Home on the Rain

DAY NINE: Spokane WA to Sammamish, WA

OK, so it's not raining here at all but we thought it'd sound clever to give a nod towards our home region's stereotype for rain. In fact, it is quite lovely here in Sammamish, WA--after unloading the trailer, "M" came over to get "K" and we ended up going to Mexican in Redmond with my Dad and...I need time to decompress from such a long and fantabulous journey.

3300+ miles, 12 states, no speeding tickets, no lost car keys or stolen items, clear sunny weather daily, so many new folks along the way, and a whole heck of a lotta fun. We have arrived!

A few pics from today--I am beat for now. Will add more later, so don't forget to let us know you are reading!

Good hydrations: this plastic garbage bag was FULL of our plastic bottles for recyling. We really absorbed lots of H20 and also fizzy drinks. Our booze bottles are not in here because they are glass, which gets a different bin and all. Thanks to Shanley for offering to recycle stuff in Spokane!

The triumvirate strikes again in Spokane...

Starbucks, Spokane: after an incredibly complicated time getting our drive-thru order settled with the baristas, "K" mused, "If I had left a tip, I'd be scrounging in the tip jar right about now to take it all back...!"

I bet this is what you think of when you picture "Washington, The Evergreen State", huh? But did you know WA is a massive producer of WHEAT, wheat and more what?



Swheat! Off Highway 2, east of Spokane. It's hard for us not to have Wazzu flashbacks in this kind of landscape...





Then the terrain starts to change...

We only have THIS far left to go...!

This is the only traffic holdup we experienced on our entire trip...(here: between Ephrata, Quincy and Vantage, WA)

...we are NOT amused by this situation.

Yes, there really IS a George, Washington. Complete with the 'Martha Inn' (now accepting credit cards).

What? You don't believe me?

Heading down towards Vantage, WA to the Columbia River to get on I-90. Still windy on this part of the drive just like it is every time one drives here, no matter how many years pass between such journeys.

Roll On, Columbia! ("I haven't been here since...the last time I was here." --Lisaopolis, 09/2007)

The Columbia River (at Vantage, WA)

Hark! What's that I see in the distance? It's Mount Rainier. A welcome reward for scaling the seemingly neverending Vantage Hill

Ellensburg, WA.

Quick trek to the Thorp fruit stand, Thorp, WA. "K" is considering leaving her husband for me because I'm always willing to stop for coffee, at fruit stands, and at general rural and/or folksy points of interest. Look, I don't make the news, I just report it.

Fresh and fragrant!

Getting closer to western WA...

Yay, the Cascade Mountains!

Lunch stop at McKean's for burgs in Cle Elum (since I am, after all, Little Lisa "H", of the Cle Elum "H's"). I think the ladies who work there just get crankier with each passing year. But the burgs do not disappoint.

Remember the 10,000 Silver Dollar bar knick-knacks I told you about yesterday? My new $3.00 ring has totally already turned my finger green, the piece of crap...

Madge's very last mountain ascent (up towards Snoqualmie Pass)

...and for the second time on the trip, she passes another vehicle.

Oh ya we are almost home.







Down we go...

Between North Bend and Snoqualmie

North Bend, WA: last turn off to a McD's iced coffee

Redmond-Fall City Hwy, woo hoo, almost there...

Home in Sammamish, WA: see? The trailer was actually totally empty the whole time...

Just kidding!

We hope you have enjoyed our travel blog--we have way more stories and classic one-liners than are humanly possible to post here since we were usually pretty tired after each day of driving. But it sure has been fun to share some of them with you. Anything else you want to know about the trip? Your comments, please!

Goodnight!

Spoke-n-Poke

DAY EIGHT: Deer Lodge, Montana to Spokane, Washington; via Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Ladies and Gentlemen: we are back in the Pacific Northwest. I repeat, we are back in the PacNW. Beyond cowboy country and into logging territory. Tall pines, high mountain passes and everything a bit rougher around the edges, woohoo!

Greetings from Spokane, WA, where we are watching "Wizard of Oz" at the home of our sorority sister "Shanley" over mojitos and two of her young boys--they let me know that it was OK to use the MacBook in the TV room, and that drinks are allowed, but no food. They are SO ca-yoooot and it's wonderful to see them all again on our trek homeward. See?

It's especially gratifying to watch The Wizard of Oz now that I have...BEEN TO KANSAS! It makes me appreciate the threat of tornados on the prairies even more. "K" just pointed out, "Hey, that doesn't look like Kansas, that looks like..Wyoming."

