This city is beautiful, historic and hauntingly awesome. It's billed as the Most Haunted City in the US and it just might be. We arrive in Savannah around 11am today. We head to the Visitor's Center to get a map and use the bathroom. From the parking lot, trolley bus tours are leaving every few minutes. We decide we can get a good overview of the city this way, so we hop on one. Our tour guide Bob is the third generation native of Savannah. The tour was informative, entertaining and allowed us to see a lot of the city in just 90 minutes.
After the tour we grab lunch at Christopher's, a bistro style lunch place. We then hit the streets. Founded in 1751, Savannah was designed by General Oglethorpe as a perfect square, with small parks called squares throughout. From the middle of the historic district, the city expands one mile in each direction. This makes the city a walkable place.
We walk to the Book Lady bookstore then through several squares. We duck in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, an amazingly ornate cathedral. We stop in "The Book" gift shop, concerning all things related to the book The Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. After walking the streets for awhile, we check into the hotel. Staci rests for a bit and cruise the waterfront and the City Market shopping district. Both areas were touristy but filled with neat shops.
Then it gets exciting. We go to the Sorrel-Weed House to take a haunted tour. Our tour guide Chris, a fellow former banker, and I hit it off right away. The tour is filled with lots of history about the Francis Sorrel who built the house. He was said to be cursed because the ladies in his life kept dying. His mother died during a revolt in his native Haiti, his first wife dies, his second wife dramatically commits suicide after catching him with a slave, then the slave mysteriously hangs herself, though we think she was murdered.
The tour leads through several rooms on the first floor, then the basement then outside, then the carriage house where the slaves lived and the site of the slave's death. At each spot, Chris tells us what happened there, what has happened haunting-wise, including what he has experienced. At one point in the tour there is a loud bang; loud enough to startle all of the women on the tour and messed with our tour guide. I couldn't tell if it was faked or real but he seemed very shaken up. Staci thinks it was real. We then head out to Madison Square and hear more ghost stories. We end the tour at the cemetery in pouring rain. It was a great tour. Here's a tv show on the haunted house.
We took bunch of photos and possibly got a ghost. I'll let you be the judge. Here's the picture and here's the pic zoomed in on the top left window. See the face? creepy.
After the tour we grab dinner at the Moon River Brew Pub, supposedly the second most haunted building in Savannah after the Sorrel-Weed House. We ask our waiter Richard. His eyes get real big and his face goes white. When he started working there last October, he'd heard the stories but after six weeks, he's in the back and hears something. It's late and there's only a few servers left in the restaurant. Then he hears his name called from behind, but everyone is in front of him. He runs up to the front of the restaurant but no one had said or heard anything. When he told the manager, the manager said the ghosts interact with you more after they get to know you. Dinner was filling. I take a to-go cup only because I can and its part of the culture. We run back to the hotel in the pouring rain. It feels like home.
We added a bunch of photos. See the link on the right column.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Goodbye I-10
Yesterday after driving more than 2000 miles from one coast to the other we left Interstate 10 at Jacksonville, FL. We hopped on I-10 at Los Angeles, CA drove through Arizona, took a slight detour off the freeway in New Mexico, then hopped back on in Texas, through Louisiana, the southern tip of Mississippi and Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. Now we will ride I-95 up to DC and beyond. We spent last night in Jacksonville. It was a quick 2 hour ride to Savannah, GA this morning. More to come on today's activities soon...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Road Trip Photos
I'm trying to fix the photo stream for the moment here's a link to the photos from our trip.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85109238@N00/sets/72157615592136703/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85109238@N00/sets/72157615592136703/
New Orleans con't
After Faulkner's bookstore we catch a ride on the St. Charles wooden streetcar to the Garden District. The Garden District is the American side of New Orleans. Here's a quick history lesson: New Orleans was founded by the French, then secretly given to the Spanish who eventually gave it back to the French who sold it the fledgling United States (Louisiana Purchase). After the purchase Americans moved from the East Coast to New Orleans in great numbers. The problem was they weren't very welcome in N.O. so they moved west of Canal Street and founded their own city, which now is the Garden District. The successful Americans built beautiful mansions. We walked around through part of the Garden District and stumbled on to an overpriced art show. We hopped the streetcar back to the hotel.
