Coming Home

Between weather
and time constraints
we've been driving straight through
from California.

And it's good to be home.

We are still speaking--
with thanks to
Radio Lab (which allowed me to make interesting
conversation about hook worms
during dinner in Oklahoma City)
Fresh Air podcasts, The Moth, and This American Life.

I only made it through one half a book (of the three I brought with me)
however, we enjoyed the audio versions of
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornsby and the very long,
less enjoyable
State of Fear.


Some missing highlights--

We ate at this west coast destination.



















It was fun...but we're not sure
what all the fuss is about.






















Todd has become a Lil' Ranger
even though he's trying to keep it
top secret


I was charmed by the Murray Street Cafe
which we stumbled upon in Dallas























But we've decided, there's no place
like Baltimore.

Happy New Year!!!

Turning East

Before we left the west coast,
we spent some time at Jiffy Lube to get our oil changed.

















Thankfully, we were in little India
and were able to procure a samosa snack
while we waited.























And then checked out this recommended pizza shop
for lunch before we took to the roads.

















We ended up in the desert by nighttime.

It's amazing that you can wake up in the Parc 55 Union Square
and by 11:30 be driving down the interstate
having already been looking for a motel, any motel, for an hour.
We found this one a little after 12.

















You had to check-in at the Chevron across the way.
No wi-fi, no non-smoking option and I wished
I had my college shower flip flops
but I was grateful for the bed, the only bed
for many, many miles.

Today was filled with amazing scenery
that changed often
and is so different
from the east coast.

Christmas in San Francisco

On Christmas Eve we drove up the coast on the 101
taking in the beautiful scenery.

















Thanks to Ellen we had a great
walking tour of the city.

We started at the Powell Turnaround

















Then had the most amazing burritos.











































We walked up Stockton Street enjoying the views.



































Then we wandered into Chinatown.


















Strolled into North Beach


















Hung out at a park with a latte

















Then we sat by the water taking in the Golden Gate bridge
and enjoying the sunshine.



































We took a different route home...not realizing it included
a very large hill.


















Then stumbled into Japantown.






















All in all, a pretty perfect day.

San Bernardino

We got to San Bernardino late
Monday night and spent
the next few days with Aunt Dian
at her charming house.


















On Monday we checked out some
of Aunt Dian's haunts.






















Micah House where she works with an after school program.
























The famous Redlands Bowl of many outdoor summer performances.


















The beautiful San Bernardino mountains






















Aunt Dian and Todd waiting in line during our day at Disneyland.





















Aunt Dian said we wore her out...but we could hardly keep up with her!

Carlsbad Caverns

We love, love, loved the Carlsbad Caverns. So far it's been our favorite place.
Unfortunately the inside photos were too dark but the entrance was pretty dramatic!


Todd in New Mexico on the road.























The entrance to the caverns.



















Listening to our audio tour

























A view from the cave to the outside.

















We drove all day Monday and are now hanging with Aunt Dian in San Bernardino--
enjoying the mountain views and palm trees.

Days in Review

One small thing I forgot to add about Memphis
is the abandoned pyramid in the center of town.
We kept seeing signs for the pyramid and
when we finally tracked it down, it was vacant.


















After the book depository museum in Dallas,
we went on the water feature tour.
While not everything was on,
it was well worth it.

Assassination Vacation

Somehow in the past two days
we've managed to see museums
commemorating both the JFK and MLK
assassinations.























The book depository


















Todd at the grassy knoll


More to come tomorrow.
The motel wi-fi is a little funky.

Memphis to Texas

I'm not sure if there are vegetarians
in Memphis.

After a dinner of ribs and pork loin sandwich
(I'm actually not sure if there are meat eaters
who don't eat pork in Memphis)
at Rendezvous, we wandered Beale Street.
My musician helped me figure out what
makes a blues a blues.






















I've enjoyed the Memphis street cars rolling up and down
the streets.





















Today we went back to finish the Civil Rights Museum
and checked out Graceland.
































We are now both HUGE fans of Elvis.


Then we were back on the road.
Drove through Arkansas.
Had dinner in Hope
(birthplace of Bill Clinton)
and now are heading to sleep
in Texas.

From the Road

I was in technological purgatory yesterday.
My phone battery is near dead,
my computer wouldn't get wi-fi
and I'm always confused about the time.

Today is looking better.


Enjoying the ride.


















The Virginia Mountains


















The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

We're Off!

Waking up in Baltimore
and heading to sleep
in Tennessee

After a long day of driving,
it's nice to get the bonus hour
of central time.

Today's listening included:

audio highlights from Todd's '01 trip
across country
(when gas was $1.19 and cell phones
had roaming charges)
jazz
npr
Michael Crichton's State of Fear

Tomorrow we head to Memphis.