For all my friends and family back home!!

I knew it was going to be hard to leave home, but I never knew it would have been this hard. Leaving Iowa City was a tough day for me. Saying goodbye to my friends and newly found family was extremely hard. I cried for the first hour of the trip back to Audubon. I thought I was having mini panic attacks thinking about how I'd never wake up and drive to Stuff Etc ever again and I might not ever see some of those smiley faces. After getting to Audubon I was at ease to be with my family. We hung out and did the usual play and eat routine that we normally do. That night was by far the hardest. I cried myself to sleep wondering if I was making the right decision. I wanted badly to just say I am not going and drive back to Iowa City and unpack my car. The next morning didnt help either. It was much harder saying goodbye to my parents than I had anticipated. My mom started to cry and I could tell my dad wasnt far from it either. I felt like they were disappointed with my decision. I felt HORRIBLE driving away and poor Andy had to listen to my bawl most of the remaining drive through Iowa! After a few hours of down time and not talking I finally started to come around. Driving out of the midwest was quite the adventure. There was way more to see than just corn fields so I was able to concentrate on better things.

Rock that Rheannon gave me to bring me good vibes! Dont worry girl, Ill set it in the moonlight every full moon so it can recharge!!

Packin' up the Grand Am! My whole life fits in one car now! It was absolutely packed to the max and needless to say it was an interesting ride.

Saying later to my best friend of 15 years!!

More hugs!

Driving through South Dakota my mom insisted that we had to pull off to see the birth place of the reason I exist, my grandpa! It was a tiny little town with nothing there, but it was nice to see where he came from. I wish I had more of a tour guide than just my mom via phone. I wasnt able to find most of what she wanted us to see.

I dont quite understand how someone can become soo sucessful coming from such a tiny limiting town. I am so proud of and lucky to have my grandpa in my life! He is such an inspiration.

There was also this horrible little town called Wall, they advertized it for literally hundreds of miles. We swung through it really quick, I dont think Id waste my time going back but Andy thought it was a must see!

The "pretty" decor

Our first night we ended up pulling off the interstate to find a hotel but all the hotels were booked for a wedding BUT the locally owned MOTEL had a room available...welcome to floral hell! It was so scary. I honestly thought for awhile that we might not make it through the night. It was straight out of the movie Vacancy. I even had to turn the tv on right away and flip through the channels to make sure we werent on there. I also tried pulling the mirrors of the walls just to double check that there was wall behind them!!

The windows didnt even shut all the way. It was almost like we were staying in a tiny camper...but worse. The walls were paper thin and we had the pleasure of being waken up very early to a cat meowing outside the door!

We woke up and had some good breakfast at a local cafe. Lots of cowboys and several stares. You could tell we were out of place and people were wondering what the hell we were doing in their town.

Eat your heart out Paris Hilton. A whole new way to tote around your dog! I had to take a picture, it was just too funny.

Before we were even able to leave we realized how shot my breaks were so we went to a Dakota Lube to have them checked out. 150 dollars and 2 hours later we were finally back on the road.

After 20 some hours in the car we finally reached Washington! I am absolutely amazed by how clean and beautiful it is here. I hate to say it, but I think I am going to love it here. Heres a preview picture of more to come in my next blog. I love you and miss you all so much!!