One of the confusing things about New Orleans is the street names. In the French Quarter most of the streets are French or Spanish in name. Once a street crosses Canal street the street name changes. For example N. Peter Street turns into Tchoupitoulas Street. I honestly have no idea how to pronounce that, but I digress.
After a quick rest, we ride the Waterfront Streetcar to the end of the line and walk 15 blocks to a ridiculously good restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed so we walked through the Bywater Neighborhood, with its old houses, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. After the long walk back we eat at the Crescent City Brew House. Their bread pudding was deliciously amazing. It was Staci's first experience with bread pudding and she loved it. During the whole meal was a jazz trio playing their hearts out in the restaurant. Did I mention there's music everywhere in New Orleans?
One of the confusing things about New Orleans is the street names. In the French Quarter most of the streets are French or Spanish in name. Once a street crosses Canal street the street name changes. For example N. Peter Street turns into Tchoupitoulas Street. I honestly have no idea how to pronounce that, but I digress.
After a quick rest, we ride the Waterfront Streetcar to the end of the line and walk 15 blocks to a ridiculously good restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant was closed so we walked through the Bywater Neighborhood, with its old houses, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. After the long walk back we eat at the Crescent City Brew House. Their bread pudding was deliciously amazing. It was Staci's first experience with bread pudding and she loved it. During the whole meal was a jazz trio playing their hearts out in the restaurant. Did I mention there's music everywhere in New Orleans?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
New Orleans
The drive into New Orleans, or Naw'leans as the locals call it, is long, really long. You drive through the swamp forest, often on a raised highway a few feet above water. There is nothing, no exits, no rest stops or gas stations. We make it into town about 7ish. We check into the hotel and park on the street. There is no cost to park on the weekend so we saved a significant amount there. We grab a bite to eat at Earnest Cafe, a local pub. The Bayou Burger wasn't anything special. We go to bed early, tired from the long drive and wanting to get an early start.
This morning we get up early and head to Cafe du Monde, famous for the chicory coffee and beignet. Pronounced Bin-Yay, these donuts covered in powdered sugar are delicious. Cafe du Monde was packed so we got the stuff to go, walked across the street and ate at the beautiful Jackson Park, honoring Andrew Jackson who saved New Orleans from the British. From there we head to a walking tour. Greg our tour guide was soft spoken and brought his dachshund, Cayenne. The tour was OK, very historical, but a little long. We toured the St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery, with graves dating back several hundred years. Several famous people and families are buried here. Of course I can't remember any of them. After that we walk over the the Congo Park where African Slaves would gather on their days off. From there we visited a Voodoo Priestess. She was pretty crazy and a little senile. She brought us into her altar room packed with all types of junk. We snuck out early with half of our fellow tourists.
We grab lunch at Cafe Beignet for some great Cajun food. There is a live band playing swing jazz. From there we walk through the French Quarter. Royal Street is blocked off to cars and literally every block there is a band in the middle of the street. Each sounded amazing. No matter where you go in New Orleans, you hear live music, and it all sounds phenomenal. We bought a CD from one of the bands called The Souy Mash Band. We visit the Faulkner Bookstore, which used to be the house William Faulkner lived in. If you don't know who that is, he is a famous author.
This morning we get up early and head to Cafe du Monde, famous for the chicory coffee and beignet. Pronounced Bin-Yay, these donuts covered in powdered sugar are delicious. Cafe du Monde was packed so we got the stuff to go, walked across the street and ate at the beautiful Jackson Park, honoring Andrew Jackson who saved New Orleans from the British. From there we head to a walking tour. Greg our tour guide was soft spoken and brought his dachshund, Cayenne. The tour was OK, very historical, but a little long. We toured the St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery, with graves dating back several hundred years. Several famous people and families are buried here. Of course I can't remember any of them. After that we walk over the the Congo Park where African Slaves would gather on their days off. From there we visited a Voodoo Priestess. She was pretty crazy and a little senile. She brought us into her altar room packed with all types of junk. We snuck out early with half of our fellow tourists.
