Teri Parris Ford's Blog

The Drive

I left Madison on Friday at 5:30am Central Time and arrived on Saturday at 3:30pm Pacific Time. I drove for 30 hours, slept 6 hours in Colorado at a rest stop and only stopped for gas 5 or 6 times. I paid $1.99 per gallon of gas in the Midwest but a whopping $4.09 per gallon outside of Las Vegas. The total cost for gas one way, $226.66. I purchased a round-trip ticket for Erika to spend three weeks in Wisconsin for about $200. When figuring out how to travel, it’s all about risk these days. Erika thought flying would be too risky even if it was cheaper. I’m not sure.

On the Road Again

I left at 5:30am and arrived in Madison around 8:30pm. I only stopped 4 times for gas and restrooms and did not buy any food or drink in order to avoid interactions. It was pretty non-eventful which I guess, is good. Virginia and Pennsylvania were beautiful. Ohio isn't bad, but not as pretty and Gary, Indiana always makes me think of the Musicman. I rolled into a huge storm that made me slow down to 30mph. Lots of folks pulled over but I figured I'd keep going at a safe pace. I passed by several accidents. I hit traffic in Chicago but not for too long. 

Road trip East

Yesterday, I spent making sure my gradebook and Google classrooms were in order and packing. Jim and I had a nice walk. I picked up some meds for Balt at the vet and packed the truck. I made a very nice lunch for Jim and I as it would be our last for a few weeks. I tried to get to bed early but tossed and turned, nervous for my trip.

With stay at home orders in both Wisconsin and Virginia, traveling is not not encouraged, but not quite prohibited. I left before 6am and drove straight to Norfolk with only stops for gas. I wore rubber gloves at gas and toll stops. I did not buy any food but had plenty of snacks on my way (too many). I rolled into Jessi's at 11:30pm. 

Travel Day

I got up around 2am, said hello to Erika, finished packing and got to the flyaway by 3am for a 5am flight out of LAX to Milwaukee.I got home by 4pm with plenty of time to do some clean up (not that the house needed much), unpack, do laundry, take Balt out and watch 60 Minutes. I came home with a sore throat, noticing lots of travelers with face masks.I washed my hands every chance I could. 

Travel Day back to US

We had a pleasant morning to catch an 11am flight. Traveling with Jim means always walking or using public transportation which I've learned is not bad as long as you know the routes, which he does. I'm always quite impressed with is ability to remember all the routes. We had no issues traveling. I watched several movies during the ride but passed out on the last leg-- the bus ride from Chicago to Madison. Jessi was waiting for us and Balt was very happy to see me.

Here's the Google Photo Album to all my photos.

New Years at Potsdam

We took a train this morning out, south west of a Berlin  to Potsdam to tour Fredrick the Greats palace & grounds. It was a wonderful way to bring in the new decade. I spent some time looking back over the decade, realizing we spent New Years ten years ago in Istanbul together. So much happened over the past ten years and yet, Jim & I ended the last decade traveling together and I’m happy we’re still traveling together. 

The last day of a decade

As I type the pops and cracks of fireworks are going off in the background of the city, here in Berlin. We spent the day, after sleeping in, shopping and walking, but I asked Jim if we could use the train more today as my legs were still in a lot of pain— so we only walked 7 1/2 miles. We visited the East side of Berlin and walked thru the wall gallery where the wall is stil up and now used as a graffiti gallery for international artists. Most stores closed by 2pm so we had to cut our shopping short but I found a Nivea store I loved w nothing but Nivea products. While Jim was at a bookstore I went to a Birkenstock’s store and got a new pair of sandals for cheaper than I can get them in the states. We had an early dinner taking out Turkish Doner Kabops and French fries back to our hotel room. We enjoyed some chocolate and mineral water for desert and got foot rubs with my Nivea creme. 

Train ride to Wittenberg

We left early for a train it to Wittenberg, where Luther posted his thesis on castle church door. I must say it is pretty nice traveling with a historian, as Jim knows almost every thing about German history.  He makes a wonderful tour guide. I really enjoy having him guide me to all the hot spots. We stopped at the grocery store on the way back for more water and then went out for Italian for dinner. The place we went was very good and the waiter was from Sicily. We then went to the Christmas market for treats before getting back to our hotel in the evening. Today was warmer —mid forties— making it more comfortable. i slept better last night. We only walked 9 miles today But I’m still dealing with shin splints. 