This morning we awoke to slightly overcast skies and a few rain drops in curious old Deer Lodge, MT. The slight smell of fall in the air. While doing our usual safety-first-pre-drive-auto-check, I had to fill the coolant tank because it was BONE DRY from our apparently very high yet gradual ascent during yesterday's drives. Breakfast was at the restaurant next to the motel; let me hereby recommend the free hot breakfast and staying at Scharf's if you find yourself in 'the Lodge'. An egg, hashbrowns, toast, bacon and coffee--now that's what I call satisfying. The skies cleared up and we went over to the Old Montana Jail but didn't want to spring for the nine dollar admission price (spare me!), so we just looked from outside. Apparently Deer Lodge was quite the debauchery site back in the day. And it was in operation until 1979. Gosh!

Continuing on I-90 West, we headed towards and through Missoula--patches of the recent forest fires evident along the drive. "K" suggested stopping at one of her Montana drive haunts, the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar near the Montana/Idaho border. The town name starts with an "H" or something; I was so overwhelmed at the tons of quality made-in-China souvenirs and chuckling a the irony when a large busload of Chinese or Taiwanese tourists happened upon the store. Humh: all the way from Asia to a 'Western' bar/restaurant/store only to find...crap made in China.

You will be pleased to know that the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar store experience did not disappoint. We bought some souvenirs (OK, call it 'crap' if you prefer). Then we grabbed some lunch, and I was mistaken for a waitress while walking from the ladies' room back to my table in the restaurant. Here is a short re-cap of the scene:

Restaurant patron to me: "Can I get a carry-out box?"
Me: "I don't know."
Patron: ...?
Me: "I don't work here."

Then we laughed knowingly, in true pioneer/mountaineer fashion. At least that's my side of the story. Apparently my blue t-shirt was similar to the blue t-shirts that all the waitresses were wearing. Who knew?

Full of food and curios, we re-stared the car--and this was the point when, TA-DA!, the CD player mysteriously went back on! For miles! And miles! Working again after nothing since Nebraska! WhatEVS! I blame the magnetic force of the Continental Divide and/or any other natural and unexplainable phenomenon.

Thank goodness I had that Keith Urban CD, because Allison Krauss was just too mellow for us as we started our ascent up the pass into the panhandle--Madge did an amazingly swell job. We then went through Coeur d'Alene ('core-dah-LANE'), Idaho, a nice little town popular for its huge lake and touristy-fun main street. Cafes everywhere. Rest assured that you will not go latte-less in these parts. Then we created a new mission: a nail place. Because you see, at this point, after eight days on the road, we needed a relaxing pit stop. Darn it, we were back in the PacNW, so close to home yet still over 300 miles to go. So after CROSSING THE BORDER INTO WASHINGTON STATE (holla!), we hit a nail place and boy, did that foot massage feel nice. Next stop was Shanley's where we have enjoyed the closing of another sunny, warm day over pad thai and relaxing.

Tomorrow AM we'll head out and get back to east of Seattle before too late in the day, hopefully. I predict that the only really nightmarish portion of the drive will be over the Ritzville Flats. Yeeeesh. Seriously, give me eastern Wyoming over the flats ANY day. And that is saying a lot. But I bet the first glimpses of our Cascade mountains will compensate for any geographical anguish.

Here are a few shots of the day--keep commenting and we will report happenings from our final road day tomorrow!

In case you were wondering, Deer Lodge, MT still only has one traffic light. Squint hard and you might see it in this pic:

Missoula, MT

Don't believe the hype that Boise, ID is the most westerly Cracker Barrel. There is one in Missoula, MT now. Hmm, now those delish pancakes are only a 12-hour drive from my parents' in Sammamish, WA...oh, the possibilities.

Espresso stop in Alberton, MT. A fine small mountain pass town.

Alberton, MT

"OK. Now that I have latte in hand, I am ready to drive. Watch out."

See? It really is the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar. Don't miss it if you're crossing ID/MT on I-90.

At the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar: "I mean seriously. WHO buys this crap?!"

Idaho? NO: Udaho!

Descending Lookout Pass (4600 feet). What goes up, must come down. And the view is grand.

This pic is included to share the moment with you: Madge passes another vehicle on the interstate! This is only possible when going down treacherous mountain passes with intermitent pumps of the brakes (avoid brake-riding at all costs, road warriors).