We grab lunch at Cafe Beignet for some great Cajun food. There is a live band playing swing jazz. From there we walk through the French Quarter. Royal Street is blocked off to cars and literally every block there is a band in the middle of the street. Each sounded amazing. No matter where you go in New Orleans, you hear live music, and it all sounds phenomenal. We bought a CD from one of the bands called The Souy Mash Band. We visit the Faulkner Bookstore, which used to be the house William Faulkner lived in. If you don't know who that is, he is a famous author.
Texas
After a long day of driving we arrive in San Marcos on Thursday night at my Aunt and Uncle's House. Their two basset hounds were the first to welcome us. They are Huge! After sleeping in on Friday we head out to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, a first for both Staci and I. We then head to the Alamo, a traditional pilgrimage for all Crouches. We walk along the Riverwalk and have some BBQ for lunch. For dinner we join Aunt Michelle, Uncle Mark and his daughter's Kara's family at a hole in the wall diner called Blake's in a small, small town called McQueeny.
The next day we pack up and follow Mark and Michelle to Moulton, TX a town of 944 people an hour outside of San Antonio. It is here in the Old Moulton Cemetery that my Great-Great-Great Grandfather was buried in 1900. His name was Jackson Crouch and is the namesake of our soon-to-be born son. It was a moving experience. We part ways with Mark and Michelle at the cemetery, they head home and we continue down I-10 towards New Orleans. Mark and Michelle were great hosts and it was fun to see them again. We decided that I hadn't been to visit them in almost 15 years and Staci and had never been to most of Texas.
After 8 hours of driving we arrive in New Orleans Saturday night. We decided to drive the whole way so we could get up early and tackle the city Sunday.
The next day we pack up and follow Mark and Michelle to Moulton, TX a town of 944 people an hour outside of San Antonio. It is here in the Old Moulton Cemetery that my Great-Great-Great Grandfather was buried in 1900. His name was Jackson Crouch and is the namesake of our soon-to-be born son. It was a moving experience. We part ways with Mark and Michelle at the cemetery, they head home and we continue down I-10 towards New Orleans. Mark and Michelle were great hosts and it was fun to see them again. We decided that I hadn't been to visit them in almost 15 years and Staci and had never been to most of Texas.
After 8 hours of driving we arrive in New Orleans Saturday night. We decided to drive the whole way so we could get up early and tackle the city Sunday.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Where we've been (Part 2)
Ok, we made it to the Carlsbad KOA and try to set up the tent. It's crazy windy. It takes both of us to hold the tent down long enough to stake it. Finally we get it set up. The manager of the KOA warns us to expect 40 mph wind tonight. Thankfully it didn't show up. We are too late to visit the Carlsbad Caverns today so we get the oil changed. That turned into a two hour ordeal. The shop didn't have the right oil filter so the manager had to drive down to an Auto Zone a mile away to get one that would fit the car. Eventually the oil was changed.
It was a cold morning. We pack up early and head to the Caverns. We're there right when it opens. One of the tours we want is already full, so we take the self-guided tour of the Big Room. It's amazing. The cavern is so big you can 14 NFL sized football fields inside. We were one of the first people in the caverns and had it to ourselves for the first hour. It was amazing. Very quiet except for the occasional drip of water seeping from the ceiling. I forgot to mention how we got into the cavern. There's a steep trail you can take that leads you into the cavern but we skipped this for a 1 minute elevator ride. It takes you 755 feet straight down. I highly recommend checking out the cavern when you get a chance.
After the cavern, we head to Texas. Before we get there, we take a shortcut which turns into a detour down a bumpy dirt road in the middle of no where. We finally make it to the highway and head into Southwest Texas. It is flat, barren and you can drive 80 mph. The temperature reaches 90 degrees, the highest we've experienced yet. We get to San Marcos around 8pm. We're staying with my Aunt and Uncle there. It's been a long day of driving.
