Day 13

Day 13

January 30, 2015

Miles: 1950

Sorry y'all! I've been a little off kilter today so I didn't realize I forgot to post.  :-/

Let's see.  My knee is KILLING ME.  My bestestestest woke me up at 05:30 this morning talking about some friends of ours.  I'm really quite angry for our friends but I'm not going to air that here simply because it's a very personal matter and it's taking everything in my power to not get on a plane and fly out there to help.  I'm just sad and angry for them.  I cannot begin to understand what they are going through....

So that's all I'm saying on that....

Grumpy had to go to urgent care today.  He's been complaining of pain the last couple days so we took him in. Turns out he's got a super ear infection that has transitions into his mastoid (the bone next to your middle ear). I have to be honest.  I'm about over all these owies and aches.  NO MORE DOCTORS! I'm not even going about my knee.  I'm tough, I can handle it.... As long as Lil and Roo STOP TOUCHING IT!!! Sheesh!

We have postponed our sightseeing until tomorrow due to yet another doctor visit today.  I will say I found the most awesome restaurant on Phoenix though. Black Bear Diner.... So cute!! The food is quite good and the staff is really nice.  The whole concept is fun and I highly recommend it for anyone traveling the west coast.  Apparently there are many!!!

So that's my lame ass post.  I'm sorry, no pictures of rocks or cacti today.  I'm gonna head back to sleep cos my body's pretty angry at me..

I still miss you so much it hurts to not talk to you.

I love you cos you're easy to love.

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 12

Day 12

January 29, 2015

Miles: 1883

It's been 12 days?!? Holy crap! Ugh!! 

So quick question:  Have I always been this clumsy?!?? I totally fell this evening and busted my knee. It is stinging but I'm trying to be tough.

It doesn't help that I totally slipped in mud and got that mud all over my light grey sweats.....

 And I totally walked into a room full of international airmen drinking and enjoying each other's company.  Bloody hell!! And my knee stings! Ugh!!!

So today we drove out to the Painted Mountains and the Petroglyphs site.  It was interesting.  The road is "primitive" so it gives you a feel like you are stepping back into history.  We could see all the markings made centuries ago.  It was kind of surreal to look at history in such a living way.  I realize they are just rocks, but you have to remember ancient hands touched those rocks and left a permanent mark on them.  A mark I can still see to this day.  It's just engaging in a whole new way.

I just find the art an embodiment of our past, ya know?  Maybe I'm silly.

Well speaking of silly, we found the ultimate dog running area (where I won't get shouted at or a gun drawn on me.. Sheesh!).  It's kinda fun watching the dogs run at full speed with no fences to stop them.  Lil is learning about local wildlife.  

I'm afraid she'll learn the hard way to keep her nose outta everyone else's business....

Too funny!!

So stoked about the super bowl this weekend.  It should be a blast!! Hopefully I'll find some trouble in Phoenix on Sunday.

I have an early drive tomorrow.  We are doing the old west bit tomorrow.  Can't wait to see all the history in southern Arizona!

Sleep sweet and angels on your pillows!!

I miss you, a whole lot!

I love you, even when I don't like you.

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 11

Day 11

January 28, 2015

Miles: 1746

Today has been a long day.  A good day, but super long.

Roo woke me up about 6am to go out and pee.  Of course! This meant that the other had to go too.  So out we went and yeah.... Coming in I realized how badly my mouth was killing me so I had to take a few pain killers and that of course knocked me out.

I FINALLY got up for our day trip.  I felt bad for over sleeping, but I couldn't help the pain.

Today was our special adventure towards the border.  After breakfast at the Space Age Lodge (no joke! That place is a riot!!) the seven of us headed South.  Our first stop was this beautiful little town called Ajo (pronounced A-ho).  We stopped in their historical plaza for tourist info and I finally found a post office (people, your post cards will be sent shortly!).  The plaza was just so southwestern.  It's beautiful.

It was just amazing to see how the history is kept alive in this community.  Oh and their local artists are pretty phenomenal.  Here's a photo of the local paper offices:

Sweet mural, right?!?!??

