Road Trip 2 - Day Six

Missoula, MT to Bainbridge Island, WA (500 mi)

This picture is taken from the balcony at our hotel room in Montana. Today we finally finished our trip and arrived safely in Washington. I drove through rain, snow, and windy mountain roads today. All my energy is drained. We took the ferry to get to Bainbridge Island. It was fun driving our cars on and getting out to relax for the entire 30 minute ride. Tomorrow we begin the exploration of our future home. I'm happy, tired, relieved, and excited.

Road Trip 2 - Day Five

Bismarck, ND to Missoula, MT (760 mi)

We drove for over twelve hours today!!! Brett and I had a little tiff about who could drive further so we drove into the night. It's so nice that the sun didn't set until after 8pm. The drive was the prettiest today, so many snowy mountains and the landscape was just beautiful. I never knew Montana would be so pretty. I felt pretty delirious by the time we got to our hotel room. We stayed at a crummy place in ND last night. I forgot to mention how unsafe both Brett and I felt in ND. At first I thought it was the lack of any minorities that made me feel awkward but I think it's just the environment. Dirt roads and trucker land just doesn't feel inviting. So today we decided to stay at a nicer place and we definitely feel more at home. We should be able to get to Washington by the end of tomorrow. I am so anxious to find a place and settle down. Transient life is not fun.

Road Trip 2 - Day Four

Eau Claire, WI to Bismarck, ND (518 mi)

The drive was easier today.  We ended up in North Dakota and there really isn't much to see here. Dirt roads and manufactured homes are all we see outside our hotel window. Both Brett and I actually feel a bit out of place in this town so we've decided to stay in tonight. 

Road Trip 2 - Day Three

Fremont, IN to Eau Claire, WI (490 mi)

Today has been the most tiring drive out of the three days. We hit a ridiculous amount of traffic going through Chicago. And with the time change, we were on the road for TEN HOURS! Brett and I have been feeling really sloth-like so we mustered up some energy and worked out after we got to the hotel and jumped in the jacuzzi to relax a bit. We've been staying at Hampton Inn every night so far. They are consistent in quality/comfort and of course the military discount is awesome. Brett's playing his DS now. I'm doing housing research and about to catch up on last week's 30 Rock and The Office.

Hello from Wisconsin! We hope to arrive in North Dakota tomorrow. 

Road Trip 2 - Day Two

Bloomsburg, PA to Fremont, IN (485 mi)

We drove through Pennsylvania and Ohio today before arriving in Indiana. Took several breaks throughout the drive, which works out better for me. Even though Brett and I are driving separate cars, we still managed to pass time quickly by playing 21 questions on the phone and listening to audiobooks. It was really windy in Ohio but otherwise, pretty smooth trip.  We hope to drive to Minneapolis tomorrow, that's 567 miles. Hopefully the time change from ET to CT will help. It'll be 8+ hours of clock driving but actually 9+ hours on the road.  It's a bummer that I can't really take any pictures while I'm driving. All pretty imagery is engrained in Janet's memory. 

Road Trip 2 - Day One

Groton, CT to Bloomsburg, PA (275 mi)

Brett graduated from SOBC (Submarine Officer Basic Course) today.  So our 2+ month stay at a hotel on the military base has finally come to an end!  I've officially gained 10 pounds from eating junk for two months.  I can't wait to have a kitchen and cook my own food.  So right after the ceremony we packed our cars and left Groton.  We hit all the afternoon Friday work traffic as we passed through New York and  New Jersey.  It was so pretty throughout the whole drive, so much greenery.  So now we have 2,725 miles more to drive! 

Road Trip Again

In two days I will be embarking on my second major road trip.  This trip will be longer than the previous, a whopping 3000 miles that will take at least 46 hours to drive.  The scenery will be different too.  I can't wait to explore the midwest.  It will be so nice to finally be back on the west coast.  Just knowing that I am that much closer to CA is comforting.  I've applied to two graphic design programs in the Seattle area, hopefully I get into at least one.  I'm so anxious to settle down and start working, no more excuses!

I'll be on the road when it's mother's day.  I ordered some flowers for her grave but I am very sad that I won't be able to be with my brothers on that day.  It's been over a year now and things are better.  Life definitely has moved on.  Sometimes I wonder how my life would be if my mom didn't pass away.  I hate to admit that I probably would have still been in CA.  Not that it's a bad thing, but her absence in my life has definitely allowed me the freedom to do whatever I please.  Traveling around and not having the traditional structural days that most people live by has definitely rubbed off on me.  I think people should all have the chance to just stop what they're doing and take a very long break.  It really is good for the soul.