Today, Friday, we are going into San Antonio to sight see. I know its Friday because I looked at a calendar. I've lost all track of days and time. Crossing three time zones in three day is very confusing. Even my phone is having trouble keeping track of when it is. Everytime we stop for gas, I look at the recipt for the correct local time. :)
It was a cold morning. We pack up early and head to the Caverns. We're there right when it opens. One of the tours we want is already full, so we take the self-guided tour of the Big Room. It's amazing. The cavern is so big you can 14 NFL sized football fields inside. We were one of the first people in the caverns and had it to ourselves for the first hour. It was amazing. Very quiet except for the occasional drip of water seeping from the ceiling. I forgot to mention how we got into the cavern. There's a steep trail you can take that leads you into the cavern but we skipped this for a 1 minute elevator ride. It takes you 755 feet straight down. I highly recommend checking out the cavern when you get a chance.
After the cavern, we head to Texas. Before we get there, we take a shortcut which turns into a detour down a bumpy dirt road in the middle of no where. We finally make it to the highway and head into Southwest Texas. It is flat, barren and you can drive 80 mph. The temperature reaches 90 degrees, the highest we've experienced yet. We get to San Marcos around 8pm. We're staying with my Aunt and Uncle there. It's been a long day of driving.
Today, Friday, we are going into San Antonio to sight see. I know its Friday because I looked at a calendar. I've lost all track of days and time. Crossing three time zones in three day is very confusing. Even my phone is having trouble keeping track of when it is. Everytime we stop for gas, I look at the recipt for the correct local time. :)
Where we've been.
Alright, we have internet access again! So let's catch up with what we've done. On Monday we arrived in Mesa, AZ to stay with our friend Connie. Connie is awesome. She used to live up in Seattle but decided to move down to AZ to work in a mine as a geologist. We'll get to that later. The drivers in the Phoenix area are terrible. I'm told it's a mix of college student, snow birds from Minnesota, and a few crazy native Arizonians (Connie said this). But don't worry, we braved the crazy drivers and made it to Connie's apartment complex. Which brings us to another problem. I should have known when Staci read me the apartment number: there was four digits. This place was huge! There must have been thousands upon thousands of apartment units in this place. After cruising around the complex for awhile, we pass a lady that might be Connie walking. After a little depart we decided it was Connie. And it was. We grabbed a bite to eat and saw the movie "I love you, man" with Connie. Hilarious movie. Staci would also want me to mention Connie has a really shy cat, I never saw it, but Staci did once.
The next day we followed Connie to her work, the Resolution Copper Mining Company. She gave us a tour of the facility. The old mine was flooded and the new one hasn't been dug yet, so we didn't go under ground. But we did get to see the core samples. There are rooms full of core samples. Think of empty toilet paper rolls made of solid rock and that are about fifty feet long. Now stack row after row of them on a wall, photograph everything and label the different types of rocks. The workers spray the rock with a water bottle to show the different formations better. From these core samples, they can extrapolate how a mine needs to be dug. It's pretty amazing. The new mine hasn't been dug yet because the elevator structure is still being constructed. It was a giant several hundred feet in the air. Once that's finished, it will take several years to dig the 7000 feet mine shaft. Connie estimated the mine would start producing copper in 2020. Wow.
After we leave Connie at her work, we head to Las Cruces, New Mexico. This is the first real stretch of nothing we encounter. Miles and miles of barren, flat land. Right before we cross into New Mexico, we begin seeing billboards advertising "The Thing". It doesn't say what The Thing is but suggests stopping to find out. After the twentith (literally) billboard for The Thing, we decide to stop. And there's a Dairy Queen at that exit. After getting some ice cream, we decide to investigate. At first it looks like a giant gift shop. It is a giant gift shop. But in the back is a door labeled THE THING...Adults $1. We pay and go in. I'm not going to tell you what The Thing is, you just have to see it. I'll just say it's worth a buck and it let's you stretch your legs for a bit, so check it out if you're in the area.
We make it to the Las Cruces KOA just as the sun is setting. The KOA is nice, has shower facilities. We set up our tent and settle down for the night. A few hours later a van of college guys arrives and pitches a tent not too far from ours. I fall asleep to them singing and playing a guitar.
