Road Trip - Days 1 and 2

So, we have begun the trek.  Yesterday our alarms went off at 2:30 AM and we were merging onto the 210 east from Pasadena at 3:20.  Never did we imagine that 20!!! hours later we would still be driving!  Let me back up...

This summer Andrew and I decided that we wanted to take advantage of a last (for awhile) opportunity to drive like crazy across the country.  As it is every summer, Minnesota was a hot spot on our list of destinations and we wanted flexibility to stay as long as we wanted.  With that in mind, there were also several places between Pasadena and Minnesota that I had never been to and wanted to explore.  So, the decision was made - we would drive our trusty Sentra across the country and make a road trip out of our journey.  We love road trips anyways, so this really wasn't a difficult decision.

On day one of the adventure we put on over 1,000 miles and visited 6 states (CA, NV, AZ, UT, ID, WY)!  As I said - 20 hours wasn't our plan but we got stopped for over an hour in UT behind a terrible semi accident/fire and then because of that, ran into rush hour traffic in Salt Lake City.  No offense to anyone, but Andrew and I have decided that Utah is our least favorite state.  SO HOT.  Luckily, our friend Joey and his trusty iphone came to the rescue and directed us to the nearest Sonic for a refreshing limeade!  A few minor gliches...I think I was a bit overheated/motion sickness (again!) in the Las Vegas area.  Luckily, as I ordered an egg mcmuffin for Andrew, I recognized this and was able to make it to the bathroom on time!  I am also glad that that I threw an extra plastic bag in the car, just in case, which I also had to utilize along the road!  I thought the second trimester was supposed to be lessening of these problems!  

However, now, I sit here in the Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Tetons, sipping hot chocolate and enjoying the COLD, drizzly weather!  Its perfect.  I can't believe the contrast of terrain that we have seen in the past day or so.  This is by far superior.  As much as we love SoCal, Andrew and I are northerners to the core.  We need water.  We need grass and trees and are much more comfortable in a place like this.  It's beautiful.  Today we are resting and relaxing after our long day of driving and will hit the trail in the morning for a day of, slow and easy, hiking.  I'm on the lookout for moose, bison and/or bear.  I am amazed at God's handiwork as I look out over the mountains and lakes, He is truly an artist.

We will hike tomorrow, camp tomorrow evening and then head out through Yellowstone on Sunday.  Monday morning we will be up bright and early for another long day - this time through South Dakota and onto the pride lands...yes, Minnesota, here we come.