The Crippled Lady Drives Again!

I am praying that things are going to work out so that I can attend the KY Roundup. Back when I first heard where it was going to be, I just dismissed the idea that I could go. A 40 mile drive is a major excursion for me with all my physical problems.

But, as I found out more and more of the members who are going to be there, I wanted to go! So I have been planning and plotting, and it looks like my odyssey will be a lot more than just to and from KY. As you read the mileage, keep in mind that I can only sit in a car for 15-20 minutes, then I have to get out and walk around, stretch, rest, etc. So double or triple all the usual drive times.


I am going to leave here Wednesday, 9/17, and make it all the way to Indianapolis, to see a brother that day. I hope to make it in 12 hours, but will just keep going until I get there. It is about 220 miles from my house to his.

I will stay with them until Friday, 9/19. That day I hope to make it most or all the way to St. Louis, 240 miles. I really want to see Shaw's Botanical, so I will do that on Saturday, and then go to Tulsa, OK, arriving sometime Sunday, 400 miles.

On Thursday I will leave to go to Ky, arriving on Friday. Whew! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!!!!!

On my journey, if any subscriber happens to live close to my route and would like to meet for a short walk around a good resting point (restaurant, coffee shop, park), holler! I can't drive too long, so I will be stopping briefly all along the way.

Yes, I used to drive cross country often in my youth, and I loved it! I can't wait to do it again!!!!

Kathy,

I am so proud of what you are attempting to do. Wow, that is a lot of driving, but if you take your time, like you said, it sounds like a wonderful trip. I am so looking forward to meeting you and am getting just as excited as you are about this RU. Since I live so far away from most of you, I never even thought that this would be a possibility for me. When I kidded my DH about going, he is the one who made it a reality. We are using this time as a vacation for us and will be spending a few days in Nashville after the RU as we have never been in that part of the country.

I can just see me doing a lot of sleeping while we are in Nashville, cause I won't want to sleep while at the RU as there are tooooo many great people to visit with and I don't want to miss talking to anyone. Maybe we can drink lots of caffeine and stay up all nite to chat. hehe

I am marking off the calendar now, as the time is so near. My heart is pumping right now as I think about it...ooohhh this is going to be such a fantastic trip. See ya soon my friend,
Donna

Oh Lupy, this is wonderful wonderful news!!! I am so excited to meet you! Now you be careful and I will pray for you the whole way! Whew! I'm excited :-)

Donna, Vic, Margaret, Ruth, all my prayer buddies, our prayers are making this a reality!!!!!

Yep, I am bringing my XXXL coffee mug ;D

Kathy, I am praying that you will have a glorious, pain-free, fun-filled time, with easy journeying, lovely sights to see, great visits with friends and loved ones, and a blessed roundup experience. Can't wait to see pics!

I'll have your bed ready at roundup...maybe the coffee pot brewing. Love & Hugs & Prayers....Jo

You know you will be in my prayers always, can't wait to get a big hug.

Ruth

Put on the tunes and have a great drive -- We're going to have a great time!

Have a wonderful time Kathy! I am looking forward to reading about the roundup and seeing those pictures! How fun!

You are driving! That is wonderful news. Take it easy and have a great trip. Be sure to take lots of pictures along the way so we can travel along with you and live vicariously through your journey!

My journey begins tomorrow!

I will check my e-mail as time permits, hopefully every couple of days.

If anyone really and truly needs to get in emergency contact with me, Windsurffer and Louisa know how.

In the meantime, say a prayer for my safe return!

Have Fun and come home safe and sound!

Lupy have a safe trip see ya in KY!

We'll see you there, Kathy -- safe and fun travels to you!

Kathy....I'll save your bed! Have a safe and fun journey. Jo

Kathy, oh boy the time is getting nearer and you are ready for the first half of your journey. Please be careful and have a very safe trip. My days are getting pretty full with all the odds and ends to do before I leave next week too.

I will be away from my house this evening, so won't be able to go to chat and wish you a good trip.

See ya real soon my friend,

Donna

Kathy

Drive careful,take lots of breaks and I will see a week from Fri at Prizer Point.

Hugs
Ruth

I wish you Godspeed and all travelling mercies. Also wishing you a great time, which I know you'll have at that raucous RoundUp!

Have a wonderful trip Lupy. Relax and enjoy yourself. And you are going in the right direction - away from Isabel.

