Part of the fun of being retired is having the freedom to travel to new and different places together. What an absolute joy to be unmoored for 10 weeks, not being constrained by time, and free to stop and explore together. This year, we took our time traveling between campgrounds (unlike last year when we were on a tight schedule), stopping along the way whenever something peaked our interest.
Sue liked her cousin Joe’s suggestion last year to use our senses to describe trip highlights and we will use that approach again this year. Although our interests mostly aligned, our take-aways from this trip differ to some degree.
Hearing:
Sue: Awakening to the birds chirping right outside our van each morning always elicited a smile. What a great way to begin each new day! While redwing blackbirds can be heard everywhere, their calls varied depending on location. It was fun to see and hear different birds as we crossed the country. In addition, listening to the wind in the pines is always special to me and always evokes a sense of calm.
Joe: How could I not agree? Most of my photo portfolio features birds.
Sight
Sue: Remarkable and impressive to me, was the brief moment during our tour of the Longhorn Caverns in Texas when I could see only blackness. During our tour of the cave, when we were deep underground, the guide extinguished all lights for a moment. It was impossible to see anything. A rare experience in this light-filled world! On the other hand, above ground I also enjoyed seeing the night sky at the remote Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad Caverns. Orion was keeping watch over our rig along with Venus and Mars so bright and clear in the sky. We miss seeing the stars when we’re home. Helps to keep things in perspective.
Joe: The view while hiking through the Painted Desert. Walking along the desert floor and seeing the individual layers of rock at close range is fascinating. A close second to the Painted Desert was seeing an Owl for the for the first time in the wild at Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
Smell
Sue: Hands down, the smoke-house fragrance at the Salt Lick. Best smell ever!
Joe: Great smells and sights, mmm.
Taste
Sue: We experienced many great tastes and smells but by far the most memorable taste for me was the sip of bourbon on a very wet and chilly day at Garrison Brothers in Texas. We love this distillery and a sip of this smooth and special bourbon really warmed our hearts and bodies. Garrison Brothers bourbon is available in New Jersey at Total Wine and More in Cherry Hill.
Joe: Sweet Empanadas from Carniceria San Juan De Los Lagos in Carlsbad, NM. This is a combination butcher shop, bakery and restaurant. We stopped for lunch and I purchased the pastries as an afterthought while paying our check at the cash register. Delicate crust and a fresh raspberry filling.
Touch
Sue: Is it too schmaltzy to say that being in such close proximity to my husband for two and a half months was a highlight?
Joe: I’ll write something when I’m finished blushing…..
More from Sue:
In addition to the physical senses, there are several places that left a lasting impression. Of course the big parks are magnificent but the sheer volume of visitors walking the trails and taking photos detracted somewhat from the experience. On a more personal level, Newspaper Rock in Petrified Forest National Park made us feel a connection to the many writers who added messages to the rock between 650 and 2,000 years ago. It is amazing to think that their artwork exists to this day. Sends a chill down the spine.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum was profoundly moving. The tragedy and loss of life hurts deeply to this day. To think that two Americans could plan and cause such devastation and harm to their fellow citizens.
In addition to touring the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, we also were delighted to visit the recently renovated and expanded Arkansas Museum of Fine Art, which had its grand opening in April of this year after pandemic construction delays. Our timing couldn’t have been better. We especially enjoyed and greatly appreciated the Together Exhibition, a collection of works from over 30 artists spanning a variety of topics and mediums. We talked about the exhibit for days afterward, including recently. We found the Leaving and Waving Photos by Deanna Dikeman to be especially moving, especially because my parents (now deceased) always stood in the driveway and waved goodbye to me. There were many creative, touching, amusing and thought-provoking pieces throughout the exhibit. If you should find yourself in Little Rock between now and September 10th when the exhibition closes, we strongly suggest you stop by.
Finally, for me, most important were the friends and family we visited along the way. Many sweet reconnections, good meals and lively conversations.
This concludes our Spring 2023 blog. Thanks for following along! Back in Penn Valley now, we’re focused on downsizing and our next trip will be to Replacements, LTD in McLeansville, NC to sell our china and crystal. Stay tuned…..
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