Last Post in 2010 See you in the New Year!

It is so great to be together. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a bright New Year. Sorry about the red eye. Will start the blog as we travel to Northern California toward my mom. Love, Mrs. Reiman

It Never Rains in Southern California. Except When the Reimans Arrive.

We were so excited to be entering California. Not only to be with Martin, but to enjoy some warm,  dry weather. But when it pours, man, it pours! It is the second day of a deluge. As you can see even Duke the dog is bored. When the storm clears we will introduce the dogs to the ocean.  Love, Mrs. Reiman

Trying to see something in the fog. An elk happened by as Andre and Duke took a rest. The wind was strong and would give you a glimpse for a second.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is only the beginning of the Grand Canyon but I am glad we stopped and took some photos. As we entered the South Rim it began to rain and was so foggy for 2 days we saw nothing! I will have to come back here at another time of year. After I visit Harrington Park, of course.

Snow Again!

As we left the Navajo National Monument the snow stopped and we headed to the Grand Canyon.

There are Houses Down inThose Arches!

The Navajo People lived in these arches in homes they built out of red rock. They were farmers. They planted the Three Sisters, corn, beans and squash just like the Lenape in New Jersey. We were grateful to have seen what we could the day we arrived because the next day we woke to 3 inches of snow.

Duke

We made it to New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah all at the same time. It is very remote and started our journey on the road less traveled. Thanks to Mrs. Brodie's class, as we read a story about someone being at the 4 Corners Monument. From here we headed to the Navajo National Monument.

Shiprock, New Mexico

These beautiful monoliths were everywhere on our way to Four Corners Monument.

Cold and Snow Following Us!

We hoped to make it to the Four Corners Monument today. We have been stopped in Gallup, NM by a snow storm. I would like tell you what New Mexico looked like today as we drove across,  but it was shrouded in fog and snow. It could have been the NJ Turnpike for all we could see,  except the Turnpike would have been cleared and salted.

Shadow Spirits

New Mexico is so enchanted you can photograph the shadow spirits that dwell in the Welcome Center. You would think Shadow Spirit dogs wouldn't need leashes?

Land of Enchantment, New Mexico

Tucuncari Mountain at sunset

It did finally get warm in Texas, about 80 degrees. So it was time for Jeff and Andre to do a little dog wrangling.

Texas BBQ, literally.

Texas looks just as I expected it to look. Brown and flat. Fortunately we traveled through the skinniest part called the Panhandle. That was enough for me.

Texas Fun!

Texas is so Windy!

We were glad to see Texas making use of an abundant natural resorce. Windmills are as numorous as cattle.

Give me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam!

The only buffalo we saw were behind fences. Still,. they were mighty looking, even if they did where earrings

Not a New Hair do, it's Oklahoma! Where the Wind Comes Rushing Down the Plains

    Oklahoma is the home to 39 American Indian Tribes. Even the Lenape of New Jersey  have descendants who live in Oklahoma. Unfortunately none of these American Indians came here willingly. But now they have a strong culture here that is an honored part of Oklahoma's history. And by the way, they refer to themselves as American Indians, not Native Americans. News to me.
    Oklahoma's Welcome Center has teepee structures that Andre found irresistible.

Out of the Snow to the Mississippi River

 Tennessee has many rivers but none as grand and historic as the Mississippi. I thought it would be warmer?

Drove west into Arkansas as the sun set. Dispersing clouds turned magenta and orange leading us to our campground by nightfall.

Stuck in Blizzard in Nashville ,Attention Mrs. Brodie's Class

We were hoping to be in Memphis this evening but a blizzard has stopped us in Nashville. We are in an ice covered campground right next to the Grand Ole Opry. Attention Mrs. Brodie's class! I wanted my husband to audition for the "Opry" with "Buttered both sides of my breakfast roll" but the blizzard has made that impossible. Think of you all often. Love, Mrs. Reiman

Grand Ole Opry Here I Come!

Andre, Duke, Thor, and Mrs. Reiman. We just entered Virginia and will be traveling through many Civil War Historic sites. My friend Peter from the HP Library could give us a great tour of this area.

Heading South

Cross country trips require co-pilots.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are to our left and the Shenandoah Mountains are on our right. We plan to make it through Virginia to Tennessee where we will camp tonight. Last night the campground we were to stay in was closed so we ended up staying in a Walmart parking lot. Yikes! Today I have called ahead to insure the campground is open. And they will even deliver Babyback Ribs to your RV. We are definitely. in the south

Honesdale,PA. Not so far , but on our way!

Interesting tidbits about Honesdale, PA. Dick Smith, a resident of Honesdale, wrote the famous Christmas song Winter Wonderland in 1934. In 1829 the first commercial steam locomotive. to run on commercial tracks left Honesdale. But most importantly two of our great friends reside here and we have come to say goodbye. Route 81 South is where we are headed tomorrow. I hope it is warmer. Our RV is not built for this bone chilling cold. Love, Mrs. Reiman




,

Wow! We are finally on the road.

Our stuff almost got the better of us. But as a family we persevered and are finally on the road. We have not gone far enough for interesting facts. We are still in New Jersey at my husband's best friend. But please stay tuned. Exotic Pennsylvania is next. Miss all of you so much. Love, Mrs. Reiman