A Different Life II

[mimiandrews]

Good photo of Lily!

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

<<snip>>
Experiencing these unusual, niggling twinges of anxiety about traveling, and realizing that this time last year I had just had a major accident, the first in my life...totaling the Interstate, and a near death experience for Lily and I.

A little anniversary-elevated PTSD, methinks.

I haven’t entered an intersection once since that accident, without remembering being hit that day.

I also look both ways, several times, every...time...

PTSD...where past trauma super imposes itself, unbidden, onto any similar circumstance, requiring the traumatized to discern each time between real and perceived.
<<snip>>

The first year or so, I had those anxieties after our accident that occurred almost 10 years ago. Totaled both truck and 30' Airstream trailer, hit broadside by a semi on I-81 in VA. We both had nightmares for a few weeks. Some PTSD I suppose.
DW said she was done with camping/towing She's over that now. We had an Airstream travel trailer within five months and were back on the road.
Since the near death experience, I am far more aware of dangerous situations than I used to be (at least I think I am). I drive slower now (maybe that is age related ) and I am less anxious to be anywhere on any schedule. Life is good!

[Mansderm161]

Safe travels Maggie ! I picked up my interstate this morning to get ready to hit the road Thursday. We've had record temps. It was 102 inside the rig at 11 am when I picked it up. Hope to have it cooled down for packing tomorrow and head west Thursday morning. Weather has been so strange. Wish we could meet on the way, but I don't think our paths will cross this time. You and Lilly are in my thoughts! Hope you have some fun!

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

The first year or so, I had those anxieties after our accident that occurred almost 10 years ago. Totaled both truck and 30' Airstream trailer, hit broadside by a semi on I-81 in VA. We both had nightmares for a few weeks. Some PTSD I suppose.
DW said she was done with camping/towing She's over that now. We had an Airstream travel trailer within five months and were back on the road.
Since the near death experience, I am far more aware of dangerous situations than I used to be (at least I think I am). I drive slower now (maybe that is age related ) and I am less anxious to be anywhere on any schedule. Life is good!

Yeah, traumatized and all, I had a replacement Interstate in about 6 weeks.

I haven’t had nightmares, it’s the jostled sense of stability under and around you that occurs when something so untoward happens...an accident like that, a sudden death...it brings our own mortality very front and center.

Getting ready to travel, thinking there could be another accident, I could drive off a mountain, anything...I’ve had to work a bit to put those thoughts out of my mind.

Hard to explain, but if you’ve ever been there, you understand.

Doug would say “when your numbers up, your numbers up”.

But, I’m not ready, there is so much still to do.

Just get up and keep going, that’s what one does, and what I will do.


Debbie, have a safe trip and maybe we’ll connect later this year.

Maggie

[rmkrum]

Plan, prepare, load and go. Drive conservatively and enjoy the ride. Do watch the weather on the route. It’s much more dangerous than other drivers, in my opinion.

[Lily&Me]

Yep, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Maggie

[rmkrum]

Keep us posted on your travels. Do let me know if you are in Southern California area sometime.

[Lily&Me]

Such a sweet, dogs-end-of-life story...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...=.d1fc818c1dae

The very thought of losing Lily brings tears to my eyes, and I’d like to think we have quite a few years left together.


Dr.’s appts and various, last minute, running around tasks completed this week, the Interstate is now fueled up, frig is cooling and it rests in its final, pre-trip position...in front of the little house, where it is level and where final packing tasks can be easily completed in the morning.

I have prepared the usual goodies for the family thing tomorrow, plus some deviled eggs for me for the road...grab n go fuel, don’tcha know...and those sinfully delicious, one-bowl brownies that the youngsters will love.


We have had rain every day or night this week, and one torrential downpour yesterday, I think it was. The ground is soggy, everything growing like crazy.

Talking with my neighbors across the street a bit ago, they showed me a huge tree down in their back yard, which I hadn’t even realized had happened a couple of days ago.

Fortunately, it fell across their back yard and did not land on the house.

They heard the burst of wind come that left a small path and took the tree, and I wonder if a little funnel cloud came down out of the storm. We didn’t have tornado warnings that day, but it wouldn’t be the first time that has happened.

Yikes.


Tomorrow, we are off to Bodie, and it looks like I’m going to see Gail and also Vince while I’m out there.

