The Road

My road was very different from THIS ROAD, which I recommend (reading, not taking). I decided to take I-70 instead of 80 this time around because, frankly, I was bored of I-80. This trip was WAY more fun than all of the other drives from SLC to Ohio (I've done that drive 5 times now).

There are two reasons for this. Either A: I-70 is just more fun to drive than I-80, which is what I am choosing to believe. Or B: Because I took the longer way I added an extra day which gave me time to stop and smell the roses more frequently, which is much more likely. Whichever it is, here is the story:

That is my chosen path. I didn't use my GPS until I got lost in Columbus. Most of the time I just followed signs, my atlas, and my heart. A good road trip doesn't use a GPS. This is what I've decided.

The beginning was just the same as usual. Go through Wyoming, stop in Little America and get an ice cream cone. I changed this up too and went with Vanilla. It's so easy for me to choose chocolate every time that I've realized I'm missing out the tastiness of Vanilla. I didn't regret it.

I've never driven through Colorado myself before, I've just been a passenger when Dad drove so from here on out everything was new.

I stopped at the Welcome Center to get advice on roads to take info on where to stay. I was basically shooting from the hip this whole trip, which I also don't regret. Can I just say now that Welcome Centers are AWESOME. We stopped at these a lot with FoodPlay and they are always super nice and helpful. The old man gave me this Colorado hat. Such a sweetie.

I had decided to camp out one night and the first night was as good as any. So I went to a KOA just as it was starting to get dark. Unfortunately they don't rent tents and I didn't have one. "That's ok, I'll sleep under the stars." As you might remember, sleeping in my car was SO not an option. We all know that no matter how nice the day is, if you camp it will rain. So I draped a blanket over the picnic table and crawled under it with my sleeping bag. That was to stop any drizzle that may occur. What actually came is what I like to call a downpour. And it didn't stop. As soon as my blanket was soaking wet I decided to get an early start. I shoved my soaking blanket into my packed full car, getting many other things wet in the process and started out at 3:30 AM or so. I didn't get any pictures of any of that for some reason. I guess I was thinking of other things. Driving through that downpour I realized how bad it was. I actually had to pull over and wait it out until I realized it was going the same direction that I was. I ended up driving through it like 3 times that day because whenever I stopped it would catch up to me.

I did get to see the sun rise over Kansas. It was very pretty.

In a small town in Kansas I stopped and took a nap on a blanket in the park. Until the storm caught up with me again of course.

Then I drove til Wamego, Kansas where I hit the OZ Museum!

It was me and one other girl in the museum. Along with a figure of every main character, they also had a lot of really cool information. There was a special case for Sep 11 that had dolls from the store that were sent on 9/10 and an obituary of Judy Garland from 1969 that was found in the wreckage. They believe that one of the workers building the towers was reading the paper that day and left it folded to her obituary inside the walls. Crazy. I tried to look up the story to provide a link but I couldn't find it.

This is the Good Witch. I had to take a picture because it was so creepy.

Yes I definitely set up my camera and took a picture of myself in the museum.

After that I took a smaller highway for a while through small Kansas towns. This is me at an old historic site, but I just wanted a picture of me in Kansas with Corn fields in the background.

In Independence, Missouri I took a tour in the visitors center. My tour guide was a Sister Missionary from Australia so we talked a lot about our missions, the Pacific, and of course, the Pioneers. They have one of the first Editions of The Book of Mormon there, which I was excited to see. She also loved my camping story.

Before I left I checked out the corner stones that were laid for the temple just across the street from our Visitors Center. These are just replicas. In the background is the Church of Christ Temple.

As I drove across "Middle America" I wanted to listen to Little House on the Prairie but it wouldn't work. Instead I listened to Anne of Green Gables and LOVED IT. We all love the movie, but you must read the book. I recommend listening to it because of the way everyone talks. It was so good.

My goal was to get to St. Louis but I got tired too soon so I stayed in a Motel 6. I wanted to get an early start but I accidentally slept in. That didn't prevent me from stopping when I saw this looming at me from the Interstate.

It wasn't planned but I pulled over at the Arches in St. Louis. It was a beautiful morning on the banks of the Mississippi and they had old music playing. So fun. I randomly got a parking spot on the street right in front of the arch. I still don't know if it was legal but a lot of people were parking there and nobody got tickets.