Lake Coeur d'Alene (flashbacks to old college days of debauchery on those lake cruises. What was up with those?)

Dear readers, we have contact.

Celebratory mani-pedis outside Spokane...

Blue. Go figure.

Drive-by (photo)shoot: Spokane

Spokane, WA

Mojito Mama hooking us up. Cheers!

Yellowstoned

This is ranch country. Big Sky, baby!

DAY SEVEN: Cody, WY to Deer Lodge, Montana (via Yellowstone National Park). Greetings from Scharf's Motor Inn, in beautiful downtown Deer Lodge, MT, Montana's 'second-oldest city'. So we're off I-90 now, between Butte and Missoula. Yes, we popped back up onto, gasp, an interstate for a bit.

Driving in tonight to Deer Lodge was hillarious because "K" and I both realized we'd both been here before on separate past trips: I was here while driving through on my x-country trip out to PA and I recognized the town's old prison and was all "Woah--I've been here before." And "K" got a moving violation here when she was fifteen, for causing a ruckus in what the cop back then called "...here in downtown Deer Lodge". Which is hillare, since there is STILL only one red light here. As our frontier gal at the front desk said, "Once you've been to Deer Lodge, you never forget it."

We are pleased to report, however, that tonight, the local po-po are vigilant and at the ready when it comes to nabbing deliquent drivers; see 'Exhibit B', below:(NOTE: I believe "K" is recovering from the flashbacks that this scene may have caused...)

Fortunately we arrived here at Scharf's in time for dinner and I'm pleased to also report that the steaks are MUCH better than the shoe leather I tried to eat yesterday in eastern Wyoming:

OK, so today I really felt like we were indeed back in the West: we left our hotel room in Cody, WY: (cold pizza: breakfast of champions!)

...and finally found some decent coffee in downtown Cody (Rawhide Coffee Company--holla!):

Then we 'provisioned up' so as to avoid dehydration for the trek to Yellowstone (note: the Nestle 0.5 l bottles use 30% less plastic, or at least that's the bio-marketing I fell for...):

Entering: Yellowstone National Park! By the way, I've purchased the annual National Parks Pass, valid for all parks, lands, etc. I can totally get you in for FREE. Provided you agree to the updated 'I have the pass--you get the gas!' stipulation.

Yellowstone Lake:

Yellowstone Lake:

Early-morning tai chi or skipping stones? You decide.

Madge the Wonderbuick's trunk, aka 'The Situation Room':

Wildlife abounds:

Keep on commenting on the blog--we love it and can't start the car without it. Goodnight for now--here are some more pics from Yellowstone NP and then Montana...

Tell me WY...(can't we get a decent cup of coffee?)

Near Fort Laramie, WY

DAY SIX: Torrington, WY to Cody, Wyoming (50 miles east of Yellowstone NP). Well. We are back in the West. Cowboy country. The true frontier. Boots 'n sh*t kickin'. And it feels DAMN FINE! Plus, there is something very comforting about being back in a region where having Washington State plates is not exotic. See, from here on out, the Seattle area is not far off (that whole still-hundreds-of-miles-through-Montana-and-Idaho thing is a mere triffle). We plan to treat ourselves to some of Yellowstone tomorrow to soak in the majesty of nature and then will head up to Montana. Madge has seemed to handle the ascents in elevation quite well (4,000+ feet) and we'll take it easy as we ascend even further and hit mountain passes.

A few pics from the road--I'm writing from our motel room in Cody, WY and our pepperoni pizza from 'Pizza on the Run' just arrived. "K" is outside the motel door sharing road stories with our neighbors in the next room. They are on a motorcyle trip cross-country and now seem to be enjoying their stogies on the stoop. Plus, it's time for some Crown Royal on the rocks and/or with Sprite.

Keep on commenting on the blog and we will do the same!

Somewhere crossing Nebraska, yesterday (Day Five): "Hey, does anyone know where I can get a thinga UDON NOODLES?"

This morning, in Torrington, WY: For Shannon--see, we DID find the chicken shack. They were closed last night but we couldn't leave town without getting a pic for you. And you were right, they did have the giant ice cream cone on top, sweet:

Road victims:

At the Fort Laramie National Historic Site (southeastern Wyoming)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have MOUNTAINS, and they are only the beginning (on US-26W)

Wyoming is full of quirkly things. I mean, what is NOT to love?

