Saturday, August 30, 2008
New Shoes
Phoebe got new shoes! Lace-up ones at that. Now that she has been walking everywhere for over a month, (i have almost forgotten that she used to crawl) we have entered the shoe-tying stage of life.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Strawberry Shortcake Plate
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Salmon Creek Beach, CA
In & Out Burger
One of the greatest part of living on the west coast is In & Out Burger, arguably the best fast food burger restaurant in the world. I almost always order a double-double animal style with fries and a neapolitan milkshake.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Our new apartment
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Barstow, CA
Barstow is located along Rt.15 and Rt.40 just outside of the Majave Desert. Barstow was originally founded by Barry "Bonehead" Barstow (I'm assuming that's what the founding father's name was) who was a man with great visions and dreams. "Bonehead" Barstow decided that he wanted to develop a city by taking all the best qualities of all the cities around the world - grass, flowers, water, trees, shrubbery, beauty - and throw them all out the window. Soon the city of Barstow came to be, and thus Barry "Bonehead" Barstow permanently etched his name in the annals of history, right below the founding father of Bakersfield. Seriously, though, whoever decided to settle in Barstow must have either been crazed out of their mind or just a total numbskull. The Majave Desert has more vegetation than Barstow. Anyway, it was probably 110 degrees, so we got out of there as quick as possible. Also, over 20,000 people live there, so I'm fairly certain the city doesn't contain the most mentally sound people. Honestly. Whoever would decide to live in Barstow has to have a few screws loose.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
NM/AZ Border
New Mexico and Arizona are two gorgeous states. Basically, from Albuquerque, NM to Kingman, AZ it is a unending panorama of beauty. I woke up in the Walmart parking lot in Gallup, NM to a beautiful morning and a short while later stopped at the NM/AZ border/Welcome Center to fill up water bottles and to take some pictures. As you can see, the scenery is breathtaking.
I knew it would hit me...
As I got all packed up and said goodbye to everyone in Harrisonburg I was aware of the fact that I was not emotionally present. I think there was too much going on with preparing to move that my heart got left a few days behind. People would ask me things like, "Are you sad about leaving?" I did not feel sad at the time, but I knew that the reality that I was leaving my home would eventually catch up with me sometime. Well, it hit me yesterday, August 6th, at about 3pm, shortly after leaving Hardesty. I think the vast, empty prairie of nothingness reminded me that I was truly away from home and that so much of what I held dear was left behind me, leaving me to feel very alone, small, and scared. I was slowly engulfed in a wave of deep sadness over leaving my home in Harrisonburg - a home I loved so dearly. I l welcomed the grief because it was good, felt wonderful, and was so cathartic. Some people avoid crying and feeling sad like the plague, but I love it. Within the sadness there is a deep joy that comes from having people and a place to love, and being loved in return. Oh, how I miss my home, but praise be to God that I have an eternal home in his warm, loving embrace!
Hardesty, OK
Prior to my departure, my wonderful boss Cheryl surprised me with a US atlas in which she had outlined a possible route for me to take across the country. Included in this route was her hometown, Hardesty, Oklahoma, on the panhandle of the state. After leaving Oklahoma City, Amos and I drove up to the panhandle and nearly drove through the town it was so small. The town is literally only half a mile long. Amos and I were looking for Big D's Cafe and missed it, and the next second we were outside the town. So we had to go back in and ask a local kid and he showed us where it was. Amos and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Big D's - the Big D's Cheeseburger and Prairie Chips. Anyway, thanks, Cheryl, for the wonderful suggestion of going through Hardesty. I can't believe you grew up there! It's seriously in the middle of absolutely nowhere!!
A couple miles outside of Hardesty. Nothing as far as the eye can see...
A couple miles outside of Hardesty. Nothing as far as the eye can see...
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Oklahoma City, OK
Amos and I arrived in Oklahoma City last night about 9:30pm. We spent the night with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Eric and Anna. We had a great time catching up with them briefly last night. It was short, but sweet, and I will look forward to seeing them again soon. They are two fantastic people who love dearly. Now we are off to Arizona! More later.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
St. Louis, MO
So some cool news about this trip is that my brother Amos was able to meet me in St. Louis to join me the rest of the way. I've enjoyed spending today talking to him and look forward to the next few days we will be able to spend time together. Anyway, his flight to St. Louis was delayed, therefore I had some time to kill, and I killed it by visiting the St. Louis Arch. What a magnificent structure! The sheer size of the arch is incredible! It was my first time to see it in person and I was blown away. Too bad it's in such a crummy location. The weather was miserable. It was 100 degrees with 100% humidity. To top it off, my AC stopped working for about 20 minutes because of how humid it was. Let's just say that I almost wished I had skipped the arch just to stay cool.
Lexington, VA
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