A glimpse at Yellowstone

Eventually Alan is going to do a post on Yellowstone, but until then here are some pictures.

We must be getting close to Portland...

because its raining.

More Pictures From the Tetons

Wildlife Sighting Around Yellowstone and the Tetons

Buffalo!

Moose!

Elk!

Camping in the Tetons

We camped at Jenny Lake in our tiny little tent,
Next to some very big mountains on a glacial lake.



The Tetons are absolutely incredible. We went for a little hike around the lake. Well, it was supposed to be a little hike. Everything was so beautiful that we just kept walking. For 8.5 miles. The pictures don't really do justice to how amazing the woods and mountains are. And pictures can't capture the wonderful smell of fir trees that make you think of fresh Christmas trees and the cool breeze that blows across the lake. As you hike around the lake the forest is a-buzz with insects, chipmunks and the bubbling of mountain streams.






We were worn out after our long hike, but it was worth it. Mountains like that are something new to a couple of Florida kids!

Our Room with a View

We have arrived in Denver

...and are now lounging around Benedict Fountain park

Goodbye Kansas sunflowers

We have now entered mountain time and the great state of Colorado.

Wind Farm!

MANIFEST DESTINY BEGINS NOW...

Hooray, the gateway to the west! Boo, the entire city of St. Louis for avoiding holding a camera for us, hence this is the best picture I could get.

Our first roadside attraction Metropolis, Illinois.

Nashville nightlite

Downtown was not particularly bustling like we thought it would be but rain was moving in and it was a Thursday. Karaoke was everywhere seeing as how everyone is trying to make it as a country music star. Fortunately none of us were trying to make it. It was nice to wander in and out of live music venues without paying any cover.

We finally settled in Layla's Bluegrass Inn mostly because of the dollar PBR special but soon after discovered that the band playing was the one our guide Jason (Martha's cousin) had been looking for. The upright bass thumped out a strong rhythm and everything else had just the right amount of twang, before we knew it we were rocking out to Slim Chance and the Can't Hardly Playboys.

When the band finished their set we moved on to a rooftop bar with a narrow view of the river and the Titans stadium. The band there was less impressive but not nearly as disappointing as the drink prices. Also be forewarned if you are a man and you come to Nashville many of the men's rooms have valets. I hate bathroom valets.

Late lunch in Cherokee National Forest

Beautiful roadside stops all along U.S. highway 64 in TN

Tallulah falls in early morning

It really is hard to believe something this dramatic is anywhere this far south.

Camp is set

Told you it was a big tent.

Tally-ho

We are underway from Orange Park FL to Tallullah Falls GA for the first leg of our cross-country tour

Only in the south

I went to the last Jaguar's pre-season game last night with Martha's aunt, uncle and father which was an excellent time. The highlight however were the beauties above. See, the Everbank stadium has a Sonny's  vending booth and at that booth they sell the masterpiece that is BBQ nachos. You read that correctly, BBQ nachos. Corn chips, cheese sauce, pulled pork and Sonny's sweet BBQ sauce. It ain't pretty, it ain't even right but it was tasty.

Toes in the Atlantic

On our way to Jacksonville we stopped at my grandmother's to see her and the very hurricane stirred Atlantic before they are both 3500 miles away. The beach was empty, we walked two miles without seeing anyone. Our own private final visit with the sea we grew up loving. It is a bittersweet feeling, as is most of this process, but there is an exciting new ocean waiting for us across the country.

Farewell car

Sold my car. Waved goodbye. Have no need for one where we're going.

Goodbye Party

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us off. We had a wonderful time and the food was fantastic of course. While we may not miss Orlando we will certainly miss all of you.

Jam packed

Yeah I think that about says it all.

Now say goodbye to everything we own...

One thing I'll miss

Pink skies filled with lightening and constantly rumbling thunder. I wonder if there are ever evenings like this in Oregon?
Only 2 weeks left! I can't wait to get to my new home.

The little tent test

Good news, the small tent kept the water out on its first night ever even without a footprint or tarp under it. Last night was supposed to be a storm test but the storm never showed up.
We have already used the big tent in the rain so no need to test it. Though now we wonder if we even need to take the monster tent. To give you some idea, about 6 to 8 small tents fit in the large tent. The large tent has skylight for Pete's sake.
Leaving behind the big tent saves us a lot of room in Martha's tiny car, so what do you think internet, big tent or little tent?

Making Progress

We're now able to mark a few things off our moving checklist.
-We've given our intent to vacate.
-The electric and internet are scheduled to be shut off at the end of the month.
-The storage/shipping container is scheduled to be dropped off in 3 weeks.
-We've started packing.
-We have on campsite reserved and all of the friends and family we are planning on staying with across the country know we are coming and are looking forward to it.

Now its just a matter of getting rid of all our extra crap and making as much money as we can in the few weeks we have left.

Test nombre deux

Picture test. Allons-y!