Saturday, January 26, 2013

Halfway through

After 8 1/2 hours on the road, we are finally 1/2 way through and ready to go to bed. Day started early with the final touches to the trailer and then we headed off to pick up the dogs at my friend's house in Petaluma. We are proud to say that when we opened the trailer to put the dogs' stuff, nothing had moved not even an inch. Good girls!
Getting in the car and saying goodbye to Griffin

We got on the road from Petaluma around noon and then took 101 South to 580 East and then 5 South and drove 340 miles approximately. After a quick stop for lunch and a few quick pit stops for the doggies (and humans), we made it to Bakersfield by 6:30pm.

Tucked in for the night
The weather was beautiful, the traffic light and the drive very scenic. We are now all tucked in for the night so that we can get an early start tomorrow. Another 277 miles to go, including a long long incline that takes us up to almost 5000 feet. It will be fun!

Highlights of the day:

1. Shooter cost me $100,00 after eating up his dog sitter's girlfriend's (got that? ) expensive boots. What a parting gift! lol
2. I took one of those 5-hour energy drinks and oh boy, is that awful. Had to wash it down with coke. It got me going though, like the little energizer bunny :-)
3. In one of the rest area stops, my sister took the dogs for a walk and came back right after she saw a sign indicating the area could have snakes. The look on her face was priceless.

More to come tomorrow!

Love,

Alex






 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Farewell California, Hello Vegas!

Last time I updated this blog, we had just arrived in Napa, back on September 10, 2008. Mesmerized by the beauty of the Valley, the blue skies and green fields, and the warmth of the people.
The true spirit of the Valley

So much has happened in the last four years. Farmers Markets, Vinerunners, and all the wonderful friends we made, whom we will carry in our hearts forever, no matter where we go. It was a wonderful experience and an amazing community to be a part of.
My beloved Farmers Market, I will miss you!

But now we are moving onto new adventures, new places to see and new friends to add to our long and blessed list. Lady and Shooter are looking forward to meeting the Greyhound Pet Adoptions of Las Vegas and make new friends too.

Jos has already headed out and my sister Fernanda came all the way from Brazil to help me. She is a true general in arms, full of energy and spunk! If it wasn't for her organization skills, I would not have accomplished what we did in the last couple of days. Then Dear Joe came over on Wednesday evening and took down our ceiling fans. What a trooper Joe, thank you very much! Pictures of them installed in our new home will follow! :-)

Wednesday and Thrusday we had the moving crew at our house, packing and loading the truck that left yesterday. I had my teary moments, but my sister's shoulder was always there for me. Then many giggles too, especially when all my shoes got accidentally boxed, and I had only the pair on my feet to wear :-)

Our life in boxes, many teary moments
A serious truck dude!

Today we got the trailer, loaded it (which was another experience that entailed many laughs) and are all set to go. We will have a farewell dinner with my dear friend Lilian and then we will spend our last night in California.

Sunset in the Wetlands Edge, AC
My loyal friend towing a trailer again

Tomorrow we will get Lady and Shooter from our friend's house in Petaluma and get on our way. We plan to take it easy and get in Vegas sometime on Sunday. Then mayhem will start again :-).

I LOVED living in Nothern California, I cherish all the experiences I lived and all the memories I made. To all my friends, THANK YOU! Please know that you will all be missed and will be in my heart forever. Thank Heavens for social media, so I hope we will keep in touch through the cyber space.
 
So keep tuned in for the next couple of days and we will share our trip with you!

Farewell California, thank you for your warmth, beauty and friendship. Hello Las Vegas, we are looking forward to fun times!

With Love,

Alex