It Won't be Long, Yeah......

I've been in Colorado since February 23; twenty days, almost 3 weeks. I never would have imagined that I'd be in such a long "pregnant pause" at the start of this journey. Most of that time I was felled by a potent flu, and now that the flu is fading (although the cough is stubborn), my spring allergies are kicking in; figures, yes? My Zyrtec pills were packed, now comes the daily dosing that will prevent my eyes, ears and throat from painfully imploding.

I've had access to my friend Kathy's Prius the past few days, which has helped my outlook a great deal; loss of mobility was wearing on me. I made a circuit all around Denver yesterday, traveling clockwise in a 30-mile circle to visit a leather factory and make a couple of other local stops. Beginning to get a handle on the lay of the land here.

One can sense spring in the air, but the eves are still pretty chilly, and trees and grasses have yet to take on the yellow-green glow of spring. Much more brown here than in New England, certainly. I've been at altitude for weeks now, but it still isn't good to me. That trip to Bhutan may not be in the cards for me, after all; I suffer all sorts of maladies at altitude. Sad.

All of the mechanical work on the Van is now complete. New stereo, radio, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, a new set of speakers and a security system are being installed right now. The final pieces---new seats--will be installed after that, and then we should be good to go. I am gaining my own strength back, slowly but surely. My route has been morphing a bit, heading out in a more southerly direction, hitting several States that I've never been to, and perhaps having warmer weather along the way.

Hoping to leave in 5 days---this coming Sunday. I'll be heading into Kansas and commencing my stays at KOAs along the way. The only real stop planned for Kansas, besides the camp ground, is a visit to the Museum of Oz. Their spring hours are in effect, and I am looking forward to being there; Ruby Slippers, here I come. From there, I'll ride into the center of Oklahoma, seeking out Maternal Ancestral homelands, visiting the town my Grandmother (whom I never knew, and in fact my own Mother never knew until she discovered she was adopted when she was in her sixties) lived and raised her family, and the place where she is buried. I'll see the tombs of many, many relatives. There is even a slight chance that I can locate some living, long-lost family while there.

The family were pioneers; they secured their own homestead as participants of the land grab there in the 1870s, when folks could "claim" their own 160 acres from the US government. The area was "peopled" practically overnight. It's right on the Chisholm trail, and loaded with history. It was a crossroads for all; freed and runaway slaves, immigrants from all parts of Europe, Natives whose lives were being torn asunder as they were forced off of their own lands and marched to reservations (typically the worst tracts of land).

I will likely be in Kingfisher County for a couple of days, and then drive east into Arkansas, another State that I have never visited. Will cross the mighty Mississippi over land for the first time ever, entering Memphis. Looking forward to seeing the City and visiting Graceland!

The rest of the itinerary will be shared as I proceed. I'd love to hear from you, please do feel free to comment here, and encourage!