We happened upon the above his 'n hers (his 'n his? hers 'n hers?) biffy at the "Plains Motel and Trading Post"...Here, I ordered a 'steak sandwich', not realizing that it would be...

...a freaking SIDE of BEEF. I neither finished nor doggie-bagged it.

But you gotta love summer scenes like two kids over an ice cream (and then later taking off for who knows what adventure on their bikes)

Today's drive through Wyoming was HOT and therefore quite tiring. But I must say that the scents and silence of the land is truly something to be experienced. We crossed Oregon trail markers and scanned historical sites and areas of journeys past--and you just wonder how it was back in the day, with life on the plains for natives and newcomers alike. (Heck, I wonder what life out here in this godforesaken area is like NOW...)

Malt break in Shoshoni, WY. We then opted to take the northern route up towards Cody to get to Yellowstone tomorrow. The route was advertised as "THE FUN ROUTE" so what's not to love?

"Wait, don't put that one in--then they'll know we went to a CHAIN!" (or: it's kinda sad that McDonald's has the best coffee around. I think it is safe to say that we will be mainling espresso drinks once we get back to the land of too much good, strong coffee, where you can't swing a salmon without whacking a barista and/or coffee stand...

Our tractor antenna ornament purchased in Illinois is still going strong. Made in China, but it's QUALITY, oh yeah.

No work tomorrow and Meeteetse, WY was totally hoppin' at the country bar. And this was a real country bar-maybe there was a rodeo in town? Who cares. A man in Wranglers, boots and hat is always a welcome sight for the weary traveller, no?

See why we take the back roads? It's KINDA gorgeous out here.

Nighty-night!

Yes Dorothy, we WERE in Kansas...!

Our antique stop near Athol, KS. What a character. As he pointed out, it's too bad that we're not going to be in town NEXT weekend to get down with the "2nd Annual Great US-36 Highway 'Treasure Hunt': 400 Miles Across Kansas; Find Yard Sales Galore From Border to Border" event...

DAY FIVE: Fairbury, Nebraska to Torrington, Wyoming. Talk about tracing the paths of the pioneers. This is the heartland, the prairies, wide open spaces, the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails, you name it. We have lots and lots of stories to share but again are pretty pooped after a day out and about. And jeez this country is HUGE. Suffice it to say that this off-interstate thing is A-OK because you never know who you'll meet and the natural wonders you will experience. Today's route included a dip into and across nothern Kansas, to see the 'geographical center of the continental US', per the hot tip from our new friends at Cather & Friends Cafe and Bookstore in Red Cloud, NE (holla!). Suffice it to say that I'm looking forward to my new used copy of Willa Cather's "O! Pioneers" I bought today since I have now been ensconced in some of the land and environs--and have never read the book. Now I have no excuse.

"Yes, we know. Totally hot." (Red Cloud, NE)

Sunflowers and Kansas-can you have one without the other?

Time for some 'midwest campy' roadside attractions. Smack in the middle of the continental US.

Look quick! It's the little house on the prairie!

Nebraska is just 'plains' fun...

...and gorgeous.

see?

and the landscape keeps on varying.

"K" took this sweet shot from the passenger side, taking a break from hours of working the wheel.

We drove into Torrington, WY tonight and let me tell you, there is NOTHING going on here on this Labor Day weekend Saturday night except bugs and the train whistle just outside our room. It's very ranch-quaint meets rugged frontier. Prior to rolling in we did see Chimney Rock National Monument from a distance (it's on the Nebraska side) and we tended to agree with the pioneer-days native American name for the formation as something to do with resembling elk genetalia instead of the place where the smoke blows out. Can't you just picture the Euroamerican pioneers writing back home that they'd spotted the giant phallic symbol on the Oregon Trail and that hopes and dreams for a better future were just around the bend?

It's after midnight (mountain time zone) so that's all for now. Tomorrow: up towards Yellowstone on US-26 N. We'll see how Madge takes the high elevations! Keep on commenting!

As they say, Missouri Loves Company...

Yay! Our little John Deere antenna ornament made it accross another state line!

DAY FOUR: Burlington, Iowa to Fairbury, Nebraska. Greetings from the Capri Motel in Fairbury, NE, where we have no phone signal but the wireless signal is A-OK, darn tootin'! We left the western bank of the Mighty Mississipp' this morning and tootled through southern Iowa and northern Missouri today on sideroads going west--look on a darn map and you will see that it is all westerly and makes sense so don't ask why. We are on vacation. Naturally, we had many adventures which we will share with you soon but which will have to wait since I am pooped. Even "K" is out of one-liners. Night night from the heartland!

