Home is Where the Burrito Is: Day 9

Yesterday was a late start, and a day of mostly being reintroduced to Southern California traffic.  However, after a crawl through Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, we made it to our destination.  We saw another mission, a few famous beaches, and experienced a highly anticipated and mouth-watering carne asada burrito.  Now we're at our temporary home, at least for a few days until we head off to London, England.

And to the Edge of the Earth: Day 8

Yesterday we went as far west as we could and then turned south.  We started in Roseville with family, stopped at a Spanish mission, a fisherman's wharf, and wound our way down the California coast on the historic Highway 1.  We had planned to camp at Gaviota State Park outside of Santa Barbara, but the winds were gusting at 45+ mph, which made it impossible for us to set up our tent.  After searching for about an hour for a hotel, we settled into one closer into Santa Barbara for the night.

California or Bust: Day 7

Yesterday was a short scenic drive from Reno to Roseville, and included some stops which brought back nostalgic memories of camp to both of us.  Along our route we took some time to visit Lake Tahoe, Sutter’s Mill, and family in Roseville.  It was refreshing way to spend a Sunday afternoon on a road trip.

Went Through the Desert in a Soul with No Name: Day 6

Yesterday holds the record of the longest distance on a single road, at least so far this trip.  We got on the I-80 West in Salt Lake City and stayed on it for 515 miles until we got to Reno, Nevada.  Along the way we saw the Great Salt Lake, the Utah Desert, the Salt Flats, and the Nevada Desert.  We stopped to play in the salt and at another point to throw the baseball.  We ended the evening in Reno.

Escape to the Western Frontier: Day 5

Yesterday morning we said goodbye to Michael Glor after breakfast and returned to the I-80 heading west.  Our day included a one-man Japanese town, old bars, a small nation with cheap treats, and a near run-in with the Secret Service.  The landscape changed from high plains to a mountainous, semi-desert area, with a sprinkling of the upper Rockies in the middle.  At the end of a long day, we stayed in a hotel in Salt Lake City, UT.

Over the Hills and Through the High Plains: Day 4

Yesterday we were awakened early (5:20AM!) by the sun having already risen and in full-force over Badlands National Park.  We were able to sleep for a little bit longer, but eventually (6:20am) got up and broke down our tent and packed up the car.  We took the scenic route through the Badlands to experience the views throughout the rest of the park.  From then on, our day included large mountainous carvings, shorter and pointer landscapes, and a unique dining experience.

East River West River: Day 3

The third day of our road trip from Ambridge, PA to San Diego, CA started in Fairmont, MN at the Flying Goose Campground.  We drove on one road pretty much all day (I-90), entering South Dakota before lunch.  We stopped in Sioux Falls to view the falls and smell the meat packing plant (think canned cat food), went a little further to the World's Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, and then had a quick five cent cup of coffee at Al's Oasis.  The scenery was beautiful.  We traveled through farmlands growing corn and transitioned into ranch territory once we crossed over the Missouri River.  Finally, we entered Badlands National Park and set up our tent for the night.

The Farmer in the Dells: Day 2

Yesterday we traveled from Nashotah House, Wisconsin, northwest to Minneapolis, Minnesota to visit the Mall of America, and then southwest back to I-90 to our campground.  We stayed at Flying Goose Campground in Fairmont, Minnesota.  Along the way, we learned the definition of a dell, witnessed how picturesque the state of Wisconsin is, and came to understand (though Wikipedia) how important it is to America (Cheese!).  Our day went from a peaceful monastery setting to an expression of exorbitant consumerism to a placid campground on a lake.

Road Trip to San Diego:Day 1

Today could be called Day One, Toll Day, the Parable of the Seed Growing, the mystery of the Lost Credit Card, and an Emotional Rollercoaster Ride.  We traveled through five states today, beginning in Pennsylvania, and going through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and arriving in Wisconsin.  We are now settling into a home graciously opened to us by a seminarian couple at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary.