We spent six nights camping in Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. The Giant Sequoia trees are magnificent. We arrived in Fresno, California last night and are staying tonight. We had lunch today with another of my buddies from Viet Nam, Robert Cadena, his wife, and his niece. I saw Robert at three of the annual reunions of the Fifth Infantry Division, but it was fun to see him again. When we leave Fresno, we are headed to Yosemite National Park.

After we left the Grand Canyon, we went to Las Vegas for four nights. It is a different town from when we last visited. So far, it has been the low point of the trip. It has turned into a high-priced version of Pigeon Forge. We are currently in Victorville, California. We hope to go to Sequoia National Park tomorrow.

Since we left Santa Fe, Internet access and phone service have been sporadic. We spent two nights in Albquerque, NM, and two nights camping in state park east of Gallup, NM. We left Gallup in the rain headed across the Navajo Reservation. We stopped at a convenience store/gas station/laundry mat in Gando, AZ. While standing outside the laundry mat soaking wet contemplating our next move, we met two wonderful people, Chico and Rose Gonzalez. They escorted us to their Church where they let us spend the night in the church, The Seventh Day Adventist of Kinlichlee, fellowship hall.

We were going through Gando on our way to Tuba City, AZ to visit two of my Viet Nam friends, Elmer Jean, and Elmer Tomasiyo. Elmer Jean had worked with Rose’s sister, Rita, and they were able to contact him to let him know we were coming. We visited with both of my friends on Wednesday night. I had not seen either Elmer since July 1971. On Thursday, Elmer Jean showed us around Tuba City and Page, AZ. It was a great visit. Currently, we are camped in a USDA campground 35 miles north of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Chico and Rose, thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality. I can never express how much we appreciated it. Thank you Elmer Jean for the great tour.

Seventh Day Adventist Church of Kinlichee, Arizona

After we left Wiley, we went to Oklahoma City, where I was able to visit with another friend from Viet Nam, Terry Garrett. It was the first time I had seen Terry since July 1971. Since we left Oklahoma City, we have been moving west along old Route 66 and I-40. We are currently just north of Santa Fe, NM. We are not sure where we are headed next.

After we left Clarksdale, we spent two nights in Hot Springs, AR and two nights at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. We spent five days in Wiley. On Friday, we spent most of the afternoon visiting with a friend, Larry Martinez, and his wife from my days in Viet Nam. Larry is a great guy, and it was a pleasure to see him. On Saturday, we took the train to Dallas where we visited Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. We are currently in Ardmore, OK and headed to the Norman area.

We spent two nights near Yazoo City, MS. We have been in Clarksdale, MS (crossroads of the Blues) since Tuesday. We are leaving this morning, probably headed ed to Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is the only place we could find to stay in Clarksdale. The ad said it was four star, but I think it was marketing puffery.

We decided to return to Weaverville so we could attend Aunt Daisy’s 80^th birthday party. Unfortunately, I thought it was Sunday, and it was Saturday. We visited with Daisy Sunday afternoon and left Weaverville again Monday morning. We made it to just east of Cleveland. Because it was raining, a kind gentleman let us camp behind his restaurant under a big tent. When you travel on a motorcycle, you often get reminded how nice people can be. We expect to stay in the Chattanooga area for two more nights.

We enjoyed visiting with friends in Florida, but like leftover food, we got old in three days.  We left Stuart Thursday, and we are now headed to a cooler climate. Claire, thank you for your hospitality.

We arrived in Stuart, Florida yesterday (Sunday, April 3).  We are staying with Dr. Nash.  We expect to stay until Thursday or until she runs us off, whichever comes first.