We continued our journey through Why (as you can probably guess, I've been cracking lame ass jokes about these town names... all day....) to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  There are not enough words to describe the utter brilliance of the Sonoran Desert.  I'll just show you a few shots I took.

These are just a few of the pictures we snapped today.  It was amazing to see all the cacti and the mountains.  I guess I'm just too much of a North Texas girl cos this is just magnificent to me!!

Since we were so close to the international border, I drove us down to the point of entry.  

It was silly and terrifying all at the same time to see the actual wall.  It's like "hey we are so awesome we built a wall to keep everyone on their own side".... Reminds me of another wall... Hmmm

Any who!! It was late in the afternoon so we headed back.  There are three checkpoints between the border and our camp, and I sure as hell didn't want to have to go through ANY of them after dark.  Needless to say, we stopped for dinner in Ajo on the way back (check out 100 Estrella Restaurant, friggin' brilliant! I had Bison!!) so OF COURSE I get to the last checkpoint after dark.

I don't care who you are, it's intimidating to drive up to that at night.  What's worse was he had to ask me three times if we were all Americans because the dog barked and I turned to look at Jackrabbit instead of the armed Border Patrol Officer.  That was stupid, I know.

Either way, we made it back from the border safely.  Now I'm pooped and going to curl up with some puppies and write some post cards.

I hope everyone has a wonderful dream tonight.  Mine will be of the colors in the mountains with the caves that hold millions of stories.

I miss you, terribly!

I love you, more than you know.

Goodnight!!

Xx

P.S. I did take a picture of my bison burger, just in case.  You're welcome.

Day 10

Day 10

January 27, 2015

Miles: 1527

MP Write-Ups: 1

So everyone knows we are traveling with a pack at the moment.  Well apparently the location I was told to take them this morning to run and go to the bathroom is a poor excuse for a golf course and some locals felt the need to tell me off with some swear words.  So I parked and walked over there to ask him not to swear at me anymore cos I get more than enough at home.  And of course I cried.  So the Colonel that yelled at me patted my shoulder and told me everything would be okay and where I could take the dogs.  He ended up being nice after I asked him not to swear at me.  BUT someone had already called MPs so they had to come by and make sure everything was square.  oh! And they wrote me up for having the dogs off leash.  Bloody hell!!

But good news, KeKe would be so proud! I reorganized the cabin today.  All food is in a designated location, utensils, gadgets, do-hickeys, everything has a place and in its place everything stays!!!  I'm quite proud of me, as well!  Now to just readjust my own little cubby.  le sigh

So today was another trip up into Phoenix to see Jo and have dinner with him and his boy.  

We dropped Grumpy off with them while DQ and I went to get a little bit of LONG OVERDUE pampering!  I've decided, who cares it's January!! I have my "Pool Party" on!! 

Dinner was fun, Jo made a roast and man was it good! It was kinda fun listening to him reminisce all night.  I'm still kinda peeved at Grumpy for his piss poor attitude lately, but it was nice hearing Jo talk about their history.  

It's been a super long day.  I'm actually COMPLETELY WIPED OUT and it's just now 2300.  le sigh

I'm headed to bed cos tomorrow we are driving down to Ajo and I can't wait to see the Organ Pipe Cactus Monument!! It's gonna be awesome!!! Oh! And I can't wait to go to Why!!! Hahaha I keep cracking myself up with lame jokes about Why, Arizona.. Hahaha

Oh hell, I'm done.  I'll leave y'all with some shots of the twilight leaving Phoenix.

Sleep sweet everyone!

I love you.

I miss you.

Goodnight!!

Xx

Day 9

Sonofabitch!!!

I just a wrote this huge long emotional post and the effing thing just lost the whole damn thing!! UGH!!!

Hope I can remember everything I wrote.

Okay, here's the real, honest-to-God truth:

I feel like the world's biggest dupe!

I am doing all the driving, which I prefer wholeheartedly (see control freak).  But I am completely exhausted.  Traveling with a companion can be a blast.  I, on the other hand, am not having fun, at all.

