It has been a very hectic and busy time, with periods of relaxation, since I hit the ground in Wisconsin in preparation for my surgery. But I would like to share the journey TO Wisconsin before getting on to the surgery. There were a lot of little as well as big things to take care of first. So, here goes.

Improving my Appearance. 😬

The one thing I just could NOT do for myself was wash my hair. It was getting pretty bad, and a hat couldn’t hide it anymore!! 😂 Plus it was all grown out. I could NOT go home looking like I did…😱

Next up, my hands. Broken nails, splotches of gel polish left that I couldn’t remove…🙄Help.

Preparing the RV

After getting myself ready, it was time to take care of everything and move the RV to storage. Thank goodness they have an area for that right at the park!

Emptying out the refrigerator/freezer is always tough. There would be no electricity to keep it running. And the unit batteries would not last longer than a few days to enable the propane to keep it running. So everything out! It was good in that I was able to take the food down to the check-in station, give it to those who were working whom I was friendly with, and then others were able to take the rest. So nothing went to waste!

The Drive

Then it was time to drive down to the south side of Phoenix to the motel near the airport.

This is Interstate 17, the main North -South highway in Arizona. There’s quite a climb from Camp Verde, Arizona before you get to Phoenix. Verde is at 3,000 foot elevation and you climb to 7,000 ft. before going down to Phoenix. ( It side -lines a lot of semis on the way.) At the summit, there is a beautiful, large Wayside. Sunset Point Scenic View.

It is very scenic, and over a thousand feet down to the valley below. It’s hard to show depth, but the houses were VERY small!

There was a lot of time and design planning put into this wayside. They have a number of picturesque overlooks, like the one above, picnic areas, cement paths, dog area and clean facilities. They also have a very large sundial. Upon closer inspection, I noted that the sundial is a tribute to all of the highway people who have lost their lives working on Interstate 17. How beautiful, sad, poignant and respectful is that. You can actually sit on those walls. The sundial is raised and It’s quite large.

They have a number of circular picnic areas that are spread along the parking and viewing areas and separate from each other. The focus here is to shield from wind and the only covering is to minimize the Sun. It doesn’t rain here very often but it will get snow during the winter months because of its elevation.

Its about another 35 miles to the outskirts of Phoenix, north side, from here.

I’m driving from 7,000 ft down to 1,100 ft. elevation. At the top there is bushes and grasslands. Then you get into larger trees and lots of hills. Then all of a sudden you’re out of it ! The trees turn to cactus on the hills and then into the suburbs of the city,! Little traffic… more traffic… Boom! Lots of traffic!

I don’t mind the traffic slowdowns. It gives me more time to look around. And it always keeps moving, but at a more reasonable speed. If it’s really slow, it also means the exits are backed up. I’ve learned to get in the right lane for my exit, even if I’m 2 miles back, because the exit is probably backed up onto the highway. Then it’s pretty hard to get in line. 😬

Hotel

I used the same hotel to stay in as I used to fly home for Christmas. Sleep, park, fly Best Western with a free breakfast & shuttle to airport…all good 👍.

This time I was at the hotel earlier in the day. The weather was much warmer than in December and the pool was open and warm. 👍

☀️Soaking up all the warmth and sun I could until it got dark out ! 😅😎

And the beautiful blue sky !!

The Flight

I was scheduled on the 9:30 a.m. United flight. I’ve learned they start boarding at least 1/2 hour ahead of take off. So, factoring in the shuttle ride over, getting checked in, checking my luggage and going through wonderful security, I took the 7:00 a.m. shuttle.

At the airport, they do not want you checking in at the desks anymore, but rather checking in on-line ahead of time or at the kiosks they have arranged everywhere! My bandaged arm, became my Ace in the hole. I didn’t know how to do the kiosk and there are people stationed by each set of kiosks to help people. She came over by me pretty quickly and entered all the information necessary. I saw it was pretty straightforward. She printed out the tag for my suitcase and all I had to do was wheel it up to the baggage check-in desk. One down, big one to go. Security. 😱

So I made it through the line easier this time. A couple small spots showed up… they patted down on my arm and shoulder and then they used the wand to check my bandaged arm. When I went to get my trays of my property and shoes, another security woman took everything and brought me over to a side area where you had actual furniture you could sit down on to put your shoes on etc at your leisure. Very nice of her and very helpful! 🤗 NOW I could relax!

As we were queuing up to board, I found out I could go on board with the first group of those who needed help or had any physical difficulty! Wonderful! So I went on early, stewardess help me put my carry-on into overhead and I was seated in my window seat! Loving it!

Goodbye Phoenix. The mountains you see in the distance are the ones I came over.

Hello, Chicago.

I had barely an hour layover at O’Hare in Chicago. This sounds fine but it usually is very stressful. The large planes come in at one terminal and the small planes, like the ones going to Appleton, are at a completely different terminal. As soon as we landed in Chicago, I received a text from United that told me which gate and terminal I would need to go to for my next flight. It stated it was a minimum 21 minute walk. I now had 45 minutes before take-off. Now, I had a carry-on and another bag to carry with me in one hand. I can walk fast but not far because of my knees and carrying those bags. I knew I would not get there in time. So as soon as I got off the plane, I stopped at the gate desk and asked for a ride. Well at O’Hare, at least where I landed, they have these humongous people carriers that look like they were used out on the tarmac for luggage or something. Very impractical and could only take a couple people at a time. So an attendant brought a chair on wheels. Not a wheelchair an actual chair with a place for your carry-ons and a seatbelt. And I rode that all the way to my gate. Thank god! That guy was walking very fast and he kept walking and walking and walking and walking! I never, ever would have made it there in time. (They need to get some trains or shuttles in place like they do at other airports. )

We talked because it did take over 20 minutes to get there! There are quite a few personnel whose jobs are to take people and chairs or wheelchairs from gate to gate. He is really in shape and he puts on miles and miles everyday. And yes I gave him a tip afterwards! I did get to my gate in time, and they had started loading already.

My phone went dead by now, because it’s old and the battery is very old!! After I landed an Appleton, Bob Kolinski pick me up and we stopped at the airport bar so I could have a good Wisconsin old fashioned! It tasted great!! 🥃

Then we drove to our son, Nathan Kolinski’s home where I would be staying for the next couple days. He also had a vehicle ready for me to use, which was a godsend!

In addition to my 3 grandchildren, I have the company of 3 dogs, ( above) 12 rabbits, 3 guinea pigs, and 2 goldfish!

Let the fun begin! 🤗.