abigail414's diaryland diary
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RV Trip to California: Part 2 - The Ark
Mike is behind the wheel, and behind him is Orlando, Nelly, Oliver, and Lola. It seemed too bouncy in back for the cats, so I tried to give them a break. Mamakitty is riding/hiding in the cabover. While driving through Missouri, we saw a dog riding a lawn tractor facing backwards inside a horse trailer. I took a photo, but only the trailer showed up. It made our own transportation situation look fairly tame.
I tried to write and contemplate deep thoughts en route, but only got as far as how chewed up and spit out I felt in Michigan and the need to go 'home' to California. Mostly I just napped, drove, and watched the world go by. Amazing sights, such as the Petro truck stop in Joplin, Missouri. A must-see if you're ever that way - a little city unto itself. We used the showers (which were great), had a quick meal, and stared - at the souvenirs, barber shop, theaters, truckers, hookers, you name it. I was fascinated and repulsed at the same time. It represented everything amazing and ugly about America - the diversity of people, goods, services all in one place; and the huge conspicuous consumption of bad food, cigarettes, and useless junk.
And, Mike. Who else but an ex-husband would you ride with for 2000 miles while wearing dog-hair covered fleece, no makeup, and frizzy hair? His energy and intensity were well harnessed to getting a job done. Damn that man can drive - I could only do a few hours and needed a break. He could just go for half a day it seemed. On Saturday, we had friendly conversation, like an old married couple (which, technically we were since our divorce wasn't final until December 12). There were flashes of 'oh yeah, that's why we're splitting up', but no fuel to try to resolve anything so just let it go.
Lastly, Oklahoma. For some reason we both hated it. Hmmn. No wonder the Oakies left it in droves and headed to Bakersfield, CA. We stopped in Oklahoma City for gas, and the kid ahead of us was filling up his car while smoking a cigarette. OK, that was just way too stupid, and underscored our desire to get out of the state ASAP. So, Saturday's drive started in Indianapolis and ended in the Texas panhandle (Shamrock) in a parking lot - this time with all the other 'truckers' running their generators to stay warm.
More to follow:
7:18 p.m. - 2005-12-27
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