Day 13: Work and Play Saturday:

Here are some pictures from our Saturday venture. We worked on the house today, went to the Sequim Open Market, and did a little tour down to Dungeness Point and Railroad Bridge Park at the Dungeness River. The weather was the best since we arrived, and it couldn't have come on a better day. We soaked up some low 70 degree sun listening to some music at the Market, and made a few new friends in the process. As you can see from the pictures, the coastal area is (to use S.C. Governor Mark Sanford's words) magnificent ;-)...Ben

Day 12: Weekend!!!...

Both Adrienne and Alex called today, which always makes it a special day :-)

Here are some pictures before I head off to bed. Can't wait to get some "catch up" sleep. We just took these, so you can get a feel for the house and our progress so far. It's still a mess, but much better than the empty house we slept in our first two nights. Star took the photo with me in back of the house at about 9:15pm (no flash). It's now 9:40, and the sun is just about to set...Ben

Note the warm clothes. We took a picture of the 101 Diner from the back stoop too. Lavendar grows along the road and in beds all over town, and all the lamp poles in town are topped by big hanging arrangements of flowers. In the early morning, city employees come by in a truck and water them. That's probably the only way I could keep one of them alive. Instead, I hung a huge bronze star that Monica sent me by the front door...Star

Day 11: Busy...

The Olympic Mountains from our bedroom window. Yeah, there are some power lines, but it's a view.

We arrived in Sequim around 2:00pm on Tuesday. We picked up some fast food, and went to the rental house to eat and take a look around. We didn't even have keys, but knew it would be more than satisfactory by looking through the windows. After shoveling down our Arbys at the house, I immediately went to a meeting. Meanwhile, Star searched for the realty company to get us into our rental home.

Since Tuesday, I have worked about 1 1/2 days, and we have slept on an air mattress in an empty house for two nights. Star has done a wonderful job taking care of all of the usual tasks of moving into a new home in a new city. The movers arrived this morning at 7:50 and quickly filled the house with our "stuff". Even though we only had an opportunity to see pictures prior to renting our home, the furniture fit almost perfectly with just a couple of small exceptions.

We have ventured out to buy some food and other items for the house, and everybody has been so welcoming in the community. We have been told to watch the speed limit, directions for getting around, the best places to eat, and many other tidbits of various information. The people we have met around the community love their jobs, and are proud of what they do.

Supposedly, the weather was in the upper 80s one to two weeks before we arrived. We have been wrongly accused by some of bringing the return of Spring to Sequim upon our arrival :-)

For example, today started out nice and warm, but by the afternoon it was cloudy, in the mid 50s, and windy.

That 's all for now. I need to go help Star unpack boxes...Ben

I'm not sure he's really going to unpack boxes. I've taken to it with a vengeance. It's a bit

like a treasure hunt. Yay! today I found everything to make coffee except coffee filters! It's also a reminder of how many useless things we still have: why would anyone need 12 metal mixing bowls of various sizes, 39 pictures (all painstakingly packed by Ben), and 40 dinner plates?

Right now, we're both tired, which seems to happen pretty early out here in the West. Tonight we're especially drawn, since the bedroom really does look familiar, just more spacious...Star

Day 8: Portland, Oregon

It's been a tough day on the road. Almost 500 miles through the mountain passes and construction zones of I-84 have brought us to Portland, Oregon. We decided to splurge tonight, and are staying at the Embassy Suites in downtown Portland. We saw more beautiful sites today, such as the Columbia River, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Saint Helens as well as multiple waterfalls. At this point, however, we are just ready to reach our new home.

The number of sights, people, and places we have seen are incredible. From our new friend, Robert, at the Turquoise Bear in Santa Fe to the incredible vistas at Mesa Verde, and the lady from Raleigh, NC we just met on the elevator, this has been the experience of a lifetime for the both of us.

Our original plans had us taking coastal highway 101 to our new home of Sequim; however, we have decided at this point to turn straight up the interstate in the morning. We are tired, and ready to start with our new life together in the Great Northwest.

We will continue to keep the blog going once we settle in Sequim. It may not be a daily posting, but we will endeavor to keep regular updates to everybody back East on what is going on in our new home.

