Last night we had a great quiet night at the rest stop south of town.

We woke up to a 28 degree morning. Seeing my breath I put on all the layers and immediately started the car to thaw the icey windshield. Give me some warm weather.

Running Annabelle is making me get creative as we don’t always have a park. So the parking lot dirt worked okay.

No luck at the mechanic. After occupying myself for a couple hours I was called back to find that I had some rust issues on some important bolts. No luck in getting my check engine light fixed today. I had them sew it all back up and off I headed.

Shortly after leaving I had to go back because of a loud hissing noise. Turns out they didn’t get a hose on tight enough. Back on the road. 

I hate driving… Which is surprising since I bought a van to travel in. But I hate it and tried to drown out my day with podcasts and audiobooks. I am always blowing through them so fast and need more recommendations if you have any. Latest favorite podcast is “The Cut on Tuesdays” It is amazing and all about women.

We stopped a few times so Annabelle could play/train and we went from a 28 degree morning to 75 and sunny! I lost a few layers and broke out the sandals!

I read about a truck stop that might allow overnight parking for vans. Pulled in and asked just to be sure. I was told yea no problem and found a spot behind the building with 100 big rigs. 

There was a fenced in dog run at this place… There bathrooms were amazingly clean and everything was very well kept. It was not how I would have pictured a truck stop. 

Made some dinner and tested my hand at some watercoloring. Retired life requires crafts! Julia (The Girlfriend) offered her watercolors for me to take to Baja and my Mom did the same! I have not done any watercoloring for over a decade and it showed.

It was actually warm so I had to open some windows and turn on my fan for some air flow. What a concept after freezing for a few nights.