Returning from Mexico, we arrived back in Nacogdoches for a quick turn around and suitcase content change. Need a little more clothing and a little different as we decided to take our promised trip up to Canada. Only this time, we drove - Danny wanted to see Ontario and had visions of hanging a right for awhile before turning around and going left from the border of Ontario and Minnesota. Finally convinced him that it wasn't a good idea - too cold and possibly too much snow.
So our "Circumnavigate N America, somewhat" trip started in Nacogdoches, TX where our carro-casa is stored. In it are all our possessions and we needed a few of them to complete this journey. Oh, how about a couple of sleeping bags, emergency blankets, fleece blankets, sweaters, etc. One must be prepared when traveling the north country.
This is more a flight type routing but it gives the idea. As for miles, I will have to look on the oil sticker as we had the oil changed before we left. Danny tells me that it very close to 8000 miles!
We had Thanksgiving in Tulsa with Alf and Stacey which was a great visit. The sun shone and the temperatures were warm. Good for walking and hiking. Turkey dinner was scrump-deli-icious and we needed the walk to wear it off. :)
The sunshine continued with us until we got to Kansas City. Suddenly the temps started to drop and we saw remnants of snowfall. A little ice on the side roads but the highways were clear. This cold weather and clear skies followed us until we left the freeway in Minnesota to head over to International Falls. The roads became treacherous and the snow continued to fall.
Add to that the fact that I had caught a violent case of flu which made my stomach roil and heave despite the peppermint that I was taking. The going was slow and when the trucks would pass you entered a "Whiteout" atmosphere for a few minutes. Stopping in the first town, Virginia, and I fell into bed. Don't remember much after that but I gather Danny came and went as the afternoon led into the evening.
Next, International Falls or FrostBite Falls of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame. The whole reason for our coming this way - Danny has always wanted to see the area and quoted Rocky and Bullwinkle as we came into town. Of course, had to look for a sign and the only one we could find was ...
Yikes, I have to get the photos from the big camera ...
We had a fabulous lunch here and of course, per our usual, we toured the town, finding all sorts of interesting things - a great church (yes I know, another one?) and even a Smokey the Bear Park with a bigger than life statue of Smokey the Bear with his winter sports paraphernalia.
Onward into Canada. The sun continues to shine for at least another 50 miles, then it is gone, replaced by that white stuff again. We had snow falling, trucks passing, and occasional black ice to contend with but we managed to get to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that evening.
In Winnipeg the next morning, we take a driving tour of the downtown as we looked for the
Manitoba Museum. All my life I have heard that the coldest place "on earth" has to be the corner of Portage and Main in Winnipeg. Yup, I can agree, if not, at least for this day. The wind whips around the buildings and corners and up and down the 4 meeting streets and without the proper gear, it is indeed the "coldest place on earth". The museum turned out to be absolutely fabulous and I would recommend it for anyone in the vicinity. We spent 4 hours there seeing only 1 section (the history of Manitoba) and definitely could have spent days.
With skies overcast, winds blowing and the possibility of more snow, we left Winnipeg in the late afternoon, getting only as far as Brandon, where the snow, cold and darkness forced us to a stop. Sure doesn't look like the old Brandon that I knew.! :)
Of course, the next day turned out to be more of the same - this time with rare periods of sunshine. Driving through the flats of the Prairies we were surprised to see young people out in the fields "kite snowboarding." A great way to get in some fun times when there are no mountains within an easy days drive. The scenery was magically and almost enchanted looking. Beautiful is such a mundane word to use, but what other is there?
We slip and slid into Edmonton where we parked for a few days to visit with my parents - after all, this was the original purpose for this trip. It was good to see them again and we had a wonderful time. Was able to get all the shopping done so that I will not need to mail anything this year. They are both doing well in the general scheme of things - they are getting on in years as we all are. I now realize that I didn't even get a photo of them.
From Edmonton, we took a fast trip down to Butte, MO via Lethbridge where we stopped for the night. Cold but little snow until we hit the mountains north of Butte. Then we had a slow down because of snow and ice. Once in town, it was actually much more pleasant in temps going from a mere 27 up to 47 within an hour and a half.
mid afternoon
As we drove south, it got warmer and warmer. Wow, Las Vegas. Walking around in the evening with only a light cover over a t-shirt. What could be better. Still not hot, but still warmer than what we had been experiencing. Our time in Las Vegas is mainly a time for good food and people watching. Shows are an exception when one can get tickets that afternoon for that evening. We couldn't this time for the shows that we were interested in. Still like to wander the fancy shopping in the various hotels.
On to Yuma where we stayed with friends and visited others. Tried to get in to see the dentist but it was not to be. Funny how all these offices book so far ahead when there isn't an emergency. The thing is, that normally people are always in one place and can make these long range appointments. As for us, we only come in occasionally and never know the exact time when we are going to be somewhere. Of course, if we could get an appointment for a specific day on relatively short notice, we would make sure we would be there, but not 3-4 months in the future. Guess we will be looking for a new dentist.
Yuma is but a short distance from DFW but for us, it is never a short trip. This time we went through Truth or Consequences, New Mexico to visit with friends that we hadn't seen since before going into PC. it was good to visit with them and they have a great parking spot both for the winter, on the butte overlooking the lake, and in the summer, in the mountains where it remains cool. Depending on our plans we might be back for a while in the new year.
Then a decision to head over to the mountains to see if we could get a spot for new years. Cloudcroft, NM, hoe to skiing and a great lodge that offers both winter and summer activities. Crossing the plateau going south, before the turnoff into the moutains, we had ferocious cross winds. Strong enough that we had run ins with flying Christmas Tree-sized sagebrush that were determined to wrap themselves around the car. When they did, they scratched up the front but more importantly, obliterated your driving view. Quite dangerous at the moment and necessitated a stop to peel it off. Of course when I tried to get a video, only small flew across the road. Exciting happenings on this trip for sure.
Onward into Dallas, a steady drive without mishap or excitement. Here we lighted for a couple of days to get some shopping and mundane business things done as well as visit with Danny's family. Danny was able to meet with a friend and had a good morning visiting. I was able to work on a project that I hope to accomplish for later in 2013 while he was out.
And today? Well it was 77degreesF as we left Dallas for Nacogdoches. The sun was too bright to be able to see the computer screen as we drove - I had planned on writing this as we drove. Instead, I knit on the socks for Danny! Yes, Danny I can make socks when I need or want to! ALso have some wool for a sweater but that is for another day and travel event.
Throughout our travels, when I wasn't looking around, driving or dozing, I worked on a couple of needlework projects. Miss Cleo was completed in Edmonton and continued to work her magic. The Patchwork Santa was completed on the road somewhere between Butte and Las Vegas and is now ready for quilting and the designing of a lap quilt to accompany him. The last was the tablecloth that will take forever, I am afraid, to complete. All in all, a good use of my time between admiring the views and conversing and planning, if I do say so myself.
Miss Cleo wasn't very happy about being confined to the backseat the whole trip.
