Leaving California

Bright and early Monday morning, after we packed the last of our stuff into the Uhaul, and after Joe grabbed us coffee from Two Guns, we took our last stroll from our apartment door to the Strand to admire the grandness and beauty of the deep blue Pacific, the many surfers in the water, Catalina on the Horizon, Malibu coastline to the North sitting on the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance. We held each other for a short while, both fighting back the tears that immediately well when we come to terms with the realization that this scenic view will only be a cherished memory.

We pulled out of Rosecrans Place around 7am- typically a terrible time to be on the freeway, or any road, in Los Angeles. My fears of sitting in traffic and maneuvering a 12ft trailer we’re shortly lived. We jumped on the 105 East- clear, 605 North- clear, 210 East- clear. It was truly Miraculous, considering traffic in the other lanes were stopped. It seemed as though all of LA got word of our departure and let us cruise through- it was a very sentimental drive.

133 miles later, we made our first pit stop- Black Bear Diner, then added another 320 miles and stopped in Williams AZ. The next morning we took a quick side trip up to see the Grand Canyon.

It was quite majestic, and our timing was fantastic. We got there early morning missing the crowds, we had the views all to ourselves. 

Back on the road, day 2 we went another 355 miles. Joe and I agree it takes a special kind of person to want to live In Albuquerque.

Day 3, our long day. We pulled into Oklahoma City around 9pm. That’s 540 miles!

Our last day on the road, we drove 480 miles through non stop rain, and even some hail. We were welcomed to the Midwest with a typical thunderstorm. 

We considered turning around at least twice. But here we are, back in MO.