There’s something about this trip that keeps reminding me that no matter how much you plan, things rarely go exactly the way you expect.
After spending some incredible days up on the Mogollon Rim, the weather started changing again. By Friday, October 30th, it was raining. I’d already done a lot of work getting the camper ready to move, and I didn’t want to deal with muddy forest roads again. I wasn’t completely comfortable with the spot I’d been staying in, either, so I hooked up and moved to another spot on the rim. And what a spot it was. The views were just as amazing as before.
My flight to Boston wasn’t until Monday, but with the rain coming in I decided to head toward Phoenix on Friday. I’d originally reserved an RV site in Mesa for one night, then added two more, for three nights total. I wanted to get out of the rain and off those dirt roads. I wasn’t afraid of mud. I just didn’t want to spend my time dealing with it.
While I was in Phoenix, I got to spend some quality time with a friend from a previous job. We talk all the time, but don’t get to see each other much. I finally met his wife, too, and we went out for a fantastic Mexican dinner. It was great to sit down together and catch up.
Monday morning, November 2nd, I had to get the camper into storage before catching my flight. I’d booked an RV storage facility for ten o’clock. The owner told me to call thirty minutes before arriving so someone could open the gate. No problem, I thought.
Around 9:25, I called. No answer, so I left a voicemail. I followed Google Maps and got there around 9:45. Nobody was there. I called again and left another message. Ten o’clock rolled around, and I was still sitting there with the camper, unable to get in. My flight out of Phoenix Sky Harbor was boarding at 1:15, so I was getting pretty frustrated.
I started calling other storage places. I found one about fifteen miles back the other way, but they couldn’t meet me for another forty-five minutes. Meanwhile, I called my wife and told her what was happening. She stayed calm and helped me sort it out. Somehow she got through to the woman at the original storage place, who said they’d been there the entire time.
It turned out Google Maps had taken me to the back of the property. The entrance gate was on the other side! So there I was, calling, waiting and worrying about my flight while the people I needed were right around the corner. Once I found the right entrance, everything worked out. We got the paperwork done, the camper stored, and they took good care of me. What started as a pretty stressful experience ended up being a really good situation.
Then it was off to Sky Harbor. I’ve flown a lot for work and been through plenty of airports, but Phoenix was surprisingly confusing to navigate. Eventually I found my gate, spent some time in the lounge, and flew to Boston. The flight was uneventful, which after that morning was exactly what I wanted.
I worked in Boston from Monday through Friday. It was a busy week, as it usually is when you go into an office. I enjoy being around people and working together in person, but it is tiring. There’s a different kind of stress and exhaustion that comes from being in the office all week. It’s not like working from home, or from the camper with some incredible scenery right outside the window. Same work, very different environment.
By Friday, November 6th, I was ready to fly back to Phoenix. I’d also been thinking a lot about the rest of the trip. I wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but I wasn’t sure I could make it work and still get home to North Carolina before Thanksgiving without rushing. I don’t want to spend six or more hours driving day after day. About four and a half hours is my ideal maximum. I want to relax and enjoy this beautiful country.
I don’t want to just drive I-40 all the way home, either. I want the back roads and the small towns. My brother-in-law, who I saw when I went home for the wedding, told me about an amazing road trip he took through Kansas. He gave me the details, and I’m thinking of following his route, only much more slowly, over about two weeks.
Before I left, I talked with my friend who’d been traveling with me. He was up in northern Arizona near Flagstaff, where the weather was good, and wanted to stay to do more hiking. I completely understood. It was great having him along. Still, it’s strange how quickly you go from traveling together to going separate ways. For the next couple of weeks, it’ll just be me enjoying the road.
I flew back to Phoenix on Friday and called the RV storage place about picking up the camper Saturday. That evening, I stayed at my friend’s house. We went out for a fantastic Italian dinner and spent time with him, his wife, and their dog, Bubbles.
Now, apparently Bubbles doesn’t like many people and has a habit of trying to nip at them. Somehow, he decided he liked me. It may have had something to do with the million or so little dog cookies I gave him. By the end of the evening, we were best friends. I had a wonderful night’s sleep and was really thankful for the chance to spend time together.
The next morning, we went for breakfast at his wife’s favorite spot. The blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup were amazing. That’s one of my favorite breakfasts, so it was a great way to start the day.
After breakfast, I picked up the camper and headed east. I ended up staying in the same camping area near Petrified Forest National Park that I’d passed through earlier in the trip. The first time, I’d basically driven through without stopping to explore. This time, I wanted to see it.
This morning, Sunday, November 8th, I visited Petrified Forest National Park. I went to the museum, drove the first part of the park, and made my way to Crystal Forest. It was absolutely amazing. I took a quick walk and got to see the petrified logs up close. The colors and textures are incredible.
By about ten o’clock, I was leaving the park and heading to the next stop. That’s where I am right now. I’ve got roughly two weeks to make my way across the country, and I’m looking forward to doing it at my own pace. No long days just to make miles. I want to see what’s out there.
