We started the morning off in Texas style with Texas shaped waffles (No kidding, see picture) at our Days Inn breakfast. After eating we returned to the rooms and packed up, had family conflict while waiting for the elevator which worked nicely for us because then we had the elevator to ourselves. AFTER checking out Brandon discovered that the van would not start. After a couple hours of combined phone calls, waiting, visits from AAA roadside (or hotel side) assistance, we ended up at Auto Zone with Lupe our super nice Auto Zone guy a
nd a brand new battery. Take notes here guys. If ever driving across country and have several hundred dollars worth of work done on your car before you go--Do make sure that somehow in all th
e checking and "routine maintenance", somebody checks your BATTERY!!! So we leave Auto Zone forgetting to get something to fix the tail light cover that we noticed was about to fall of yesterday, and take Lupe's advice to get the alternator checked before we head out across the desert. By God's Grace and Lupe's connection
s we met some nice guys at S&L automotive who told us out alternator was just fine and we were good to go. Believing this to be true since usually mechanics have not much to gain by telling you nothing needs to be done, we set out for Gallup NM. We really were amazed once again at God's goodness to us in allowing this to happen outside our hotel, where AAA could get to us quickly and we could go into AC and water was readily available etc, etc. This could have been truly disastrous if it had happened somewhere remote, hot and dry. We once again were keenly aware that He really does hem us in from behind and below and He really does lay His hand upon us each and every moment of every day. Driving out of Amarillo I was stunned to see that I thought the land was flat and barren yesterday. Today took the cake. It was flat, barren, dry a
nd mostly lifeless, not pretty in even the least. It was truly uninhabitable, as was the case since there was rarely a home in sight. This didn't last too long though and once we got to New Mexico, the landscape became Awe Inspiring. Again, pictures can't do it justice, but they are still a glimpse. Once in NM we came to a rest stop and a realization that we were now minus one tail light cover. Here we are driving down the road dirty dusty van, dirty dusty family, odd pieces of luggage strapped down on the top of the van and my roots showing. Oh yeah -- with a Tennessee license plate. I was beginning to wonder if they would let us in the La Quinta. Anyway, the rest of the drive was beautiful, We ate a wonderful dinner at a groovy Mexican place in Albuquerque and coasted on in to Gallup, where we are all snuggled down and asleep, (except me) and resting up for our sightseeing tomorrow. We are now officially on vacation.
nd a brand new battery. Take notes here guys. If ever driving across country and have several hundred dollars worth of work done on your car before you go--Do make sure that somehow in all th
e checking and "routine maintenance", somebody checks your BATTERY!!! So we leave Auto Zone forgetting to get something to fix the tail light cover that we noticed was about to fall of yesterday, and take Lupe's advice to get the alternator checked before we head out across the desert. By God's Grace and Lupe's connection
s we met some nice guys at S&L automotive who told us out alternator was just fine and we were good to go. Believing this to be true since usually mechanics have not much to gain by telling you nothing needs to be done, we set out for Gallup NM. We really were amazed once again at God's goodness to us in allowing this to happen outside our hotel, where AAA could get to us quickly and we could go into AC and water was readily available etc, etc. This could have been truly disastrous if it had happened somewhere remote, hot and dry. We once again were keenly aware that He really does hem us in from behind and below and He really does lay His hand upon us each and every moment of every day. Driving out of Amarillo I was stunned to see that I thought the land was flat and barren yesterday. Today took the cake. It was flat, barren, dry a
nd mostly lifeless, not pretty in even the least. It was truly uninhabitable, as was the case since there was rarely a home in sight. This didn't last too long though and once we got to New Mexico, the landscape became Awe Inspiring. Again, pictures can't do it justice, but they are still a glimpse. Once in NM we came to a rest stop and a realization that we were now minus one tail light cover. Here we are driving down the road dirty dusty van, dirty dusty family, odd pieces of luggage strapped down on the top of the van and my roots showing. Oh yeah -- with a Tennessee license plate. I was beginning to wonder if they would let us in the La Quinta. Anyway, the rest of the drive was beautiful, We ate a wonderful dinner at a groovy Mexican place in Albuquerque and coasted on in to Gallup, where we are all snuggled down and asleep, (except me) and resting up for our sightseeing tomorrow. We are now officially on vacation.
Well, my eyes are droopy. Time for bed.
Kelly and everybody else
4 comments:
hi kelly. i pulled up your blog for your mom to look at. she had just started looking when mike called. so, she is going to look at it again. i told her she could come over and pull it up anytime she wanted to. she told me about the cat. thank goodness you found it. be safe.
Hey Kelly, Just wanted to let you know I'm enjoying your blog. What an adventure :)
mine is http://cullatonfamily.blogspot.com
It sounds like you are making so many wonderful memories!!! Love hearing about it all! Wow- God really made some pretty landscapes (just please, clean your windshield:)). It's so different from here!!! The kids look like they are having fun (sweet bribing, I guess). Hope you have a great "vacation" on your way!
Love,
Ashley
Kelly -
I am so glad that you guys are having a great trip so far. When I drove to California with my parents we had several moments of the car falling apart stranding us overnight, another time with no shocks on the car and bouncing down the road and we to had the Tennessee plates. Fun memories!!
Chandra
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