Saying Goodbye...

Road Trip--Linda
When I first thought of driving from Cape Cod, MA to Indio, CA my only thought was , wow, that's a lot of driving! But that all changed the moment I met my travel companion in Boston and the "drive" became an adventure and the  experience of a lifetime! Not only did Naomi plan the itinerary and necessary details (the daily blog, where to stay, points of interest, the distance from point to point, etc.) she infused the entire trip with child-like wonder and excitement. She opened my eyes to the beauty and amazement of everything around us. Her depth of feeling, her ability to share and listen made me feel so special. All of the "stuff" we did along the way was an added bonus, the real gift was our time together . Had I ever thought to put such an experience on my "bucket list" I can now check it off as one of the most beautiful and meaningful events of my life! How lucky am I!!  

Road Trip--Naomi

I highly recommend a two-week trip with an old friend. The insights, the laughter, the pure joy are incomparable! Granted, Linda is one of the most 'chill' people on the planet, but you will find the friend you pick will be just perfect for you, too...

We both feel so fortunate to have been able to do this. Our words and our photos don't do justice to the quality and depth of our time together. You'll just have to believe us...

Happy Trails till the next trip!

Day 16--Our Last Hurrah!

The temps in Indio remain around 107 this time of year, so a Dairy Queen breakfast was definitely in order! After which, Linda and I got back on the road to today's destination, Coronado Island. (San Diego) Another Priceline pick has us staying at the Marriot Resort and Spa--not too shabby for our very last night. The pictures should speak for themselves. And Linda and I promise one more entry tomorrow as we say our goodbyes...

Bye, Indio...

Still early in the day, only 100 degrees in Indio!

Topography changing quickly as we leave the desert and head for the coast.

Really? How was that fine determined? $357? Really?

Getting closer.

That's the Pacific Ocean!

View from our room.

The walkway clear around the island.

Where we would have taken the ferry, had we the time!

Dinner!

San Diego (and our view) at night...

Day 15--WE MADE IT!!!

Indeed we did! Linda and I started early as planned and after a solid day of driving we arrived in Indio, CA at Linda's new home around 3;30 in the afternoon. We were warmly greeted (as you can well imagine!) by Linda's hiusband, Steve and their son, Matt and Matt's wife, Marijke. After our hands-down best meal on the trip so far (thanks Marijke and Matt!!) we did lots and lots of catching up. It was hard to let go of this day in particular, having traveled two weeks to get here! We are NOT, however, saying goodbye to our trip as yet, not just because we're stubborn and don't want to, but because Linda and I have one more 'adventure' in us to complete what we started. Tomorrow we will head out for La Jolla where we will have one last nght on the road, before Linda drops me off at the San Diego airport for my flight home...SO, no goodbyes yet...see you in La Jolla!

Good morning and goodbye Ventana Resort!

Hello desert...

Linda thought this truck looked like R2D2!

Not far now!

Hello, Indio!

Reunited!

Southern CA backyard, big and beautiful...

Everyone missed Linda!

Day 14--Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson. AZ

Gorgeous, sunny day,  albeit 108 degrees! Linda and I relaxed completely today. Pool time, spa time, food time. All the right elements! We ended our evening with s'mores by the outdoor fire--sublime! Today we have more photos than ruminations as we are scurrying to get out at a decent hour. We want to arrive in Indio no later than mid-afternoon. Wish us luck!

The resort

Stepping out...

...with me!

Post dinner fire

Caught! Eating s'mores...

Day 13--Tucson, AZ

Spent the day driving nearly the entire width of New Mexico on Interstate 10, and arrived at our Priceline find--Loews Ventama Canyon Resort --at about 4pm having crossed into our final time change. Watch out, we may never leave! Seriously, we are so enamored of this place we have booked one more night! And then we promise to get an early start Friday morning for our final drive to Indio, CA. (About six hours from where we are now in Tucson, AZ.) We both agree that having the luxury to be spontaneous has been absolutely the best thing about our trip. And spending our last days in this beautiful resort is the proverbial icing on the cake! When you see the photos, you may want want to fly out and join us...

Morning coffee 100 miles into our day...

Hit the 3000 mile mark with a very dirty windshield!

Last state before CA!

AZ tourist info...

Texas Canyon

And again...

Plenty of cacti here!

Think this will grow in Maine?

Made it!

Our resort...

View from our room...

...and in our room! (Bathtub holds at least 4!)

Dinner

Well, pre-dinner drinks...

Good morning, Tucson!

Day 12--Las Cruces

Las Cruces: population 101,000 making it the second largest city in New Mexico. We arrived here at 5:30pm and the temperature was still 105 degrees! Of course, you must remember it's 'dry' heat so it doesn't seem so hot. Yeah, right! (Insert laugh track here!)  We headed down to the pool and hot tub almost immediately and that did a lot to put the heat in its place. Dinner was uneventful at a not-to-be mentioned one off. (Okay, so it was our first and last meal EVER at Sonic! Be forewarned!) Linda is still fighting some dreadful bronchial thing, but rallles daily and pushes on in a way that hasn't had an impact on our trip enjoyment one iota! Tonight (Wednesday,Tucson) is our last stop before heading to our final destination (and Linda's new life) in Indio, CA tomorrow. Now that HAS cast a pallor on our trip today, but we're fighting it tooth and nail...

Some oxygen and a nebulizer treatment later, and Linda is good to go! (Santa Fe)

Staying hydrated (thanks, Penny!)

Where exactly are we?

Starting to turn green thanks to irrigation.

View from our hotel window!

Palm trees!

And beautiful flowers...

Hotel sunset, Las Cruces.

Local art...