Quarantine Day 2

Sunrise through the smoke.

Cerrillos, New Mexico

Today, I got up and went out to water and check all the mouse and rat traps. The traps had not been checked in awhile, found two petrified squirrels and one snake.

I have refilled the hot tub and will fire it up later for a good soaking.

Came in and made myself some french toast for breakfast.

Contacted my friend, Sammy, sent her a grocery list, since I am in quarantine and can't go out. She will deliver to me tomorrow. 

My hand hurts like hell, so I will probably sit inside with the air conditioner on. The skies are filled with smoke from fires in Arizona, Colorado and one that started here yesterday. 

Lazy day walked around the yard. Searched through my current food situation and mad lunch from potatoes, from the garden, onion, sliced hot dog, brussel sprouts, with garlic sliced, fresh ground pepper.

Sat and watched a movie. When I needed a snack, I made some chocolate chip cookies.

The sun sets on Day 2 of my quarantine.

Lisa made it from Fort St. John to Muncho Lake.

Quarantine Day 1

 As you may know my trip was cut short at the Canadian border.

This morning I awoke and loaded the first of three loads of laundry. Because I am solar I have to wait for the sun to hit the panels before starting the machine.

Went out to my garden, checked that the holding tank, I have well water, was full and then started to turn on the drip system. Found a leak where the bunnies had chewed one of the lines, so I had to fix that.

Went to the vegetable garden and found it was overrun with goat heads. So I got my gloves on and my weeding tool and started to pull them up. The gloves didn't work so well, as I got a huge blister that took off a layer or two of skin.

The pile of weeds and my blister.

I switched the drip system and started to drain my hot tub, so I could clean it and refill it. It was full of algae so I had to scrub it and am leaving it empty to dry out overnight. Tomorrow I will refill it and leave it cool since it is so hot out.

Switched to the last drip line, turned on the well pump to refill the tank so I could do the laundry.

Went in and started the first load.

I started to go through my camera equipment and discovered I had left my camera on the floor of my friend's car. He had picked me up in a BMW, which would not make up my dirt road. We went to his house and switched over to his jeep. Being late and exhausted, I grabbed my three bags and left the camera. Sent him a text and asked for him to take it out of the car and I would drop by later to get it.

I know, I broke quarantine, but I had to go get my mail which is four mile down the hill. My house sitter had told me her key wasn't working. I used her key and it opened right up. I also picked up my camera.

By this time it was very hot, I was still doing laundry and cannot run the A/C at the same time. The limitations of my solar system.

I made a loaf of bread as I was out.

Finally, had time to sit and write yesterday's, trials and tribulations.

The sun has set and I am going to veg out in front of the TV.

FUBAR

I had a good nights sleep, Lisa not so much, the dogs wandered around and jumped on and off the bed.

We got moving, checked out and went to get some supplies at Walmart in case they would not let us stop in Canada. We were only a couple hours from the border.

We were driving down the road and came across an Antelope stopped in the road, stopped to take a few pictures. If any turn out I will post them later.

We were getting excited about crossing into Canada for the next half of our drive. 

We pulled up to the border station and gave them the paper work, we were asked to park the car and come inside. There they again went through all of the paperwork, asked a bunch of questions.

THEN THEY DENIED ME ENTRY.

I was denied entry because I was considered a tourist and they are not allowing tourists in. My sister has a home she is moving to, as well as, a business in Alaska, so she was allowed to transit Canada.

So, then we had to turn around and Lisa drove me to the Great Falls Airport, where I caught a flight to Denver and then back home to New Mexico.

Waiting, in Denver, for my connecting flight to Albuquerque.

Lisa then had to drive back to the border. They had a shift change and they went through the whole routine again.

I got hold of my friend and he came down and picked me up at the airport. As we are driving back to Cerrillos he tells me his partner had bought some cheap clay pipes for when people come over (covid). He then told me mine was in the glove box loaded if I desired. So nice to have good friends.

My trip has ended. I told Alex and Lisa that the maze I was drawing for the trip will turn black at the Canadian border and won't actually work because I never got to Alaska.

Prong Horn Antelope

Fargo North Dakota to Harve Montana

Travel Summary
Leave Fargo, ND at 7:17am
Arrive Havre, MT at 5:20pm
11 Hours travel time
689 miles
2370 total miles

Last night we had a good nights sleep. Dogs slept pretty well, too.

Went to get our breakfast in the morning, absolute crap, two bites threw it out. We ate some of our snacks.

We climbed in the car and headed out under overcast skies. The clouds cleared away about 20 miles out of Fargo. the rest of the day was clear and HOT.

We made a stop for gas and had some Bad juju, Lisa's necklace broke as she was exiting the car, fortunately, Puppum's tag was not lost. We stopped here for gas because of the Pie sign, this is for you, Denise, no, we did to get any.

We crossed the Continental Divide 8:25am. We were officially in the West.

We have seen very few birds along the way. There were hardly any bugs on the windshield. then we hit western North Dakota, bugs all over the windshield. Started seeing many Hawks, Pelicans and some water fowl. Still not as many as I recall from past trips.

We went by many fields of sunflowers.

At one quick restroom stop we came across a bunch of trucks carrying the blades for wind turbines.

At 12:20 we turned on 200S headed to western Montana and the border.

We made it all the way to Harve Montana, about an hour and a half from the border. Looking to get another good night sleep before the Canadian stretch of the trip.

Bea finally took a poo, of course she waited until she had climbed on my bed, which is now Lisa's bed. I was out getting dinner and guess who was not going to say anything.

I had a french dip sandwich from one of the only places open for food, it was good. Lisa had mystery "foul"  strips, most of which went in the trash.

Time to relax and then get some sleep.

