Tzatziki in Tucson

Yesterday was the worst torture day. I was told there were two rest stops between Barstow & Needles and there were but BOTH were closed for upgrades.  Immediately after the second was an exit for a diner/gas station.  The first pump out of order.  Some women asked me how to get to Laughlin. I said I had no idea. I didn't even know where I was going!  I went inside and gave my debit card but the man wanted ID and I didn't feel like going back to the car so I just peed (all the women were furious about the rest stops being closed) and left.

Needles was depressing. I bought a taco at Taco Bell but the smell made me nauseus so I tossed it and drank a little iced tea. Neither Walter or Audrey would eat. Audrey seemed comatose in her cage. What if she just died of fright? (Horrible thought: I'll get a kitten!)

John and I spoke - he'd gotten up at 4:30 and was folloing behind me - by about 5 hours.  He advised that I "load up" on gas in Blythe. Blythe was a ghost town. Shop after shop closed. I couldn't even find a McDonalds but I saw an Albersons. No shade. 100 degrees. I dashed in and went to the deli. "Do you make sandwiches?" I asked. "There" the clerk pointed to pre-made sandwiches. Yuck. I bought a tuna croissant and got an iced latte at the Starbucks.  At a gas station I ate the tuna, tossed the croissant and inhaled the coffee.

Then ARIZONA! - where I should have gotten food and gas. Nice wide highways and 75 mph speed limit. I flew through the desert.  Taking the Phoenix Bypass, I thought John had said it was 3 miles to Gila Bend, but it was about 35. Then another 119 to Tucson.

Finally I arrived and instead of making many trips up to the room, I loaded the cart with everything, including my rocklike cat.  This time, though, she came out of the carrier and was curious. Jumped up onto the sink where I gave her food and water.  I took Walter for a pee-walk then returned to the room for my bathing suit.

AHHHH - I walked down into the empty, shady pool and completely surrendered to the water > floating > flying!  Revived, I went back the room and ordered food from a local restaurant. A minute after I stepped out of the shower my gyro and tzatziki sauce, Greek salad & eggplant sandwich arrived (there was  $15 minimum so I ordered enough for 2 meals).  Food never tasted so good!!

I talked to John and he said he'd be in after 11, so I hope to see him this morning. I saw the U-Haul and the Caddie in the parking lot and my heart swelled. My things!! All crammed in there. And my husband and Jane kitty sleeping in one of these rooms down the hall from me.  Audrey visited me in the night several times, purring & woke me by knocking my sunglasses on the floor; Walter woke me when he shook his head rattling his tags. But it was the best night's sleep I've had in months.  The cat has forgiven me. The dog likes sniffing new places and tomorrow night we'll be in Kerrville. I'll get so sleep in my own bed in my new home.