Days 5 & 6

Had a great visit with friends John and Patty in Terre Haute!  John was a Senior Chief in the Navy when I was stationed in London, and he took me under his wing and mentored me.  From him I learned a good work ethic, and how to be more of a self-starter, so I credit him for "saving me" from myself when I was a young sailor who was a bit lost. I guess after a career mostly on destroyers, he knew how to motivate sailors to do better! Went back this morning for another visit, where Lady felt right at home, and Patty was sweet enough to share stuffed animals she keeps for her sister's Miniature Schnauzer.  As you can see, Lady was delighted, and couldn't decide which to play with, so just surrounded herself with all of them.

Also, a belated picture of Barb and Marilyn when Jen and I visited them in Philadelphia!  

About 2 1/2 days of the drive was spent on I-70.  I can't believe how much road construction was going on! And if you don't believe how much of this country depends on trucks, I suggest you take a long drive on probably any interstate. Everything from bridge parts on "oversize" trucks to roof trusses to new cars to whatever Amazon is shipping (saw a lot of those).  Because of long delays for construction in a couple of places, my GPS took me on some very interesting back roads and through some lovely small towns.  I admit that I didn't stop at many places except for food, and a break from driving and to walk Lady. (She is currently in the need of a really looong walk - she's tired of the short pee breaks - ha!). But it was a lovely break from the interstate.  

I was on US Hwy 36 for a good part of today; four lanes but not overcrowded so a nice change of pace.  Not sure what road I'm taking to Kansas tomorrow - I usually wait until I plug it into the GPS and just follow directions. 

Tonight I'm in Missouri, and my plan for tomorrow is to go shopping in Quilt Mecca - Hamilton, MO, home of Missouri Star Quilt Company. I'm so excited to see the town that was transformed by quilting! As you could see from an earlier pic, there isn't a lot of room left in the car, so that will help me to stay under control.  Well, maybe ... I'll let you know how that goes! 

The last picture is of Lady looking at me from the back seat as I unpacked again for another night in a different place.  I didn't catch the first look on her face, which was pretty much an almost sorrowful WTF!?  But she has been such a trooper - and has been really good, and polite at everyone's house where we've visited. Not sure how I got lucky enough for her to rescue me, but here we are.  :)

PS - Almost forgot to put a song in for the start of the trip.  This is "America" by Simon & Garfunkel.  Appropriately, this version is from their concert in Central Park (as NYC was the first stop).  Hope you enjoy.  😊

Car was packed to full capacity!  My friend Jen came from Rochester to come with me on my first two stops.  Kerrie picked her up and we went to dinner for a fun send-off.

Saturday morning we headed to visit our friend Olga in Brooklyn.  We stayed in Manhattan in the Financial District to make it easier to get to Brooklyn.  For a Saturday, NYC traffic was surprisingly heavy - ugh!  What should have been a 4-hour trip was closer to 6!  But we got there, and had a great visit!!  Walked down the street for Mexican food, and loved the whole "neighborhood" vibe going on there.  Frank was kind enough to watch Lady while we were gone.

Lady wasn't at all sure about "city life" - a LOT of noise, and smells, and concrete.  We went over to Battery Park on Sunday morning and sat across from the Doggie Park.  She's still not really good at socializing with other dogs, and although I know she really wants to play, she can't get past sounding aggressive, so we just watched.  

Sunday took us to Philadelphia to visit Barb and her sister Marilyn.  Lovely visit - home-cooked dinner and great conversation!  A lot of library conversation (with both Olga and Barb on our visits), of course, as we tried to solve the problems of the world.  We didn't quite get there, but enjoyed exchanging ideas.  While in Philadelphia (another city for Lady!), she did relax for about 2 minutes.  Elevators were a challenge that she eventually mastered, but it took some coaxing ...

Sadly, I dropped Jen off at the airport this morning because she had to get back to Rochester and to work.  Lady and I took a leisurely drive to the Lancaster area, where I stopped in a couple of quilt shops (left the car running with A/C on for her), and now staying in a hotel with a nice, big grassy area (designated for dogs staying here) and she was thrilled to put her paws on grass, and smell lots of other doggies.  Tomorrow takes us as far as Columbus, OH, and one day closer to friends in Terra Haute.  Really looking forward to seeing John and Patty!  Hoping to update in another day or two ...  Until then, hope you'll follow our adventures.