August 21 - Kingman, AZ to Bakersfield, CA

California I am in you! 353 miles closer to home, and in the same time zone!

First part of the trip through the Mojave was breathtaking, sun not yet visible, blue and pink light on mountains and valleys and rain showers (paintings are dry), and strange dusky light from the eclipse.

Then the Barstow-Bakersfield highway. So strange. First part, flat as far as one can see, hot and dry and hundreds of Joshua trees, straight heat-shimmering highway for miles and miles.

Then a climb up into golden-yellow grassy hills (again, far as one can see) covered in wind turbines and (I think?) black oak trees, twisty climb and descent, with quirky signs (an ad for a Chevron station "Eat Fruit, Get Gas" made me grin).

And finally, descent into my own personal hell, Bakersfield. Sky yellow with smoke, so many people in so many cars!

Drive overall was fine, quick, with light-enough traffic to enjoy the astonishing landscape.

Josephine has just about had it. Had to drag her out from under the bed this morning to pill her and then close her in the bathroom while I loaded the car so she couldn't get back under the bed. Tomorrow she'll be back at super-angel Danya's house with her old nemesis Lulu, whom I'm sure she'll greet with great relief. She'll have stories to tell. She's been a trooper.

August 20 - Littlefield, TX to Kingman, AZ

Easy, short, stress-free and beautiful drive today through Flagstaff to Kingman, AZ. Welcome 180 from yesterday, especially since Josephine was sacked out through most of it.

We were chasing electrical storms all day, enjoying the light show (I was, anyway) and avoiding all but a brief minor downpour, but now something wild has found us, black thunderheads and thrashing wind.

The paintings are double-tarped but at Matt's urging I went to the front desk to ask if I could park under the overhang (the only covered parking anywhere) and she very kindly agreed that I could, if it started raining. I moved it when the first drops hit, and by the time I had parked, rain was coming down in buckets. Front desk says it's a monsoon and will likely rain 3-4 inches. Glad I listened. Ahem.

When I went in to thank them again, and told them that I was going to write the nicest review ever and put it on social media, they thanked me and offered me cookies. I explained about the paintings and the 14 weeks of work and said the overhang was more than enough.

Kingman Best Western, if you're ever passing through. They'll get a terrific review from me. And maybe a postcard for the hypothetical show.

Also, where Gideon's Bible usually is, there is "The Teachings of Buddha" which made me smile.

(Later...)

A little belated Caturday for your Sunday GoT (yes, i did put the ottoman on the table so she could get on top of the armoire)

 

August 19 - Littlefield, TX to Gallup, NM

Whine alert:

Exhausting drive to Gallup, NM today. I've always respected truck drivers but man were there some jerks on I-40 today. One very close call when one pulled back onto the highway from the shoulder right as I was passing, two cut-offs at 75mph, and half-a dozen not staying in their own lane. In addition, a sudden deluge that reduced visibility to about 10' for 5 long minutes, and high gusty winds for 100 miles. And Josephine cried for 2/3 of the trip. It was a long day.

On the other hand, deluge cleaned the bug guts off the windshield, we arrived intact, and I have a margarita (and Jo has eaten dinner and used her box).

August 18 - Fredericksburg to Littlefield, TX

Fredericksburg to Littlefield, TX today, mostly on cruise control and with the highway to myself. My thought on 75mph speed limit: much better when there is a middle divider and/or more than one lane in each direction. Call me a wuss.

Once out of Hill Country Texas got flaaat again. Miles and miles of high-output farmland, huge combines, wind turbines, and oil drills (which have a really funny odor). Highlight of the day: a banana-yellow crop duster zig-zagging back-and-forth across the highway like a crazy giant dragonfly, so low I ducked by reflex.

Josephine slept for most of the trip and is inspecting the hotel room with tail up and quirked at the end, a very good sign. And the toe, I don't think it's actually broken. Achy but was fine for the drive.

This morning after breakfast with the teenagers Katherine and Randy loaded the paintings while I was packing (surprise!) and K was a terrific help in roping down the tarp so it won't flap (success). When I left, her son and his friends were building paper boats to float in the pond, and trying to blow them up; when that didn't work the .22 came out.

So gratified by spending some time with all these folks. Will miss them. Will miss a lot about the Ottmers ranch. Glad though to have first leg of trip home completed.