Charlie Wear’s Notes

We are leaving Las Cruces, NM. Tonight in Tucson!

If all goes well we will leave Texas today. Not that I don’t like Texas. It just seems to go on and on forever. Compared to the rest of the journey, New Mexico will be a blink of the eye. However, I don’t think we will be through New Mexico before we stop for the night. It won’t be long now and we will hit the road.

On any trip cross-country by car or truck one thing for sure that you learn is that Texas is a big state! We have had rainy weather since leaving Sulfur, LA and on into San Antonio, Texas last night. We replenished our wardrobe at Wal-Mart (underwear and T-shirts, didn’t pack enough for a seven-day trip!). Had a great Mexican meal and then retired to Hampton Inn for the night.

This morning we got on the road in good time and crossed over into snow-covered territory about 100 miles outside of beautiful Ft. Stockton, Texas, where, surprisingly enough, there is another Hampton Inn. This is our fifth night in this Hilton-owned franchise and we are enjoying them very much. They are nearly all pretty new, so that is a plus, and they serve a passable breakfast. Here are Loretta and Ben in the truck parking area outside the IHOP in Ft. Stockton.

California Pizza Kitchen…bliss!

It nearly took all day, but just a few miles out of Pensacola, FL we stopped for Thanksgiving dinner at Cracker Barrell. Then it was onward to Mobile, Alabama and a Hampton Inn for the night. I have discovered that I really don’t like to drive after dark. Must have something to do with my advanced age! Ben and I just finished breakfast and we are going to wander back up to the room to see if Loretta is ready to face another day sitting in the spacious and comfortable seats of our U-Haul truck.

Ridiculously dumb husband that I am, I didn’t take into account that my sweet wife would want to clean the house within an inch of it’s life! That was fine because I spent the last couple of days loading our minivan so that it looks like the excess inventory of a traveling caravan of gypsies! No offense intended to the gypsies. We got on the road this evening and pulled into our first stop in Gainesville, Florida.

This is an enormous accomplishment that couldn’t have happened without the help of a lot of people including my Dad and Stepmom, my friend Scott and new friend Blayne and our extra special next door neighbors Mark and Z. My luggage was lashed to the roof of the minivan by an authentic Ranger. I have a scout’s honor in knots, but all that means is that I can remember sheep shank and bowline.

I know that there are many friends who pray for us regularly and I thank each and everyone of you as well. Tomorrow, Cracker Barrell turkey and onward to Alabama or wherever we can make it.

For those of you trying to keep up on the adventures of Charlie Wear, a lot has happened since you last tuned in. I started my brand new law practice in Redlands, California on November 5, 2007. Signed the contract on our "new" home in Moreno Valley, CA. just last week. I have the U-haul truck in the driveway and hope to hit the road tomorrow night or Tuesday morning for our 4th cross-country trip since July 2006. I also had a chance to visit Steve Sjogren’s pre-launch Church gathering this Sunday morning. Great fun! Stay tuned for infrequent updates…

I love starting new enterprises. There is just nothing better. Right now I am immersed in starting a new law practice in Redlands, California. It is incredibly stimulating. Once the start-up becomes maintenance I am much less excited. The answer for me is to always be starting!

We unloaded the pickup and dropped the trailer off at U-Haul at about 4:30 p.m. The last drive was just a hop, skip and a jump from Laughlin, Nevada to Covina, California. This evening my dad and step mom took my brother and I out to Northwood’s Inn for a steak dinner celebrating my recent birthday.

I am trying to stay awake a little bit longer so I won’t wake up at 4 a.m.! Yesterday was a killer. We drove from Amarillo, Texas to Laughlin, approximately 786 miles. Tomorrow is a busy day. I have lots of work and a client meeting in the evening.

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So last night we made it to Amarillo, Texas.  We have had a very exciting, bonding, road-trip experience. Sort of a biker-redneck version of Through Painted Deserts without the deserts, yet. We are hauling my F-150 behind my brother’s Chevy Silverado with his Harley in the bed of his pickup. The only thing that might be better would be if the trailer was about six inches longer. My brother found this very amusing and I used my Treo to take a little video. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.