Where am I?

Started out yesterday in Kansas, all of the crew well rested but a bit road weary.  The weather has been cooperating, it's been unseasonably warm and we've not run into any storm activity.  Deb and Sarah have been wrangling our cats, Lily and Canada.  They've never been anywhere but our small apartment in Nantucket, this has been a big change for them.  They've been wearing harnesses and they've been outside and now half way across Mureica.  We got to Colorado early and not long after we gained an hour crossing another time zone.  Swegen, Bob, and I in our car have been music deficient as my Ford Escapes CD player does not work and we've been reliant on the radio.  The choices have run to classic rock, oldies, and Jeezus (Hallelujah) and if I could offer an observation to all the classic rock stations across this great country, THE KINKS RECORDED MORE THAN "YOU REALLY GOT ME"!

Our first breath of fresh air came from the local radio station from Gunnison called KBUT which plays a wide assortment of music, a real throw back.  Yesterday they played all their favorite covers of famous rock songs.  The one that stands out for me was a Ska version of Blondie's Heart of Glass as well as a reggae version of the Beatles Tax Man..

Got to Gunnison by (does it really matter) by 3 local time.  All of us feeling the effects of the altitude to one degree or another but nothing too extreme.  Driving in, at least for me seems to have helped as it allows me to ease into the change.  Had a slight headache but we all drank plenty of water and by dinner we were all just fine. We had dinner at a place in Gunnison called Garlic Mikes. It is fantastic, the food was very good, the prices (after Nantucket) are great! and the service is outstanding.  Sarah, after just a few minutes in said "this will be somewhere we'll eat at a lot" and I agree.

Today is the big day.  We have a walk through with the real estate agent (Shay) who's been such a big help, at 8:30, we close on the house by 10:30, and we begin pinching ourselves right after that. Our furniture etc. arrives on Monday, until then we'll camp out in our new home, all of us in sleeping bags around the fire place in the living room.

Deb and Bobs son Nate will come and get them this weekend, and we'll have the last of our heart wrenching goodbyes to our Nantucket life.  I can't tell you how lucky we've been to have them along, Bob did all the driving (I suck at driving) and I would never have gotten here without him, really.  Deb has been a great help with the cats and with helping Sarah in so many ways.  They've both helped make this an easy transition and we'll never be able to thank them enough, but we'll try.

Swegen is up with me, it's 6:30 back on Nantucket and he's already overdue for his first of the day walk.  I'll sign off now, .  

Day 3

Started the day in Ohio we crossed over the Missouri river and beyond.  Staying tonight in a Quality Inn in Columbia MO.  It was a long day of driving and we did have to stop to take care of some banking for the closing but after some initial confusion all is well and we close on the 3rd. We'll get to Crested Butte on the 2nd.  The cats have settled into the routine of car travel and seem to have adjusted well.  Swegen has always liked car travel and he's as ever, a joy and a comfort.  Bob and Deb have been life savers and we'll never be able to thank them enough for all they've done for us. I've been taking pictures and posting them on Facebook and it's been cool to get feedback from all our peeps.  Another long drive coming up today and it's 3 am.  Goodnight moon.


len

A O OHIO Leap Day

Our second day on the road was fairly uneventful.  It was a Sunday drive, the weather was pleasant, and the roads were clear of any major traffic. The cats have taken to the car and traveling with Deb and Sarah.  Swegen has always loved the road but he's beginning to miss his daily runs with his island friends.  Not much can be done about that till we get to our new home.  We;ll have to make it up tp him this Wednesday. Until then he's gotta suck it like all the rest of us.  One strange occurrence, a chimney sweep truck (Mr. Sweep) followed us all day.  I think we shook him at the Cleveland turn off but if he returns today we may begin to worry.  The driver looked like Dick Van Dyke and the truck made some very strange noises. More later today, I've woken the cats and am at present being meowed vigorously.vigorously. Swegen and Sarah are still asleep, I think I'll try to get just a little more myself. Bob, Deb, and Sarah stayed up to watch the Oscars, I did not.  Did make a bet with O about who would win best supporting actor, I WON!

All the Way to Harrisburg PA.

Our first days travel began in Hyannis.  We had a fine breakfast of coffee and finger sandwiches that Elin and Joyce made for our trip.  It gave us pause to reflect on the folks that came down to the boat to see us off the day before.  We are very lucky people to be sure,, it's a memory that we'll relive often.  Thank you Elin, Joyce, Kate, David, Susan, Eve, Scott, and Michele. Thank you to everyone that sent us off with such fine farewell parties.  We'll miss you all more than we can measure at present but I'm sure we'll feel it for the rest of our lives.

Today's ride was uneventful.  Sarah and Deb Miller in Sarah's car with our two cats Lily and Canada.  Bob and I in mine with Swegen in the back. The cats are slowly getting used to being in the car, Swegen has always loved the road.  All is well, enough.

We made it to the Ramada Inn is Harrisburg, PA by about 5.  Fed the animals, walked the dog and then off to dinner and drinks.  We found a Mexican restaurant called El Rodeo, the food was ok and the drinks were restorative.We had originally picked an Italian Restaurant but stopped short of entering when Bob noticed that it was a BYOB establishment so we took it on the heel and toe and went to plan b.  Thankful for our smart phones ability to help us out.  

We finished the day planning our next leg of the journey and have decided to shoot for Ohio.  We;ll be staying in a motel 6 and they've promised to leave a light on for us. It wont be long before we're in our new home and the excitement builds by the hour

There's a party in the next room, it's been going strong all night long, I've been humming the Bruce Cockburn song "If I had a rocket launcher" in my head while counting sheep all night.  The sleep has been fitful and tomorrow I may write a poem to commemorate the douche bags bags down the hall.

We love you all our peeps
len

  

Pre-road Downs

The day is at hand and we are off to Colorado.  Last minute details and final hugs goodbye are no measure of the upheaval we feel leaving MA., Nantucket, our east coast family.

Man, this is hard
Adios
Len

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWRDzl1vIms

Follow Me Here

This  blogpage is going to be a reminder to all my friends on Nantucket that we still exist and think of you even though we are far away. Starting 2/26/16 I will post daily updates about our journey to Colorado.  I will do this for one year, I promise.  To my friends in the Jr Rangers, I do this for you most of all, I wish I could take you with me.  To my MPC friends, I will post poems weekly, I hope you'll respond in kind.  This move is exciting, terrifying, and most of all something Sarah and I wanted to do while the time was right.  I just wish it didn't mean leaving you.

Ground Control

Down in

Part because it’s rained since the early morning

Rousing spiders from Mars

This is where it begins

The window in my room frames all its grey

Sky goodbyes seen through

Children eyes I’ve watched grow and I’m gone

Lost in yesterday’s vinyl

The photographs are packed

Tickets bought

Something new waiting on the other side

Here am I one last time

In the wind sluiced by the tides

Pushing me on wheels because

I won’t fly

That’s how I flow

Towards the divide

Of course I’ll cry

Now is just a flicker feather

Tickling your nose

Don’t worry nothing

Will ever be quite the same again

As good a reason as any

To go

I do believe