You can take a ride to the top but I didn't do that because of $$ and also time. The line was like an hour and a half wait. I did wait 20 minutes to get in to the museum and look around. St. Louis was the last stop before the wild frontier for a lot of years. It wasn't just trappers and gold diggers that left from here but also the Mormon Pioneers. The museum had a lot of stories and quotes about going forth and paving their own way. In a cheesy way I can say I'm doing that too. I'm venturing out into the world to make my own way even when I know a lot of things and people are going to try to stop me.

Here I am in front of the Mississippi River. The bridge over to Illinois in the distance.

I wanted to stop for authentic food at this point but got lost trying so I changed my mind. Not worth it.

From there on I basically had to hurry because all of my stops had put me behind. I had hoped to make it to Cleveland by 6:30 that evening.

I ended up getting there around 10:30. I unloaded my one bag and the important valuables and went to bed. Until Sept 3 I will be driving around in my crammed Jeep. I am staying in company housing until my apartment is available. Oh how I am counting down the days.

In all I'd say it was a very successful trip. Places were seen, experiences were had, people were met. And a tent is on my list of things to buy.

An Amendment

So I do need to add to all of my many farewells that I visited with Lisa in St. George during our family trip. I also spread myself so thin that I wasn't able to visit Staci, which I was so looking forward to. I will be on the bad friend list for a little while because of that one.

Moving is hard

I move all the time. There are things that normal people do every 3-6 months, like clean out the junk drawer or get together with old friends. I move. Packing up my life that often helps me to avoid collecting clutter. "If I haven't used it since I last unpacked it then it isn't coming!"

You'd think that it would make all of this easier, but it doesn't. The last week before I left was just full of goodbyes. It was fun to see everyone, but always ended with, "when will I see you again?"

My Westminster friends are the ones who helped me discover my love for theatre. I feel like they understand better than most why it is I'm moving across the country. We went to the park and ate ice cream sundaes then played games.

Along with these goodbyes, I also visited with Lauren and Eric from Katie's ward, and my singles ward friends. Everyone was so sweet to me.

Barb took Dad and me to lunch at Red Robin which was super delicious. It was fun to chat with her.

Afterwards I spent the day with Dad. He took me to Home Depot to buy tools so I can put my furniture together. Then we spent hours in stores deciding on the perfect TV, only to find that it was sold out! Don't fret, I went to another Costco that night and bought it.

I hung out with this little guy before I had to say farewell...

...then spent a while with Gran. She taught me how to crochet and gave me a bunch of yarn. I've started the afghan I am making for her. Its still really small...

Katie and I spent Friday all over the place getting ready for the move. I definitely took on too many projects. I completely lost track of time and didn't get everything accomplished that I intended. The family went to Ihop for the traditional fairwell "breakfast"

...then I went back to Sandy and met up with Meghan so she could help me pack up the car. I've mentioned it before, her "secret talent" is packing cars. She is so good at it.

With Robbie's help we got almost everything in there. I didn't get the crock pot or some of my big framed pictures. I did get my furniture, rollerblades, TV, and bike. The only door able to open freely is the driver's side door. If you open anything else things come spilling out onto you.

I completely crashed around 11 and got up at 6:30 to finish getting ready. I said goodbye to Katie when she left for work and basically didn't fully stop crying until I was almost to Park City. Dad was the best ever and made sure to check my tires and get me a map.

Now I'm in Cleveland feeling a lot better, but sad that I don't get to go home until Christmas.

Hey East Coast family members, I am free for Thanksgiving and am taking offers now.

Oh the choices

One of the many exciting things about this move is my new apartment. I've decided to hang a few pictures on the walls, which has sent me into all of my old files.

This search has brought out a few treasures that I'm having a tough time deciding between.

Places I've been:

The Classics:

And then these two that I just love because how similar they are. One in Greece and the other in Spain.

The one of the two ladies is one of my favorite things because I love the thought of two old ladies (Sisters? Best friends?) who have known each other forever just sitting and talking at the end of the day.

I narrowed it down to 89 pictures, now to 37. I'm getting there...

Making the effort is almost always worth it

Today I was able to get together with two more friends. My favorite thing about moving and having one adventure after another, is the friends I get to make along the way.

