As we were driving back from New Mexico, we rationalized that we should sell the RV and look for a small house here, a place we will be able to use for a few months a year.

We made it to Asheville on Day Four; we stayed in Tennessee and only had a two hour drive that morning.   We checked in to the only motel that accepts dogs and still had availability.  Being Superbowl weekend, our options were limited and we could only find a cheap chain motel.  Zuma walked into the small room and backed up as if to say, “You’re kidding, right?”. Hotel.Snob.Dog.

Once we got settled, we dug in and emptied Hula Girl, rented a storage unit, filled it up with our stuff, cleaned the RV interior and put the For Sale signs on her.  Even though the motel was not up to Zuma’s standards, I decided to stay on for a week and get things sorted out, write and visit with friends, then move back into the camper with minimal supplies (since it is now up for sale). Besides, “The Motel is a chapter in itself”, I babbled to Doug, “it’ll be an adventure”.  Oh, it was an adventure alright.

We basically ate our way across half the country on our road trip from New Mexico to North Carolina.  At each meal we’d discuss our next destination and where we’d eat lunch or dinner.  These are our fave stops from NM to NC:

Emma was with us when we had lunch at The Range on Route 66 in Bonarillo, NM.  ‘Cuz ya’ll gotta experience a Route 66 Diner. On our way out, I spied the pastry case. (Screeching sound of brakes). I have a problem walking past these oh-too-tempting glass cases filled with scrumptious, delicately prepared offerings.  It’s the Brit in me.

And so, I reasoned, it’s always wise to pack a snack between meals, and I chose a large, steamy, iced, fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon bun for us to share later on.  We split it three gooey ways before we left the parking lot. No.Willpower.Whatsoever.

Lucille’s, Weatherford, OK, a Route 66 Diner.  Cool Mother Road decor and one of best hamburgers I’ve ever eaten with a fun server on the side.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Memphis, Tennessee.  Oh, were we happy to be back in Memphis and stop for lunch here. Yup, best fried chicken ever.  Cooked when you order, very little coating, not greasy, just mind-blowingly fresh and good.  The never-ending lineup tells the story.

We met this beautiful lady while we lined up outside.  She and Zuma became fast friends.  Her name is Kat Riggins, she’s a blues singer and was traveling with her agents.  We stalked her looked her up on youtube and she’s really talented.

#Gus’sworldfamousfriedchicken, #bestfriedchickenmemphis, #memphistn, #therangerestaurant, bonarillonm, #lucillesdinerroute66, #Katriggins, #travelingwithgreatdanedog, #route66

I moved my feet off the dash for this shot of Route 66.
You’re welcome.
After Albuquerque, we began our (long, fast) journey back to NC.
Doug had to return to Maine immediately so we made a plan for me to stay in Asheville.

Okay, So!  If you’re ever going on a really long trip on a really flat landscape on a really straight road, don’t invite me.

We left Albuquerque on February 1st and for three very long days we drove out of New Mexico, across The Texas Panhandle (stopped for gas), Oklahoma (where we experienced howling winds, no wonder it was named The Dust Bowl) and then Arkansas with very few stops.  It may sound romantic but it’s not.  It’s a really long trip on a really flat landscape on a really straight road and if there had been a bridge I would have jumped off it.  There was one bridge but Doug wouldn’t stop.  I’m not complaining.  It’s just …. yeh.

I did catch a shot of this but I don’t know what it was:

I get so bored.  For three days we drove 8, 7 and another 7 hours, with stops to walk Zuma and quick cups of tea and coffee.
By the time we tumbled into a hotel room at night we were too exhausted to form a sentence.  We just kinda slurred and mumbled and somehow formed a take-out order.

So, anyway, I know I’m a terrible passenger after my patience-ometer hits a certain number.  I admit it.  I own it.  But I do attempt to better the journey by actually doing something constructive other than gawking out of the window in a trance.
Or falling asleep in some God-awful embarrassing twisted pose with my tongue lolling out.  Or curling my toes in my shoes to stop the car when Doug gets too close behind someone.  (So far, it’s really working)!

So I busy myself by making a list of ‘must-do’ jobs:

Search Trip Advisor for next place to eat (priority).
Find a hotel at next destination (other priority).
Solve the problems of the universe.
Complete multiple word-search books.
Make Lists.
Refrain from repeating in my head “Dear God, Please let this be over”.

No wonder my oh-so-proper mother always referred to me as a “Fidget arse” when I was a kid in the back seat on a long road trip with nothing to look at.  They call it ADD now.  I like Fidget arse much better.