We've been on our trip a little over a week now.  The views and the cities/towns have been amazing to see and experience.  But the tension and negativity I am traveling with is becoming more and more taxing.  Even the dogs are beginning to react to the animosity and hostility coming from the humans.  There were three huge dog fights, just yesterday.

For those of you that don't know me, I had a really good job after graduation.  The pay wasn't awesome but I loved the work and their was potential for growth within the company.  Grumpy started getting so sick that I quit my job and moved in with him and DQ to help care for him.  Since I've moved in his sugar is under control, he's lost 55 pounds, and he isn't requiring monthly hospital stays.  AND he went to see his long time buddy in Phoenix today.

Now I'm no saint but I do get REALLY hurt when I do everything in my power to help and I get told to "get lost" or "piss off".  I am starting to understand the psychosis of why I chose the people I do in my life, I'm used to being so hurt.  I can handle a lot of things but down right cruelty is not one of them.  

How do I get him to be nicer?  How do I make him happy? Why do I put so much effort in?  He has other children, why am I the one taking care of him when he has done NOTHING to take care of me EVER??  Why am I such a doormat?

I feel like I keep asking the same questions despite the offending perpetrators.  I guess it's me.  Why do I keep allowing this to happen??  Why do I keep doing this to myself?

I'm sad.  And I feel very guilty.  I wanted nothing better than to bust his nose today and leave his ass in the desert!  That makes me a horrible person, I know.  But I'm just tired of him always saying whatever he can to hurt both of our feelings.  He's just so mean and nasty.  

I'm sorry to vent the sad stuff to y'all. I really do want to share the amazing parts to my journey, it's just these low points are getting to be more often and much lower.

Now that I've officially brought the entire trip down :-/  On to my typical post.

Day 9

January 26, 2015

Miles: 1382

Today I learned some very important things:

First, "Auxiliary Field" means there are still active drills!! The AF was kind enough to wake the entire encampment at 0823 this morning with five, very low, very LOUD fly bys.  It will scare the bejesus outta you if you don't know it's coming!!

Second,  the AF does not play around with their drills.  I have figured out that a few minutes before the planes arrive until a minute or so after they depart the area, all signals are off.  Radio, television, satellite, and cellular signals are gone.  Nothing will work!  Apparently the really really don't want anything to screw with their instruments... Either that or they are emitting EMF pulses to make sure no one can video/photo/tweet/whatever their maneuvers or planes.  Who knows.

Third, mapping a location from your current location will only give you distance as the crow flies.  You must actually calculate the path in order to get an accurate traveling distance.  Which is why 38 miles to Phoenix became 72 to our final location.

Finally, most people do not know basic triage for home injuries.  We were at the ER today (shocking I know!) when a girl came in with her hand in a Rubbermaid take away container full of what looked like red sangria.  Turns out mother and daughter were preparing dinner when the daughter sliced her finger tips off using the mandolin.  I was shell-shocked for a number of reasons.  I couldn't believe that this girl was so dangerous using a kitchen utensil that she sliced off the top of her fingers!  It's also shocking to me that her mother didn't know to bandage the wound and keep it elevated to stop the bleeding.  And WHY THE HELL would you keep the bleeding hand in a bowl of ice WATER?!? Of course it wouldn't stop bleeding it was given free flow!! It took DQ telling the lady in patient registration that the girl was bleeding everywhere to get her some help.  I just.... I couldn't believe that she didn't know the basics in injuries.

PEOPLE:  IF YOU DO NOT KNOW BASIC FIRST AID TO HELP

IN A MAJOR HOME ACCIDENT, CALL THE EMTs!! Let them show you how much smarter they are so you won't have to sit in an ER waiting room hoping someone will notice your daughter is bleeding to death from her hand.... Sheesh!! Be proactive people!!!

Oh! For those wondering, DQ's finger is not worse, nor is it better.  They went ahead and put on a half splint, which made us both feel loads better.  ER Dr. Josh even pulled some strings so she can get in to see an orthopedic surgeon this week.  Props Dr. Josh!!!

