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I made it!!! (ridiculously long)
Hello my long-lost friends! Justin and I made it to Oakland after 9 days on the road visiting family and friends. I have so much to share!
First, we had to pack our things and load the Penske truck (by the way, if you are ever moving, this is the way to go... none of that U-Haul nonsense!). So many friends showed up in the rain to help us bring everything down from our 5th floor walk-up apartment (even some who hadn't previously volunteered) that we were done in under 2 hours! It was easier than I thought to leave our home empty and pathetic-looking (though some tears were shed as we pulled away), but much harder to part from our (some very emotional) friends. It was rough, but DH & I leaned on each other for support and pulled away knowing we were ready for our new life in Cali.
Our first stop after driving through pouring rain all the way through New Jersey was Pottsville, PA, my home town. It was very nice to see everyone, including my Mommom who recently had hip surgery, as you might recall... on a side note, I just found out moments ago that as she was flying to San Diego for my cousin's wedding, she fell at the Detroit airport because they wouldn't let her use her walker and is now in the hospital there. More on that when I find out. My BIL's Huntington's is progressing so rapidly and he is not good at all some days, to the point that they sleep in separate rooms because he tosses and turns and falls out of bed and talks in his sleep so much. It's sad because it's completely involuntary and my sister is left alone in a twin bed in the next room. For better or worse, in sickness and in health indeed. I love her so much, I just wish I could make it all better. *sigh* On a happier note, I spent some good time with my mom and everyone got to know Justin even better, since QT with him has been scarce since we lived in NYC and could only visit so often. My cousin and DH and I went to the local watering hole and shared a few long-overdue drinks and I met her new boyfriend and I approve!! I also got to see my childhood home (its condition too disturbing to even get into) and visit the cemetary where my dad and grandfather are buried. I hadn't been there in several years, so more tears. I know it sounds totally depressing, but I really did enjoy my time there!
Then it was a short 2 hour drive to State College, PA, the home of Penn State and where my friend Devon and her son and boyfriend live. We had soooo much fun just hanging out, enjoying the weather, dining al fresco and being silly like we did back in the day. We took pics all over campus and DH was very impressed (he went to UCLA, so a very different college experience). I got a shot with the Lion shrine, which I somehow never got in the 7 years I lived there, and 2 new PSU shirts. Good times.
Next was Livonia, Michigan to see Justin's Grandma. She was in the hospital after maybe having a stroke when we visited her over Christmas, but she is back home and doing quite well these days! Justin's Uncle Gary and his girfriend came over and we had pizza and Grandma regaled us with funny stories and famous quotes. She's pretty sharp for 88! We got up early the next morning to head out to my SIL's in Minneapolis... a 12 hour drive. I drove some of the way this time, but I had to practically beg to get behind the wheel! Guess my hubby likes the open road. 
Visiting our niece and nephew (4 and 1.5 respectively) was great. They are such happy, smart, fun-loving kids that it is a joy to be around them. Did I mention they're also well-behaved? If only I can be that lucky some day. Turns out, the day after we left, SIL's hubby, who had recently been laid off from his job, got an offer to work in Oakland! They accepted and will be moving here in August! Hubby is insanely excited to have them here too and we look forward to being able to raise the kids together. It's almost too good to be true! (Though I secretly wish it was my sissie instead.
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After Minneapolis, it was nothing but driving and hotels. On the advice of FIL, we spent a night in North Platte, Nebraska, which turned out to be kinda nice! The people were friendly and the hotel was perfect, so nothing to complain about. Next morning, we drove through the plains and obvious "wild west" country (complete with cowboy, buffalo and coyote memorabilia everywhere... oh, and the "watch for scorpions and snakes" sign on the roadside) of Nebraska and Wyoming to Salt Lake City, where we spent another night. The mountains around the city are so unbelievably beautiful, I can only describe them by telling you to picture "The Sound of Music." A pretty city that I would see again if given the opportunity. The next day's drive took us past the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats. If you haven't seen it, it is nothing but white salt as far as the eye can see, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Amazing. The road was seemingly endless and every time we came to a curve and thought it was over, another long, straight, flat stretch of road awaited us. When it was finally over, we were in the canyons and valleys of Nevada. Casinos popped up literally the instant we crossed the border! We were treated to more gorgeous mountain views and friendly people, but once we crossed into California, we were in for a HUGE surprise. We were stopped at an agricultural checkpoint (I guess to make sure we aren't bringing in any foreign plants or animals into national forest land) and were shocked by the cold when we had to get out to open the back of the truck! Hubby was only wearing shorts and a t-shirt! But, as we drove on, we started to see signs that chains were required and that it was snowing over the summit! I think we were still in disbelief until the windshield was so covered in snow and ice that we could hardly see 2 feet in front of us! It got so bad that I thought I would cry or be sick or have a panic attack. Thankfully, I did none of the above and helped Justin navigate the truck through it, and after what seemed like an eternity, we were mercifully off the mountains. From then on, it was sunny skies and smooth sailing all the way to his mother's house in the Oakland hills. We unpacked and returned the truck today, but it still doesn't quite feel real. We figure that once we have our own place in SF it will feel like we are official Californians. 
I've missed you all and can't wait to hear what's new!
xo
~k
Re: I made it!!! (ridiculously long)
That you for my goodnight story time.
AND WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA!
(Hopefully it will feel like California once the weather starts acting appropriately!)
MY BLOG!
That sounds like a fantastic road trip! I'm glad you both made it there safely. Welcome back!
Knitting Blog
Updated 3-12
Congrats, Kel! I'm glad to hear the trip was a success and you and DH made it in one piece
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Now, did you buy some cowboy memorabilia to decorate your next place or what?
pinterest
Glad the trip went well and turned into a memorable road trip - I can't believe you were in Livonia either, I used to live in the next city over and am about 20 miles from there, we could have had a mini knottie hang out session!
Keep us posted on Mommom's, I'm sorry to hear about her spill. Detroit airport security has been a real pain since the terrorist deal a few months ago. Hope she recovers soon!
Have fun settling in to your new digs!
Sounds like a great road trip! Be sure to post pictures soon!
Thanks ladies! We are having a great time so far. All unpacked, BBQ with friends from Bklyn yesterday, and job interviews on Tuesday! The weather could NOT be more beautiful too! Pics to follow when I figure out how to share an album of this magnitude with you all.
Much love!
~Kelly
PS- To the Michigan girls, we were only there overnight, so sadly, no GT would have been possible. Sorry to have passed through without saying hello!