2009 Cross Country Journey

Day #1:
Departure time 7:30 A. M. Hubby, Little Man and I are about to embark on a five day 3,000 mile drive across America. We stop off the PA Turnpike for a quick bite at Wendy’s and gas. Next stop is Columbus, Ohio. I am checking out the JC Penney Outlet for bargains while hubby checks out a car dealership. After a quick bite at McDonald’s and more gas, we are back on the road. We stop in Indianapolis at the Cambria Suites. Long day and many miles complete.

Day #2:
Everyone but me sleeps late. Waking up to rain on our free day is a bummer. We lunch on pulled pork at nearby Hog Heaven then top the car tank. We make an obligatory visit to the Indianapolis International Motor Speedway then tour the town. Hubby goes by Hooters for Little Man of course. We spend the evening at Beef and Boards, a buffet dinner show. Back to our room again, it’s time for some television and loads of sleep.

Day #3:
Another long drive is ahead. We are driving through to Oklahoma City. We stop for sandwiches at Subway and fill up at Sinclair. Phillips 66, lots of signs and memorabilia along the route remind us of historic Route 66. We get KFC and get a room at Super 6. Hubby crashes as Little Man watches television.

Day #4:
Hubby and Little Man sleep then it’s checkout time. It’s hotter than hell–temps in the mid-100′s. Natives around here say 90 degrees is cool. We stop for a bite. The convenience center here is barbecuing outside. We get some polish kielbasi with onions and peppers. Hubby spots a humongous cross in Groom, Texas (population 587). He pulls off so I can check it out. It is a roadside chapel of sorts with Last Supper, Stations of the Cross, and Crucifixion bronze sculptures. We all take some personal time here. Back on the road a while we opt for a side trip in Santa Rosa, New Mexico along Route 66. We search for native beads for jewelry. More miles, Denny’s, and the Travelodge in Grants. Walmart shoppers alert: Superstore here where we buy pop (local term for soda), water, and snacks. I crash this time round as hubby and Little Man watch television.

Day #5:
We pack the car then head to the hotel lobby for breakfast. Hubby stops in Gallup to check out stores for beads and talismans. We drive parts of Route 66 until they disappear. We pass signs for the Petrified Forest and the Grand Canyon. We make a stop at Meteor Crater then drive on to Flagstaff. We will stay for the night at the Embassy Suites. Once in our room, we opt to dine authentic Mexican at Casa Bonita, a local restaurant. The food is good as is the service. We drive through the historic town and make a stop at Nativity Church. Its architecture is beautiful. We go up into the mountains. Unfortunately the observatory is closed, but the scenic overlook of the town makes up for our disappointment. We head back to our suite to unwind, relax, and make plans for tomorrow.

Day #6:
We eat a good breakfast, gas up, and are on the road by 9:00. Outside temperature will rise to 113. The mountain and desert terrains will be dotted only occasionally with stops along the way. We are driving to Anaheim stopping at gas stations and rest areas straight through. This phase of the trip officially ends with us around 5:00 P. M. when we arrive at the birthplace of the Mouse.

I took these pictures with a Casio EX-Z29 that I’m reviewing. I’ve never used a Casio camera before. So far so good.