That being said, we have a beautiful red and white cattle master-border collie that needs to be rehomed.  She is very sweet but needs to be the Center of someone's world.  With three other dogs and two other people that need a lot of care, we are not providing the attention or exercise she needs to be happy.  We are very sad to have to rehome her, but it's not fair to her to have to continue to live in this environment.

Also, we have a handsome black/chocolate lab-Pitt that also needs to find a loving family.  He is so sweet and it breaks my heart to have to give him a new home but as with the other dogs, I can't dedicate the time and energy he needs to be and feel well cared for.  It kills me to not have my baby boy, but he needs people that can play and be silly and give him a happier life.  

With a geriatric parent that can't take care of himself and a fragile parent that won't take care of herself, I have no choice but to find our two youngest new homes where they can be loved and happy.

If you are interested, please message/comment/email/however and let me know.  I'll be glad to send pictures and tell you of our beloved family members in a private conversation.  I don't think I can fully express how much it hurts to have to write all of this, but I'm not being fair to them if we try and keep them as our lives are going at this point.  I'm afraid they'd be miserable and not get everything they each need.

Ugh! Now I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep.

Goodnight my friends.

I miss you.... A lot.

I love you.... Still, too much.

Goodnight...

Xx

Day 8

Day 8

January 25, 2015

Miles: 1082

So this camp isn't as bad as I thought.  The locals (Snowbirds that live here Oct-Apr) are so sweet!!

So one of the long timers (he and his wife have been coming for the last five years) came over this morning and hooked up our water for us.  He explained the water situation, turns out there is Arsenic is the wells so we have to drink from the reverse osmosis system next to our faucet.  It's a bit bizarre but okay.

So the locals get together every night at the fire pit with their "wine, pop, whatever" and just sit and chat.  We were invited to join the festivities but OF COURSE some people are still just a bit too grumpy.  le sigh

It's not like there is anything to do out here.  Your daily activity options are to work on your rig, watch a dvd in your rig, stare at the sand, read a book, go to the lodge for Internet/tv/sitting on a big squishy sofa, or just leaving.  I chose most of the above.  I cleaned the truck windows (so my pictures would come out prettier), walked the dogs all over base, turned on 3 movies for us, stared at the sunset, cooked all 4 meals for us, drove into Gila Bend to check out the town, and finally went to the lodge to do some work and watch two neighbors watch Downton Abbey.  

It's been a long and interesting day.  This place is pretty spectacular!  I'm amazed by the lack of fences.  It's just... It's peaceful here.  And I found out that the spigots weren't removed to keep illegals from drinking, they just didn't want anyone sick from the arsenic.  

The townspeople are really nice, the reservation folks are pretty awesome, and the snowbirds are just like a close-knit extended family.

I think I'll really enjoy our time here at Gila Bend.  I hope tomorrow's trip to Phoenix will be as entertaining.

Goodnight everyone.

I love you. 

I miss you.

Goodnight.

Day 7

Day 7

January 24, 2015

Miles: 1068

It's 0330 on day 8 technically and we just pulled in to our stop for the night.

So let's start from the beginning.

I woke up on a beautiful sunny day in El Paso on Day 7.  Relaxed from a halfway decent sleep after the hospital episode the night before.

I was super stoked today because I got to see my favorite Juan today!  We went to lunch and let me tell you, that was an experience all its own.

So we went to Los Altos Ranch Market on Zaragoza (yes the street is specific..) and I wasn't sure what to expect.  Juan described it like "as the Mexican HEB".  But, DUDE, it is SOOO friggin much more!!!

When you first walk in the door, you are bombarded with colors and smells.  The bakery is first and the sugary confections are wafting through the air.  Your eyes are overwhelmed by the vivacious colors clashing throughout the area.  The gelatin fruit cakes (yes you read that correctly) and pastries line the display cases while tres leeches and an assortment of other delectables surround the perimeter.... There's no escaping the scrumptious encasement!!!  Next you have a choice, you can walk through the produce aisle or walk next to the cocina with the agua fresca hut; both options are dangerously beautiful!  The whole store is broken up into markets around the dry goods in the middle, just like most other grocers, but this place.... The markets are just so bountiful!  So many options and it's just overwhelming!  I believe all 5 senses are stimulated at once in this place.... It's just.  Oh man I could write a book on the wondrous goodness that is Ranch Markets, instead I'll just post some pictures of heaven.