Finally, I received word yesterday morning on the loss of a lifelong friend, Sammy Generette. Even though we parted ways after high school, Sammy always made a point of keeping up with me throughout our adult lives. He would keep me updated on what had happened with some of our classmates, and in turn, would always want to know how my parents and family were getting along. I love you, Sammy. For what it's worth, this blog is dedicated to you....Ben

Today's trip led us to and through the Columbia River Gorge. It, like much of what we had seen, changed significantly over the many miles. At first, we were still in the relatively arid territory we've grown used to in the West. That part was tough driving because there were mountains, traffic, and construction--always a bad combination, especially for me. Once we hit the river gorge, we followed it for miles and miles. The pictures indicate the breath-taking beauty of the river. Frankly, however, we were both too tired to enjoy it. We tried to stop for the night at Cascade Locks, but, since they were full, drove on to Portland,where we'll spend our last night on the road...Star

Day 7: Provo, Salt Lake, Ogden, and Idaho

Western slopes of the Rockies crossing I-70

Put many miles behind us today. We left a warm morning in Green River Idaho, and ended up at the first rest stop in Idaho at 3pm. When we got out of the car, the thermometer was reading 48 degrees, and the wind was blowing like crazy. Anyway, I was sure glad I didn't wear the shorts and flip flops again today. We didn't get many pictures, because it rained most of the way through Idaho today.

We DID, however, make a little side trip this afternoon to fill a special request from Mom. Just 3 miles off of I-84 in Twin Falls, we found the site of Evel Knievel's infamous attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon back in 1976. I want you to know, we drove down some poor soul's private driveway to sneak a couple of these pictures. I'll bet they have been cursing Evil ever since that day 33 years ago. We also snapped some pictures of the bridge that crosses the Snake River Canyon going into Twin Falls. It is supposedly the only bridge in the United States that permits legal "base jumping" 365 days of the year.

We ate lunch at a great restuarant in downtown Ogden, Utah called "Roosters." We were sitting there eating lunch when I noticed a man walk in wearing a Clemson University shirt. Come to find out, he served as a consultant for one year on campus. We had a nice conversation with him, and how his 9 year old son now wants to attend college at Clemson. Later in the day, we were cruising west on I-84 in Idaho when this pickup comes by us with South Carolina tags and a big Clemson sticker on the back windshield. They noticed us and made some funny arm motions as they flew past us. Not sure what that was all about, lol.

To top off a huge day, Star and I finally located the "Garden of Eden" after 2,400 miles. I always thought it would be in some mystical location, but much to my surprise, it was located inside a tacky truckstop off of I-84 in Idaho...Ben

We thoroughly enjoy our GPS, Clara. She gets extremely upset when we exit or Ben decides to go chasing after Evil Knievel. Since I vetoed a detour to take pictures of the football field at Brigham Young, I had to let him go take pictures of where the idiot tried to jump the Snake River. (After all, it is Father's Day.) It's an incredibly long distance across the Snake River there and even further down. Clara did lead us nicely, however, to Mountain Home. I think it's the first day we've actually ended up at the destination we decided on in the morning.

The final destination is getting pretty close, and we're practicing calling it home. We might even camp out there on our air mattresses if we beat our stuff to Sequim. We decided that a United moving truck in Utah had to be ours and almost called our truck driver, Fred, to see if he'd stop and let us find some warm clothes and clean underwear. Tomorrow, we're going for Portland. I hope we don't have to stop in Boise to take pictures of the blue astro turf on the football field...Star P.S. You might want to inspect carefully the picture at the Garden of Eden to see what has really attracted my attention. It was the only truck stop I ever saw with a food court.

Day 6: Mesa Verde to Green River, Utah...

Star wanted to go see "Hole in the Rock", but
we ultimately decided on Arches National
Park instead :-)















West slopes of the Rockies across the road from where we are staying tonight

Turret Arch (I'm somewhere in the pic)

We didn't cover many miles today (240 or so), but it wasn't too bad considering we left Mesa Verde later than planned. Before breakfast, we went back to take some more pictures of the dwellings. We pulled out around 10:30am and drove straight through Cortex, Colorado and Moab, Utah on Highway 191 to Arches National Park. Our only stop was at a rest area several miles before Moab, where we ate subway sandwiches we had packed away.

Once again, the landscape was ever changing. Utah is certainly beautiful, but we often felt we were no longer on this planet. We hiked to several of the arches, and it rained on us for the first time since our trip began. Imagine that, it took a hike in the desert to bring us rain.

I've posted a short clip from yesterday at Mesa Verde. If you can't tell, I was highly impressed with the park. We were nearing the completion of a canyon hike in this one.

Our goal tommorrow is to get going early and make it well up into Idaho...Ben

The next part of the trip is another big drive, after several days of being tourists. One of the most touristy things we do is announce that we're moving from SC to WA. It usually gets people to tell us all the fabulous Southern places they've been, usually Myrtle Beach, or to explain how much it rains in Washington State. Another one of Ben's favorite ploys is to ask the locals what they do "for fun." Some people mention clubs, others admit that there's nothing to do, and our host for the night recommended the National Parks in Utah. Speaking of which, we've become National Park members because we figure we'll use our pass along the way and in Olympic NP. We're expecting some advice on great places to hike there. Anybody know a great NP in Idaho or Oregon that's not too far out of the way? We've considered camping so we don't feel like we wasted our valuable car space bringing along our camping gear...Star

I’m typing this in the cafeteria on top of Mesa Verde on Saturday morning.