Sunday in Berlin

Jim and I both seem to get up around the same time in the middle of the night. By the time we get acclimated to the schedule here it’ll be time to go home. Oh well. I set my alarm for 7am as we had an appointment to tour at the Reichstag which is Germany’s capital building (bottom right picture). At the top there was a glass dome with amazing views of the city but boy, it was cold (bottom left photo). The whole day was a lot colder but we broke it up with stops inside coffee shops, stores or trains. We went to visit the Berlin Wall Memorial and walked are the area. We got in over 10 miles of walking today— including Humbolt University (top photo), some old churches and the Sony Center (where we considered watching Star Wars again but it was playing in English so Jim wasn’t as tempted— had been dubbed in German, we’d have watched it for sure).  I’m dealing with sore shins, while Jim says his calves are sore. We went back to our hotel to rest a bit before dinner and splurged on Hard Rock Cafe Berlin — good ol’ American hamburger and French Fries (or onion rings for me). We walked around the Christmas market after but I was eager to get back to the hotel to put my feet up. 

 

Exploring Berlin

We had a hard time sleeping last night; being 7 hours ahead of Madison meant I was wide awake at 10pm feeling it was 5am and then getting up up every hour wondering what time it until I finally gave in after 3am and slept in until after 8am somehow. We made our way to a couple of coffee shops because one up of coffee wasn’t enough and why not visit two shops? We then went to Bikini Berlin mall next to the zoo. We to Potsdamer Platz and checked out the Mall of Berlin. We saw where Hitlers bunker was and then visited the Memorial Monument for the Murdered Jews of Europe (bottom photo). We walked to the Brandenburg Gate which was closed off for News Years celebrations to come (left picture). We walked up the Unter den Linden Blvd until we got to Frederick Stz which is in the Mitte district of Berlin and visited the Ritter Sport and bought chocolate and enjoyed their coffee shop (3rd one for the day). We went to the Galleria Lafayette (another mall). We then walked to Checkpoint Charlie where the wall (right photo) used to be and went to Nazi Documentation Center which is next to The Topography of Terror which is just where the ruins of the old SS bunkers are. We went to dinner in the Winter garden in the KaDaWe which is a hung mall across from the Christmas market. The weather was cold but not bad- no rain or snow makes the walking pretty comfortable. I walked about 9 miles today but had 3 lattes!

It’s still Christmas in Berlin

Jim and I took a bus to Chicago at 11am to catch a 6pm flight. We were very early and our flight was delayed. We flew threw Munich and landed around noon on Friday— so we lost a day in transit. We got a bus to our hotel and then got out to sightsee the Turkish market and the main Christmas market at the Gedachtnichtniskirche. We went out for dinner at a Turkish Grill. 

Travel Day

I enjoyed some time with Jim this morning, sipping coffee and working on grades while he read. The girls and Cody made us breakfast and then Jim and I took Jessi grocery shopping before we were dropped off at the airport. Jim and I traveled together to Houston, TX and then took separate flights back home-- he to LA and me to Wisconsin. He will spend Thanksgiving with his mom. Monika stayed with Jessi and will come home for Thanksgiving in a couple of days. I got in at 9pm with Balt eager to see me. I went through the mail, unpacked and got straight into bed. I think I have more parent teacher conferences tomorrow, which does not make me happy.

Florida Fun

Jim and I enjoyed some time at a coffee shop this morning after a mile walk. The girls messaged us once they were up making breakfast. They were all out partying late downtown. Jim and I spent some time at the party but had to get back before midnight so we would not turn into pumpkins (or just grouchy oldies). 

It rained for a bit late morning but once it cleared up, we went to the beach and then out for an early dinner. It was a great day of fun.

Road Trip 2019 Complete

I traveled over 3,400 miles, leaving on July 2nd for California and arriving August 5th from El Paso, TX yesterday. I stayed the night in Vale, CO my first night and in Wichita, KS last night. I purchased close to 300 gallons of gas and got about 18 mpg on my Yukon. I pulled my first trailer to the beach. For the first time ever on a road trip, I never turned on the radio because my Yukon has Apple Play with Waze (a GPS navigation program). I listened to two books, about a dozen podcasts and a lot of music on my playlists. Balt enjoyed a lot of space in the back, although a lot more going to California then on the return. I came home with 3 bins and several bags of stuff from my mom's, baskets and a shelf, as well as 2 big bins of Jim's stuff. 