Elise is my friend from FoodPlay. Our first 6 weeks of knowing each other we were together non stop in a mini van, hotel room, or touring a new city. In that kind of a situation, you REALLY get to know someone. It could have gone either way, but I'm glad that in the end of this situation we ended up friends.

It was Elise I turned to when I felt the travel bug gnawing at me again, so Greece is also on our list of places traveled together. It would be easy to say that (besides family) she is my favorite travel buddy.

The great thing about Elise is her honesty. She calls me on my crap 100% of the time, points out very quickly when I'm in a bad mood, and doesn't get upset when I do the same with her. I think its our differences that make the friendship interesting, and our similar passions that are helping it to last.

Today we met at Panda Express and just talked. It was so fun to get together to catch up, discuss our dating lives (or lack thereof), and be annoying - which is what we both do best.

Amy is my friend from BYU Hawaii. It was with Amy that I discovered the ability to travel and have adventures without a "responsible adult". For a whole summer in Laie Hawaii Amy and I studied, played, and had a "Saturday Adventure" every week.

We snorkeled, rode busses all day to find the best ice cream on the Island, visited the most crowded tourist attractions, and even got stranded at Walmart.

Tonight we realized that it's been a whole 7 years since that summer. Amy actually turned 18 while we were there. Now she's married and has a cute little girl, but we are able to get together occasionally and catch up.

Over Leatherby's Ice Cream Sundae's we discussed how its tough to keep in touch and often takes a lot of effort. After tonight I'm glad we both decided to put in that effort.

Amy is fun to talk to. I love her perspective on life and how she is so open with her opinions. She usually has good books to recommend, a funny story to tell, and something completely random that drives her crazy (tonight it was the lack of decent throw pillows in the Salt Lake Valley - she has decided to just make her own).

I like to bounce ideas off of her because she usually says exactly what's on her mind about an idea instead of trying to guess what I want to hear:

Me: Rollerblade commuting. What do you think?

Amy: It's ok to be quirky Liz. Being quirky is a good thing.

I'm happy that even after not seeing each other for almost a year, it still feels completely comfortable.

Maybe leaving town isn't so bad after all. If it gives incentive to have wonderful days like today, then I'll take it.

A Last Hoorah.

As the time of my departure nears, the number of people asking to get together with me increases. People are coming out of the woodwork. The last week in town is usually very busy and fun. These "get togethers" started tonight. I spent the night with two of my favorite people in the world, Robbie and Audrey.

The night started out with a dance party. I don't know what it is about this song but whenever we hear it we all have to dance.

Love them.

After a pizza dinner, we packed up and went to Boondocks. It was Robbie's idea. I asked him this morning what he wanted to do and when I got home he had decided that he wanted to miniature golf.

We had a great time. I don't mean to brag or anything, but I'm pretty sure I won. Just sayin...

The lady ahead of us offered to take a picture of all of us. Audrey was basically in that stroller the whole time, but she was being super cute.

After golfing we used the tokens that came with the purchase in the arcade. Robbie was on a snowmobile in this game. He actually beat the level. Impressive. It was also about this time that Audrey got bored of the stroller and decided to get out.

She sure thought she was something as she stood up in that stroller.

We had SO MUCH fun at Boondocks. The phrase, "This is so much fun!" was used multiple times by both of us. I'm pretty sure Audrey said it a few time too actually.

After cashing in our 46 tickets for two dum dums and one of those popper things, we left Boondocks for a "Special Treat" aka ice cream at Arctic Circle.

Robbie got a chocolate dipped ice cream cone. I wish I would've taken my camera inside (being a single mother is difficult, its hard to remember everything). He had ice cream ALL over his face, but he ate the whole thing.

We finally went home around 9:3o. Before I put Robbie to bed I broke the news to him that I am moving back to Cleveland. As usual he took it better than me. I cried while he said, "it's ok, you'll be able to send me cards and pictures."

Pajamas and bed happened around the same time that Katie and Sam walked in the door. Oops. But...worth it.

Best moments of the night

Rocking out to Bad Romance on the freeway

Robbie saying "You are doing such a GREAT job babysitting!"

Getting back to the house and having a 2 minute moment of silence while all 3 of us drank water.