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

If You Ever Plan to Motor West

Today was our long driving day....and it started early. We were on the road by 8. I was fortunate enough to sleep for an hour while Kasey drove, and then it was my turn to drive. I felt the need to get coffee, so we stopped at a Gas Station Burger King in hopes that they had a mocha. They did. It was more like melted chocolate ice-cream. It was a lot better with water added. At least I got my caffeine! (Pay no attention to my nasty hair...I wasn't about to take a shower at seven to sit in the car all day.)

 We hit New Mexico a few hours into the drive. And then we hit Arizona. Believe me...they may be different states, but they sure looked the same from I-40.  The mountains have their own sense of rustic beauty - they just all look the same when you are cruising at 75 miles an hour.

Once again, we picnicked for lunch, and then drove more. About an hour outside of Flagstaff, AZ (our destination) we saw signs for the Meteor Crater. Unfortunately, we it was out of our budget to actually see the Crater, but we saw the awesome sign...and some super cute cows along the six mile drive there. :)

Keeley goes to college in Prescott and was very excited that we would be staying in Flagstaff (which is only an hour and a half away.) She drove up to see Kasey and I. We went to dinner at Beaver Street Brewery. It has been a staple in Flagstaff since 1938! They had a wonderful selection of  pizzas and sandwiches. And as you will see...I finally showered. Praise. 

Keeley then came back to our hotel with us and we played a rousing game of Catan (the travelling version) in which Keeley won. It was a tight game though - Kasey held her own!

Yes. And that was day two! Tomorrow, we hit California.

Love,
Miranda

On the Road Again

Suprise again! This time I'm in Texas, driving with Kasey back to Washington. 

Yesterday, I flew in to Dallas. Kasey and our good friend Dani met me at the airport, and then took me to Sprinkles (as seen on Cupcake Wars!). We then drove back to Waxahachie (home of SAGU, where Kasey goes) and then we went to a cute little local restaurant called The Doves Nest. Both were so tasty! I then helped her load up her car...in the heat. Woof.

We then spent the rest of the night relaxing at the hotel. Swimming, shopping for food, and movie watching summed up our evening.

Today was a short driving day. This morning, we stopped at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, antiqued in Decatur, picnicked at a rest stop, and then celebrated my birthday (yes, today I am 23!) at Cracker Barrel. Lovely. 

Tommorow is a long driving day...ten hours. Wish us good driving!

Love,

Mirannda

 

Fake Mother's Day

Today, after church, we celebrated Mother's Day since we were all together here. We went to the Zoo and ate inside of an aquarium. It was SO HOT...but very fun and nice to celebrate. :)

All of us who were there: Peter and Dawn (my Mother and Father in Law), Alexander (Ian's Brother), Kali and Britney (our ADORABLE neice and her Mother), Keeley and Bryn (her boy toy), and us.

I hope you had a wonderful day too, and Happy Fake Mother's Day!

Love,
Miranda

Travel Time

Surprise!!!! I'm in Arizona!

Ian's family lives here, so we came down to visit for a while. It is gorgeous, and hot, and we are having a wonderful time. We've been spending a lot of much needed time with family, and especially our niece Kali. What a doll face! Today, Keeley and I went on a trip into town to get a pedicure and have some girl time. There are some more adventures planned for the next few days too.

Love,
Miranda