I actually slept in this morning. Balt never woke me up, which was surprising since he sleeps the whole time in the car. I didn't get out in the road until after 7am. I spent a good chunk of time on the Kansas turnpike and stopped  every 1/2 tank for gas and ice. I treated myself to a large Dunkin latte on ice for breakfast and a Diet Dr. Pepper for lunch. I did not stop for food but had plenty of snacks in the car to hold me over. While I haven't weighed myself, I'm pretty sure I'm coming home a bit lighter than when I left. Overall I feel like I accomplished a lot for the month I was away. 

Back to the Heat

Yesterday's Ventura high was in the mid 70's with an overcast morning. The sunshine didn't come out until almost 4pm which made for a cool day but so pleasant. Today was set to be a much warmer day but we had to check out by noon. We rolled into 100 degree temps at my mom's an hour later.

My cousin and I had a wonderful time and hope to make it an annual outing. Her husband loves camping but had never camped at the beach before. They all fell in love with something I have loved for so long. Of course camping at the beach always makes me think of my dad since he was the one to first take me camping to the beach. As I got older I loved taking my girls along too, but he was always in charge. Last year my brother took me, so I guess he was in charge of everything. This was the first time, I was in charge!! I pulled the trailer, set it up and had to hitch it all back together and then clean it all out once back home. Having my cousin's family there to support me made it easy (they did all the cooking). I'm ready to do it all again next year! 

Beach life

Life’s a beach

We enjoyed a leisurely day walking on the beach reading, eating, sunning, talking and napping. Amazing!

It’s in the blood!

 I drove my brother’s trailer all by self to the beach today. I hitched it all together and prepped for a trip that I thought might be all by self but my cousin’s family came too. We got in late afternoon but the temps went from 103 in the valley to 73 at the beach which was wonderful. 

Tuesday Sunshine

We had a beautiful day getting a little of this and that done. I'm getting into a good schedule of working on my computer after my walk in the morning when I'm fresh. Either once the laptop battery dies or I'm dying, I stop and start working in the garage until I'm too hot or too hungry. Lunch and then swim and I pretty much call it a day. My mom and I watch the news and Jeopardy. She likes Wheel of Fortune but me, not so much. I usually end the day up in my room with something on HBO that's too naughty for my mom to watch. 

Travel Buddies

Without stopping, it's about a 30 hour drive from my house to my mom's. I once made it in 32 hours with me and Jessi driving straight, only stopping for gas. Monika and I did it in 34 hours once because Monika wanted to stop and eat. I left Tuesday morning at 6:30 am and drove to Vail, Colorado where I slept from 10:30pm to 4:30am. I got back on the road this morning with several morning stops to enjoy Colorado and got to my mom's place at 7:30pm this evening. So a 39 hour trip (I added 2 hours from time zone crossings). It was a fairly pleasant drive but quite hot at times. I kept the windows down for hottest parts. I poured water over my head to keep me cool, drank plenty and kept a bowl with water and ice in the back for Balt. It was in the 90's going thru Nebraska yesterday and 107 going thru the Mojave in California this afternoon, but freezing cold over night in Vail! I was so glad I had two blankets and light sweatshirt.  I woke up at 2am with cold feet and put on my socks and sneakers and asked Balt to get closer. He does make a great travel buddy. He rarely complains-- never as long as I get him out periodically for potty stops and offer him plenty of water. I notice that a lot people seem afraid of him when he's with me, even though he's so gentle. I do feel safer having him along. 

On the road!

My last day in Pensacola, Fl

Today was my last full day and Jessi has gone for most of it but Cody took good care of me. He took me to the Aviation Museum after a slow morning. We got to see the Blue Angels practice show which was absolutely amazing. The day was pretty hot so we went back to the apartment complex to hang out at the pool while we waiting for Jessi to go out to dinner. We went to McGuire's Irish Pub. Jessi and Cody shared a steak and I got a hamburger. Jessi had too much studying to do to stay out for too long and I had to pack. We watched a movie on Netflix to finish the night.

