Mount Rainier

Uploaded a few shots of Mount Rainier to the flickr.



The job search out here is in full effect.

Point Defiance

We had a day of trying to waste a day in Tacoma. So Mike suggested the zoo. which overall, wasn't too impressive, but we made some fun out of it. About the only thing at the zoo that was exciting was a crow that imitated people's voices and asked Mike and Lindsay "How are you?" and totally threw them off. Also spotted was a super tiny frog, and the amazing ice cream squirrel (see below). We also took a round Point Defiance Park, which was awesomely green and nice.

Ocean

Things are slowly catching up with me, and I have a laundry list of things I need to accomplish. Soon. Quickly. But with that being said, the fast internets have been officially installed. It was probably a 4 hour ordeal this morning, but we're in full effect now. I'm still behind with my photos. I uploaded some photos from our Ocean venture last week (09/08), and still have a few more days to upload. whew.

Tacoma

Actually residing in Tacoma, for the time being, in the ever-so-friendly household of the Hawkins, who had their second child today! yay! It's actually about 30 or so mins. south of Seattle. Which isn't too bad, but we have just been riding the bus to Seattle (all 2 times we went). We went down to downtown Tacoma. and I snapped a few shots of the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and Museum of Glass. See below. and more available on Flickr, as usual.




We did revisit the area during the daytime/dusk-ish, and I'll have those up sometime this week.

Seattle

So I'm not actually living in Seattle (yet), but we did go there. We're about 30 or so mins away right now. which isn't bad. I uploaded some pictures from our first visit to downtown Seattle. We went again today, so there might be a couple more photos (just the Pike's Place signs) coming soon.

Downtown is quite overwhelming. More so the first time. The second time seemed a bit better. and I would really like to move closer to that. Not so much the hussle and bussle of things, but being close to ALL of that. Plus they have events going on pretty much every week. We have been on a couple conversations about how diverse the city is, and I really like that. Just brings in all sorts of people and not really getting/giving any weird looks. Another thing I've noticed is everyone else has cameras, so I'm not really bothered about taking my photos anywhere, which is also nice.

We've been in Tourist mode this past week, but I think our little run ended today and next week is full job hunt mode. Wish us luck. My photo uploads will probably begin to disperse as well. But I will try to keep everyone posted.

Day Four Recap

Not much to say about Day Four of driving. We tried to sleep in, but was interrupted by texts and phone calls in the early morning. Our first experience living on Pacific Time zone. People calling you at 9, not realizing it's not 11-12 for us. Thanks. Finally got out the door and drove our last 8 hours or so. Must say, when we got into WA, it wasn't looking too promising. But once we got a couple hours in, the view was fantastic. I must say, Washington was the prettiest state we drove through, glad it was our stopping point as well. I wasn't able to snap any photos while driving through Washington due to the winding roads and such. I didn't want to endanger myself, Those boring roads in Wyoming and Idaho allowed me to spend a lot more time doing nothing slash taking pictures.

We made it though. Finally. I believe we drove around 43 hours. I am also in the process of calculating my total mileage/mpg as well. which my ole Honda got amazing gas mileage. We also have a few notes written down in Mike's moleskin, which I need to copy over. I will have a final driving recap soon.

Photos coming soon: Seattle, Glass Museum Exterior photos, Pacific Ocean..

Day Three Recap

Day Three ran a little better, especially leaving the unbearable reigns of Kansas and Wyoming....Utah was a nice change of pace. and then we hit Idaho. Oh wait, Idaho looks exactly like Kansas but with hills. Lame. We did manage a stop in Twin Falls, which was a bit random all to itself and ended up seeing a couple neat items (Snake River Canyon). We finally made it through Idaho (two states in one day, yes!), and onto Oregon. Funny story about Oregon.

We pulled up into Ontario, Oregon, which is the first city you run into. and I notice Mike talking to one of the workers at the gas station. Come to find out that it's state law that THEY pump your gas. We were just flabbergasted by this. We found it so hilarious, Lindsay actually photographed the girl that pumped our gas. She even cleaned my windshield without even asking. Crazy.

And then we ended up staying, at what we deemed as the worst name for a hotel: Mr. Sandman Hotel (the others close by were full).

Check out Flickr for visual details.

We did go to the Ocean today, but didn't camp. I will have pictures of that venture, probably in a couple times. I'm still playing catch up with my photos. I think I'm about 3 days behind right now. Makes it a bit difficult when I'm shooting about 50 photos a day.

Day Two Recap and Week One Begins

Some more photos are uploaded to Flickr. Including our drive through Wyoming. We stopped at the Abraham Lincoln Monument (see below), and later at a 50s style diner in Rawlins, WY. Funny story there. We went hours driving through WY. and while we were eating, I made a comment about how it felt like we had drove for 6 days through Wyoming and we were laughing hysterically. Out of no where, this hippie guy (and female companion) came up to us and were like, "you guys burners?" Still laughing, we told him No. I don't think he believed us, due to our unstoppable laughter. And on the sidenote, I had some Mello Yello there. Man, that was good, I haven't had that in like ten years. I just need to get my hands on some Cactus Cooler now.

I have been trying to put up a daily post to catch up everyone on the happenings this past week. I will be gone tomorrow evening, hopefully camping near the Ocean.

Moving Photos

I have uploaded Day One photos to my flickr. It was a slow photo day. I will be putting more up periodically (and chronologically). I uploaded about 2.5 gigs tonight, so there will more than likely be a constant flow for the next week or so. In regards of Lindsay F's comment, the weather out here has been super awesome. I realize when the rain comes, it will be like that for months on end. But right the last couple days have been amazingly nice, and the forecast right now is 7 days of awesomeness.

Washington

I'm here. After four long days of travel, I'm here. I haven't been able to really sit down and write/type out all of the adventures this past week, but I will try to do so shortly. Most of the travels were pretty boring, due to our slow pace and me sitting in my car by myself 99% of the trip. We're trying to take it easy this next week or so and try to get ourselves situated. There is quite an overwhelming wave over me, being in a real city. I think it will take some time to get adjusted to it. but will work out. For right now, we are taking small trips around, to familiarize ourselves with the area, as well as enjoy the awesome scenery.

I will have pictures uploaded here this week as well, as I will probably upload them chronologically. I already have 150+, and prob. close to 200. so I will have to sift through and try to find ones that actually are worth looking at.

In other news, I'm fully aware of the new OKC Thunder Logo. and fully aware of how awful it is. I will have a full analysis on it later.

Day Two

I will try to have a more detailed itinerary of what has occured the last couple days. Basically, our trip has been extended due to our overestimating the power of our Budget truck. Our max speed is prob. averaging 55, which is making the driving twice as long. or so it seems. We drove through Wyoming today, for what seemed like 6 days. But we're less than 10 miles away from getting out. Two more days, and then we will be planting our feet in Washington. More coming soon...