Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Our Journey

Wednesday Morning: We woke up at 7:00, thought it would take about 2 hours to finish packing the odds and ends of the house up, and get the car packed, wrong so wrong ! It took us 4 hours before we got on the road. When we went to pack up the car we realized that we weren't going to be able to bring everything, so some things got left behind, let's face it most of my stuff got left behind! There are lot's of stores here so I can just buy what I can't live without. I sent Billy to Walmart in the morning to buy some space saver bags so we could fit more in the car, and he came home with a new camera, which we needed, our old one up and died on us. I like this new camera better than the old one, this one is easier to use.
I am taking notes for my blog while Billy drives, it's the only way I will remember everything.So far we haved stopped twice, and we have been in the car for 6 hours, and we are still in Florida! This is a big ass state.
7:30 Stopped for something to eat
8:30 We are now in the central time zone, it is chilly up here.
10:45 We are now in Alabama going to stop here for the night we are very tired, we thought the state of Florida would never end.
Thursday morning slept in, we are not in a hurry , went next store to the Waffle house for breakfast.
10:15 Back on the road again, we have been playing with the Ipod, it let's you do email, but the keys are so tiny it is just easier to check your emails on it, and of course listening to the music is great. I have also been playing with the camera, figuring out how to use it.
1:00 stopped for a much needed break, we went to a Best Buy and bought a charger for the Ipod, bought some gas.
1:45 Back on the road again
5:00 Texas, stopped at the first rest area, , 3 hours in the car we need a break, today the weather was cloudy with some showers but not bad for driving. Driving through Houston, was a little nerve racking, the drivers drive really fast, tail gate, and don't know how to use their blinkers !!!!
7:30 Stopped for the night at a Comfort Inn, very nice hotel, beds are super comfortable, they have a business area with computers so we could check our emails, see who was missing us,lol
actually a few friends did say they were missing us and that made me sad.
8:00 Woke up, we have been sleeping very well I guess that is because we are so tired ! Had breakfast at the hotel, it's included, they had a good selection of breakfast foods to choose from, even a waffle machine, so we had fresh waffles, with fruit.
10:00 Back on the road again, our drive to Larado should be about 5 hours, so today will be an easy day for us., The day started out a little rainy but it is clearing up.
1:00 Stopped for a bathroom break, and lunch. another 3 hour long drive.
4:00 Larado !!!!! Stopped at their rest area, really nice place, beautiful out and hot !
5:00 Went to the mall in Larado, yes you read that right the mall, we had a request from the man who's house we are going to be house sitting, he wanted a Martha Stewart blanket, king size, now just to let you all know Kmart does not sell MS anymore, just Macy's , Billy did find one at our mall in Florida, but it was 120.00 I said that is crazy, so we decided to wait, and it turns out that was a good idea, they were on sale at 50% off !!! Also going to the mall worked out great because behind it was plenty of hotels to chose from, we stayed at another Comfort Inn, this one wasn't as nice as the first one, as a matter of fact we had to request new sheets for the bed, seems like the maid didn't do her job !!
When Billy checked us in they gave us room # 119 (cue the twilight zone music ) this was the same room # at the last hotel !!!
Another good thing that happened because we went to the mall, was finding an Olive Garden, we wanted to use our gift card up before we left the states, and there it was. So the universe is still working for us.
6:30 Saturday morning up !!!!
8:30 Crossed over the boarder, went to immigration office, filled out our paper work, got our car permit and exchanged our money for pesos, and on our way we went. Very few people were there so it was all done quickly, and that was great. Now on the other side of the road people were crossing into the states and that line of cars and trucks was really long !!!
12:30 Stopped for a bathroom break, and some gas, bought some snacks.
3:45 We reached Matehuala, this is where most people stop for the night, you don't want to drive at night, to many animals out there, and no street lights. The hotel we stayed at was the most expensive one so far and not the nicest , they know they are the only good game in town so they charge you for it. They did have a nice pool which we hung out by and just relaxed, the weather was beautiful. This day was stressful for us so getting to relax felt really good.
7:30 Sunday morning: We know that this is our last day of driving, we are both excited, and ready for this driving to be over with !!! When we stepped outside this morning we were cold you forget how much the temperature goes down when you are in the mountains.
8:30 Stopped at a local hole in the wall for breakfast, we asked for some coffee, and she brought us two cups of hot water, the coffee was instant, I can't remember the last time I had that, but it wasn't that bad, we had a plate of fruit for breakfast, then back on the road.
I just told Billy that I am surprised that I am not stir crazy after all this time in the car, I did bring a book to read, and all the notes I took for my blog helped keep me busy. Billy did all the driving, he said that he felt better behind the wheel , so I said fine by me !! His knee did start hurting from keeping it bent for such long stretches at a time, but it is doing better now.
We are driving in the mountains now and the views are beautiful, along the road you see animals tied up and grazing, or you see farmers with their herds letting them graze, we have seen horses, goats and cows doing this.
10:20 Bathroom break and some snacks really nice rest area, we bought some real coffee here.
1:20 Another break, in the field next door were some mares with their foals, I took a few pictures of them for my horsey friends.
We finally hit some roads that were bad, only about an hour of them for all this time of driving, not bad at all, we were amazed at how good the roads were in Mexico. It is only 1:28 right now and I feel as though we have been driving all day, I guess I am ready for this to be over with.
We finally reach GDL lot's of traffic, but we are not in it for to long before we start seeing signs for Chapala, and Ajijic, yes almost there.
4:15 FINALLY HERE!!!!Ajijic Suites It has been a great trip no problems, beautiful weather and the car rode great, we are so tired !! now we just have to unload it and then we get to rest, and go grab something to eat.
8:00 All settled in and very happy to be here.
Hope you have enjoyed reading about our journey, I will be posting pictures soon, since I am on the hotel computer and I don't know how everything works the pictures will have to wait. I will try and post them asapa.