Wednesday we head out early. We pass through the White Sands Missle Range. Signs repeatedly tell us not to stop. I'm a little disappointed that we didn't see a big explosion. The White Sands National Park was impressive. The white sand goes for miles and miles. We make into Roswell, NM in time for lunch. Staci really wanted to stop there because she is a big fan of the TV show Roswell. We didn't see anyone from the TV show nor any aliens, but we did visit the UFO museum. I wanted was a hmaburger called an Alien Burger. But didn't see any themed restaurants, just tons of Tshirt stores. After Roswell, we head down to Carlsbad. This is a really long post so I'll end it here.
The next day we followed Connie to her work, the Resolution Copper Mining Company. She gave us a tour of the facility. The old mine was flooded and the new one hasn't been dug yet, so we didn't go under ground. But we did get to see the core samples. There are rooms full of core samples. Think of empty toilet paper rolls made of solid rock and that are about fifty feet long. Now stack row after row of them on a wall, photograph everything and label the different types of rocks. The workers spray the rock with a water bottle to show the different formations better. From these core samples, they can extrapolate how a mine needs to be dug. It's pretty amazing. The new mine hasn't been dug yet because the elevator structure is still being constructed. It was a giant several hundred feet in the air. Once that's finished, it will take several years to dig the 7000 feet mine shaft. Connie estimated the mine would start producing copper in 2020. Wow.
After we leave Connie at her work, we head to Las Cruces, New Mexico. This is the first real stretch of nothing we encounter. Miles and miles of barren, flat land. Right before we cross into New Mexico, we begin seeing billboards advertising "The Thing". It doesn't say what The Thing is but suggests stopping to find out. After the twentith (literally) billboard for The Thing, we decide to stop. And there's a Dairy Queen at that exit. After getting some ice cream, we decide to investigate. At first it looks like a giant gift shop. It is a giant gift shop. But in the back is a door labeled THE THING...Adults $1. We pay and go in. I'm not going to tell you what The Thing is, you just have to see it. I'll just say it's worth a buck and it let's you stretch your legs for a bit, so check it out if you're in the area.
We make it to the Las Cruces KOA just as the sun is setting. The KOA is nice, has shower facilities. We set up our tent and settle down for the night. A few hours later a van of college guys arrives and pitches a tent not too far from ours. I fall asleep to them singing and playing a guitar.
Wednesday we head out early. We pass through the White Sands Missle Range. Signs repeatedly tell us not to stop. I'm a little disappointed that we didn't see a big explosion. The White Sands National Park was impressive. The white sand goes for miles and miles. We make into Roswell, NM in time for lunch. Staci really wanted to stop there because she is a big fan of the TV show Roswell. We didn't see anyone from the TV show nor any aliens, but we did visit the UFO museum. I wanted was a hmaburger called an Alien Burger. But didn't see any themed restaurants, just tons of Tshirt stores. After Roswell, we head down to Carlsbad. This is a really long post so I'll end it here.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Where we've been
We just got to Mesa, AZ. And have an internet connection! I'll post some more pics soon. I'll catch you up with what we've done. After leaving Berkeley, we arrived in Pasadena to visit our friends Joey and Danny. Turns out it was Joey's birthday as well as his friend Darcy's birthday, so we crashed a bday bbq. It was fun to meet some of Joey's Cali friends. Spent Friday night with them, then up early and off to Los Angeles to see my brother.
Jared is a great tour guide. He took us all over the area. After passing by his office building, which he calls the Death Star, we went to Beverly Hills. We found some rock star parking and cruised the high end stores. After that we went up to West Hollywood. We saw Jared's old apartment and saw the Grauman Chinese Theater. We had lunch in this crazy mall and then hopped in the car and off to Santa Monica. Strolled along the 3rd Avenue Promenade and the Santa Monica State Beach Park. Then off to Venice and its canals and beautiful houses. Check out our pictures of all the cool houses. We walked along Venice Beach and saw the following: Muscle Beach, guys playing paddle ball, tshirt stores, crazy looking people and sunshine. We ended the tour with coffee a block from Jared's apartment. Ariel met us there as well.
