Adventure of Honey with Smidge the cat

[VanKitten]

The last problems are solved.  After the last mail arrives from Florida, we are gone from here.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 we depart going west to Utah.   Since the over night temps are well below freezing in the high country now...our fist stop will be somewhere near Richfield, UT...stay in a motel.    The next will be a boondocking at Courtney Red Rock RD.  ....  we might continue o Mesquite if all is going well with Smidge. Then Thursday we will reach Ehrenberg!

So, now it begins. I so look forward to meeting all the people who I have chatted with here...and hope to give back help to the community that has given me so much help!

See ya there!

 

[bigskybob]

Sounds like a plan.Good Luck.

 

[jimindenver]

Here comes a Kat with a cat, all you need is a hat. hehe

I look forward to meeting you too.

 

[VanKitten]

I have just realized something. I am breaking away from 3 generations of family that ended up stuck in the Grand Valley...each in turn

My great grandparents were from GJ. But, as greatgrandma could not live alone, my grandma and grandpa came here to live with her...until her death..but, by them they themselves were too deeply entrenched to leave. When Grandpa died, grandma could not live by herself...so my parents came here. Again, ending up stuck after grandma passed.

Last year I came here to live because my parents could not live without daily aide.

Effective Tuesday morning..I will be unstuck. Breaking tradition 3 generations deep. This will be the first time since the late 1880s no one in my family will be living here.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

My thoughts are with you, Kat!! And my jealousy a little too ;-)

 

[jimindenver]

Kat

The plan here is Tuesday IF I can get enough done in time. (Wednesday if not) I plan on making Albuquerque the first day and meeting up with duck. So we will be running the southern route and may make Ehrenberg the same time. One thing of note. Get gas before leaving Utah. It is a long dry run before you hit any gas stations in Arizona. Pretty touchie about the speed limit too I hear.

 

[VanKitten]

Thanks Jim.

I am a true wuz. I drive a pretty steady 55-60.

Belinda....try to get out ...even if just for a couple days!

 

[muddy]

I am a true wuz.  I drive a pretty steady 55-60.  

Woah, slow down there ya speed demon

 

[rvpopeye]

That IS fast , for the roads I drive on.

 

[VanKitten]

Well....the comedy of errors continues.

Everyone has been making jokes about my declared departure dates....I guess it's cuz I had so many,

Well...today was the day!

Left at 10am. Going to be a slow easy drive to Richlands, UT

Got to green river...and.... the transmission blew

No kidding. New transmission

Is was towed back to Grand Junction. Like a tentacle from some octopus that is not going to let go. 3 generations of my family got stuck in this town.....is grand Junction a tar baby?

So, tonight I am no further than I was this morning...in fact...I have to wait till morning to learn my fate.

I may be fast....but it does me no good.

 

[VanKitten]

I drove Honey over the monument. EVerything is running great. (Where have I heard those words before?)

I am making a long run down to montrose and back today. If all continues to be well...I am going to be on the road (again) by Thanksgiving. I hate to announce a day...because it seems to jinx.

I know the drive is going to really stress me out now. Every mile I will be expecting another failure of some sort. Already the stress is driving me crazy. I tend to internalize stress...which is bad, I know. Wish I was a yeller... be better for me.

Smidge was so totally freaked by last Tuesday. The trip back to grand junction was a horror for her. She was frantic in the pet carrier....going totally nuts in the cab of the tow truck. I finally decided to let her stay in the RV. She has her cat tree there...the same tree she has had nice early kittenhood. I didn't know the tow truck driver was coming back at 90 mph. Seriously..that road is posted at 80...and I know he was pushing the limit of what he could get away with! From the look of the interior....every bump and dip was hit hard by the tow and stuff was flying around!! Poor Smidge was in shock when I pulled her out! I hope she is going to be OK with this when we do depart again. I am starting to wonder...if she knew...would she choose to come with me?

 

[Sleep]

Poor Smidge was in shock when I pulled her out!   I hope she is going to be OK with this when we do depart again.     I am starting to wonder...if she knew...would she choose to come with me?

Awww Kat,

It's sort of like good news/bad news isn't it. I could try and say all sorts of spiritual, uplifting thoughts but it just sucks, doesn't it! Hang in there you and Smidge will make it. She'll be OK once things settle down and you are on the road. 

Keep on trucking!

PS is it snowing out there yet? Meant to go to Gunnison first, but don't know if I'll make it.

 

[VanKitten]

Snow in the high country..... Phoenix on the Mesa really stands out in snow.

 

[VanKitten]

This morning I will leave grand Junction. And ... with any luck I will remain gone from here.

I plan to get to Richland, UT today. Only about 200 miles, but I want to take it easy and give Smidge a break. After her last "trip" she is either scarred for life or for sure nothing will ever bother her again!

Wish me luck! I hope to sleep in UT tonight.

 

[jimindenver]

Good luck Kat! I can't wait till you get here.

 

[VanKitten]

I made it to Richfield!! RV is running really well. Even my mileage is much better! Getting 12-13 mpg!

It was a slow trip because Smidge really needed a lot of breaks! Every 30 miles or so I would pull into a rest area and spend time with Smidge. Getting her to calm down. 225 miles ..6 hours total.

The last 30 miles she finally slept in her cat tree that is bolted to the rear wall.

Tomorrow I will go to Mesquite.... I have decided to stay at one of their RV parks...only $19. But..I can plug in and get my batteries up to charge.

Tomorrow will be a slow drive too. I want to make sure Smidge is really OK with everything.

 

[Sleep]

Hi Kat, Glad you are on the road.

Just my opinion, but I think you are stopping to much for Smidge.  It isn't giving her time to get used to the movement. Also, do you have a place beside the tree for her to hide into, kennel, etc. Sometimes the confined space gives them security. Had experience at some rescues where I learned a little bit.

Good luck, safe travels.

 

[VanKitten]

So much has been happening..... drove down to Mesquite. Stayed one night at the casino. Decided that I would just boondock there on the south side ....BUT...had a great thanksgiving dinner before leaving to go south.

I have a fear of heights....and I was terrified coming across just the little north corner of AZ. Wish someone else was driving...then I could look .... but not while driving

Arrived the first night in Ehrenberg. Camped very close to the ATV crowd! How rude those people are. Well it was only one night. The next Morning I had to get a post box, water, etc. JIm and Dave arraigned for the Leapin Lizzard to come guide me in. Had a talk with the ATV crowd...came to an understanding. Once everyone stopped yelling.

So..I have been camped here in Jims camp ever since. Had a group show up, make a bunch of noise....but left the next day. So, it is peaceful here. Once I get the hang of water, trash, etc...I should be able to go a couple weeks at a time without having to drive over to town. I am learning.

 

[Sleep]

How is Smidge. I bet she didn't like the ATV's!

Glade you made it there safe.