Yesterday we felt like we just drove and drove and drove but it was absolutely wonderful. Our route took us along several of the scenic byways of southern Utah, which meant we had the roads all to ourselves while marveling at some of the most breathtaking views in the nation. 

After a very fun night with cousins in the southwestern corner of Colorado we spent the first half of our day at Mesa Verde. We had a terrible tour guide who talked at a snails pace and prefaced every speech with something like "Now I am going to tell you two important pieces of information...". It was hilarious. 

From Mesa Verde we drove back into Utah and up the Moki Dugway and Hwy 95 to Capitol Reef National Park. I also forgot to mention that we are almost finished with Steinbeck's East of Eden and we are completely hooked. If you haven't read it, please please do, and we would both recommend popping it in your cassette player while driving the backroads of the great west.

     

Enjoying a peaceful evening at the wind whistler campground. 

 

Our hike in the Needles portion of Canyonlands National Park

 

A brief stop at Natural Bridges National Monument. 

       

 

First Couple of Days

Just a couple of pics from the start of the trip. Aside from a broken tent (that adam rigged with a hefty stick), everything has gone smoothly so far. 

Packed Bags

Today was my last day in Missoula. I can't believe I am saying that, but i really did have my last Montana day for a long time. Adam will be coming back to pick up our things later in the summer but this is it for me. 

I will say that this final day was delightful. After enjoying breakfast and coffee and doing a quick search on craigslist for DC apartments, we headed downtown to the farmers market. We purchased some fresh salad and cucumbers for lunch and said some last minute goodbyes. The Saturday Market has become a ritual for us that we will miss dearly.

We also got some excellent (at least we think as much) book tapes that will be our soundtrack for the next five weeks on the road. East of Eden, The Holcroft Covenant, The River Why, and Red Storm Rising will hopefully keep us going through the deserts of southern Utah and the coast of California.

Lastly, after a rigorous afternoon of packing, we enjoyed a peaceful dinner on the front porch while watching neighbors stroll by and the sun go down. We are happier people for having lived in this place and only hope that life will lead us back here someday. 

For now, on to the next adventure...

On the road again...

The past few weeks have been a blur. Work, school, travel, studying, work, etc have been consuming our days to the point where sometimes I will wake up at 5:50 am and not see Adam until 10:00 pm. This may sound dramatic, but I am not okay with this chaotic pace and will be incredibly relieved when we can find reprieve.  

Now that I have vented my exhaustion, I will admit that amidst the business of April and May, I have had quite a bit to look forward to. Adam and I decided that in celebration of two fabulous years of matrimony as well as in preparation for 4 tough years ahead, we shall embark on a 4.5 week road trip of the great west. We thought that in conclusion of 2 great years in Missoula, we would take advantage of our current geography and hit the road to soak up the beauty the western states. Our current plans (or lack thereof) are to hit the road in mid-June and drive down through Utah, visiting Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion, Arches, Cedar Breaks, etc. Once we hav

e made it to the bottom and back of the Grand Canyon, we will cut across to the coast and head up highway 1 until we reach Portland. 

If anyone knows of cool places to eat, drink, surf, hike, sleep, etc., we would LOVE your suggestions. 

                        

Extravagances

"The extravagant gesture is the very stuff of creation. After one extravagant gesture of creation in the first place, the universe has continued to deal exclusively in extravagances, flinging intricacies and colossi down aeons of emptiness, heaping profusions on profligacies with fresh vigor. The whole show has been on fire since the word go!"

Annie Dillard

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Curious about the Green Thumb

So, I have had several people ask about the progress of our indoor garden plot and I thought it best to just give you a brief picture overview. I get periodic updates on the actual size of our garden and the latest number of species in our 800 square foot apartment is approximately 140. It continues to amaze me how Adam can take a small, shriveled leaf or clipping and within weeks there is brand new life sprouting out of the soil. 

I will give myself a brief plug because I have not reached the level of full time greenhouse caretaker and find joy in any success. I am usually much more content to watch the planting, watering, and waiting process, rather than participate and, heaven forbid, risk plant injury or death. However, despite my insecurities when it comes to our gardens, Adam was gone for a week to Portland, and he returned with not a single tragedy to grieve. Granted, my only job was to water specific plants that were in the germination stage  (about four out of the whopping 140) , but I am proud nonetheless. 

If you are not a plant lover or struggle to find joy in new green growth, take it from a novice who has the most rudimentary of skills when I say that it is all worth it. From one puny aloe plant 3 years ago, we (mostly he) have learned to treasure the greenery that blankets our windowsills and dresser tops. And, we like to think that in some small way we are contributing to the beauty of the earth. 

Now, enjoy a little picture tour of our progress to date. 

String of Pearls...One of my favorites.

Some of our babies

Is it possible?

Well, if you can believe it, we have come to the end of this long saga of decisions and deadlines. After many hard but fruitful conversations over the course of the past 6 months, we have made a final decision on where we will spend the next half-decade of our lives together. Out of a pool of 16 different schools, representing approximately 12 different states, we can say with much excitement that we are headed to the nation's vibrant capital, Washington D.C.!! Adam will be attending the University of Maryland for his PhD in Communication Studies and I will be enrolled at George Washington University for my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

We would like to thank all of you who have prayed with us and for us throughout this process. We have been so blessed by your support and encouragement. Most of all we have realized "Great is His faithfulness!"

Happy Day

Spelling D.C. Backwards.