Sept. 14 So Close! But No Cigar!

We've traveled over 13K miles since May 20th, 2008 & are 110o miles from Alexandria, VA 0n Sept. 14th - BROKEN DOWN!!!

After a later "up & at 'em" departure this morning we continued our travel across the I40 from Oklahoma into Arkansas. Everything was going smoothly - Ann knitting, both Ann & Steve listening to "6 Frigates" cd on the cd player when Steve "freaked out" that we had 2 lights illuminated on the dash! The "check brakes" & the "ABS" (anti locking brake system) were on. I dashed to the reference book cupboard to retrieve the Ford manual to see what it said about these lights. "Likely brakes will not operate if both lights are illuminated." Shucks! We're almost home & besides that, it's Sunday! How do we get help? Well, we both held our breaths till the next exit, which fortunately was a bit larger town than most of the areas we had been passing, but as we had expected services are not available on Sundays. Thankfully, Steve, always erring on the side of caution, said we would not continue & would stay the day & night in Russelville, AR. Boo hoo! I just want to be home! However, we are in a nice campground. I was able to do some laundry given our now extended trip. The sun is shining. Tomorrow we will be in line at the Ford garage at 7am to see if they can assess our problem. We still have hopes that we can get home by late Tues. night. We'll see & I will post another blog if that is not the case.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again very soon. steve & ann

Sept. 11 Homeward Bound

First night on the road we are RONing in Camp Verde, AZ just outside of Flagstaff, AZ. After heading due east on the I8 from San Diego we decided to head north for the I40 in order to veer away from the hurricane weather along the Gulf coast. Here are today's travel stats:

9 hours
453 miles

After a very tearful & heart wrenching farewell this morning from the Mike & Shannon hacienda in San Diego, Steve & I began our trip east. I have no pictures to post on this blog as no one was "in the mood" to smile. Macy had red eyes from an understandably earlier meltdown; Emmy couldn't look in the camera with any cheer; & Cooper clung to our necks with the biggest hugs you've ever seen from a 19 month old. Bennie was imbedded in his usual seat in the Born Free & Morty was inside the house mourning the departure of his good dog friend. (Together those two are a piece of work!) Shannon & I had few words to express the love & joy we shared during these 2 weeks. And Steve stood by wishing he could make everyone happy & fortunately he didn't try to be his usual comical self. It was time to go, but no one wanted to go anywhere!

God bless them all! What a beautiful & happy family the little Lindbloms are, but how tough life can be! Shannon is a phenomenal mom & those special "grands" are ever so happy & healthy. Soon the M&S Lindblom family will be together again! Mike is due to return from deployment the first week in November. Check out Shannon's blog for updates on their family & their upcoming reunion: http://lindblomloop.blogspot.com

Tomorrow is another day for all & another day closer to VA for us. I'll let you know when & where we are tomorrow evening if we have internet access.

Aug. 28 - Sept. 11 San Diego

There's Nothing Like Lovin', Like Something Like...
Macy! Coop! & Em!

I Must have some Iowa Heritage!

Corn! Corn! Corn!

Our Lovely Ballarinas - Emery & Macy
Lovely Macy Performing with the Band

at Coronado "Concert in the Park"

Emmy Is Ready to Go!
A Little Sunday Football

for Poppa Steve & Cooper
Everyone Needs a Little Stroll

AnnMaMa Gets a Little Huggin'

Tell Me that Tale One More Time!
A Wink from Emmy for Poppa Steve

After bee-lining our way down the west coast from Washington state to San Diego we joyfully arrived on the doorstep of our grandchildren's home on August 30th. It was a grand reunion with mother, Shannon, & grandchildren, Macy, Emmy, & Cooper, & Steve & me. My how the grandchildren have grown just since I last saw them in April. Steve had not seen the grandchildren since last January & he was amazed most of all. Forturnately, Shannon looked lovely as always & not a bit distressed. Shannon had a great big smile on her face, like "relief is in sight!" We certainly applaud Shannon's stamina & her ability to roll with the punches she has withstood for these past 4 long months. She's been a trooper & we marvel at her ability to handle this energetic family. The good news is that Dad, Mike, should be home in very early November & his darling family will be welcoming him with wide open arms!

We've had a great time while we've been in San Diego. We've had lots of "grandchildren time" & "grandchildren love," all of which is exactly what we came for. We've also been able to release Shannon for some well deserved free time. All of us moms know how valuable & special that is! Likewise, Shannon has treated Steve & me so special & given us free reign with our darling grands.

Soon we will begin the final journey! On Thursday, Sept. 11th, at 8 am we will hitch (fire up) the horses (power) to the (motor) coach & head east. We're hoping to make it home to VA in 5 days, but I have to be flexible to the "maybe a day or 2 longer" scenario. One never knows what comes up along the way; however, we have no more planned stops except to RON (remain over night) at the end of some long driving days. We'll post our final blog when we get home so that everyone knows we made it safely. It has truly been a grand journey but as I constantly remind Steve, IT HAS BEEN 4 MONTHS LONG & I REALLY NEED TO BE HOME!!!