I had originally thought that by the time we were 5 days into the trip; I would be worn out. Instead, with each passing day, the incredible scenery and places seem to keep me energized. I feel better this morning than the first couple of days of the trip.

Yesterday, we saw just about every type of landscape imaginable. From the colorful sandstone Northern New Mexico, to the huge ranges of Southern Colorado with the snowcapped Rockies in the background, and finally the incredible Mesa Verde canyons and Pueblo Dwellings.

This national park is truly a hidden treasure. It’s not crowded. The food is outstanding, and the scenery is breathtaking. Our waitress told us you can see four states and over 120 miles from where we stayed last night…Ben

This is my second stay at a national park. The first was last year at Yellowstone. The best things about that place were the coyote that Ben saw through the window in the middle of the night and the sweet employee who delivered the camping equipment we had forgotten to a pick-up place 3 hours closer to us. The people here are just as charming, many of them from outside the US and all of them smiling and helpful. We’ve especially enjoyed viewing the wonders of Mesa Verde without crowds.

We took a pretty challenging hike yesterday over rocks, beside canyons, through fissures in the rock, and on steps carved hundreds of years ago. It was easy to imagine the Cliff Dwellers making their way home or to their fields on these same paths. I must admit that I freaked out once, when I got off the trail and realized that I had to return over a narrow, slippery place with a steep drop off. I’m also glad Ben will be making the 15 mile drive down to Highway 106: a steep drive with lots of drop offs. Star

Here goes another funny video with Star giving "shout outs" at Echo Ampitheatre in New Mexico.

Day 4: Recuperating in Santa Fe

Our new friend, Robert, started us off with a great breakfast this morning at the Turquoise Bear. We spent the day touring around downtown Santa Fe, and quickly discovered why many people call this the greatest city in America. In fact, you don't feel like you're in a city at all.

I took some pictures downtown this morning and afternoon in the downtown area, but I later realized I didn't have the memory card in the camera. I'll get some Santa Fe pictures on here tommorrow. Star can tell you more about the history of this Bed and Breakfast we found on the internet. It's fascinating stuff, especially for those English major types :-)

Once again, the people here in Santa Fe are wonderful. There is always somebody willing to offer advice and assistance. The food is out of this world (Thanks, Guadelupe Cafe). The weather is cool at night, warm in the days, and extremely dry. In other words, it's perfect.

Speaking of weather, it just occurred to me today that we have not encountered any rain since leaving South Carolina Monday afternoon. It's hard to fathom driving over 1,500+ miles across country and not seeing a drop of rain.

Tomorrow, we head out for Southwestern Colorado and the Mesa Verde area. We are then headed into Eastern Utah and the Canyonlands/Arches National Parks territory...Ben

I think I'm in charge of the inn history. It's one of the oldest buildings in San Antonio, built in the 1830's. It became famous in the early 20th century because Witter Bynner settled here. Isn't that a great name? It's not been immemorial, however, except maybe to New Mexicans. Apparently, he retired from literary circles and established a bit of a literary colony here. He became fast friends with D. H. and Frieda Lawrence, as well as a notorious collection of liberal intellectuals including Ansel Adams, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Edna Millay. In fact, we're staying in the Edna Millay room. Our host claims that they have parties fairly regularly, especially late at night. If you're not sleeping soundly, you'll hear them. Hmm. I seem to have missed that.

Anyway, Ben's putting in some pictures of the place. We're leaving tomorrow for parts northwest. Yay!

Ben just reminded me that neither of us told about our major excursion of the day, to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. It had a number of exceptional pieces: lots of the flower ones, a number of early nudes, and a good many landscapes. Ben and I probably offended people by snickering, but I'm quite convinced that Georgia expected everyone to see her playful, sexual nature in every piece she created...Star

Day 3: New Mexico!!!

Today was our best day by far. We left Shanee at 9:25 this morning, and made it to the New Mexico Visitor Center at 2:35 pm. Of course, the time change helped us out one of those hours. Anyway, we were told at the Visitor's Center that Highway 104 would be the best choice for scenery, and the traffic would be the lightest. When she said light, I had no idea she meant NO traffic. At one stretch, we drove almost 100 miles through the desert without seeing another vehicle. If you have ever seen the movie "Vanishing Point", you'll know what I mean. It was the most fun I've ever had behind the wheel

of a car.

We made it to Santa Fe by 6:30 last night, and received a great welcome at the B&B. All the guests were sitting around drinking wine. When we walked in the door, we were immediately greeted with a glass...

