September 16 2009

We are finally packed for our long trip through the whole continent! It took much more time
than we imagined to clear out of the house even though the car was basicly packed last evening. I was outside in my pyjamas cramming in some more when Janet, my neighbor, took a picture of me. Carol Copeland - my co-mother-in-law - called to invite us for lunch. At 1230 she called again wondering if we had left yet. "I think I will cook you dinner instead".

Our first stop was Crystal Springs - 5 minutes away - for Jalil to get coffee from Starbucks. We drove across the Bay Bridge and we saw the new section that was installed over the Labor Day weekend. At the same time our grandson Dylan called. He was wondering if we would be back for his birthday (7) on December 19?

About 1500 we finally arrived in Auburn to visit Carol. Charlie had, unfortunately, already left for work. Carol's brother David joined us for an Indian meal. It was nice to meet him. He was painting Carol's and Charlie's house. He had taken the same trip that we are planning but in the reverse and he was exited about it. Thank you, Carol, for having us over!

The next stop was Reno - Grand Sierra Resorts (Old Hilton) - where Steven was attending a gas station convention. We parked by the curb and Steven came out to greet us and we had a few pleasant minutes with him and a great hug. He had to go to a meeting and was a little late. It was good to see him before leaving. He told us that Dylan now had diarrhea and was not feeling well. I called Laura and suggested that he drink some Kefir to kill the bug. Hope he will do it. He is very opinionated re food.

Our goal was to drive to Elko, Nevada, but with our late start we were tired and stopped at a casino motel in Lovelock (pop. 2003) No WiFi! Had to go to the lobby in the casino but it smelled like smoke so I did not send a blog from there. The night air in Lovelock smelled so fresh like new hay - love that smell - and it was warm and pleasant. We had a picnic in our room which opened a tiny space in our cooler. The car is so full of clothes (for warm and cold weather), a huge box of maps and guide books from AAA, camping gear, CPAP bags X 2, laptop, DVD's as the car has a DVD player, and lots of food. There are cans hidden in every crevice.

There is very little traffic in Nevada except for lots of trucks. The speed limit is 75 miles/hour and the road (80) is so straight. It seems as if we are hardly moving. There is a lot of road work which slows you down. Jalil thinks it is the TARP money at work. The temperature is in the 80's but it does not feel as hot as that temperature feels in San Mateo.