Beloit Wisconsin to Fargo North Dakota

Travel Summary 
Leave Beloit, WI at 7:30am
Arrive Fargo, ND at 6:00pm
10.5 Hours travel time
569 miles
1681 total miles*

Very difficult to fall and stay asleep last night. Esther wandered around the room all night. We finally got up and got moving. Loaded the car, fed the dogs and headed to Deerfield.

We went to Deerfield to meet with my grandson, Alecs, who I had not seen since he was very little. He just graduated college. (*This was a detour and added to our mileage and is included in our travel time.) We had a picnic breakfast at his church. It was great to see him and catch up. His, Aunt Lisa, had last seen him when he was 18 months old.

He has grown a bit since we last saw him.
He has become a wonderful young man.
Hopefully we will see more of him.

We left him and headed to Madison, where we ran into a downpour. After that it was mostly a cloudy day, it was nice not to have to drive in the glaring sun. 

As we drove down the road we saw a sign for the, Cheese Chalet, of course we had to stop and purchase a lot of cheese, I, also, bought some Honey BBQ Jerky which is great. 

There was a detour on 94 that took us to towns I could not find on the map. We had no idea where we were. Fortunately, it it led us back to 94 on the other side of Minneapolis, so we didn't run into any traffic there. 

We continue to switch drivers every two hours. Since the dogs are hardly peeing we, only, take them out every other stop. This saves us some time.

Denise called twice today to give a heads up on the places to stop to eat. Any that were actually close to us are closed. She then attempt to help find a stop for tomorrow, having us go either 400 miles (too short) or 840 mile (too long). We are continuing to go a bit over 500 miles per day.

We made up some time during my last shift as I went 160 miles in two hours, getting us to Fargo right at my estimated time of 6pm.

At our last gas stop I went use the restroom, I pulled my mask out of my pocket, my cell phone fell out and the glass face shattered, oh well.

We ate the other half of our three pound sandwiches for dinner. After checking into our hotel, feeding and walking the dogs. Bea had a tiny poop, but it was a poop and we congratulated her.

Went to watch the weather channel, unfortunately, our TV remote turns the TV on, you may adjust the volume, but you can not change the channels.

I went to Dairy Queen across the parking lot from our hotel and got us both chocolate dipped cones.

There are very few people wearing masks in the "RED" states.

Fredonia, NY to Beloit, WI

Travel Summary
Leave Fredonia, NY at 7:20am
Arrive Beloit, WI at 5:20pm
10 hours travel time
592 miles
1112 total miles

Finally, fell asleep, after Lisa took the Ester out numerous times, only to find out she was thirsty.

Bea climbed into my bed and turned it "magic finger bed" with her panting and nervous shake. That would have been alright, but then she went from the end of the bed to planting her butt in my face. Lisa then took her over to her bed.

In the morning Bea went to get a drink, she likes to dip her feet in the water splashing it everywhere. This morning she dipped and then walked with dirty paws all over the white, coffee stained (see yesterday's post) bedspread. Lola then went for a drink, got her paws wet and proceeded to add her paws to the spread. Later she knock the bowl over and flooded the bathroom. I believe we have banned from Quality Inns.

We then packed everything and one into the car and headed out.

Around 9am, we decided it was time to find a bagel and some cream cheese, to add to the lox in the cooler, for breakfast. We took an exit to get gas and find the "Panera" that was posted as being there. We still do not know where it is. After driving around through various neighborhoods, we came upon a tiny strip mall with a bakery. Fragapane Bakery (drool over the pictures), has two locations in Ohio, we happened upon the one, on Lorain Rd in North Olmsted, if you are ever there it is a must. Incredible selection of pastries, we were very good, Lisa had a chocolate frosted donut with real chocolate frosting. I had an apple turnover very flakey, good filling and a touch of sugar on top.

They also have some gourmet grocery items and a deli. We decided to order sandwiches for later. WOW! Lisa had roast beef and swiss on rye and I ordered a turkey and provolone on rye. I watched as she sliced the meat, and sliced the meat and then added some more. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

We could only eat a quarter at a time and still both have half left.

We were so full we could only eat an ice cream cone for dinner.

After many stops to take the dogs out to pee, Lola led off by finally taking a poo, Ester finally went at the, Fairfield Inn, we are staying at tonight, Bea has decided to hold out for awhile longer.

We had a time change going though Illinois, since the clocks went back from 2pm to 1pm, Lisa had to drive another hour since her shift was to be over at 2:45 (not really). I of course got the short end as we changed 20 miles from Chicago. Since moving to New Mexico I am only used to see one or two cars on the road, it was not a good change. Tanked our gas milage and I was exhausted after my shift. We then decide to find a hotel and crash for the night.

The, Fairfield Inn, was very accommodating to our needs and allowed us to have three dogs in the room. They may live to regret this.

Signing off for the night.

The Truck is packed

Travel Summary

Leave Wakefield, Rhode Island at 10:20am

Arrive Fredonia, New York at 7:20pm

10 Hour Travel time

520 miles

 Yes, the truck came and was loaded last night. We finished loading around 4am, not much sleep but we are ready to go. 

We have a few things to pack in the truck, including the dogs and then we will be on the road.

10:20am we are driving out of the driveway, bye bye Lisa' old house.

We filled the tank in Hope Valley and off we go.

Pretty uneventful drive, beautiful day to start our journey. The dogs behaved themselves. We switched drivers every two hours or so. We planned for a short day, drove until about 7:30, and went over 500 miles.

We are now at a Quality Inn, which allows dogs. We took them for a walk, then came to our room.

Lisa's, no spill, coffee cup spilled in her bag, and leaked through the covers of her bed. To make matters worse the dog then peed on her bed. Not the best way to end the day, but we had a good laugh, after awhile of cursing.

We made it just passed Buffalo.