Having never been to Santa Fe, I was suprised not only at the natural setting, but at the distinctive look and feel of the town. Already at 7,000 feet, it's nestled between higher mountains and has just enough rainfall to support more vegetation than the sagebrush and stunted trees we passed through earlier. As for the town itself, I didn't expect it to look like a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. Almost all the architecture is the flat, roofed adobe style, including the B & B where we're staying. In fact we liked it so much, we're staying another day. We'll put some pictures of it online tonight. We'll have a relaxing day exploring the area and going to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum before taking off on our travels again tomorrow.

The video below is mine, and mostly for entertainment value. You may laugh at it if you like, but it should also give a pretty good idea of our drive yesterday...Star

Day 2: Shawnee, OK

Far left: Oklahoma Visitor's Center

Funny sign in Memphis: "Parking Can Be Fun"???

At the New Orleans Restaurant in Memphis: OUTSTANDING FOOD!!!

Today we hit five states. Ben took a picture of me in Mississippi just because I looked so appropriate in my Spittoono shirt. It would have looked fine in Alabammer too. Memphis was the hottest place I've ever been in my life, and we were the only tourists in town. However, a lady from the Chamber of Commerce recommended a place on Front Street (Orleans), where they served the two of us the best meal we've had in weeks. We're glad to have made it almost to Oklahoma City, our goal, and plan on making it to Santa Fe tomorrow. We'll slow down there to enjoy the scenery...Star

If one thing stood out today, it was the people we met. When they find out our story, they immediately seem to open up to us. For all the bad things you see in today's media about people, it's obvious that the vast majority of Americans are wonderful people.

Since we are short on time, here's a list of things I found interesting on our Day 2 trip...

*The 8 different crop dusters flying daring feats of acrobatics across Arkansas.

*The young man from Mississippi that stopped to talk to us about our trip

*The lady from the Memphis Chamber of Commerce who stopped us on the sidewalk and offered help

*The birds of prey constantly over our heads through the Ozarks

*The surprising beauty of rural Oklahoma (not at all what I expected), and the unbelievable sunset between Fort Smith and Oklahoma City.

*The rounded knolls of the Ozarks and the fabulous, almost deserted Highway 78.

*The woman in our hotel who travelled and spent the night with 2(!) sheep dogs. Wish Miller could have been around to meet her.

We covered 630 miles yesterday, and are headed to Santa Fe tonight. We already have a reservation, and about 600 more miles to cover. Once we get there, our plan is to start slowing down and enjoying the trip through New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

We love you all...Ben

Day 1 Jasper, Alabammer

Sorry for the delay in the first day's post, but the Holiday Inn couldn't get our internet working last night. I was beginning to think 'bammer had not yet reached the computer era.

I'm sitting in the hotel room in Jasper, which is located on Highway 78 between Birmingham and Tupelo, Ms. It's pretty country out here (with an emphasis on "country"). We ate supper last night Brangus Steak House, which the front desk recommended to us (fried green tomatoes, potatoes, and overcooked hamburger steak). When I asked the waitress what people do in Jasper for fun, she listed off the names of a couple of drinking establishments. When I asked what Jasper in known for, she just shrugged her shoulders at me.

Anyway, thanks for the hotel recommendation, Adrienne. As tired as we were last night, I would have stopped in downtown Baghdad. The hotel really is nice and clean.

It's 7:30, and we are about to get some breakfast and head up Highway 78 through Tupelo, Memphis, Little Rock, and hopefully Oklahoma City today. We are prepared for a long day of driving, so we can reach Santa Fe by Wednesday...Ben

I have just returned from the lobby, where a woman was inspecting her underarms in the

mirror by the front entrance. However, I keep telling myself that Jasper is way better than roaming the streets of Birmingham, waiting for trains and red lights, looking for a place to stay. On deciding to leave town, Clara (our GPS voice) led us on a merry chase through places where we were afraid to ask directions.

Thanks to everyone for helping us in the departure: packers, organizers, those who took stuff home with them, and (especially) well-wishers. We're not looking back, but we carry all

of you with us...Star

June 14, Adventure Eve

It's 11:30, and visions of wrapping paper are dancing in our heads. The movers arrive at eight, but no one's sleepy except Adrienne. The biggest problems are how to get coffee in the morning and what to do with all the wine left over from the going-away festivity last night...Star



I hit the proverbial wall today. We have been packing for weeks. No matter how much you prepare in advance, moving always comes down to a hectic final day. It's interesting how a house full of belongings boils down to some furniture and about 90 boxes of varying sizes. Regardless, it's time to roll. After weeks of rushing around getting prepared for the move of a lifetime, it will be a welcomed change to sit still...Ben