Settling In

So we made it all the way up here to Washington, and it was almost disappointing how simply it all went. I was bracing myself for an epic, possibly miserable, trek of gigantic proportions. You know, some kind of Kerouacian journey of self-discovery and lasting transformation, etc. But it was a really easy trip. Every night, we finished driving, and it was like, "Eh, that wasn't so bad..." and then the next day was the same thing. I'm grateful, but in a way, it's almost like I wanted to feel a little greater sense of accomplishment. I guess the writers of the great road stories and the sojourners that finish their trip more enlightened are very different from the married couple moving on the cheap and getting there as quickly as possible. We could have made the road itself our destination if we had really tried, but the truth is, Silverdale, Washington was the target, and we weren't kidding anybody. Maybe next time I'll stretch it out to a month and see what happens.
Some highlights of the trip:
A sign in rural Virginia, down by Tennessee, that advertised "Tuesday Nights, Unlimited Meats, Soft Serve Vegetables." (Someone didn't read that book about commas and stuff...)
A town called Bucksnort. There was some conjecture regarding how the name may have come to be. There were also towns called Troutville and Bovina. These names were a little more straightforward and consequently excited less conjecture.
Gas was a little less expansive in price range than we expected. $2.56 right before 81 South in Virginia to $3.09 in Aurora, CO.
Animal sightings included buffalo, a herd of sheep being babysat by a single llama, clouds shaped like a whale and a backstroking bear, little four-legged creatures that looked like impalas but probably weren't since impalas apparently aren't indigenous to the US, and finally, a pirate captain-sized parrot perched on the shoulder of a man driving a pickup truck through Oregon.
I also have some pictures for you. Here you go. First is a really interesting rock formation in Wyoming. It looked like pebble piles that had been blown up by Wayne Szalinski.
There was a variety of rocks and topography in Wyoming. It was actually kind of impressive how many different types of scenery were in one corner of one state. Here's another view from the car.And then in one part of the trip, we actually got to go through a tunnel that went right through a mountain like in Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote cartoons. Coooooool! I was so excited that I had to point, even though it's not polite.
And then one more picture, and I wish it could do its subject justice. I realize you can't see it much, but if you click, you can see it a tiny bit better. It's the best we could do with a simple camera from a car. On the way up here to Silverdale, we saw Mt. Rainier. Contrary to what you may have heard, northwest Washington doesn't actually get all that much rain, but it is overcast pretty often, so a sighting of an unobstructed Mt. Rainier is something to appreciate.
There you are. Washington. It's really great to be here. I know this is a good step for us, and I'm excited to make new friends and do all sorts of new things. It will be great. At the same time, it's not the easiest thing in the world just yet. Making new friends will be great, but missing my old ones is tough. I haven't found a job yet. I don't know my way around. You know, all of the normal difficulties with moving to a new place. Plus my family is all back east, so that's tough as well. I do know that all of the adjustment and the settling will be an adventure, and I really do intend to keep you posted on here. I'm not that regular with my posts usually, but I would really like to be, so keep checking in, and hopefully I'll have new pictures and news and stuff for you a little more often, or at least consistently, than I have in the past. I'll do my best. Just leave a comment every now and then so I know anyone is actually reading. In the mean time, pray for us as we get started, and let us know how you're all doing as well. Bye bye.

Kent