Shortly after this gas stop, where I reset my trip/mpg averages, I realized that there's something seriously wrong with this particular reading!!! I just WISH I was getting 72mpg!
Since I've *worn out the I-15* over the years I have some favorite sights... Virgin River Gorge is one of them. Just outside the gorge I saw the happiest thing, but it wasn't a safe photo-op. I passed a livestock truck hauling pigs. Out of one of the holes was a little pink piggy ear- flapping in the wind!
And, favorite stops! Vegas used to be the first available In 'n Out Burger! So glad we have it in Utah Valley now.
The kids always loved Monkey Mountain at the top of the Baker grade. (This is what gave me the idea of the coming and going title...)
My first visit was at Spencer's house! I was able to accompany him and Deborah to the LA Temple for their Stake Temple Night.
And the next day I got to see my good friends- Batman and Robin (aka Auntie P and Sonny). Apparently I didn't get the memo that Auntie P's grandson's 1st birthday party was themed. But that's ok... I'm always Wonder Woman!
Sunday was Stake Conference with Spencer and family... happy day.
Monday found me on the road again. I'd noticed that the Joshua trees were blooming when I was headed through Barstow but didn't stop to get a photo until I was headed west out Hwy 138. They say this doesn't happen very often.
Next stop was at Rebekah's. I told her that her job was to make sure I got a photo with my Flynn boys! I can't believe how grown up they all are. Where did my tiny babies go?
But somehow I didn't get photos of Rebekah and I. We had a delightful visit. We went to the Fresno Temple on Wednesday evening. Truly the words from 3 John 1:4 apply to me, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Bek and I found this beautiful fountain at some random shopping center in Fresno.
In the original planning stages I hadn't planned to go to the Bay Area but as the time drew close for my trip I knew I just *needed* to include it. I stopped first thing at Roselawn to leave early birthday flowers for Tony. I felt great peace and love for my wonderful first-born and not too many tears.
I had a lovely visit with Sue and family. We all got together for dinner the first night and I was able to meet my newest little grand-niece, Audrey Ella. I was able to have a wonderful visit with all. I'm so grateful for family. Plus Sue and I made a productive shop at Blue Door Antiques where we found some wonderful orphaned quilt blocks. Sue already has hers in various stages of completion! I told her she was the Queen!
Saturday I took I-5 south back to Palmdale. It's been years since I've taken that route. I normally go via Hwy 99. I was interested to see that they've moved Harris Ranch's stock yards away from the freeway. We've driven past there when you can literally see the methane gas hanging in the cow-manure scented air.
This time around I stayed at Auntie P's house but we had Spencer and family over for dinner and delicious strawberry dream cake.
This may very well replace Pig-Pickin' Cake as our family favorite.
Monday we went to the garment district in LA with Deborah and Andrea. Pauline was the winning shopper this day... all I got was some zippers.
And no trip to So Cal is complete without a trip to Cielito Lindo. It has pretty much replaced Disneyland. Well, maybe not, but it's a lot cheaper!
And our trip back home from LA- I've always love this series of tunnels that transition to the I-5.
Tuesday was the day of reckoning and time to come home. And here is Monkey Mountain headed north.
So what of this trip? Here are my stats-
- 12 days
- 2287.3 miles that Elio drove (this doesn't count when other people drove us somewhere)
- A combined total of 40 hours driving time
- 27 family and family-by-choice members visited
- Elio- 9 months old
- Joanie- 60.5 years old
- Countless potty stops (oh, for crying out loud!)
- And quite possibly the easiest solo road-trip I've made in the last decade... I think that must be a result of Elio's comfortable ride and awesome family visits.
- One happy Pup and Pap when I returned home!
