Terri and Peter's RV Adventures

I’m back! Yes, it’s been a few days and a few thousand miles, but the gang is back together again. When we last left one another, we were settling into a dreamy plot of land along Lake Michigan owned by Peter’s extended family. We set up camp with views directly overlooking Lake Michigan and only left this nirvana to visit my childhood friend, Nancy Rosen McEntee in Highland Park and Peter’s niece and family in Batavia. Even then, we drove an hour and a half at ll pm to spend the night at this bucolic scene. That was July 20 – 26.

The Segil/Bluford family reunion consisted of over 40 people gathering from around the country, with three generations represented. It was a lovely, relaxed, warm, and chaotic scene of people, food, swimming in the lake and at the pool, ball throwing to the ever-ready Lily, laughter, talking and connecting. The blue green lake of endless horizons, lush green grass and thick, leafy trees were equal partners in this backdrop along with the crazy humidity (you know, the kind where you sweat just standing still).

On July 27th, I flew from Milwaukee to Albuquerque to meet up with my long time friends, Vige and Connie. We spent the next six days in Taos and Santa Fe, eating, drinking coffee, talking, shopping and reading. We supported the local economies of Taos and Santa Fe with shopping, eating out and museum going as our primary forms of entertainment. We also met up with our local friends, Joy, for brunch at the famous La Fonda and Marty and Theresa who hosted us for dinner at their beautiful home.

In the meantime, Peter and his brothers, Dave and Marty along with the two dogs began their “Bro Trip” on July 28th, driving through hundred degree temperatures through the midwest, stopping overnight in Des Moines, Henderson, Nebraska, into Limon, Co and finally Santa Fe. Their reward, aside from precious time together just the three of them, was a day in Santa Fe before flying back to their respective homes. They spent many hours talking and eventually recording stories about their early years together. I know for a fact (based on entrails in the back seat of the truck) that their sustenance included Mountain Dew, Starbucks cold brew and roasted nuts. They also apparently went to the Hob Nob Bar and Grill where they absconded with a pair of bright red and gold matches. Everyone arrived safe and sound, even the dogs, and apparently had a great time.

On August 2nd, Peter and I reconnected, Vige flew home to upstate New York and Connie met up with her husband, Tommy, and they went to their VRBO which turned out to be a half hour from where Peter and I were camping, at Ojo Caliente, my all time favorite spa place to relax. We met for dinner with Connie and Tommy on the 2nd and 3rd which extended our fun and deeply connecting conversation.

We couldn’t imagine leaving Ojo after only one full day so we extended our stay through August 4th, spending the day soaking in one pool of mineral water and then another: arsenic, lithia and iron; our digestive systems, skin and sense of well being were as restored as they could get.

Waking up before dawn on the 5th, we decided to get an early start knowing we had a long, hot drive through New Mexico and half of Arizona in front of us. Eight hours and 435 miles later we landed in Flagstaff. We are now back on Pacific Time and getting a whiff of home. In the spirit of self care, and unlike past trips where we muscled home with back to back 500 mile drives, we spent an extra day, today, the 6th, exploring Flagstaff and preparing for the final two days through the desert and home.

I never look forward to this part of the trip, whether coming or going, whether the southern or northern route. I guess the only way to avoid desert is to go up to Seattle and then west through British Colombia, but not all routes work with that road plan. So, we’re left to make the most of it and enjoy the transition in scenery as we head to our final destination. We expect to drive to Barstow or Bakersfield tomorrow, depending on our energy level and then home on Friday, August 8th. I’ll get the final exact mileage count in the end but we will have driven over 14,000 miles, through 19 states and 6 Provinces in three + months.

We’re a bit road weary and ready to get home and yet so grateful for the time, resources and opportunity that have allowed us to see this country and Canada in such a granular way; watching the scenery transform, and the cultures of each region manifest in food, language and people.

We’ve met a wide variety of people, all tremendously nice and interesting (except the MAGA couple from Massachusetts in Cavendish). And we were able to meet up with family and friends along the way. Our trailer, Fiona, and Ford F-150, Blu, have held up extremely well and delivered a luxurious way of traveling the breadth of two countries over three months.

We’re exceedingly grateful to have had no major health issues for us or the dogs, especially Cali, who is now well into her 16th year. When she trots up and down a trail, usually the day after she has her magic pill, Triamcinalone, it makes us smile and lifts our spirits. It’s been such a treasure watching both of these dogs have a full life exploring along with us. They’ve been incredibly flexible and adaptable and trusting that we’d take care of them. They are our teachers. More tomorrow.

(Showcased at a local bookstore in Flagstaff)