Snowbird 6. Day 1

Just a quick recap of the 1st day of our first trip south without a 14,000lb 5th wheel in tow. Packing, driving, filling up with gas and the amount of fuel consumed all so much better than before. The downside is checking into the Travellodge in Platte City, Mo. It looked so much better in the pictures. The bed will be nowhere near as comfortable as the memory foam mattress in the 5er. Guess I have some learning to do on picking out hotel rooms. 

Given that the border only opened the day before we thought an early start would be crucial to beating the lineups. Up at 3:00 after 4 hours of not so restful sleep. Packed the car the day before so after a quick breakfast, completed the rest of the items on our departure check list and we drove out of the garage at 4:02. After a quiet drive to the border we were the only ones in line. Provided the passports, verbally attested to being vaccinated and confirmed we had no meat, dairy or citrus fruits. None of the usual questions about fire arms, tobacco and my favourite, cannabis products. 3 minutes tops. 

The rest of the 13 hour trip was pretty uneventful. A few fuel stops, lunch on the road and we arrived at Platte City, Mo (just north of Kansas City) at 5:00. One of the things we noticed was the lack of masks. Most employees wear them although many are neatly tucked under their chin. Very few customers are wearing masks. Must be similar to shopping in Winkler. Another early start tomorrow for a 12 hour drive to Albuquerque, NM. Hope my hotel choice will be better there. A relatively short 6 hour drive on Thursday and we hope to check into Gold Canyon around 2:00. 

Weather forecast is calling for 2 days of heavy snow in Winnipeg starting tomorrow so i think we got out just in time. This ones for you Brad. More to come I promise. 

More later