Day 3 - White Knuckle Drive

  I was relieved to have found a hotel, however, I wasn't sure I was even going to make it there.  After not moving for 2 hours, I started thinking we might all be sleeping on the highway tonight.  It didn't look like we were going to be going anywhere anytime soon.  I started to think of the supplies I might need for a freezing night spent on the highway.   Luckily I had the key things I might need to keep me and the dogs safe during the night; warm clothes, blankets, water.   The longer we sat there, the more nervous and concerned I got.   I believe the dogs sensed my fear and nervousness and remained calm and quiet the whole time.   They stayed in the back seat, snuggled up together quietly. 

Finally after about 2 1/2 hours, we started to move, but very slowly.   At this point, the highway was a sheet of ice and it was blowing snow.  Visibility was limited. You couldn't see the lines on the highway or tell where the median or emergency lane were.   We were basically moving about 10-15 miles an hour and keeping significant distance between the vehicle ahead.   Unfortunately, we really had no option but to drive (I use that word loosely) to get to the next exit.   I had less than 30 miles to get to that next exit but in these treacherous conditions, it took an hour and 45 minutes to get to there.    It was definitely a white knuckle drive all the way!   I've had a couple of scary instances on road trips before, but this tops the list.  It was a long, scary and dangerous drive.  There was more than one instance where I wondered if I would make it safely.  

Finally after 21 hours on the road, we arrived at the hotel we booked while parked on the highway.  I was never so happy to get to a hotel!   The dogs sensed my relief as well and were more than happy to finally get out of the car.

After 21 hours, we should have been much closer to our destination, but unfortunately due to the delays, we still had another long day of driving ahead of us.  But the important thing is, we made it and we made it safely.   Time for a good night's rest for another long day of driving.

Day 2 - Feeling Better

 Woke up feeling so much better than yesterday.  Starting to think it was food poisoning, since it came on so fast and was gone in 24 hours.   I so wanted to get on the road, but thought I should make sure I could keep food down before heading out.  So saltines and Gatorade for the day.    I got the car packed, thinking I might be able to get on the road late afternoon.   But yesterday just wiped me out and I just didn't have the energy to start on this long journey.  

So I went to bed early and woke up at 3am, loaded the hounds in the car and off we went.   Things were going great.  I was thinking, I won't arrive much later than I originally planned.  It was a looooooonnnggg day, but we were making good time.   Until we got just outside Gallup, New Mexico.    Just outside Gallup, New Mexico, we came to a complete stop.  We were basically parked on Highway 40!   We sat there not moving for 2 1/2 hours and during this time, it started to snow and the temperature dropped!  The road was basically becoming a sheet of ice!   Unfortunately the nearest exit was almost 30 miles away (in either direction).  Once the snow started and the roads became icy, I didn't think we'd be going much further for the night.  I thought it might be a good time to find a hotel before they all get booked!   After a few phone calls, I finally found a pet friendly place off the next exit.   Now I just had to wait for traffic to start moving so I could get there.

Day 1 - Trip Delayed

 The plan was to leave Monday afternoon, the day after Christmas and knock out 4 or 5 hours so I wouldn't have to be on the road 12+ hours two days in a row.   But you know what they say about best laid plans.

I woke up Monday morning, feeling a little icky.   I had a 6:45am appointment to get my car serviced, so I thought I better take a COVID test just in case.  I didn't think it was COVID but I didn't want to risk sitting in the service department and potentially getting others sick.   Before I could even take the COVID test, I became violently ill.   In a matter of minutes, I'd gone from feeling kind of icky to completely nauseous.  I had to call the dealership and cancel my appointment, I wouldn't be going anywhere for the day.  On the plus side, when I finally did take the COVID test, it was negative, but I was down for the rest of the day.  So my departure for Joshua Tree was delayed. 

Time for Another Holiday Adventure!

 As many of you know, the Traveling Hillbilly has a group of friends that go on a trip around the holidays every year.  We've been doing this for more than a decade and it's become one of this hillbilly's favorite traditions.   Now since the pandemic, we've been keeping the trips more local, less global.   This year, we decided to spend some time in Joshua Tree, CA   I've been in and around that area many times, but have never actually spent any time in Joshua Tree so am excited for some great hiking and chill time with friends.