Westward HO !! – DAY 8

September 18, 2008

Gosh, it’s hard to start moving on the day when you need more energy than any other….we had actually started packing up last night – but all the time consuming stuff we left until today. So we woke about 6:30 had a cup of coffee and then outside for one of about 30 tasks that needed tending to.

….like draining the tanks – 2 grey and 1 dark….never an activity that endures anyone to RV’ing - did you see how Robin Williams handled draining the tanks in that RV movie ? Am sure it scared every RV-er whoever had a unexpected backwater flush ! I have already had my moments with uncooperative tubing….luckily today went rather smooth – no pun intended.

Then un-assemble the fresh water hoses, and un-do the electric [no leave until last – will want the refrig to run until the last possible moment]. And don’t forget to repack all the chairs, BBQ pit, tools, golf clubs, tubs of hoses, stabilizers for the slide-out and tire stabilizers all have to go back somewhere….i know they go somewhere – I brought the damn things, didn't I ? Anyway you get the picture.

So finally we are pulling out at 9:30am – our goal was 9:00 – so not too bad…

After that boring drive thru the southern reaches of New Mexico and Arizona, Debbie planned to take us home via the northern route. What’s that you ask ? with Jess’s help, she routed us around the larger metro areas, like LA….so in Southern California speak our route was ‘the South Coastal Hiway’ to 'the 78' to 'the 15' to 'the 215' to 'the 60' to 'the 10' and then east… We drove thru Palm Springs. And a gazillion Wind farms….

And then the desert thru California and into Arizona - go North at Phoenix…..headed for Flagstaff at 7000’ elevation. On the way we drove by Hiway 179 – our exit for Sedona when we meet the Robertson’s and Hall’s. Flagstaff just about 45 miles beyond….

The mountainous terrain was another good test for the truck and RV- both did fine. The scenery immediately changed from desert to pine forest about 30 miles outside flagstadd. The temps dropped also from about 95 to 62 – what a relief.

We did catch some sunset views on way up to Flagstaff.

It was dark by the time we arrived at Flagstaff.

It was a long day - the park was very nice - my bed was better :>)