Thursday, April 8, 2021

Heading home - Day 4

 There was a crowd at the Oklahoma Information Center rest area this morning when I first walked outside around 7:30.  I didn't know it during the night because it was so quiet

As you can tell it is a bright new day without a cloud in the sky.  Temperature was around 50 and it felt brisk but nice.  Calling for winds down the road this afternoon again, but still from the northwest.

Again, we had no breakfast before heading out at 8:15 to drive for awhile and then stop for breakfast.  About 45 minutes west of Oklahoma City at 9:45, we stopped and had breakfast and rested for awhile.  

Then it was time to take on Oklahoma City.  Actually went fairly well,  I followed the signs to Tulsa but my Maps girl wanted me to stay on I-40 through town.  Found out too late why.   I turned her off to shut her up😀  There was construction on the first part of I-44 and Maps girl wanted me to bypass that before getting on I-44.  Wasn't a really long delay, but I probably lost a half hour.  I was just happy to be out of the madding crowds.

All went smoothly till I hit Tulsa.  Never had any problems going through there till today so Maps girl was not turned back on.  I misread an overhead sign post on the way out of Tulsa and thought I turned in the wrong direction.  Turned off at the next exit and stopped to turn Maps girl back on and told her I was sorry for being mean and I needed help.  This time I will listen.

After going through a neighborhood and then back to the road I was on originally, I discovered I had been on the right road all along.  Another half hour down the tubes, but whose counting.

Looking at the maps last night I thought it would be neat to stay overnight at the Oasis Rest Area on the I-44 toll road but when I got there it was already crowded with trucks at 2:30.  Every parking lane was full.  Must be a popular place, so I continued on down the road for another 45 miles to the Missouri Information Center rest area just outside Joplin, Missouri.

This rest area is great.  They have parking areas for cars and another for RVs and buses and a third area for trucks.

As you can see from the flags, the wind has picked up again in the afternoon, but it was a pushing wind from the west so didn't bother me much.  It was 3:30 and after 7 hours on the road, I am tired.  Drove a whopping 365 miles today!  I remember when I was young, I would drive 500 miles a day.  What happened?

Got a message from Deb Celebrating the Dance she wrote this morning.  They had been staying in a small town a short distance from where I stayed last night.  Quite a coincidence.  They are going at a full-timers pace so tonight I'm many miles ahead of them.😁

It is a very nice afternoon with temperatures in the mid 70s but quite windy.  Yuma and I took several walks and rested quite a bit till dinner time.  Again, I forgot to pull a steak out of the freezer yesterday, so it's two hotdogs again.😟  This time with a salad.  It's already 8 o'clock as I finish my post so going to have a quick dessert and hit the sack.  Another long day tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

15 comments:

  1. That was a long one day trip. It's a good thing you had a tailwind. Tom and Deb have the right idea. They have a way to go. Have a good trip tomorrow!

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    1. I agree that Tom and Deb have the right idea. Dont like the long travel days.

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  2. Glad you got right with that female voice! Never question her again! Take care, Rawn

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    1. You're right Rawn. I'll just follow directions from now on 😀

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  3. I thoroughly hate those 7 hour driving days. That's what makes me ignore that dumb map lady. Turns out she is usually smarter than me. Lucky you found a place to stop. I'm not sure how you can sleep with those trucks nearby. Safe travels.

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    1. I hate them too. The trucks all had their engines off and sleeping like babies. Very quiet night. Being off the highway aways is always best.

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  4. We call our GPS gal Miss-Information, she gets turned of sometimes too.
    You're making good time, stay safe!

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    1. Yes I am. Been planning 5 hour days but usually turn out to be 7 😪

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  5. You're making good time but you could do like Tom and Deb and slow your pace down.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Wish i could but with family at home when I'm done I'm ready for home. No dawdling.

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  6. We were in OK City in September 2018 and there was construction going on but it was on I- 40. I guess construction has moved on. "Maps girl"....cute name. I just call ours "the lady". Safe travels!

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    1. Glad OKC is over. Just the traffic scares me. Wish "the lady" would speak louder. Can't hear her very well.

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  7. Looking forward seeing you Dad! Probably didn't travel as many miles because all the traffic and detours 😄

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    1. Glad I'm making it home on your birthday Steve. Been a long time away and I'm ready to be home.

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  8. Just caught up on your trip heading home. :) Nice that it appears to be going smoothly. So sorry we didn't get to see you this year. Next year for sure. Will miss your blogging! :( Have a safe trip today and enjoy those hugs I'm sure you will get!

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