TO RANTHAMBORE TIGER PRESERVE

We're on the road again. And Ranvir  points out  how the truck drivers decorate their trucks.The tassels and plumes and artificial flowers are a tradition among drivers. If another driver is assigned that truck, they don't remove them.  I've seen the passenger side, alternate driver, sitting cross-legged in the window. It is built into their genes to sit that way. Each of our  bus drivers has a helpful alternate.  He must apprentice for 4 to 5 years. Ranvir tells us that bus drivers get used to air-conditioning and during monsoon, they suffer terribly in their own homes without it.
We see this group of women and a boy in a small town. Colorful, always. One town we went through, the women had to cover their faces outside because of their in-laws, a stricter Muslim sect, but not as strict as those who require the black hijab that completely covers the face.

And, as always, you find the camel, or donkey treading the same road as these huge, fast buses and trucks. Pretty amazing that there are so few accidents.

Before we left for Ranthambore for another long five hour bumpy drive, we visited a museum with hunting and war weapons. They were all under glass and I didn't take any photos. Killing instruments best forgotten anyway. This is probably out of sequence because I improperly divided my pictures while unloading.

I know we stopped at a McDonalds on one of the long drives and I was fascinated with this woman's long, beautiful hair. Inside the restaurant was a group of women who were rewarded for taking skills classes of some sort. They were celebrating with a lunch at McDonalds, something none of them could afford on their own.
I have to cut this short and finish it tomorrow when we reach the Tiger Preserve at Ranthambore. I had good and bad news from my surgeon yesterday. My left shoulder rotator cuff cannot be repaired. I have to have a complete shoulder replacement. But, it can wait a year.  That is the good news.
Ciao

FAMOUS PIZZA AND MOVING TO VALLEY SPRINGS, CA.

I’m home struggling through pounds of mail, but still mentally looking back at my week in Las Vegas. My son and his family love Metro Pizza, which is famous for its quality pizza. I’ve been there several times but learned something new from our waitress.

She is the cutie with the bright red plastic hair. But, my intention is to point out the mural at the back of the parlor.

Ken told her the family wouldn’t be back because they were moving to California. She exclaimed, “Oh, see the mural?  Those are the best pizza restaurants in the United States by vote of the customers. They’ve joined hands. This mural or something like it, is in every one of those restaurants. If you have your picture taken in front of it at any one of them and  bring it to back here, we’ll give you a $25 gift certificate toward your purchases .”  They all do it. Isn’t that a hoot? As you can see, California to Washington state, part of Nevada and Utah. (Any of these pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.)

The state lines are not well delineated on the map, but you can tell approximately where they are by the tourist attractions like Mt. Rushmore.

You can see the arches in Missouri, and a peak at the Great lakes at the top. Paul Revere’s ride, bottom  and the Appalachians on the right.

Here you can see a bit of Niagara Falls on the left,  New York to Maine and back down to  Philadelphia.

Down the East Coast to Florida.

Texas and Louisiana.


And one in New Mexico. So, there you have it. You can tell where pizza lovers live.

There are 11 Metro Pizza places in the Las Vegas area, not just this one in Henderson. And Ken says they are always full. Great place, great eats.

On June 12th, we left Vegas at 5:00 a.m. and hit the road with two vans and two cars. The U-Haul trailer flashed a check oil light and needed more oil. No one could get the oil fill cover off. Laurie climbed up and tried her hand at it to no avail.

Laurie and Mason in Mason’s car with the dogs and piles of clothing, and me in Laurie’s car with the plants and some fragile items, drove ahead and would find stopping places where the guys could park two vans with a turn around and any services needed. However did we manage before  cell phones?

It was a long hard pull. Everyone was tired. The vans don’t have the best air conditioning. Stewart, will be a college junior this fall and had never driven a truck before. He did a commendable job and get’s a bonus for his driving.  We  pulled into the driveway at the new house in Valley Springs, California at about 6 p.m. Everyone was happy to arrive without major mishaps. Now, the guys have to unpack. I’m so pleased that most of my family is in California again.  Kris may make her way back someday, too.  (I can always hope.)

APPLES AND DENTISTS

Yesterday was a long drive and a long day. I had an appointment in Modesto, a one hour and 30 minute drive,  with an Implant Periodontist, which is a dental specialist. But, before my appointment, I wanted to do two things in the city that I cannot do in Murphys. Go to an Apple Store and get help with my Ipod and go to an AT&T Store and get help with my new  phone.  Does the picture above look like a store?

It didn’t look like one to me, either. I learned you are supposed to go on-line and make an appointment. That’s a novel idea. I guess it makes sense, since I needed help, not a device. The walls are filled with items for sale, though.  I waited at this table with others who had appointments. They fit me in.

Jason was very nice and patient. He re-registered my device and saved my music. According to the woman I waited with, she comes down with 10 things on a list she wants to learn on her Ipod and they give her a lesson and she takes notes. Then, she returns with a new list until she gets it. If you live close to an Apple Store, that works.
No one pressured me into buying anything, but I did buy a charger.  And you can see, out came a drawer to make change. It actually is a store.
I got to my dental appointment, but didn’t make it to the phone store. I learned you must have an appointment for your phone, too.  I then drove on another 78 miles  to Oakland to meet my property manager and looked over my rental to see what work needs to be done.

It was pretty dirty, but I was glad I made the trip. Haven’t been there in several years. Decided to do away with the wallpaper. Looked on-line how to do faux bellagio, an Italian wall design.  Returned home by 7:00 p.m. for a late dinner. Phone has to wait for another time.