to Amarillo tomorrow!

Day 6.2: The original Walton five and dime

Virginia and Pat on the main square in Bentonville, Arkansas. Pat is Virginia's Peace Corps/Fiji friend, and later grad student roomate at Cornell in the early 1980s. We visited the Walton visitor center, which was in the original building of the first Walton 5 and 10 cent store. The soda fountain was the same as in 1957, with a tempting banana split on the menu for less than $5. We shared one...but it was big enough for a family of four. But we had a walk through the Compton Gardens...right in downtown Bentonville...to work off the mountain-sized banana split. Later we enjoyed a fish dinner at a very local place, the Flying Fish. Grilled trout with okra on the side, with Blue Moon beer.

Day 6.1: Crystal Bridges museum

This gives you a better idea of the museum architecture.
David

Day 6.0: Crystal Bridges

The Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is a new museum with early American painting...all the way to contemporary works. Interesting architecture with copper and glass exterior and curved wood vaulted ceilings. Built by the Walton's of Walmart fame.

Day 5.1: Better view of the Clinton Presidential Library

This photo shows cantilevered look of the Clinton Presidential Library. Quite an impressive building. We had lunch in the cafe chosen from a broad menu at "Arkansas" prices...about 1/2 of Washington, D.C.

Day 5.0: The Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas

Memphis to Little Rock...about three hours driving time. Memphis is on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River...and within minutes of leaving our hotel we were crossing the biggest river yet. We were well rewarded with our visit to the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock...the multimedia exhibits are chronologically displayed. The events of the 1990s are there for you to see, from the shutdown of the government over the budget to the attempt at universal health care, Dayton accord, to the Balkan War and the bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Many themes were like déjà vu all over again (borrowed from Yogi Berra). Killing health care is back on the Republican (non) agenda, shutting down government is there too.

Five more hours of driving on local roads took us through the Ozark Mountain National Forest. A beautiful drive through pine forests, and although I'm not sure of the altitude, my ears were popping...so we were probably around 5,000 feet or so. Before the climb up the mountains, a sign warned us of a "crooked and steep" road ahead. It was like driving a route along a pretzel. But after miles of roads with semi trucks, it was scenic and less stressful.

Our destination for the day was Cave Springs, Arkansas, to visit Virginia's friend from Peace Corps Days in Fiji and later Cornell Nutrition grad school roommate. Pat & family have been living here, near Bentonville, home of Wal Mart, for about 20 years. We had a walk down memory lane over dinner, and today, our sixth on the road, will be spent touring Bentonville and the new Crystal Bridge Museum with our friends here.

Virginia at the Clinton Presidential Library

Day 4.1 If it's Wednesday it must be biker's night in Memphis

We went off the grid (that is the Interstate) for most of today's drive from Nashville to Memphis. Our reward? A drive in the country (well, actually it's all country in Tennessee) without the semis (16 wheelers) barreling down the road at 70 mph. But picturesque burgs eluded us again today, so settled for a unique visit to Graceland in the afternoon; it eased us into Memphis.

Ribs at the Rendezvous, and then a stroll down Beale St. Beale Street isn't what it used to be...especially on Wednesday nights which is bikers night (ahem...motorcycles). The sounds of 200 horsepower 1300 cc engines competed with the not-so-subtle music of the music clubs and bars. Our random sample of the music leads us to believe that the Memphis sound is not the silky country sound we experienced in Nashville. Alas, we don't have another evening in Memphis to seek out more subtle sounds of the Memphis blues.

So far the Volvo is humming along beautifully at the usual 70 mph...and about 26 mpg. not as good as I had hoped, but then again, gas (mid-grade 89 octane) is around $3.40/ gallon, down from about $3.85 in Washington, D.C.
Cheers,
David

Day 4.0: The King is Dead

Sadly, the King is dead, and right here in Memphis, Tennessee. What an amazing impact he had on rock 'n roll...winning every honor there is in the music world. half of the people on the tour of Graceland weren't even born when Elvis was making music and history...yet, there they were, and very knowledgeable, at that. Way before we got to the "jungle room" in the house tour, some 20 something's were talking excitably about visiting the jungle room. Of course, for those of us who have lived through lava lamps and shag carpets, much of the tour wasn't too surprising. And this 1939 house, built only two years before our house in Washington, D.C., had a certain familiarity. But only up to a point. No, we don't have carpet on the walls and ceiling, and we don't have 14 acres to go with it. Nor do we have the amazing achievements and the gold and platinum records and accolades from around the world. Elvis was larger than life, and it shows in his house and accroutements. But you can still think back to your very own memories of seeing Elvis in Ed Sullivan and listening to "Hound Dog" and "Blue Suede Shoes" and seeing the movies that are still etched in you memories. He's there, and will be forever. Mick Jagger is still performing, and quite convincingly, at about 70 years old. Elvis might have had another 25 years or so to go beyond his 42. At least we still have his records.