Come On Feel the Illi(nois)e

DAY THREE: Defiance, Ohio to Burlington, Iowa: it's after midnight and we are now officially "West of the Mississippi" and needing to crash here at the Super 8 Motel...so we'll write more riveting stories from the road later. "K" did all the driving today and she really put on some serious miles and time. Especially considering that we gained an hour when we crossed from Eastern into Central time at Remington, IL. Plus, you know it's hardcore when your evening destination is the LAST Cracker Barrel restaurant ever (Morton, IL) and you absolutely HAVE to get the pancakes that Joyce at the Cleveland branch recommended. They were well worth it, and I even picked up a John Deere mini tractor antena ornament (made in China so it may be recalled shortly) for the car. Our trek today in a nutshell: we made it out of Ohio, crossed Indiana AND Illinois and just now made it into Iowa with nary a car breakdown (our Buick boys in Defiance, OH, holla!). Rock on. This is defs the heartland, with more (Iowa, maybe Missouri, and Nebraska) our way tomorrow.

Sorry, but this new alternator? It's just so dreamy...!

You might know that "K" was a total rocker back in the day. But did you know she's a CHRISTIAN ROCKER?

Perfect weather through Indiana...

Since we can only go 45-50 mph anyways, we've foregone the interstates and have opted for side roads heading west. Since we're going slower with the trailer, why not take in the scenery and local environs? So far, well worth it.

Speaking of the trailer, I still have lots of room in it, which makes opportunities at any flea market really endless indeed.

"K" inspecting the family holdings; Auburn, Indiana:

Lunch break at Mister Weenie's in Peru, Indiana:

If you can't practice yoga on the Indiana-Illinois state line, where ARE you going to practice?

"K": "...did you take the picture?
Lisaopolis: yeah hang on, almost done, is the light green?
"K": we're stopped because we're at a stop sign. (pause) You just took a picture of it.
Lisaopolis: ...OH."

See, Liz, a tribute to the song you wrote for us...and we're not even in Iowa yet:

Top-secret government superhybrid soybean testing site. Wait, wait...have I said too much?

More tomorrow--keep those comments coming. "AH", thank you for the precious kernels of wisdom about Iowa, we'll see where the road takes us tomorrow!

Goodnight!

"We Love Ohio. And Ohio Loves US."

This is the Ohio state flag. Which we've seen quite a bit of.

DAY TWO: Cleveland, OH to Defiance, OH. Thank you to our think tank at HQ for guiding us to hotel-age in Cleveland!

We are taking contest entries for guesses on what is going on in this scene. NOTE: no one has been arrested, we are all safe, and things will be OK...at least until the next 'thing'.

RULE #8: Pay attention when those indicator lights go off in the car, ladies!

Meanwhile, other roadie pics from today...
Pre-drive tire check...

...and the oil check.

...radiator fluids = lookin' fine.

Oh my goodness, in case you have always wondered what Lake Erie looks like, here you go.

See RULE # from yesterday...

"'Grease Monkey' is just one of the many services I provide..."

OK, that's all for now. More soon. Going to take a dip in the pool here at the Comfort Inn in Defiance, OH. Did I mentioned we're still in Ohio? We should be ready to roll again tomorrow around noon. Because that's when Madge the Wonderbuick should be ready, all fresh from her spa day. She has been working so hard, after all. Bless her.

That is all--and don't forget to leave us comments because we love them!. Roger that.

Ohio goziamasu!

State College, PA to Cleveland, OH

Greetings from Day One on the road.

RULE #6: each morning, check the oil, tire pressure, AND coolant fluid levels. See Exhibit "C" below:
This was our Most Interesting event today: the engine light went on, we made a game-time decision to keep driving to the next exit and then BOOM! Spray! All over the windshield. Pulled over, steaming. Overheated engine. Oh no, where is the radiator cap?! Do we have to do the sock-n-duct tape emergency repair? Hmm. "K" walked back way to look for it, I noticed it had fallen down by the firewall so flicked it out with a nordic walking pole. "K" called "M" just to verify the sequence of pouring in fluids and starting the engine, we waited for it to cool off, drove 2 miles, repeated procedure, started again, found a vehicle service place, the guy advised us to go the nearby garage, where two very nice mechanics (Frye's Garage, Knox, PA-holla!) got us all set up with water plus reserves, our last chance to hear local Penn accents and salt 'o the earth ways and we were on our way. Well, not before stopping at a campground place to cool the car and rest and get soft-serve ice cream and some old-school arcade games near the pool. Nothing like a little diverson at milepost 555 on I-80 West in PA. We would like to note that NO ONE stopped to even asked if we needed help. Not even the cop who drove by. Please report to PENNDOT. Jeesh, thank goodness we had our pioneer wits about us.

