Picture My Day

The Basil, Rosemary, and Thyme plants were on sale at Rainbow. Oh happy, happy day.

Love,
Miranda

The Great Northwest and Home Sweet Home

Well, my road trip ended spectacularly, I spent a few days at home (my parent's house), and now I am really HOME with Ian and Vala snuggling on my bed. I can't even relate how tired I am from all the excitement! I suppose I will start by summing up the rest of the road trip:

We left at eight in the morning to clear skies over Northern California and headed up into the mountains into Oregon. It was very cold and cloudy as soon as we crossed the border in the high altitude.  The views were gorgeous!

We drove for hours. We finished up listening to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - and I have to say, the ending left a lot of questions. If you have not ever listened to it, I do recommend it.

Kasey and I then stopped at a rest area to freshen ourselves up so that we could meet a dear friend for dinner. Andrea, a wonderful gal I have known since....sixth grade?....just moved to the Portland area, and we were fortunate enough to secure dinner reservations with her. We ate at Pok Pok, a highly acclaimed Thai restaurant. Kasey and I saw it on the Food Network while we were resting at our hotel a few nights before, and we just knew that we had to go there. It was fantastic! If you are ever in Portland, look it up! It was so great to spend time with Andrea...she is so sweet - too bad it was not for longer!

After dinner, we were greeted at the Washington border with an almost instantaneous rain shower welcome. For the last two-hour leg of our journey, we rode through the rain to our house in little Rainier, WA.

For the next few days, I spent time with family (including a suprise birthday party for me held at my cousin's house - Thanks guys!!!) and other good friends. I was also able to spend some quality time with the Corgi's, Corney and Mocha. :)

Yes....and now I am home. Home in my bed. About to go to bed. :)

The rest of my month will be quite dull compared to the last three weeks, but I will keep you updated anyways. Thanks for sticking with me on my travels!

Love,
Miranda

I Get Around

Yesterday was long.  I drove for the seven hours through the hills of northern Arizona and into the Mohave desert.  I-40 is in need of some TLC, and therefore it was like a perpetual game of "avoid the pothole".  We arrived in Tehachapi, CA and ordered pizza from Dominoes to relax. 

Water is most important in the desert!

Today was much less long, although we drove for longer.  We listened to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and The Beach Boys while we drove through the farmlands of California.  We also stopped at In'n'Out Burger.  Totally worth it. 

I have family in the San Diego area and we have made many trips up and down I-5 through the years.  Many times we drove just to visit Disneyland, the San Diego Wild Park, and other southern California sites. Because of this, I will always feel this emotional connection to I-5.  I feel this sense of adventure, satisfaction...and home.  I know, I know...I love a freeway.  It happens. 

We also made a mandatory stop at the Olive Pit, in Corning.  Ever since I can remember, on all those trips back from wherever our adventures took us on I-5, we stopped to buy green olives stuffed with yummy things.  It's a tradition that Kasey and I could not resist.  I came away with Parmesan Romano stuffed olives and a few other surprises for my darling (which, just in case you are wondering....I MISS IAN SO MUCH!!!).  

We are now in Redding, once again relaxing in the hotel. Tomorrow, we will be in Washington. 

Love,
Miranda