With all the turmoil in the world, this country and its people are adjusting to the recent political changes.  Doug, Emma and I are immigrants in this wonderful country and we’re watching the struggles, anxieties and developments of the change-over of power. We’re Green Card Holders, which means that even though we employ ten or more people, pay their health benefits and don’t participate in illegal activities, we’re not allowed the privilege to vote because we aren’t U.S. citizens (we’re Canadian/British citizens).  And so, we can only observe and hope for the best.

In these times of political unrest, I was unsure about attending The Women’s March in the city center today, but I thought I’d check it out.  As an observer.

Recently, we arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico and fell in love with the people, arts, culture, climate and the incredible history of this fabulous state capital.  Dubbed ‘The City Different’, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the States.  Conde Naste Traveler reports it is voted the Second Best City To Retire in the country.

The Women’s March in Santa Fe today was both peaceful and inspirational.  Zu and I arrived at the beginning and were able to watch the entire procession, shoulder to shoulder with good, gentle people.  It was not a protest.  It was an expression of spirit and unity.

We met people from all over the world, from Greenland, Kenya, England, Greece, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Holland and from all over the States.  Peaceful, kind people.

                   

                   

  

People marching called to us and invited us to join in, everyone was so welcoming, but I felt it may been too overstimulating for Zu.  We were both happy to take in all the good vibes.  From the sidelines.  It’s events like these, the unexpected, unplanned things that just happen that add a whole new dimension to our journey.  It was fantastic.  We all love good energy.

Some of the things people in the crowd here (randomly) commented to me this morning (some I can’t print here, haha):

“Let’s make America Intelligent Again”.
“I’m so embarrassed to be an American”.
“America is the laughing stock of the world”.
“Depends on who you talk to”.
“God help America”.
“We have to give him a chance.”
“I give him 6 months and I give Melania 4 months”.
“The majority of Americans are intelligent enough to know this is a very bad situation”.
“Pray for Peace”.
“There are more than 7,000 people here today”.
“We have to stand together”.

My personal fave sign:
“Free Melania”.  I just wish I’d got a pic of it.

The news is saying that Trump has pulled the country apart.
Today, the people marched.  The people spoke.  The people pulled it all together despite the ridiculousness of this situation.  And, as you can see, the people aren’t afraid to make a statement.

Personally, I was impressed by the number of men who walked in The Women’s March.  Real Men.  They had fun with it.

At times, I was so moved by emotion I felt hot tears trickle down my face, then realized that people around me were pulling the tissues out of their pockets too.  In this emotionally turbulent time for a great country, the energy today was contagious and there was no anger.  No bad words.  Only hope and good karma and lots of smiles.  We’re all feelin’ the same thing.

After we finished our walk and returned to the hotel, Zuma and I both “shared the love” on FB; we have some friends who marched today in Washington (C & A). The local Police here told me there were so many people wanting to march in Washington that not everybody got in (!) but I heard that C & A made it!

America has spoken.  Hold on Tight.
We may have a bumpy political road ahead for a while but, as a two-time immigrant and a female, I for one feel the power of unity will rule and bring us all closer together.

#women’smarchsantafe, #women’srights, #santafe, #travelingwithagreatdanedog

I see her getting older, she’s plunks up and down the stairs in the cold weather and the tiny gray hairs are squirreling out of her head like wiry white antennae.  She doesn’t always come when called.  Is she losing her hearing or just being stubborn?  Perhaps she can’t hear me.  And she’s always searching for her glasses and misplacing things.

We have a very special relationship, she and I; we finish each other’s sentences, one look can say a whole lot to the other.  We’re basically glued at the hip; we live in this small space and then we travel into huge places, together, with The Man Person.

We cuddle at night, sharing our king sized bed, snuggling up to each other’s back, spooning.  It’s a precious time for both/all of us.

Today is her birthday so we’re gonna have a celebration.
Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the old girl.  We’re buddies.

Dawg Bless You and Happy New Year to You All!!!!

~ Zuma and My People.  XOXO

I don’t know what was up with my camera that day.  Everything has a mossy haze on it, sorry.  I’ll send you a pair of anti-sludge glasses, faithful readers.  Here we are in the magnetic centre of the city, Jackson Square.  It’s very laid back.

Bands waiting to start performing.  People stretching to do some Houdini thing, it’s a blast.  In Jackson Square, there are rows of tables of Tarot Card Readers and (self-proclaimed) psychics and palm-readers.  In this city, there is Voodoo.  I find it all fascinating.

We were casually plodding through there when suddenly a woman approached me advised me, in all seriousness, “You HAVE to get your cards read before you leave the city”, then, poof, she was gone. So I’m gonna.

#inlouisianamusicisreligion, #louisianamusic, #bourbonstreetneworleans, #musicnola