7 states later...

And we're back!

In more ways than one: I'm back blogging, and we're back in Washington. (With great rejoicing!)

We had a terrific, amazing, America-sight-seeing, drive from Texas to Washington.

Sure, there were hours that we drove through vast expansiveness of nothing (no, really, I mean nothing: not a a lick of anything.) But in those moments, as my road-warrior husband noted the vastness really makes you feel small - the ultimate reality check that there are bigger things out there.

We spent a few lovely days in Denver (the first view of real mountains I'd seen in 18 months!) with Greg's brother and his family. The kids had an amazing time playing together with their cousins, and we even managed to be there to celebrate Sloan's 3rd birthday! The giggling and endless "hey, let's play!" that we heard between the kids for those few short days was positively blissful.

From Denver we traveled across the mountains to Moab, where the starknes of the red rock against the brilliant blue sky is startling and nearly leaves one speechless.









But, wait. Before we got to Moab, we got stuck on I70 W because it was closed. And there was about a 30 mile stretch that we could go back east, but more east than Vail... and it was closed too because of snow. And so, we waited. We hiked along a river, we ate dinner, and we waited.

I think, though, as much as I wish we had more time in Moab, arriving so late in the night (er, morning?) really made waking up to the stunning scenery the next morning all the more awe-inspiring.

After a great hike at Arches National Park, we motored on to Salt Lake City, had dinner with college-friends, stay the night in a swanky hotel (a little luxury on such an epic road trip is necessary, I think. Plus they had a great indoor pool, and the kids were in heaven.)

And from Salt Lake, we dove (and drove) into nothingness. Really. The drive on I80 W from Salt Lake City to Reno is... largely nothing.

But, once you get to Reno - well, Lake Tahoe - it's (almost!) worth the drive. And let me just say: Lake Tahoe is one of my favourite places in the world. There just something about the mountains and the water all together that is soothing to my soul. We spent the day throwing rocks in the lake (a favourite pastime of our little man), walking on the beach, and just soaking it all in. And we had an amazing dinner. Amazing. (also - when you're on such a road trip and at the mercy of road-side food, it's important to have something utterly delicious that completely takes your taste buds out of this world. And the little gem of a restaurant we found at Lake Tahoe did just that.)

From Tahoe, we journeyed on through Yuba City/Marysville (somehow - that place manages to stay part of my life through all these years!) and up through the Mt. Shasta pass to Medford in Oregon (where we went to the Harry and David factory store. Totally worth it.)

On our final leg of the trip, we stumbled upon another hidden gem in the middle of Oregon: a wildlife safari. And I'll admit: I was more than skeptical. But it was really great. Very well done, and a good variety of animals, and one of the largest cheetah rehab and breeding centers in the country.

We stayed in Portland and visited with Audrie and Ibra before making the final three-hour drive to Tacoma. And would you believe when we arrived, it was sunny? And stayed sunny for a whole week! It was the perfect welcome-home gift.