Driving from TX to Nebraska

WallyDocking

www.wallydocking.com

Ok, we did it.  I woke up first and took the dog for a 35 min walk around the Walmart and surrounding parking lots.  Then got B and took her into WM so Pat could get some extra Zs.  Unfortunately, this WM did not have a McD's, so B settled on a donut from the bakery for breakfast.  

Everyone who knows me can take a moment to pick themselves up off the floor.  Yes, I let my daughter eat a deep fried piece of white bread coated in sugar so that my husband could sleep late in an RV in a Walmart parking lot.  Somebody shoot me now.....

OK, back to the story.  Back at the RV at 9am.  For some reason it took us until 11:30am to drive off.  We were all moving slow due to sleep deprivation, I think.  Plus, I wanted to take the time to make some healthy food for the road.  Next time, I'll try to do that while driving, although cutting things while we are flying over bumpy roads can get a little dicey.

Pretty uneventful drive to MtRushmore KOA.  Pat did 2/3 of driving, and the winds were very strong in the badlands.  Pulled into KOA at 9:30pm mountain time.  Pat says it looks like the Disneyland of campgrounds.  I already love it and don't want to leave.  Too cold to walk around - I think it's around 50 and we're dressed for summer.  Will be pulling out the clothes I planned for Canada tomorrow!

This is the nicest campground we have reserved on our trip.  Meaning the ammenities.  I think it is our only full-hookup (long warm showers!) on the whole trip.  And it has a general store, a laundromat, a restaurant & coffee shop, and entertainment on the premises including horseback riding.  Very cool.  OK, it's after midnight now, I'm going to bed.  Currently, the wind is blowing and rocking the RV.  Feels like being on a boat!

Tornado Running

Pat and then I took turns driving up to Nebraska on Wed.  I was driving through Kansas and saw thunderclouds w/lighting straight ahead in far distance and alerted Pat that he would have to take over soon because I don't like driving in storms.  Thank heaven for the iPhone!  Pat checked and found that tornadoes were spotted in the area into which we were traveling.  We were hoping the storm would weaken before we arrived, but no such luck.  I stopped at a truck stop in Salina, KS, and after checking the weather report on the tv station in the gas station, we decided the best option was to back-track the heck on out of there!  The clouds were bizarre (Pat got a pic of one, he'll upload that later) and the air felt weird.  

Pat took over and drove us about 15 mins south.  We found an abandoned gas station off the exit and parked under cover with the old pumps.  Soon we were joined by about 10 other vehicles.  As it was not raining yet, several people were getting out and conferring.  Pat joined them, and came back to turn the radio to a local weather station the others were listening to.  It was a great station out of Salina, where we originally stopped for gas.  It was only partially helpful as we didn't know many of the neighborhoods/areas to which the weathermen were referring.  I had a state map and was trying to figure out the hotspots.  Pat was refreshing the weather map on his iPhone.  The dog was unhappy and B was pretty calm.  We framed it as an adventure - we had a good view of the storm from the big RV windows and had soup and fruit salad for dinner inside the RV.   (Later, we found out one or more tornadoes hit ground in Salina, not far from where we stopped for gas.  So going back and hanging out was the right move.)

Pat figured out the storm was about to curve around and slam into us if we stayed where we were.  We didn't have many options, so we decided to go north again, gun it and hope to squeak through a small hole in the storm.  We were really tense, it was a hard call to make - the storm was in a c-shape and we had waited to long to make retreating further south a safe option.  So we went north again, Pat driving, of course, and made it back to the very same exit where we stopped for gas the first time, and Pat pulled into that station for shelter.  The storm was strong and we were worried about hail.  Lighting was striking every second (this is not an exaggeration), in multiple locations, some close, some far.  

We heard what sounded like something loud breaking above our heads.  Moments later, the radio station reported that lighting struck a transformer in town.  Hail was in other parts of the area, but it didn't get us.  About 2 hours passed since our first stop at this station at 8pm.  B fell asleep a little after 10, and we decided it was safe enough to proceed (also, other cars were leaving too).  Heading north, we drove out of the storm, and I was monitoring the iPhone and radio for the 3 hours it took us to reach a reasonable size town in Nebraska. 

We pulled into a SuperWalmart for the night.  With my friends, I've been laughing about how funny and weird it would be to "Wallydock".  No joke, I was so incredibly happy to see that parking lot.  There were about a dozen 18-wheelers and several rvs.  Our iPhone signal wasn't working for the last hour and I figured if so many were there, it must be safe.  As I fell asleep at 1:30am, I heard another storm hit, but I passed out anyway.  Too many sleep-deprived nights kept me from staying up worrying about another tornado.  Poor Pat didn't fall asleep until 2am.

Heading Out

We are now at the Mt Rushmore KOA - will be back-posting to catch up.

Tues afternoon - finally finished packing the RV in 100 degree heat.  B still sick - we started down the road and immediately stuff starting shifting and rattling.  Our dog was completely panicked.  B and I were watching the insides warily.  Then as Pat took his first big turn, one of the kitchen drawers flew out at B, scaring her and validating the dog's theory that the rv is possessed and no place to be.  We pulled into the church parking lot across from my sis's house around midnight.  

The next morning was lovely - we got to take our last house shower, hang out w/family and then we went to Lenscrafters to replace B's prescription sunglasses we left behind.  Left Dallas later than planned, after noon.  Plan was to drive 1/2 way to Mt. Rushmore, or more.

Whoosh!

Getting off to a slightly rough start. Bridget has been complaining of stomach pain for 2 days. Was planning to finish packing this morning, but we both took her to the doctor in time to leave to do our rv pickup. Her doc said she seemed fine, could be a virus, who knows? She doesn't have many symptoms, just stomach cramps.

Went to get the rv and unfortunately it wasn't clean inside or out. They were really responsive though, in getting it clean quickly. Going over the condition (like a rental car, checking for dings/scratches so you don't get blamed) and workings of the rv took forever. Some of you have asked us where we got our rental. They are in Austin, which is very convenient, and they are nice people: http://austinrvrent.com/default.aspx

I really hope Pat remembers most of that, because my head was spinning. All I remember is that if we don't have a sewer/water hookup at an rv park, we'll only get 5 mins of water in the shower FOR ALL OF US. And I poked Pat in the back and whispered, "we don't have that anywhere much, right?" and he nodded. So we're basically hosed. Need to buy some baby wipes to keep clean, I guess. (and I plan to ask Pat if we can upgrade at some of our spots - if possible at this late date)

The plan is to drive up to Allison's (my sister's) tonight and eat breakfast with them tomorrow before driving 1/2 way or more to Mt. Rushmore. So I better get my rear in gear and get packing!

Posted by Joy

The funniest thing I've ever packed...

...for when nature calls on the trail! Pat refuses to look at it. B and I are fascinated of course. A mother-daughter bonding moment to be sure. Jealous and want your own? http://www.rei.com/product/407267

Amazing that there are 13 reviews for this thing - maybe after the trip, I'll make it 14!

This was posted by Joy - need to figure out how to post under my own name.

The preparations

-- Pat

When I was thinking of the RV trip, I figured one rented an RV, stuffed a suitcase full and voíla, ready to go.  Lucky for me (us), Joy set me straight.

We have RV reservations for most of the trip (besides a few nights where we'll be wal-vee'ing, yee-haw!).  We also have guidebooks, assorted hiking equipment, etc., etc.

I'm sure we're forgetting a few things, but overall I think we're as well prepared as possible for the trip ahead.

Tomorrow we pick up the RV and head out.  Wish us luck!