May 3, 2012: Well, even though we have been in Maryland for almost 3 weeks that doesn't mean you'll get Maryland pictures yet. We still have many miles to go (in the blog world that is). So, last we left off we were in Salt Lake. Andi made a new friend with my mom's dog. I keep telling mom that he can come live with us, but she assures me, this will not happen.
The Easter bunny managed to find Andi while we were in Salt Lake. Apparently the bunny can climb trees to hide those eggs. It did take a while to find that final egg....the bunny had a memory lapse and couldn't remember in what camouflaged spot it got left.
On April 10 we did start our journey eastward. We made a detour first, heading towards Durango, CO. And wouldn't you know it, "Hole in the Rock" as always, beckoned for a stop. Always a good resting point, so why not. We did avoid taking the tour of the house, as we've seen it 3 times previously and it always looks just the same.
We stopped in Durango for a nights rest and relaxation with Cousin Lorna and Doug. Always a treat to stay there. Andi had a nice break from her parents while competing with Doug in a game. No competition between those two....no, crows of delight from each as they beat each other in various rounds.
On leaving the next morning we were treated to a lovely sunrise.
Not sure of how much of the mountain scenery Andi saw as she was drugged up with motion sickness pills for the twisty turny mountain roads.
Below: a view of Silverton, CO
Above: A pit stop to top off the gas tank and walk around. Couldn't resist the lone truck.
Below: An old mining claim.
We stopped in Gunnison, CO to see my nephew and take a lunch break. We decided to keep on the road we were, in hopes of making a quicker transition back up to the interstate. At this point we were relying heavily on our GPS navigator. "Don't worry" said the soothing male voice (Shane changed it from the default female voice as he said he didn't need more women nagging directions at him), "I know where we are going" The soothing voice failed to mention the County Road 3, which turns into County Road 3A aren't necessarily the road we think they might be.
As you can see....County Road 3A is a dirt road. Now, the male voice assures us this is the shorter of the two routes. It is, in theory....less miles, not necessarily the quickest route, that the state road would have provided. Ah well, it turned into a happy detour. (and for those who haven't realized it, but the GPS navigator doesn't distinguish a two lane paved state road from a one lane dirt road....no lines of a different color, that is saved for the interstate markers...color coordination)
Once over our shock, we did enjoy the opportunity to take one last dirt road before heading back to civilization. Ah, civilization...see that tiny dot of a city in the picture below...that's where we are supposed to be...Which I am happy to report we got to just before the skies opened up and a deluge of rain came forth. We were happy to find a hotel in Pueblo for rest. Until a giant crack of thunder ripped from the skies...out of nowhere, it hadn't been raining and we hadn't seen any lightening. It was rather startling to say the least.
From Pueblo, our drive started in earnest. Staying a day ahead of the worst of the storms, we weren't able to avoid the rain. It rained everyday, if not all day, then a good portion of the day. Oh, and when it wasn't rainy, it was windy. Our view of the St. Louis Arch above, pretty much how I've seen it any other time we've driven by, always from the interstate, not always in the rain though.
Once we hit the Blue Ridge Mountains we were able to get out of the weather. We made decent time all the way across, in spite of the rain (and one police pull over for following to close to the vehicle in front of us, and questions on the temporary tag....but Shane doesn't like to talk about that....just a warning, nothing major, aside from the bruised ego. I say it was no big deal....)
We arrived in Lexington Park and drove directly to the first apartment that we had on our list to look at. Yee gads.....small, small, small. Put one bed in the bedroom and it would be filled to capacity. Went to a hotel to think about it. The night desk clerk pulled a list of possible places to live, and by George, he found one! The second place we looked at has the feel of home, so that's where we are living.
No, there are still no pictures. I should've taken photos before the furniture came. But according to the Navy moving experts, it wouldn't be arriving til June. So we borrowed basics from a friend, but some other stuff and hunkered down for the long haul. That is til the actual moving company called. "Surprise!" your stuff is here from Japan. Two days later (the 27th of April by the point) and we are making our way through a maze of boxes.
Eventually on Sunday the 29th, Shane and I realized it was our wedding anniversary. It's been a little busy, so we both forgave each other for forgetting, and went out to dinner. Though Andi picked the spot in the end.
Speaking of Andi, she is enrolled in school and seems to be settling right in. We were concerned about how much she missed, but appears to be right on target. Or I could be burying my head in the sand and living in denial....
And Shane started his new job as a civilian. So far so good. Though 4 days into it and he is exhausted. I believe this has something to do with the fact that not only has he had the last month off, but in the months leading up to our departure in Japan, he wasn't working as much then either.
Now that everybody is off to work and school, I have the process of getting back into a routine as well. The top of the list is getting the house in order. Well, some things are in order...my computer is unpacked, pictures unloaded from the camera....now if only boxes and organization could go as smoothly.
