As I em
bark on 2024 in continuing my nomad life, I am building a life of ADVENTURE (my word for the year). I am learning that not all adventures are pleasurable adventures but learning through challenges. On December 28th, I embarked on a driving adventure through 12 states (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona). Because this was a travel experience I left my 5th wheel in California and traveled with my friend Jackie and my dog, Kodi. We set off with my truck towing a uhaul with furniture being returned to Jackie. Our goal was to reach her apartment in Indiana in time to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Day 1
We got a late start heading out in the morning, and didn’t make the distance we were hoping to travel on the first day. We only drove 560 miles and spent the night in Ritchfield, Utah. We hit major traffic coming out of Las Vegas due to construction and an RV broken down in one lane. I don’t like driving in the dark in unfamiliar areas and we were losing an hour due to the different time zones. We used mostly Love’s gas stations as I like the 10¢ discount with the app. The bathrooms are always clean and many of them have a dog area to walk Kodi. However, I moved too quickly trying to climb over the gas hose while at the station in Barstow and went down hard on my knees on the cement. Thankfully, the man next to me saw me fall and offered to help me up. The knee hurt but wasn’t as bad as my right shoulder since I put out my arm to try and break my fall. I learned weeks later that I actually have an avulsion fracture in my shoulder. Part of this adventure that will linger on for quite some time.
Day 2
Second day we got a much earlier start and drove almost double the distance. We traveled about 900 miles. Jackie took over the driving late in the day and drove for several hours in the dark before we settled into a hotel in Salina, Kansas. We had hoped to make it to Kansas City, Missouri to spend the night but it was just too far and we lost another hour due to the time difference.
Day 3
Jackie took over all of the driving this final travel day to Indiana.
Giving me a break before I did the long journey on my own, and letting me rest my shoulder. We started early and were able to stop in Kansas City to visit my son, Jonathan and daughter-in-law, Abby. They had spent Christmas with her family.
The first year he wasn’t home for the holidays so I was glad my travels allowed me to see him still during the holidays. Abby’s mom, Julie, had breakfast ready for us and we were able to take a short break from the road. We traveled 700 miles that day and made it to Jackie’s home to celebrate the New Year.
New Year’s Day was spent on the couch relaxing. We did get the furniture moved into her 2nd floor apartment with the help of her brother and his family. Now I would travel back to California with an empty trailer since they charge almost an extra $1,000 to leave it in another state. This would provide me with some additional challenges as I traveled back to CA.
Day 5
I decided to take 4 days to travel back to CA on my own since now I would be the sole driver and I would stop earlier since it was still getting dark around 5:30 pm. I got an early start around 7 am and left as Jackie was leaving for work. It was still dark but I was attempting to get ahead of any bad weather. The day’s driving was uneventful and I stopped in Springfield, Missouri. I drove about 490 Miles.
Day 6
I woke up to lots of ice on the windshield and a cold start to the day. Unfortunately, this day
became very eventful. I was making good time down highway 44 and had gone maybe 20 minutes past Oklahoma City when my low tire pressure light came on. I quickly moved into the slow lane when it became very bumpy. I pulled off onto the shoulder but there wasn’t a lot of room due to the ditch that ran along the freeway. My front driver’s side tire was smoking but there wasn’t much room to get out and check it out.
I immediately called Triple AAA and they were going to dispatch help from Finley River Towing. I was not close to any exit along the highway. When the company called they said they would need to send a flatbed to tow me since there would not be room to change the tire along the freeway. Kodi was very patient in the truck as we ended up being on the side of the road for over 3 hours. The first guy that arrived had flashing lights so now at least the semi trucks weren’t racing past my vehicle rocking it. He was going to try and change my tire after all but apparently I don’t have a special lock that is necessary to remove the spare in my Ford F250. I even called the previous owner but he had bought it and never used the spare in the time he had the truck. I still need to figure out how to get it unlocked. Triple AAA wouldn’t cover the cost of moving the trailer, but the flat bed that arrived was able to tow it behind the truck. The two
guys that were trying to help me decided to take me back about 15 miles to a truck stop that had a hotel, restaurant, and a tire place. Although the hotel wouldn’t take dogs since they treated the carpet and they already had a chihuahua die from the chemicals. I can’t imagine that was safe for humans either.
The guys then agreed to take me back to Oklahoma City to a Best Western that was pet friendly. I had to pay a fee since the distance was further than Triple AAA would take me. It’s time to upgrade my membership so that if necessary I can be towed further, especially since I’m spending more time on the road. They also gave me a recommendation for a tire place as I would need to replace both front tires. These tow drivers went above and beyond to make sure I was settled and safe for the evening. They were definitely a blessing during this challenging adventure.
Day 7
I started this morning by calling Hickman’s Auto & Tire company. Of course he wanted to know specifically what tires I needed and I had no clue. So after going to the truck and reading random numbers that were on the tire he seemed to know what I needed. He would order the necessary tires and would have them ready for me in an hour. I then called Triple AAA again to come and take me to the tire place. Fortunately, it was only a few miles away so the tow was free with my membership. Although this tow truck didn’t have a hitch to also take the trailer. The worker volunteered to go back and get the trailer and bring it to me since it wasn’t very far. After getting two new tires from Hickman’s they told me that I needed to get an alignment or I would need to replace the tires by the time I reached CA. I was not getting on the road very early to continue my journey. They called and helped me get in at their sister shop that worked on the autos. This shop had a full schedule but they agreed to fit me in. I was told to just leave the trailer and come back after the alignment was done and they would help me hook it up. Everyone was so friendly and helpful as I was experiencing travel delays. Even many that were in the midwest on facebook reached out and offered assistance. Another reminder that I’m blessed even during difficult times. I was back on the road by 2 pm and drove to Midland, Texas. I was avoiding going through Alburquerque due to bad weather and road conditions.
Day 8
It helped that I was gaining an hour of daylight each day traveling west. Finally a day that was uneventful. I drove to Phoenix, Arizona with no challenges except Kodi was really done being in the truck he was refusing to get in the truck at each gas stop we made. I was keeping his harness on so that I had a good hold to lift him up into the truck. This was a challenge as my shoulder was still giving me trouble.
Day 9
Now I was back on familiar territory. Only about 6 hours for the final drive home. In the early afternoon I rolled back into Temecula. Although I needed to stop off at a friend’s to pick up some of my mail. Texted my friend, Courtney, that I was almost back and asked if she would have a glass of wine ready for me. After looking at my text it was complete gibberish since I was so tired. Fortunately, she could read between the lines and I had a glass of wine ready for me upon returning to my 5th wheel.
I’m so thankful for so many great friends that have helped me and the many strangers that showed kindness along my journey
We found traveling in the Midwest this last fall and in previous years that the people were incredibly friendly and helpful and love to chat you up. If you’re going to get stuck someplace that’s a good place to be!
Everyone was so helpful