GOING EAST! October 1-4, 2013

All packed up and ready to store our West Coast home, we drove up to cousin MJ's Tuesday evening for a fun Thanksgiving dinner before leaving the next morning. Charlie and Mary spent the night in MJ's guest apartment and we parked the motorhome out in the vineyard. Turkey, mashed potatoes and allt he trimmings with lots of laughter, a perfect way to spend our last CA night.

Our hostess, MJ with Mary

Amazing what MJ can do with napkin rings

MJ and Jim have 2 beautiful boxers who loved being a part of the evening and this time Foster even got along with them, he just couldn't join them on the top of the sofa.

It wouldn't be an evening at MJ's without pulling out the boas and the crowns for photo fun.

Wednesday morning was a crazy "put it all away" morning as we packed things we needed to take with us inside the car and everything else was cleaned, emptied and put away inside the motorhome.

The red SAAB would get us across country to Florida, the silver car was loaded on the dolly and stored  along with the motorhome in Ukiah.

All pulled in and stored till we return next May.

We finally got on the road by 2:30 with a direct route to Reno on Highway 20, then I-80.  A beautiful 2 lane road for much of the drive up and over the passes and into Reno by 8Pm that night.  We decided to use LA Quinta Hotels because they are dog friendly and easy to find as we go cross country.

Up early Thursday morning and on the road for another 500  miles drive to Salt Lake City. The weather was changing; cloudy, cold  and eventually we ran into a light snow fall and chilly winds as we climbed the passes.

Our first view of the Great Salt Lake.  An easy drive and at the hotel by 5 that afternoon. Knowing we could cover so many miles in a day is encouraging.

We checked into the La Quinta and relaxed in the jacuzzi before dinner at a great little local Italian restaurant.  I had forgotten to pack and shoes other than sandals for PK so we made a stop at Big 5 to find him some walking shoes.  It sure wasn't warm California weather any longer. We woke up Friday morning to a couple inches of snow on the hills and the city and we loved the feeling of fall and cooler temps. We were meeting up with our traveling buddies, Burt and Diane, for a long weekend in nearby Park City so no big drives for a few days.  That felt great!