RULE #7: when in doubt, head 'west'. Even if we get off the main drag, the direction is awwright.

OK, enough new rules. We have so many, we will try to keep posting them. Thank you to everyone for posting comments! Liz: thanks for the great local candy company notion: we did see a truck from a small-town candy co. in Tyrone, PA, but alas, he was not heading West. Kevin, sorry we didn't get your excellent foodie recommendation for near Cleveland on time. But thanks anyway! Ginapalooza: the chicken 'n dumplings at Cracker Barrel were top-drawer. I love that they allow "kids of all ages" to order the child-size portions. Sadly, we did not check out any books on CD, BUT we did get a nice store tour by a swell gal named Joyce. She let us know that Cracker Barrels "have the BEST coffee" (watch as two girls from the PacNW roll their eyes...). Cindy: "K" is along because it's turned into a girls' trip! Tu-Ha, keep Uncle Jimmy in cocktails, will you?

A few nuggets from today's drive:

Aww, Kim's Very First Toll Ticket! (in Ohio on I-80 West just after leaving PA)


Why yes, objects in the mirror ARE closer than they appear...


Ohio evening, very lovely and green.


Per request of Ginapalooza: a break in the 'no chain restaurants rule', we hit the Cracker Barrel gift shop and restaurant to peruse books on CD. No purchase, but a hootnaholler's worth of country pickin' fun and Made-in-China knicknacks:


Wait, "K" did all the driving. SHE should be the one curled up with the Pimms! (at La Quinta, somewhere in Cleveland)



Tomorrow's route: I-80 West towards Des Moines, Iowa, Eye-Oh-Wah, Eye-Oh-Wuh Wuh WUH!! (Anne H, your comments please??). This means PURE HEARTLAND, ladies and gents. We anticipate many Cracker Barrel type days. In fact, "K" is checking the official Cracker Barrel map of the nation as I type. Over 500 locations! That's crazy talk.

So tomorrow we will be driving through Ohio, Indie-yana, and Illi-noise before crossing the Mighty Missisip' into Huskerville. Hopefully the rainstorms there will have dissipated by then...I'm getting my John Deere outfits ready.

From there: NEBRASKA and...beyond. And by 'beyond' we mean up to Wyoming to hit Grand Teton and/or Yellowstone, up to Montana, then to Spoke-n-Poke, WA and homeward bound. Ideas subject to change pending mood swings, radiator caps, forest fires, children of the corn and/or general mayhem.

Don't forget to send us road tips~we thank you for your support and...goodnight.

Snakey K's in the Heartland

Alas, the time has come when I must bid adieu to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make way towards Washington State. Welcome to the Great Roadtrip Westward 2007. The U-Haul is loaded, the tire pressue has been checked, my travelling companion (code name "K") is here, we are well-fed and ready to get some sleep before heading off tomorrow at the crack of noon-ish.

We have four, NO, FIVE road rules established so far: you are kindly requested to post more in the comment section. We will do just about anything, so try us out. Within reason. Um, yeah.

RULE #1: no eating at chain-food establishments! (Starbucks excluded. As shareholders, we can make this rule up as we go)

RULE #2: each day, we must vote on and photograph the Most Interesting Thing of the Day and post our findings here on this blog!

RULE #3: drivers responsible for her own tickets!

RULE #4: locate a mechanical bull and "K" will ride for NINE SECONDS!

RULE #5: locate, browse and acquire 'unique items' at flea market or antique store, preferably near something...AMISH!

That's all for now. Tomorrow's goal is to (a) get out of bed and (b) hit I-80 West for a while. More later. We leave you with a few compelling photos:

Exhibit "A": the first U-Haul parking job of the day. "K" does not mess around.


Exhibit "B": "My hat is blue. My eyes are blue, my jacket is blue. My car is blue. But I am not blue" (lisaopolis, 2007)


Exhibit "C": "K's" home away from home--"Wait, I thought I called shotgun! This is so not what I meant... I'm supposed to ride in the, um, CAR":


Goodnight for now--we want to hear from you!