We fouhgt our way through LA traffic and made it to Redlands and Erin Beaver. She is a college friend (and the person who introduced Staci and I). We spent Saturday night at her amazing condo, then went with her to the Amethyst Bible Church. They currently are meeting in a school while the new building is being built. Erin took us by the new building which she helped design. She also took us by her grandpa's orange orchard which he is unfortunately selling. I can vouch for the tastyness of those oranges.
After church on Sunday Staci and I traveled to Joshua Tree National Park and spent the rest of Sunday there. It was amazingly huge and beautiful. The rock formations, valleys, mountains and vast stretches of cactus were a lot to take in. It was a beautiful day, though incredibly windy. I took a video of Staci talking into the wind so you can have idea of how windy it really was. I'll post pictures of JTNP and the video of Staci soon.
Sunday night we spent in Palm Springs with Staci's high school friend Danielle. She was at work so we didn't see her until this morning when we went to Sherman's for breakfast. She and Staci had a blast reminiscing about old times. On the way out of town we stopped by two houses that Staci used to live in. She took a few pictures of the most recent one.
Now you're caught up with us. We're heading out of Mesa tomorrow on our way to New Mexico.
Jared is a great tour guide. He took us all over the area. After passing by his office building, which he calls the Death Star, we went to Beverly Hills. We found some rock star parking and cruised the high end stores. After that we went up to West Hollywood. We saw Jared's old apartment and saw the Grauman Chinese Theater. We had lunch in this crazy mall and then hopped in the car and off to Santa Monica. Strolled along the 3rd Avenue Promenade and the Santa Monica State Beach Park. Then off to Venice and its canals and beautiful houses. Check out our pictures of all the cool houses. We walked along Venice Beach and saw the following: Muscle Beach, guys playing paddle ball, tshirt stores, crazy looking people and sunshine. We ended the tour with coffee a block from Jared's apartment. Ariel met us there as well.
We fouhgt our way through LA traffic and made it to Redlands and Erin Beaver. She is a college friend (and the person who introduced Staci and I). We spent Saturday night at her amazing condo, then went with her to the Amethyst Bible Church. They currently are meeting in a school while the new building is being built. Erin took us by the new building which she helped design. She also took us by her grandpa's orange orchard which he is unfortunately selling. I can vouch for the tastyness of those oranges.
After church on Sunday Staci and I traveled to Joshua Tree National Park and spent the rest of Sunday there. It was amazingly huge and beautiful. The rock formations, valleys, mountains and vast stretches of cactus were a lot to take in. It was a beautiful day, though incredibly windy. I took a video of Staci talking into the wind so you can have idea of how windy it really was. I'll post pictures of JTNP and the video of Staci soon.
Sunday night we spent in Palm Springs with Staci's high school friend Danielle. She was at work so we didn't see her until this morning when we went to Sherman's for breakfast. She and Staci had a blast reminiscing about old times. On the way out of town we stopped by two houses that Staci used to live in. She took a few pictures of the most recent one.
Now you're caught up with us. We're heading out of Mesa tomorrow on our way to New Mexico.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Neon
is fine. It's old and well loved and there was some concern it wouldn't last the trip. Having a pregnant lady stranded on the side of some unnamed road was not my idea of a good time, so Jordo's parents graciously let us borrow one of their cars. The new car is awesome! Thanks Mom and Dad.
Berkeley, CA
We make it into Berkeley about 8pm on Thursday. It reminds me of The Ave in Seattle, but without the rain. Co-eds are everywhere, lots of people on bikes, the main strip, appropriately named College Way, has no corporate presence save for a 7-11 and a McDonalds. The local ice cream store is packed with a line out the door. I knew we had made it to Berkeley when we passed a man in his late forties, gray shaggy hair and beard, carrying a stack of books in one hand and a stacks of papers in the other, the personification of the slightly senile professor. He even wore Birkenstocks. I loved it.
We stayed with Josh, a friend of Staci's from high school. He lives in an old apartment building with lots of character. His roommate Oliver had lived there ten years. Josh took us to a hole in the wall Mexican place called Gordo's. We shared a tasty super sized carne assada burrito. Thursday was our longest driving day yet, so we're both pretty tired. We crash on an airmattress while watching the Disney version of Peter Pan.
