We are in Kansas, Dorothy:)

It's the next to last day out. Tim and I drove from La Crosse to Lenexa, KS (Kansas City area) today, just under 500 miles. The early part of the day was dreary, rain and a lot of wind, but the weather cleared up for the last 3 hours of the drive and the sunset while we passed through Kansas City was really nice.

It is a decidedly better experience with both of us in the same vehicle. Since this is the last part of the Grand Move, we are in my truck pulling the UHaul trailer, but things have been rearranged for better distribution, there is better visibility now that Tim's stuff has been unloaded and there is more space to spread out. It was a pleasant day, both of us in good spirits as we approach the end of this fun, but long and stressful, drive.

We've heard from several friends along the way. I love hearing the cell phone ring, as I can focus on something other than mile markers and thoughts of is it really time to fill up with gas again. Gas has been the biggest expense of our journey. We've been careful about food and sought out deals on hotels, but gas has been a draining expense.

We averaged $2.29/gallon on the West Coast, a low of $1.88/gallon in Minnesota. Mostly we're seeing about $1.91 to $1.95/gallon. The highest price (which I refused to pay) was right on Mercer Island where I lived for 14 months. The Shell stations there were charging $2.47/gallon when I left. To me, it's another sign of bad policy-making in Washington. The cut in federal taxes just places the burden elsewhere. It puts additional pressure on states to raise taxes on gas as a funding source. Of course, we all know that gas prices will fall in October just before the election. I guarantee it!

Soapbox aside, Tim and I will most likely overnight tomorrow in Dallas, giving him the opportunity to rendezvous with online friends there if he chooses to do so. It will allow us to reach our destination in the Houston area around lunch time on Friday. One more unloading of UHaul and truck and the 5000 mile adventure will be complete.

So, we are in Kansas, Dorothy searching for our own version of the rainbow:)

We are in Kansas, Dorothy:)

It's the next to last day out. Tim and I drove from La Crosse to Lenexa, KS (Kansas City area) today, just under 500 miles. The early part of the day was dreary, rain and a lot of wind, but the weather cleared up for the last 3 hours of the drive and the sunset while we passed through Kansas City was really nice.

It is a decidedly better experience with both of us in the same vehicle. Since this is the last part of the Grand Move, we are in my truck pulling the UHaul trailer, but things have been rearranged for better distribution, there is better visibility now that Tim's stuff has been unloaded and there is more space to spread out. It was a pleasant day, both of us in good spirits as we approach the end of this fun, but long and stressful, drive.

We've heard from several friends along the way. I love hearing the cell phone ring, as I can focus on something other than mile markers and thoughts of is it really time to fill up with gas again. Gas has been the biggest expense of our journey. We've been careful about food and sought out deals on hotels, but gas has been a draining expense.

We averaged $2.29/gallon on the West Coast, a low of $1.88/gallon in Minnesota. Mostly we're seeing about $1.91 to $1.95/gallon. The highest price (which I refused to pay) was right on Mercer Island where I lived for 14 months. The Shell stations there were charging $2.47/gallon when I left. To me, it's another sign of bad policy-making in Washington. The cut in federal taxes just places the burden elsewhere. It puts additional pressure on states to raise taxes on gas as a funding source. Of course, we all know that gas prices will fall in October just before the election. I guarantee it!

Soapbox aside, Tim and I will most likely overnight tomorrow in Dallas, giving him the opportunity to rendezvous with online friends there if he chooses to do so. It will allow us to reach our destination in the Houston area around lunch time on Friday. One more unloading of UHaul and truck and the 5000 mile adventure will be complete.

So, we are in Kansas, Dorothy searching for our own version of the rainbow:)

Driving... Thunderstorms....Driving in Thunderstorms

Tim and I drove from the Kansas City area to Ardmore, Oklahoma today. We were heading to Dallas, but the rain and winds were whipping around us all day and I plain got tired of not being able to see. Visibility was negligible. No need to be a hero, best just to arrive safely in Brenham tomorrow afternoon. We're up to 4300 miles on the Grand Move. Both of us are ready to be out of hotels and off the road for awhile.

