Tuesday, March 17, 2020

State of Emergency, Jell-o plans, Cadillacs


Walmart, Elk City, Oklahoma
On Tuesday, Mar. 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, I was wide awake at 4:30 am. Dagnammit! I did a complete rotation of the crocodile roll ending up where I started and told myself to pretend that it was 9:30. That worked. Next thing I knew, I woke up with Bill bending over me with a hand on my shoulder. He was worried, it was 7:15! I was okay, and happy for the extra few hours of rest.

This is a pretty trail, rocky in places so watch where you're
going!

Bill had a lot on his mind and last night we went to bed with our heads bursting. We’d talked on the phone yesterday to 3 people from home about the situation and this time were encouraged to jump on the band wagon and head for home. This morning, our Premier for Ontario announced that Ontario is in a State of Emergency.

This picture is of the office from the main road
but the trail brought me down behind the building
very left of the photo
There are many concerns for our health insurance coverage. Many providers could possibly cut consumers off on Mar. 23rd. This prompted us to check with Manulife, our provider, and they will honour their commitment for all existing policies. However, Bill and I have unitedly agreed to make the push for home, now. No panic but just move as far as we can in a day with one-night stopovers.

Bill was dumping tanks etc.when I returned
Because we are not travelling back alone, we needed to talk to Ken and Kim, knowing that this is the exact opposite of what we said we were going to do. We wanted them to feel free to make their own choices and that we weren’t expecting them to ‘jump ship’ unless they were ‘on board’ to do so.  After a chit chat, they are coming along with us. We packed up, dumped tanks and added some fresh water for travel.

This little tree is laden with blue berries
 I walked down the little trail that I love to the Office to inform them we were pulling out. I grabbed a couple of David Baldacci books from their full book shelves and huffed and puffed up the hills back home. I was glad for the walk though.  

I'm not sure of the significance of the owl rocks
but I loved them
We were only ‘out’ $6 by leaving a night early. We believe whole heartedly that we are making the right choice for us, our health and safety. We pulled out at 9:45 with the Wilson’s bringing up the rear end of our now shorter convoy.

This campground, Hidden Valley, is well hidden but it is definitely not a valley
We are up quite high here

Our travel mates making the turn back onto I-40E
By 10:45, we were driving through some heavy foggy areas. The terrain on either side was that of hundreds of staghorn cholla cacti. The temperature was a mild 47F/8C and I-40E still left a lot to be desired in spots. We chugged along, making pretty good time even with pretty steady traffic. 


At 11:15 we had to pass a Rest Area (which I could have used!) because it was closed. Next R.A. 50 miles, I was desperate for that one. Grrr, it was closed too but I told Bill we had no choice so he pulled into the turning lane and parked along the curb. Thankfully, the Journey was with us so we were able to use their facilities w/o opening any slides.

Frustrating as all get out
Back on the road at 12 noon. What good are the R.A.’s to travelers when they are closed? Very inconvenient, I'll say. All refreshed, we crossed into Texas at 1:00 and within minutes, lost another hour. 


Home is only an hour ahead of us now. We journeyed to Amarillo, TX and took Exit 60 to fuel up and just down the road stopped at Cadillac Ranch. It was dry and fairly warm, mid 50’s, but very mucky so after some painting and pictures, we had a muddy mess to clean off our shoes. It was worth the stop.

Not sure of the significance of tossing the boots either
but at least these were painted for the theme!

10 Cadillacs buried nose down in 1974
In the ground longer than they were on the road

If you look at the bottom of the caddy, you should be able
to see our names in bright green
for St. Patty's day!
Before pulling onto the interstate again, we opened up the Suite on one side and had some cheese, meat and Keebler’s Flip Side crackers. Yum, they are nice with one side cracker and the flip side pretzel.  Thanks Dave and Cheryl for the tip! 

Drove through a fair bit of this today
We were back on the road at 4 pm. The sky was a mass of clouds but you got the sense that the sun wasn’t far behind them. Other than some thick fog patches crossing Texas, it was a good drive day.

The price of diesel is incredible in Texas!

A familiar Texas Rest Area for a lot of us snowbirders

Around 6 pm, the rain started and we forged on until 7 when we reached Walmart in Elk City, OK. We managed 416 miles today and feel really good about the distance we covered. I missed the sign to Oklahoma so took one from the Info Centre that we passed. 


We found lots of room in the parking lot for big rigs so got situated easily. It was still raining lightly but nipped across the lot to see what was in the store that we may need over the next week. A lot of empty shelves but we picked up some milk, bread, Zero Coke and sausage. No ground beef, pork or turkey to be had. I'll check at 7 am again.
Still pretty landscapes as we drive along

Something about these roads on each side of the Interstate
makes for a nice picture
Since we had lunch around 3 pm CST, we didn’t feel too hungry. We snacked on chips and dip. This was a good day, steady driving with a bit of fun at Cadillac Ranch in the middle. 

funny thing
I forgot to pull all of these items in the sink, like I always do
The only thing that moved during the 6+ hours today
was our Oral B brush popped out of the holder
LOL

We aren’t regretting our decision, instead feeling it is the right thing to do and we’ll worry about the next step when we cross the border. The only thing I forgot to do today, was to wear my green shirt! LOL

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!
Here is where we are tonight (see Ken in between our rigs?)
Good night all!

