Getting Gas

Just thought I give a shout out to Chris Stavinoha who used to tell his wife, Katie, to fill up the car when the tank hit a half tank. Katie and I would P-shaw this advice...I often tempt fated by driving until the light comes on.

WELL, once I left Lubbock, TX, (in fact it sort of started between Fort Worth and Lubbock), gas stations noticeable thinned out...the East Coast and the area of Texas/Oklahoma where I grew up, all have gas stations ever mile or so...but here -- WITHOUT WARNING -- you can go as much as 100 miles without a gas station!

When driving up to our hotel near the Grand Canyon, my gas light came on (I really just wasn't paying attention to the car, but focusing on the landscape) and my heart pounded for about 5 minutes when I came up to a gas oasis -- charging $2.89/gallon (compared to $2.49/gal before) -- and filled up.

I've learned my lesson, Chris, and am now filling up pretty much anytime I see a station and my tank is down even just 1/4 (down to 3/4) tank, but I start looking at 1/2 a tank.

We got in!

Max and I made it inside the Grand Canyon National Park yesterday (Wed, June 10) and saw the canyon in all its glory. The news for the last 3 days has talked about the beginning of the monsoon which starts next week...apparently it can rain so hard that cars are swept away...they didn't say it outright, but I'm thinking the trails aren't too safe either!

So I'm happy that we came when we did.


Max stayed in the onsite kennel for the first part of the first day because dogs aren't allowed "under the rim"...so I braved it alone...


...though, I have to say that the Grand Canyon is NOT the best choice of vacation spots for someone with acrophobia (hey, I'm not afraid of heights, I'm afraid of falling from heights). I lasted approximately 5 minutes and 50 feet before my knees began to tremble and I had to go back up.

After taking a bus tour (dogs also not allowed on bus) to Hermit's Rest (did you know hermits were religious folks? Learned that from a young Spaniard who was visiting because the GC is in their history course because a Spaniard discovered it) and having lunch in the historic Bright Angel Lodge, I went to pick up Max for the rest of the day....and Max was a ROCK STAR with the little ladies.

On Grandview Trail, this little girl had to be pulled away by her parents! She told Max, "I can't stop petting you!"


This group of young girls was distracted from their parents photo shoot by Max's cuteness...their parents started in English, but quickly switched to Japanese (I think) to urge the girls stop petting and start posing on the edge of the Canyon...I have to say they were too close to the edge for me!


We eventually got away from the tot-erazzi and got on with the tour...Max soon spotted the Abert's squirrel and couldn't help but think this was the best place ever.



This morning, we are going to jump on the morning geology tour of the Grand Canyon before we hit the road for Thousand Oaks, which is our final destination...but it's 8 hours away, so we may stop somewhere in between...if we can find anything in between...looks like Needles, CA, may be an option.

Wish us luck!

Arid America

After a brutally HOT day in Lubbock, TX, Max and I moved on to Albuquerque, NM, which is in the desert and yet much cooler! We went to Old Town Albuquerque where we stopped off at the oldest Catholic church in the USA, the San Felipe de Neri Parish. We bought a Saint Francis of Assisi (patron saint of animals) medal for Max's collar, a Saint Christopher (patron saint of travelers) card for the car and a bracelet of saints for myself...all money (less than $5!) goes to help restore the church.


That's the church behind the Punkin' Head.

Today we left for the Grand Canyon and drove and drove and drove through flat land reminiscent of Georgia O'Keefe and other artists who have depicted the painted desert...very peaceful and lonely country...proof that the planet has plenty of room.


New Mexico/Arizona border and a bit of the vastness.

We arrived in Tucsayan, AZ, and went to our hotel just outside the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Tomorrow, we go in!

More friends!

Max and I couldn't do this without all of our friends from DC to Texas. Thanks to everyone for making it possible and for such fun!


Robin, Jeb, Napolean and Phoebe Callan of Austin, TX


Max and Sammy at the Fort Worth home of Aunt Roberta and Uncle Bob...hosts to our family gatherings. (See future posts.)


Ruth and Corry Schiermeyer of Lubbock, TX with canine pals (aka "pack mates") Scout, Mia and Penny.

Thanks to Our Friends on the Road

As Max and I meander along the highways (and even gravel roads!) on our cross-country roadtrip, we are having fun with family and friends, new and old. Here are a few of them:


Kendyl Nitschke of Raleigh, NC


Gwen & Larry Brody of Freck, AR


Roger & Kay Branson of Edmond, OK


Katie, Chris & Lydia Stavinhoa of Houston, TX

We're off to Austin, now!

Eating Right on the Road?

Any tips to eating right while on the road? I've gained five pounds!!! Add that to the 10 I already need to lose and the picture ain't pretty!!! Note that all pics are of The Maxinator.

Here's some ideas:

1) Just buy small limeades during bathroom stops at Sonics.

2) Offer to cook for hosts when staying with family and friends.

3) Stop eating Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner...though I have to say that my last lunch at Blue Goose Cantina in Plano (yummmy, though it was) did push me over my Mexican food limit...I think I finally sated that craving...well, maybe there's room for a Polvos b'fast while in Austin next week :)

My current B&B host, Carol Lanham, turned me on to the Flat Belly Diet which has some awesome recipes...but it requires grocery shopping, and having a kitchen...things hard to get on the road.

I've got to work something into my stops...I loved hiking all over the Biltmore Estates with my dog...and we had some good walks in Branson...Oh, and thanks also to Carol who got me to the gym twice this week where I did cardio AND weights...

Anyone know of good exercises for the hotel room or food that can be ordered or drive-thru choices? You know, a sort of practical driving "Eat This, Not That" sorta deal.

Going Country!

After binging on "the best chicken fried steak in the universe," Mexican food and burgers, I continued the journey back to my roots and bought some way cool cowgirl boots and shirts at Shepler's...Max, who is a native of Virginia, tried to relate.



I also bought some way cool shirts, two with western yokes and lovely enamel covered snaps (one gingham, the other sparkley party shirt), the other with lucky horseshoes...eat your heart out!



I can't wait to wear them under black suits :)