We stayed with Josh, a friend of Staci's from high school. He lives in an old apartment building with lots of character. His roommate Oliver had lived there ten years. Josh took us to a hole in the wall Mexican place called Gordo's. We shared a tasty super sized carne assada burrito. Thursday was our longest driving day yet, so we're both pretty tired. We crash on an airmattress while watching the Disney version of Peter Pan.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Few Pics
We stayed with Josh in Berkeley and this was a Magic Garden he made. It was all cardboard last night and this is what it looked like this morning. 
Mt. Shasta from Hwy 97
Staci's Parent's House
Outside Madras, ORCrossing into California
After a quick stop at Grandpa and Grandma's, we headed South. The drive was actually quite pleasant. We did not encounter any kind of traffic, the scenery was breathtaking and cruise control is awesome. The crossing into California was anticlimactic. We were on Hwy 97, a much smaller sibling to I-5. The two lane highway winds through the Siskiyous Mountains. As we turn a corner, a faded billboard quietly announces we've entered the Golden State. You almost don't believe that you're actually in California, until you reach the small town of Dorris, where each vehicle is stopped and "inspected" for fruits and vegetables. They used to conduct these inspections on I-5 as well, but to my knowledge haven't for several years. So I was surprised when the inspector asked us where we were coming from and if we had any fruits or vegetables. He chuckled when I told him we had left Culver, OR this morning. "That's a long way". I didn't want to blow his mind by telling him we were going all the way to Berkeley today. He let us through without even looking at the car. What I find ironic is the fruit they're trying to keep out is mostly grown in California. If it's so bad, why'd you let it out of the state in the first place?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Culver, OR
Destination number two reached today around 4pm. Pretty low key day driving over a mountain pass then watching a movie with the family.
Tomorrow we head off to California!
Tomorrow we head off to California!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Vancouver, WA
The first leg of our journey led us to my parent's house in Vancouver, WA. It was a quick 3 hours from Seattle. Staci drove the whole way allowing me to catch a quick nap. I feel much better than yesterday but not quite 100%. Tomorrow we head for Oregon!
Monday, March 16, 2009
It's Broke
Jordan's fever broke this afternoon and he's been at normal for several hours. He says he's feeling great, just a little tired, even though he slept all day.
So we're leaving tomorrow. Since Jordan slept most of the day, I got a lot done so we may be able to leave earlier than we thought, not that it matters much, we're only going to Vancouver, WA tomorrow.
So we're leaving tomorrow. Since Jordan slept most of the day, I got a lot done so we may be able to leave earlier than we thought, not that it matters much, we're only going to Vancouver, WA tomorrow.
A Smallish Bump
We were supposed to leave today on our epic cross country adventure. But last night Jordan came down with a 103 degree fever, which we have whittled down to 102 as of 8am this morning.
I'm off to the doctor's office, then I'll come back and check again, but it's not looking good folks. Doesn't look like we'll be leaving today or tomorrow. Hopefully this doesn't get nixed all together.
I'm off to the doctor's office, then I'll come back and check again, but it's not looking good folks. Doesn't look like we'll be leaving today or tomorrow. Hopefully this doesn't get nixed all together.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Getting Ready
How does one pack for an adventure through several climates, over several weeks, across a continent, and a still to be determined itinerary? I don't have the answer, but we're faking it like we do.
Countless loads of laundry, stuffing and re-stuffing our suitcases, the "to do" list is beginning to shrink. It's been fun telling people about our upcoming trip. After shock, it is usually envy and well wishes. We're taking our computer so everyone can keep tabs on us as we traverse the nation.
I need to finish packing, another load of laundry is complete!
Countless loads of laundry, stuffing and re-stuffing our suitcases, the "to do" list is beginning to shrink. It's been fun telling people about our upcoming trip. After shock, it is usually envy and well wishes. We're taking our computer so everyone can keep tabs on us as we traverse the nation.
I need to finish packing, another load of laundry is complete!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Beginning
I suggested a road trip a few days ago. It was received with a bit of hesitation. Then yesterday, she said let's do it! So we are. We leave Monday. Holy crap...that's less than 40 hours from now! We're still figuring out the itinerary but we've got the first couple of stops mapped out.
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