Thank you for popping in and have a great evening!

34 comments:

  1. It is weird. I drove 250 miles with a gallery of water on the edge of the kitchen counter. Never did fall off. Means your luck is changing!! Stay out of the snow!!!

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  2. Reasonable temps and no snow in Windsor... Before you get 'home' you'll need someone to gather a minimum of 2 weeks supplies as you will be quarantined as soon as you cross... I suggest you don't go to the shops yourselves without masks and gloves at a minimum.

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    1. sounds like some warm days up in our area at home too. We carry a fair bit of stock with us as we live in here full time so pretty sure we will be fine in that regard.
      Thank you.

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  3. As you probably know we made the same decision as you, to step up our return home. We'll be home tomorrow. You literally drove right past our campground yesterday. We stayed at the Alanreed Travel Center just a few miles from the Texas Welcome Center in your pictures. Your park was only a little over an hr. from us. Safe travels to you, Bill, and the Wilson's.

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    1. Safe travels to both of you as well. We would have honked, had we known!!
      Take care, I'm so glad we met up this winter!!

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  4. Not sure why that park is called Hidden Valley either. Sounds like you have made what is the right decision for the two of you and when it comes right down to it that is all any of us can do. Stay Healthy and Safe Travels.

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    1. Thank T & D. Yes, the park is hidden up in the hills as we drove past the entrance our first time going there.
      Take care.

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  5. I am heading home also now. I got an eMail from my Medical Insurance(Medoc) that it will end on the 26. Guess, you have to look at it that if you get sick you will not be a burden on the US medical system.

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    1. Safe travels, Peter. It is unfortunate about the insurance. Ours is good until Apr. 15th or later so we are ok.

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  6. Yep, those crackers are tasty. We restocked yesterday. One of the few 'essential' items on the shelves.
    Hope you guys have a safe trip home. Don't get in such a rush that you make unsafe decisions. Nice that the four of you can come to a logical consensus.

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    1. Wise words, Dave, even about the crackers!! :)
      Yes, it is nice to travel some distances together but we would have understood had they wanted to slow it down.

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  7. I'm glad you guys are heading home. Safe travels and wishing you well when you get back.

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    1. Thank you Suzie. We just hope after our quarantine we don't come in contact with someone who has come in contact........you know. LOL

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  8. Well, I for one am sorry to see you 4 heading home so quickly. I guess we'll see what it's like today as we are starting to trek home today. This craziness is driving me crazy!! Travel safely and do take some time to smell the roses along the way. Hugs to you all...oh wait, that's not allowed anymore, social distancing! UHHHH...

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    Replies
    1. I know that some of it is crazy, but as Canadians we feel this is the right thing. We have a border to cross. Things are just as bad here as there, if not worse.
      Thanks for the hugs - virtual or not! :)

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  9. Glad so read that you are coming home now. Not to worry as things are still good here. If we all do the right thing it will stay fine. However, the US and our government take it day by day, so its better to follow the directive. Spring is just around the corner which makes being outside so much better. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks, we had to come to our own decisions on that as there is no guarantee that after our 2 week quarantine we don't catch it from someone who didn't! LOL
      You stay safe too, spring tomorrow. :)

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  10. I'm happy that the four of you are happy with your decision. You are following your gut instinct and I feel that's the best way to make a decision. Blessings.....

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    1. You are absolutely right. Our gut instinct is usually a good start. Thank you for the blessings.

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  11. Oklahoma doesn't have Welcome Signs when you cross their borders.
    Try to stock up before you cross the border. Things are still thin on the shelves around here.
    Safe Travels and Enjoy the scenery.

    It's about time.

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    1. Actually, there was one but I couldn't get the camera up on time. The second stone one was nicer anyway. :)
      We are well stocked but these stores are no different than what we're hearing from back homes stores. Empty shelves here too.
      Thanks.

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  12. Interesting decision. Glad you stopped at Cadillac Ranch. Neat place in the middle of nowhere. Safe travels today.

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    1. Thanks Doug. We are very comfortable with our decision and now just ready to be home. :)

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  13. I'm glad to hear you're on your way home. Things are escalating quickly here. Safe travels!

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    1. Thanks, crazy all over so we need to be on our own 'native land'. :)

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  14. I think you're making the right decision. Safe travelling!

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  15. We set out today having made the decision to go, even though our Manulife insurance is good up to April 15th Currently sitting in a Cracker Barrel, with 6 other RVs, in Georgia. So much indecision and now we feel so much better because we have a plan. It seems that a few campgrounds in Ontario are opening early to accommodate fleeing snowbirds. Safe travels and stay healthy!

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    1. We have Manulife too so we know we are good but it is time to get home. We feel exactly the same way. It was very up in the air but once we decided, we feel relieved. Nice that campgrounds are opening sooner in Ontario, hadn't heard that.
      Travel safe, Dee!

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  16. Safe travels in these strange times.

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  17. I'm seeing many many RV's headed east on Hwy 54 thru the Okla. Panhandle. So you are not alone in your travels. Best wishes for a safe trip to you all!!!
    Don in Okla.

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    1. I'm sure you are seeing a lot. We see lots on the interstate and a fair number from Ontario toot as they go by.
      Thank you Don.

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