We had planned to leave home around 8am on Tuesday Dec 31 but we had a flat tire on The Gypsy Wagon. The day before I had gotten all of the tires properly inflated in preparation for the trip. Our regular garage was closed on New Years Eve, but we were lucky that Hank's Tire shop in Carleton Place was open. They did a great job replacing the valve and we were only delayed about an hour. The value was a bit rusty and when we inflated the tire the day before it didn't seat properly.
We spent the night at the Flying J in Tilbury. It was the closest spot to the border that we could park at, and although we had never spent an evening at a truck stop before we felt that it should be pretty quiet on New Years Eve. It turned out OK , and it saved us almost an hour as the second choice was a casino in Sarnia.
Early the next morning when we crossed the border the customs agent looked at our list of food that we were taking across and then did the usual inspection. He took our dozen eggs and 3 packages of frozen chicken breasts. Every other year these were fine but this year because of the bird flu virus the rules have changed a bit. Great agent, very helpful and explained every thing well. We did not have a problem and we were off with out any delay.
902 kilometers later we were at the Walmart/ Home depot mall in Collinsville Illinois just out side of St. Louis Missouri. We were able to stock up on our missing food at the Walmart and get ready for the next day.
We spent last night in Elk City Oklahoma, 1000 klms, and tonight in Holbrook Arizona another 1000 klm. The weather has been perfect for traveling with only a bit of rain early the second day. When we arrived in Holbrook it was 20 degrees. Some years in the past our water froze solid when we spent the night here. We also think this is the first year in about 5 that there has been no snow on the ground in New Mexico.
Because we arrive at our destination by 3 pm or so , the time changes work in our favour, it allows us to have an evening to relax and then get a full nights sleep.
Tomorrow evening we will be at our destination in Yuma, and catch up with about a dozen friends that have already arrived.
When I have a moment I will post the gas prices , in US and Canadian dollars in the different states.
Cheers
