ON THE ROAD AGAIN Tuesday July 16 Ah yes, a good night’s sleep does wonders for the old body. Yesterday when I got to Luke AFB in Phoenix, I was feeling pretty rough and considering returning home. I am glad I decided to wait until morning to make a decision. I did learn a couple things from this. 1) I thought I was much further along the recovery route. 2) I do not mend as fast as I use to. The 19 year old mind almost got me in trouble again. But as I said, I got up this morning bright and early (6:30) and was ready to take on the world. Tonight, I am much better. No winding mountain 2 lane roads to contend with, interstate all the way. I went north out of Phoenix on I-17. I remember when that was not an interstate in the seventies. It was a bear. It is not so bad now though but there is still a climb from about sea level in Phoenix to 7000 feet at Flagstaff. I checked the weather this morning as usual and there was some heavy rain all over where I was going to drive. I did not hit it until I was ready to turn off I-17 onto I 40 east. I used it as an excuse to find a Cracker Barrel Restaurant and eat my favorite breakfast – Farm Boy Special (not sure of Farm Boy but it is something Boy). It consists of 3 eggs, choice of country ham, bacon, or sausage, hash browns or hash brown casserole, biscuits, country gravy, grits, and stewed apples. I did not eat the grits seeing I am on a diet????? Anyway, the rain did not let up but once I got back on the interstate and drove east, I saw bright sky ahead and got out of it for the rest of the trip. I have a new toy a radar detector. It picks up all radar and laser. Now I have 2 women yelling at me through electronics. It saved my butt around Gallup. It went off and I immediately slowed down. A trooper came up behind off the on ramp and went on by. The hardest part was not grinning. Arrived at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque around 6PM. The ground was pretty level once I got away from Flagstaff and could cruise at 80. The speed limit is 75. Most places will allow you 5 to 7 mph over. This proved itself several times in the past when I was 5 over and the cop passed me. Northern Arizona and New Mexico always fascinate me with the different land forms and colors of the soil. Some looks like the soil was painted in stripes. Yes, I know I should be stopping and taking pictures and sending them along but once I get behind the wheel, I am on a mission… GET THERE!!! One day I will stop and smell the roses… The accommodations here at Kirtland are typical Air Force, very nice suites and wi-fi that really works. I have a plug in for my computer from AT&T that works off their satellite and or towers at 4G speed. I can also choose the local wi-fi networks available. It is very nice for traveling. Fewer places now have hard wire cable hook up. Actually, I can stop any place I have a cell signal and can get on the internet. Boys and their toys…. Tomorrow I head out of Albuquerque on I-25 north to Army Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. I go past the Air Force academy or is it Air Force pre-school??? Tomorrow night I have been promised some good BBQ. Brian and Jenny Schlosser are from back in my hometown area. He was medically discharged with PTSD after 11 years in the Army and 4/5 trips to the sandbox (Iraq-Afghanistan). They now live in Colorado Springs. We met many years ago in AOL’s veterans’ room. Brian had not yet joined the Army but came into the room and told us he was joining. His screen name looked awfully familiar and I asked him where he is from - Caledonia-Mumford area just a few miles from my hometown of Scottsville, NY. Later on, we learned our families were connected through marriage and it has been a good friendship since. More later, Tom/Walter
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 14:02:02 +0000
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