The Trip

We had an amazing time driving across America to get here. The first day of travel to Denver went the absolute quickest. When we arrived in Ft. Collins (where we stayed the night) it hadn't really seemed like we had been driving for twelve hours. We stayed with my friends Jana and Chris, whose hospitality was incredible. They took us out that night to some really cool bars in Ft. Collins, which is little more than a college town. The next morning, Jana made us a huge and delicious breakfast like a good one night stand should (her words, not mine). Thanks a ton, Jana and Chris!

The next day we went to Mandy's house in Denver for a BBQ. We learned that you cannot purchase any beer in Colorado that isn't trashy beer ever unless you visit a super-liquor store. It was great to see Mandy again...And Teri was there, too. I knew them when I lived in the dorms my freshman year of college. It was here that Kelly and I were first introduced with the "fiancee" term...Very, very different...Thanks a million, Mandy and Hillary!

That night we stayed with Bethany's mom and Sedona, who should have gone into labor while we were there. Sedona is a golden retriever who is still expecting nine puppies any time now. It was here that we received our first "happy engagement" card and Kelly received his first "Welcome to the family." Thanks so much, Mom!

Driving to St. Louis was uneventful except for the plethora of XXX shops along the freeway. Our favorites were the ones next to the billboard that read "JESUS SAVES...pornography kills."

St. Louis was incredible. The hotel was one of the worst hotels I've ever seen and had we not been hooked up with a stellar room discount via Bethany, we would NOT have stayed there. Thanks a bunch, Bethany!

The one thing the hotel did have going for it was that it was in a great location. The day we spent there, we walked everywhere and never strayed more than four blocks from the hotel. Our tour included a nice local Mexican restaurant, a ride on a ferry on the Mississippi river, a ride to the top of the arch and a baseball game. I didn't think I was going to like going to the game but Kelly was really looking forward to it all day because he grew up playing baseball. Rather, I loved the game and the best part about it was that he sat there telling me what was going on the whole time. I used to not really like baseball, much less understand it. Now I don't think it looks all that difficult. I think I should play for the majors.

Then we drove to Virginia; again rather uneventful. But then we got to Matt and Jaime's where we stayed for the night. They were super awesome about the fact that I am allergic to their cats and had a gift for us to help finish our trip. Visiting with them was great because it gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with some of Kelly's friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you Matt and Jaime!

And finally we are here in Virginia. Yesterday we did all the checking in stuff and started unpacking. Today we walked around the town and went shopping for some stuff I've found I'll need and for some stuff I didn't bring with me. Kelly has been helping mostly by fixing and assembling things as they arise, which I love because that sort of stuff is the stuff I will usually just live with as it is until I become absolutely sick of it and fix it myself.

The biggest thanks of all goes out to my parents, who helped make the entire trip what it was.

Well that's about it for now. I promise I'll write about something more interesting soon...I just wanted to throw out an update.