Day 3.2 Proud to be an American

The Grand Ole Opry, we learned tonight, is the longest running radio show in the Universe on WSM 650 AM. Or, you can go there in person to "see" the radio show. Apparently it's also streamed live and on Sirus radio. With 7 different groups performing over 2 hours, we saw a wide spectrum of the country music rainbow. There was the John Cowan Band...Cowan was a former member of the Doobie Brothers. And then there was Lee Greenwood, who authored "Proud to be an American"...and he sang the song to a full capacity standing ovation Opry audience. Tennessee IS middle America, and in the middle of the country. A wide religious and patriotic streak runs through it, and the region is "country" by nature, culture, and geography enabling and cultivating country music. And believe it or not, the announcer, Bill Cody, included a reference to Fiji in his patter! Pictured is Sunny Sweeny, a Texan who was nominated as the Top Female vocalist by the Academy of Country Music this year.

Day 3.1: Tennessee--home to three US presidents

A tour of the Tennessee State Capitol is worthwhile to do while in Nashville. It was constructed between 1845-1859, and resembles the Erechtheum in Athens. One thing a Washingtonian would notice is that there is an equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson (7th President of the USA...James Polk was the 11th and Andrew Johnson the 17th) one like the statue of Jackson in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. There's also another one in New Orleans. The Tennessee Senate chamber is pictured in this posting.

Day 3.0: Virginia makes it to Broadway

Virginia and friends on Broadway...Nashville, that is. This is one of the main areas for live country music in Nashville and is not far from the Country Music Museum and Hall of Fame, where you can see well presented exhibits of the evolution of country music from the 20s to the present...with hundreds of soundtracks to hear your favorites.
David

Day 2.3 Lest we forget

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that Tennessee is a very wide state...two days for us to drive from east to west...and that it is largely rural and its economy and people still depend on agriculture as seen in this tractor photo in the country at the Wilson County Fair near Carthage, TN.

Day 2.2 At the station...Central time

Restaurant tip for Nashville: walk over to the Gulch, not far from Music Row, and go to the Watermark restaurant. My goat cheese souffle followed by the most tender venison this side of the Mississippi was divine. Brought our own wine...so we enjoyed the 2004 Orisse du Casse Bordeaux. This is Nashville, so we crossed the street and entered the Nashville music scene at the Station Inn. a twelve dollar cover charge gave us a million dollar country/blue grass group until midnight. Somewhere between eastern Tennessee and Nashville (middle of the state), we went from the Eastern time zone to Central. And I can't figure out how to re-set my new digital watch! Signing off on the first few minutes of day three.
David

Day 2: A side trip to Greece

Although we only drove about 325 miles to day from Abingdon, Virginia to Nashville, Tennessee, we apparently ended up in Greece. I made the best of it by visiting the Parthenon; alas, we couldn't see Athena as she is in recluse on Mondays.
We've been within shouting distance of mountains throughout our journey...The Appalchians, Blue Ridge, and just to the north of the Smokeys. The Great Smoky Mountains are so called because of the natural fog blanketing the mountains.

Lunch today? Salami and Robiola cheese at a rest stop near Carthage...home of the Gore family. It was Al Gore, Sr who authored the bill to create the interstate highway system in 1956...that Eisenhower signed into law.

Day 1.2: Barter Theatre with a raucous "Good Ole Girls"

The Barter was constructed in 1831 as a Presbyterian Church, and is celebrating its 80th anniversary as the Barter Theatre this year. The new play in town was a raucous and rollicking musical written by Southern women and played and sung by a high energy cast of six women. My favorite tunes were: "Late Date with the Blues", "Back in the Saddle", "All I Want is Everything", and "Betty's Bein' Bad".
D + V

Day 1: A chic little town in SW Virginia founded in 1776

Named after the ancestral home (in England) of Martha Washington, Abingdon has seen the likes of Daniel Boone, and boasts the Barter Theater right on Main Street. Our B&B, A Tailor's Lodging , dates to Colonial times (pictured). We'll be having dinner at the Martha Washington Inn, then take in "Good Ole Girls" at the Barter Theater. Ernst Borgnine, Gregory Peck, and Ken Spacey all got their start at the Barter Theater. Hope to add a photo of the Theater on another posting.

although it rained most of the day, it was usually a light rain. Interstate 81 is a beautiful drive...basically next to the Appalachian Trail.
Cheers,
David & Virginia

D-Day minus 1

Beautiful morning in Northwest Washington, D.C. On D-Day minus 1. During this past week, we've had weather more like late September...80s during the day and 60s in the evening. We'll start loading up the car soon. Planning on an 8:00 am start on Sunday morning.

