19 years ago in TIME Flies and other Thoughts

Just writing that.. it’s like wow this was 19 years ago in the month of January.
I met 2 OD’ers when my husband went to a Job interview in Phoenix.
“Library Lady” and “Abritelight”.

After my husband got the Job, and a few months later, I met several other OD’ers at a lunch, but I don’t recall who they are, nor did I stay in contact.

Getting to that Lunch was my first trek on Arizona Freeways. I never wanted to ever use the Freeway anywhere. I avoided the Freeways thus far with the exception of Mile Marker 1-3 on I-25 in southern New Mexico. It was not an area very well traveled, so that part of the Freeway was fairly deserted. When I lived in Colorado Springs for 9 1/2 years, I never once drove on the Freeway. I drove the side streets and back roads.

I mapped out how to get from where I lived in Phoenix to Mesa, AZ. via Freeway, it was 24 miles via the Freeway. I realized doing side roads would have taken me for-ever, so I bit the bullet and braved the Freeway.

I lived in Phoenix almost 4 years. I traveled the 51 and I-17 often and occasionally I-10. I rarely had a need for the 101 or 202.
Driving those Freeways put me more at ease for future Freeways. In Wisconsin I drove the Freeway even in the snow and when we moved back to Colorado in the Mountains, I had to drive I-70 for various health facilities and Walmart or Target.. Here, I try to avoid Freeways and really, I rarely have a need for a Freeway. I only travel not more than 12 miles from home and the closest Freeway...... is 25 miles from Home!

In Phoenix, it was 2 weeks before I braved a mile down the street to Albertsons, the closest grocery store. One reason was this was a HUGE new town and it intimidated me. But also, the road was narrow. I wasn’t used to that. What was probably once a 4-lane road was made into a 6-lane road! At a light I probably could have reached over through the window and touch the next car!

Phoenix was a Game Changer in so many ways. So many Stepping Stones! So much growth; personally, and spiritually. In the March writing, it will be about my stay in Phoenix, I probably won’t go very deep into sharing all, but we will see.

Last updated January 04, 2022