I've started heading East

I know I still have a month before getting back to work, so I will be taking my time getting back to the Chicagoland area.  After my class at San Diego State University ended, I stayed in the area for a couple of weeks because a friend from Chicago is a cabaret singer and was performing in the area for a few shows.  He is a joy to listen to and we were able to have a little time together away from the venue.  I didn't monopolize his time as he was staying with his niece and has other friends down in that area, but it was very nice.  I also took a couple of trips up to Palm Springs to visit a couple of friends.  There were a couple of parties I attended with them.  Honestly, it seemed like every night of the week, there is a party going on and most retirees attend the bulk of them.  There are many people I met in Palm Springs with Chicago connections.  I have to believe that if Sarasota, Florida is a destination for snow-birds, then Palm Springs must be for Chicago/midwest transplants and retirees.

I am typing this from Kingman, Arizona.  Yesterday I told my family that I was going to the Grand Canyon today and coming back here for the night.  Well, that isn't happening.  The primary reason is that I looked at the map this morning and realized it would be 2 hours and 30 minutes to make the drive - each way!  I don't know why I missed that when I made the hotel reservation here in Kingman.  I thought I read that is was at least an hour less.  That would not have been so bad having a total of three hours of driving there and back, but 5?  Plus trying not to rush the experience?  It's not worth it.  I will leave here early tomorrow morning for the GC, then continue east (maybe a tad southeast) toward Flagstaff, AZ for the night.  I just booked that.  Making that reservation will keep me on task.

Those of you who know me probably already know that I am someone who gets motion-sick pretty easily, especially on the water.  Therefore, don't anticipate any pictures of me on a rafting excursion down the Colorado River.  It ain't happening.  What will I do?  Breathe it all in.  Hope for inspiration from the immensity before me.  I said that about the Pacific Ocean too, but that was not my favorite place.  It was incredible indeed, but it was not the best.  I love the mountains around me in the desert-land.  I truly hope to be much more filled with a true sense of wonder as I set my gaze on something only the finger of God could have created.

I'll keep you all posted.  Not sure of my arrival date back in Illinois.  Still praying for all of you who read my blog.  Say a prayer for a person I met in Palm Springs who went out of town and ended up having a stroke while on the road.  He is now in a Florida hospital for a couple of weeks.  While he still has his speech and memory, the right side of his body is affected.  He will be doing rehab.  While some may say "well, he's in Florida doing it," he obviously didn't anticipate this.  I know he has lots of friends, but not sure about familial support.  His first name is Richard.