Pensacola

Jessi had to get up at 5am for a 7am briefing and a 10am flight. I hung out at her apartment, enjoying the quiet morning. I did some laundry for her, made coffee, listened to the Daily podcast, went for a walk, checked out the complex gym, did some prep for next year's classes. It was a nice morning. Cody got home first and we watched an episode of Star Trek together. Jessi got home early in the afternoon with plenty of time for us to go out to lunch at Flounders and then to the beach for fun in the sun. The water was as warm as bath water. It reminded me of Cuba with white, perfectly soft sand. It was a wonderful first Monday of Summer. 

Until Next Time

We spent a very morning watching news, sipping coffee, etc. I did some school work, answering emails. I won’t see Jim again until mid summer so I just wanted the time near him. We walked around. I got an iced tea and then we went out for Mexican for the third time this trip. No complaints! 

I got to the airport early and to my gate in record time— El Paso is a small airport. I flew to Houston am waiting to go to Milwaukee. 

Back to El Paso, TX

It's a 4 hour car ride from Tuscon to El Paso. We spent the morning enjoying the hot tub and a leisure breakfast. We checked out at 11am and set out for Texas. We stopped for gas and bathrooms, and then for lunch in Las Cruses at the same place we had eaten the last time I was here. Jim loved those enchiladas. I think he'd love to try enchiladas from every Tex Mex place in the whole southwest. We talked about retirement and wondering about what the future holds. I often wonder how long it will take forus to finally live together again. In the meantime these visiting trips are fun and kind of intense. Work is work, and play is play.

I tried not to get into my work email more than just an hour in the morning while Jim was busy getting ready. I got a snap from one of my students in yearbook of the kids all working on pages. The whole book is due in a week and I've left them to finish it. A part of me was concerned that my timing was off but I could see that I've released ownership to them and that is really a great thing. 

One more night of relaxation and then it's back to finishing my National Boards and making sure the year ends strong. As the rain poured down on our car ride, I was glad to be away and happy to be next to my life partner.

Those Cacti

I woke at 3am, knowing it was my normal waking time in Madison, so when I got up at 5am, I felt well rested and like I had slept in. I talked Jim into going for a long morning walk that started with a Starbucks run and then around a local golf course. I must say the morning was glorious -- about 60 when we left the hotel. We spent the rest of the morning lounging around the pool. We went downtown to walk about and then came back to the hotel and walked to a local restaurant for Easter dinner. We finished the evening in the hot tub to soak our bones. It was a most wonderful day!

Weekend Getaway

I left at 3am to catch a 5:30 flight to El Paso. Jim picked me up to drive out to Tucson for a holiday extended weekend. 

Travel Day back to Madison

I had enough time this morning to have a cup of coffee with mom, but I left by 8am. I enjoyed the ride to the flyaway with Monika. I got to LAX by 9am for a 11am flight, so I made crazy time with no traffic and no lines. I enjoyed a nice morning at the airport. Southwest offered me $900 not to take the flight home since they were over sold. It wasn't all that tempting, it looked like all flights to Milwaukee were full. I guess it was a busy flying weekend. I left at 8am from my mom's and got home in Madison at 8pm with 2 hours lost in time travel.

Saying goodbye to sandals and sunshine.

It was nice to have the morning together without a lot to do. My flight boarded at 9:50am. I've learned from now on to use my boarding time as the time to get to the airport instead flight leaving time. We enjoyed breakfast together and some time to chat about our future together and spring travel. I'm eager to return. El Paso is not the prettiest place but it's sunny and warm. Of course come summer it will be hot. I got a little bit of sun this weekend. I'm returning to more snow and weeks of freezing temperatures. I may need to come back for spring break.

La Cruses, NM

After a leisure morning, we head out of El Paso to La Cruses. I wanted to see the above sculpture, which was created in 1993 and refurbished 2012 by local artists Olin Calk and Dan Smith. I had seen google images of it but wanted to see it for real. It is off Hwy 10 outside of Las Cruses.  It was really windy and amazing to see how it seemed to have no trouble in the elements. It's quite impressive! 

We then made our way to the historic part of the city, called Mesilla. We walked around lots of shops and enjoyed the weather. We had a late lunch at a local hot spot, called La Posta that is in an 18th century stagecoach station  and also features a piranha tank & aviary. We both got enchiladas, I got green and Jim got red. I'll probably gain 5 pounds from this trip but I'm ready to get on a diet next week.