Back to Black

Yes, I really like Amy Winehouse. If only I hadn't read that she is a jerk in real life then I'd really like her. But for now, since I'm driving BK's car, I'm happy to have a CD to listen to that isn't "angry driving music" from his days in Portland traffic.

I've been so busy that I haven't had time to catch up on blogging in a long while. I enjoy reading everyone else's blogs so much that I figured I'd better get cracking. My picture uploading skills have been lacking lately, so for now you'll just get the update on the drive cross country.

For those of you that have done the drive, I highly recommend the "northern" route (Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, etc). It is much prettier and much more populated than the more central route. While I wasn't thrilled to be taking a week of vacation to do this drive (which now will end up being a $1000 vacation, since I'll owe it back to Harris), it was the least painful of the trips I have taken, which was due to the combination of a happy relationship, nice spring weather, and not having pets in the car to constantly worry about overheating.

We got to see Mt. Rushmore. It was really neat, and nice to get out of the car for awhile and walk around.

From XC drive

From XC drive

From XC drive

The town near Mt. Rushmore was probably the worst shit hole I'd ever seen. Every building was either a pawn shop, a check cashing store, or a casino. Dingy hardly covers it. While staying overnight there, I was "treated" to a night at the Motel 6. Let's just say I know why hotel numbers only go UP from 6! Smoky "non-smoking" room, filthy shower, bed that sloped to the middle, so we ended up basically sleeping on top of each other, no hair dryer, and no shampoo. It was awful. Now I know that ALL Motel 6's suck. When my mom and I stayed in one in Chicago, the shower had blood in it. Yes, blood. A Motel 8 is only $20 more, and SO much nicer. Needless to say the girlfriend won out, and the next night we stayed in an 8.

From XC drive

We also tried to go to this corn palace. I don't even remember what state it was in. Unfortunately, it closed at 5 and we were there at 5:15. It does look like it's made from corn at least on the outside.

Bryan at Custer's Last Stand. Okay, so the truth is this is at the kitchy little gift shop outside of it. We were too cheap to pay the $10 to actually drive into the Custer's park area. C'mon Mt. Rushmore was only $8!

From XC drive

The last day we decided to muscle through and drive for 21 hours.

From XC drive

With the help of our Starbucks we're showing off here that we got around midnight, we drove and drove and drove and drove and got to Rochester at 4:45am. Wow you find some really random things to talk about at that time of morning!

Now we're getting settled and I'm learning how to adjust to having people in the house all the time (Krista moved in now too). The kinks seem to be pretty small though, and mostly consist of me saying "Bryan, where did you move the ________" I swear he is obsessed with moving things around, or throwing them out (mom, he reminds me of you!).

Click here for more pictures of the drive and the lovely trip home.

More life updates soon, as there actually is quite a bit to talk about. For now, at 8:45pm, I have to get back to work. :( I worked late tonight, and now have to work from home. I hate it. But updates about that will be soon to come!