So lunch with my favorite Juan was AWESOME to say the very least. 

Next began our long trek.  We got into New Mexico and had to stop at a border patrol check point. That was fun... 😐

So we had maybe planned to stay in New Mexico for the evening but when my baby furry butt got sick, I was motivated to just drive until we got to where we would be staying for a long duration.  

The drive through New Mexico into Arizona was just BEAUTIFUL!  

I feel like I keep repeating adjectives, I apologize (it's super late and my brain is ceasing function quickly) but really these views are just awe-inspiring!!!  These are some of the shots.  Y'all have to remember I am the one that drives so my pictures are taken at a cruising speed of aprox 67mph through a windscreen off my mounted iPhone.  So as pretty as these images are, imagine their greatness in person.  My phone really does NOT do any of the landscapes any justice.

It was just.... Worth it.  The drive tonight, although exhausting, was so worth the entire trip!!!  I couldn't ask for a better backdrop to life!!

So yes, we drove all the way past Tucson to the middle of nowhere.  

We are now on a base surrounded by desert.  This place is so remote, they removed the water faucet valves so that when illegal immigrants wander in from the desert, they don't have a place to get water.  😳

I'd take a picture but you would see just darkness.

So now it's 0428 local time and I'm friggin WIPED!!

Just know I love y'all so much I started this blog early so it would be on the correct day, AND I stayed up after driving three states today just to finish this for y'all..

I love you.

I miss you.

Goodnight!

Day 6

Day 6

January 23, 2015

Still stationary.

Holy hell today has been..... Whew!

So it started just as yesterday ended: blah and restless.  I was still super emotionally charged after last night's discussion and argument.  So I woke feeling a little raw and very untested.

We spent the evening up on the hillside of Franklin Mountain.  And HOLY GOODNESS!  It was friggin' gorgeous!!!  DQ's friend from back in the day lives right on the side of the mountain and the views are just spectacular!

Their garden is soooo peaceful and harmonious in the backdrop.  I took some pictures to share with y'all!

I mean that's their back garden!!! It's just... Man, I almost didn't want to leave. And her husband made us homemade pizza with these tiny bell peppers on them that were so sweet.  It was just fantastic.  Oh! And I had wine from a box for the first time in my life.... I have to admit it was pretty damn awesome!!  It was just an all around wonderful evening.

So leaving our enchanting evening, we realized the "sprained" finger DQ got this morning was getting worse.  

I convinced her we had to go to hospital...  That's where I fell IN LOVE with EPTX!!!

So the WBAMC is behind two military checkpoints; no big deal, we have a DoD ID.  But the guards were so sweet and kind.  I've been to my fair share of military bases and I've never quite been greeted as we were this evening.  And so handsome!! All the guards, nurses, PAs, everyone... They are all just SOOO handsome.  

The PA that worked on DQ's finger was gentle and so nice.  Even calmed her down when he told her that her finger was actually broken.  He's a Major and so friggin' handsome it's almost sinful.  

We were in and out of the ER in 3hrs, with a prescription for heavy narc painkillers.  Every single person we encountered was polite, and not that military polite but genuinely just NICE.  I've never been in a place with such high regard to respect and honor and MANNERS.  

We talked about it on the drive home, and really El Paso is one of the most pleasant places we've been to so far (and that's not limited to this trip).  I can't wait for our return visit!!

I'm super excited I get to see my buddy tomorrow! I've not seen him in a couple years and I just found out he deploys soon.  It'll be good to catch up over lunch.

Well I'm gonna hit the hay.  I've had a mostly pleasant day, despite the asshole (which honestly is another story that will SERIOUSLY piss me off to talk about now).  I'm going to curl up with my fuzzy babies and prepare my mind for a reunion and a long haul tomorrow.

Sleep sweet my friends.

I love you.

I miss you.

Goodnight.

Xx