I must say... I miss my friends in Seattle. Missed being at Bearaoke last night. However, the Divine Bovine and I are having a terrific time together. We've been laughing a lot, being silly, listening to music (even though are tastes vary greatly) and heading down memory lane a bit.

We did allow ourselves a bit of fun on this long trip. Monday night we saw Shrek 2 and roared at its skewering of Hollywood. It was fun catching all of the inside jokes. I think the film will stand up to a second viewing:)

As exes who are good friends, Tim and I have a certain shorthand which has been a blessing. Despite the drive being filled with bad weather, UHaul repairs, much rearranging of furniture and belongings along the way and unexpected situations that demanded resolution, I think we've been on even keel just because we weren't tackling the double move alone.

Tim will have a fun time with his "Texas parents". My parents have always been in his corner and have been happy that we've stayed in each other's lives even though the relationship ended 4 years ago. As I've said before, Tim is family to me and I only wish for his happiness. I believe that feeling is returned. Regardless, as Tim said in his recent blog, he bonded with my Dad which does bewilder me. However, I do think it is often easier to get along with someone else's folks than your own.

I'm hoping for some sunshine tomorrow, a nice lunch at Uncle Julios in Dallas and a quick couple of hours drive from there to Brenham. Once we leave Dallas, it's a short drive on Interstate 45 and then I hit the back-roads to home.

Home is defined for me by the people I love. I'll soon be surrounded by friends and family who know my strengths and faults and love me unconditionally.... Unconditional Love = Home. I am lucky; by this definition, I can be home in several places:) and if I go back on tour this Fall will be able to visit "Home" around the country.

Driving... Thunderstorms....Driving in Thunderstorms

Tim and I drove from the Kansas City area to Ardmore, Oklahoma today. We were heading to Dallas, but the rain and winds were whipping around us all day and I plain got tired of not being able to see. Visibility was negligible. No need to be a hero, best just to arrive safely in Brenham tomorrow afternoon. We're up to 4300 miles on the Grand Move. Both of us are ready to be out of hotels and off the road for awhile.

I must say... I miss my friends in Seattle. Missed being at Bearaoke last night. However, the Divine Bovine and I are having a terrific time together. We've been laughing a lot, being silly, listening to music (even though are tastes vary greatly) and heading down memory lane a bit.

We did allow ourselves a bit of fun on this long trip. Monday night we saw Shrek 2 and roared at its skewering of Hollywood. It was fun catching all of the inside jokes. I think the film will stand up to a second viewing:)

As exes who are good friends, Tim and I have a certain shorthand which has been a blessing. Despite the drive being filled with bad weather, UHaul repairs, much rearranging of furniture and belongings along the way and unexpected situations that demanded resolution, I think we've been on even keel just because we weren't tackling the double move alone.

Tim will have a fun time with his "Texas parents". My parents have always been in his corner and have been happy that we've stayed in each other's lives even though the relationship ended 4 years ago. As I've said before, Tim is family to me and I only wish for his happiness. I believe that feeling is returned. Regardless, as Tim said in his recent blog, he bonded with my Dad which does bewilder me. However, I do think it is often easier to get along with someone else's folks than your own.

I'm hoping for some sunshine tomorrow, a nice lunch at Uncle Julios in Dallas and a quick couple of hours drive from there to Brenham. Once we leave Dallas, it's a short drive on Interstate 45 and then I hit the back-roads to home.

Home is defined for me by the people I love. I'll soon be surrounded by friends and family who know my strengths and faults and love me unconditionally.... Unconditional Love = Home. I am lucky; by this definition, I can be home in several places:) and if I go back on tour this Fall will be able to visit "Home" around the country.