Have a great time Lupy! You will be there in no time and have tons of fun too. I wish I was going. waaaaaaa

See you soon my little courageous sweet pea - I shall be thinking of you all the way. Good job you are not riding a horse!!!

Margaret, you know me WAY too well! How on earth did you know my love of riding? I so much wanted to do a long trek on horseback before my injuries. How about riding a horse from PHX to Cheyenne, Wyoming? About 1,000 miles, 3 months. Just couldn't figure out a way to get that much time off work back then. I could have done that in '88 for $1,000. That included all my meals at their chuckwagon, sleeping bag, everything. And if we were helpful with the cattle and horses along the way, the money was refunded.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes and prayers. See (most of) you soon!

Pond, I swear, I am going to have my brother come and bring you out here next time he is in ID. I guess that would be the only way to get you to come east? Perhaps I can borrow one of rosiesplace goatwhips to encourage you? On second thought, nah, I will borrow one of her baby goats just to hug :D

Sounds like a great idea to me although my hubby might have other ideas about it. LOL I don't need any baby goats to hug either. I have plenty of them here even after selling most of them!

A friend of mine rode her horse from nearby here to Oregon City along as much of the actual Oregon trail as she could a few years ago! She rode over open railroad tressles and everything. I would have LOVED to have gone with her but I didn't have shoes on my horse at the time this came up :( She had to make her decision overnight to go.

Well, gang, I made it to Indy yesterday all safe and sound :) I borrowed my brother's computer this morning while he and his DW are at work.

Incredible house, just beautiful landscaping job. Visited some of my plants that I have shared with them through the years :)

Tomorrow I am off to the wilds of ILL :D

Pond, I meant that I would go borrow one of rosies baby goats to hug. I Just can't get enough critters that are huggable ;D

Glad you had a safe trip Lupy.. Save me a hug!

Lupi, I was just having some fun with ya! Glad you have made it part of the way safely. Have FUN!!!!!!

(((Lupi))) You Go Girl!!
shirley

This trip sure looks like a case of "where there's a will there's a way". Have fun at the roundup and be careful driving home.

WEll girl...looks like you are "doing it"....good for you...see ya soon./ Jo

See you soon Kathy - mind the speed limits - no hundred miles an hour - ya hear!! lol!!

Hey Kathy, this time next week, we'll all be together! How cool is that!

I made it to Tulsa! Yippee!!!!!!

Darling Margaret, are you OK? How long were you without power? Being computerless since Friday morning has left me without news of my friends! Gotta run around and see how everyone is!

Just you look after yourself honbun!! We are all fine!!!!! See you sooooooon!!!

Lupy, after such effort as you are putting forth, I wish I was going to the KRU and could meet you!

God Speed.

Darius its not to late you can still make it.

Lupy, I don't know how often your will be able to read messages. Sure glad you are getting to make the trip. Have lots of fun. Be careful comeing home. Donna

Darius, I too wish that you could come! Any hope for a last-minute appearance??

Donna, bless you. I am having such a wonderful time -- I keep thinking of my DG friends as I drive through the country, wishing that one or two hundred could be with me, we could have that much better of a time exploring. Wow, the things that I have seen along the way :D

The pay-off is yet to come. Gonna meet Smilin tonight and tomorrow we are off to KY!!!!!!! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!!!!!

Sorry, guys.. I wish I could be there, but simply cannot squeeze it in...

I had so many many adventures along the way, that if I started writing them in one place, it would take hours to read. So I will be breaking things into little bits of info. For instance, where did I find that curly grass? What in the world is that photo? Where can I find the hardy hydrangeas from that outstanding mail-order place? Keep watching all the different forums for details...

What was the best part? Now, come on! Of course the best part was being at the KY Roundup and finally meeting in person all the wonderful, dear friends that I have known so long. That was true for everyone who made it.

Darius, you were missed! Arlene, so were you! 'Chele, how can we help you to get around???? Root, you know you sure were! And Sparks! And... everyone!!!!! If I start to try to list everyone, the thread will be even longer.

But the memories are so sweet. Y'all gotta try to make it next year. Same place, same weekend, probably. Put it on your calendars now for 2004. And all our international friends, if there is any way you can come, you will be amazed. Seemingly millions of garden friends. Hil? Mark? Barry? Arlene? Laura? Tempted????? Ya got a year to get it worked out.

Lupy, it sounds like you not only made it but had a great time in th process! Way to go girl!