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great trip - hope you don't regret your fruit for breakfast on Sunday. I made that mistake once - and boy did it cost me.

    Good luck - glad you guys made it

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  2. So happy you made it safe and sound. Billy's a great driver - he was taught by the safest driver on earth. The man who says 3 rights make a left....that way you don't have to cross traffic! I hope you're having fun and settling in. Loved your diary of the drive but I have to admit, when I visit, I will FLY!
    Talk to you soon....love DEB

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  3. Hi Billy and Cheryl,
    Glad you made it safely...Post your pictures, looking forward to seeing where you are living.
    Hope all is well and things go the way you both are expecting. Love, Paula

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  4. Bienvenidos a Lago Chapala -- Hi, Stace here, good friend of Patricia's -- I wrote you over a month ago a little comment. Once you get settled in, you will all have to come up to the Raquet Club pool and spend the afternoon -- it is hot here in Mayo.

    Glad your trip was uneventful....

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  5. I hope to be making this same journey in about 4 years! Congratulations, and enjoy your new freedom. Ajijic is awesome.

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  6. Thanks for the blog as you drove from Florida to Ajijic. We live in South Georgia and I am contemplating driving my husband to Ajijic for dental work and to give him a chance to see why I want to move there. I had been wondering what the drive would be like, and how I would fare with a 77 year old man and his little dog on board. I'll be eagerly awaiting your next post.

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  7. Hola, Thank you for all the comments on my post, it is always nice to know that my blog is being read. The drive was really good, but if I didn't want to bring my car and some of our stuff I would have made it a plane ride. The fruit for breakfast was not a problem.
    Stace I would really love to meet you and take you up on the offer of a swim. Paula thanks for your comments, I will try and post pictures soon. Deb i know we have thanked you for the ipod, but it is such a great device, everytime we use it we find out more things that it can do. Thanks again everyone.

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  8. Cheryl, This is a very beautiful journey for you 2. I miss you doing my nails...There is one Cheryl, and that is you. My God Bless you and Billy always. Enjoy life to the fulliness. The pictures are breathe taking..Keep in touch.. email is angelofgod51@hotmail.com
    They haven't found no one at Bronze yet to do nails...Take care ,love your friend,, Liz

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  9. Hey! Found your blog! Nice pics of your trip! Hope to see more soon. We are enjoying our new home as much as you are enjoying yours! Talk to you soon!....P.S. I'm moving Honey up to the 22ft line...that darn filly is just learning too fast! :)

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