Here’s to an uneventful trip.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

When you see Gail, tell her I said Hi.

[Lily&Me]

I will do that, Mimi.

Gail still follows this thread, and we email regularly, she just had some something with her computer and can’t get in to post.

I’m excited to see her sweet self again.

Note the time...I am awake, somewhat wired, and already up to do last minute things to be out of here in a few hours.

Maggie

[xrvr]

Safe trip!

[Mansderm161]

Safe travels, Maggie. I made it to Graceland today...I can feel Elvis's presence all ready! The campground has mixed reviews but it's perfect for me....level, shower house, pool, and right next door to the main attraction! I always get a little anxious before I begin my trip, but once on the road, I love it. HAVE FUN!

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, folks.

I’ve been to Graceland, Debbie, and also stayed at that campground with some friends a number of years back.

My Mississippi Grandma loooooved Elvis.


Family gig went well, Lily played nice with the other doggies, we then drove about 3 hours into Iowa and have stopped for the night.

Been mostly awake since about 2am , we should sleep very well tonight.

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Have a great trip to Bodie. This moving radar map should cover most of your trip, and is an easy big picture overview IMO:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/so...r-radar?play=1

If the map is not in motion, just hit the Play button at the top left. Not too data-intensive so it even works OK on a cell 4G/LTE connection. You can hover over an area and zoom in for a better view of local action. For instance here is the action west of Graceland:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ar...r-radar?play=1

Happy Trails!

Peter

[OTRA15]

PS -- North of the last map, in case you are aiming for I-80:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/no...r-radar?play=1

[Lily&Me]

Thank you, Peter.

We have just stopped for the night, after setting out at 7 am, and drove across Iowa and most of Nebraska...gained an hour driving in to mountain time, an 8 1/2 hour day.

Every river and creek we crossed was bank full, and all the fields have pools of water standing in them.

Lily has already settled herself in for a nap.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Remainder of Nebraska, all of Wyoming and into Utah today.

Left at 6am...I was awake, and had had my coffee, so why not just go ...and we spent 9 1/2 hours on the road.

This adventure began to feel real today, as I started seeing signs for Wyoming, all those wide open spaces, then snow capped mountains...I am excited.

Lots and lots and lots of big trucks on the road, and I have seen a half dozen or so Airstreams heading east, maybe to International.

The Interstate has performed flawlessly, just set the cruise control and go, taking the inclines and high elevations without even a hiccup.

We had a hellacious storm last night, with wind and heavy rain that kept us awake a long time, but there was not a drop of water anywhere inside. Yeay


Lots of little pioneer and prairie museums out here, most every town seems to have one.

I remember one that Doug and I stopped at years ago, in an old, original log home, and when I saw the big fireplace with trivets on the stone hearth, and hooks for pots hanging inside, I seriously felt like I had come home.

My stomach fluttered, it actually did. In another life...


No stops but for quick potty breaks today, museums another time.

We are tired, and hopefully won’t be awakened by storms again tonight.

Tomorrow should have us in Reno...


Darling daughter made me this tissue holder for the Interstate...so pretty.

Maggie

[Mansderm161]

LILLY looks so sweet! Give her a pat for me. I made it to Hot springs, AK today. Crossed the Mississippi in Memphis and the Arkansas river in Little rock. They are so high and more rain on the way; said a prayer for all those affected by the flooding. I've only seen 2 Airstreams, also heading east and there is one here at Catherine's landing...will try to say hello tomorrow. Safe travels.

[Lily&Me]

And safe travels to you, too, Debbie.

Mind the rivers, as bridges could go out.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

On the road again yesterday by 6am, spent over an hour yesterday afternoon in the wait line at the Blue Beacon east of Reno...but sooooo worth it, as they scrubbed all the road grime and every crusted insect bit off, and we are shining like a new penny.

After overnighting at WalMarts on the way out here, spent last night in the crowded but beautiful and immaculate Red Rose RV Park , in Fernley, NV, which has some of the nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen.

AC for the 90 degree heat, cable tv, a good scrub in the shower, and clean jammies, I felt like a new person, and we slept well last night.

Lily is ready to stop driving any time, keeps looking out the window and at me with this “where are we going???” look on her face.

Labs today. We’re here...almost.

Maggie