We arrived in Seattle on Thursday, after 6-days in transit. It was a pretty great trip. My genius husband had the brilliant idea of procuring some Harry Potter audio books from the library to listen to on the 2500-mile drive, which made the 9-hour days in the car enjoyable. We count that we touched 12 states on the drive: Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The plains were pretty rough, so I was so thankful that I was totally engrossed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for the duration of Missouri, Kansas and Eastern Colorado. Poor Dumbledore.
Anyway, the highlight of the trip for me was our stop in Park City, Utah, where I skied on my very first mountain. We headed to Deer Valley, and I felt like I was standing in a postcard while I was on top of the mountain. It was startlingly beautiful. After only having skied at Perfect North outside of Cincy and some random other ski place in northern Ohio (not exactly , I was pretty intimidated by the mountain, but as you’ll see in the videos below, I didn’t venture far from the most gentle greens. Occasionally I pushed myself, but if you think these videos you’re about to see are awkward, you can only imagine how graceful the more difficult greens were. (Please be kind about the crazy hair, awkward pose, and kick ass gear please.)
So, after the awesome day we spent at Deer Valley (I never fell while skiing, BTW), we drove through Wyoming, Idaho and eastern Oregon, which has to be some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen. At one point while driving through the rolling green hills of Oregon I had no choice but to comment: It’s like we’re in the shire. And yes, at this point we were listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and YES, I am a huge nerd.
And then, the next day, we passed through the beautiful Cascades, saw Rainier, and headed into the city that we now call home. It’s all still a little surreal, but we’re exploring, learning, and really enjoying our new city.
Would I drive cross country again? Maybe. It took a long time, but it was great to really see the country and understand how beautiful and diverse the different parts are. It was a chance to just be in awe of nature and explore. Of course, I’ll need to find some good audio books.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with those of us who who don’t get out much!!! I have always wanted to ski, but never really had the opportunity. I love to ice skate though!!! I really enjoyed seeing your first real ski experience on video!!!!!! You looked so free and full of life!!!!! A great ski bunny! You are one!!!!
You don’t know how much I appreciate you sharing your life with your family who never gets to see you very often!!!!!!!!! I feel as your aunt, that I am not missing out on my neice’s life here on facebook!!!!!! Keep writing about all of those wonderful adventures that you and Jon go on, your aunt in Texas just loves to hear them! Isn’t life awesome!!!!!
What an amazing venture! You’ll remember that trip forever. I smiled when you talked about being a nerd…just yesterday, I had 13 books on hold at the library and my husband said, “sheesh, you are a total nerd!” …yeah, I can live with that.
I can’t wait to see your pictures from the great northwest!