D day minus 6

We've never done a road trip quite like this cross-country trip...driving our 1998 Volvo V70 from Washington, D.C. to Palm Desert from August 18 to September 1...one way. We're leaving the V70 in Palm Desert as our new 2014 Volvo XC70 was delivered about a week ago. The good thing about a road trip is that we will have plenty of room, and we don't have to pay for checked in bags! The not-so-good thing is that we actually have to spend 2 weeks driving.

To compensate, we'll have some comforts of home on the way...a cooler run on the 12V outlet in the car, and a real luxury...a Nespresso machine and milk frother  for those espresso drinks and café lattes when we really can't take dishwater-style coffee surely awaiting us at each stop. And did I mention that we'll also be fortified with a coupla' cases of wine? Since it's summer, we'll probably have mostly whites and rosés. No dogs on top of the car...but we will have our cargo carrier with stuff that Virginia has wanted to take to Casa Somera in Palm Desert.

We'll be guided by AAA maps, our Garmin GPS, and a new spiral bound 2014 Large format Rand McNally Road Atlas. Google maps on the iPhone, just in case. That brings me to our itinerary that we've been putting together the last few months. We're pretty much booked every day of the journey. We'll be visiting friends in Cave Springs, Arkansas...Pat...a Peace Corps volunteer when Virginia was in Fiji...and later a nutrition student at Cornell during the time Virginia was at Cornell. Near the end of the trip, we'll visit Nick & Terry in Albuquerque; they're refugees from Washington, D.C. Nick used to have an Austin Healey, and when I told him we were driving the Healey to California...he believed me. It would be quite an adventure, but I'm not sure the check book would hold up under the potential strain. Total distance will be about 3,165 miles.

David and Virginia’s Road trip to Palm Desert, California, August 18-September 1, 2013

Depart Washington, D.C.               Sunday, August 18

Distance 361 miles

Abingdon, Va.                                   Sunday, August 18
A Tailor’s Lodging, 119 Park Street Southeast, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276) 628-7119; call Rick 30 minutes before arrival
Good Ol’ Girls at Barter Theater, 7:30 pm, 127 West Main St., Abingdon
Distance 305 miles

Nashville, Tenn.                               Monday & Tuesday, August 19-20

Hilton Garden Nashville, 1715 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203 Property information: (615) 369-5900;
Grand Ole Opry, 7:00 pm Tickets at box office (Tuesday, August 20)
Distance 336 miles
Memphis, Tenn.                Wednesday, August 21
 Double Tree Hilton, 185 Union Ave. Memphis, TN 38103;  (901) 528-1800
 Graceland Tour (no reservations) 3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38116
 (901) 332-3329; 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Distance 305 miles
Cave Springs, Ark.                            Thursday & Friday, August 22, 23
 Pat Behlen Dexter & Tim
Distance 471 miles
Amarillo, Texas                                Saturday, August 24
Courtyard Amarillo Downtown, 724 S. Polk St., (806) 553-4500
Distance 286 miles
Ruidoso, NM                                    Sunday, August 25
Hotel Ruidoso, 110 Chase St. Ruidoso, NM 88345, (575) 257-2007;
Distance 184 miles
Albuquerque, NM                            Monday & Tuesday, August 26, 27
Nick & Terry Harrison
Distance 411 miles
Grand Canyon, Ariz.                        Wednesday & Thursday, August 28, 29
Best Western Premier, Grand Canyon Squire Inn, 100 Hwy. 64, Grand Canyon;              (928) 638-2681
Distance 113 miles
Sedona                                               Friday, August 30
Poco Diablo Resort, 1752 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336; (928) 282-7333;
Distance 125 miles
Taliesen West/Scottsdale, Ariz.    Saturday, August 31
The Boulders, Waldorf Astoria Resort, 34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85262; Tel: (480) 488-9009;
Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85259; (480) 860-2700; (480) 627-5340; Reservations for August 31 at 1:00 pm (90 minute tour).
Distance 268 miles
Arrive Palm Desert, Ca.                  Sunday, September 1