Brief Update

Latest News:

We signed on an apartment yesterday. It's a large 1/1 with large windows, nice kitchen and in a great location. It's in a small complex that is walking distance to coffee, food, groceries and the bus. We move on Sept 18.

Until then we're staying with Ron's friends Atwood and Kara, their twin 10 mo old boys and another friend Jason who's renting the other room in their basement. There are also two dogs plus Moxie. It's a full house but they are all really nice and helpful and the boys and friggan' adorable. We're only there for a month and even though we're looking forward to getting into our own place and unpacking, having a family to hang with has been really nice.

Also, Ron got a job today--someone has to pay the bills around here... He'll be in the kitchen at Deschutes Brewery aka we get paid in beer. Seriously.

I'm still on the hunt, but not too worried. yet.

More to come. Not internet at the house so I'm a wifi pirate :)

love to all
xo.

Friday-Breckenridge, Colorado to Green River, Utah

After a surprisingly nice night at the Days Inn, we got on the road a little after 9am. It had rained the night before and we watched as highway crews worked to clear a jack-knifed semi out our motel window. Not deterred, the caravan continued into Glenwood Springs which had been a destination of mine for several years. Dad lived there B.C. (before children) and my earliest memory is clinging to my mother in the sulfur hot springs and watching the steam rise over my head.

We arrived in Glenwood around 11:30am and cruised the main drag until we found a surprisingly well equipped grocery where we cherry picked to make a very enjoyable, and economical brunch. Leaving the trailered Kia in a shady spot, we packed into the Prius and headed five miles back East to Hanging Lake.

::Side note:: The Prius loves the mountains. Even though when climbing it isn't exactly happy, I can't complain about 33mpg. However the descent is not only exciting (if wings were an option I'd be flying) but the mileage improves considerably. I'm currently averaging 51mpg with both the climb and descent, much better than the usual 43 I get in local Houston traffic. My assumption was that the climbing would significantly reduce my overall average, but I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance all around.

Back to Hanging Lake. We had a lovely picnic in sweatshirts because it was cloudy and overcast. We walked down to the trailhead and discovered two important things. 1. No dogs 2. 2.4 miles roundtrip up some 1,000 feet aka 2-3 hours roundtrip. We decided to be adventurous and after running Mox, set her up in the car and started climbing. My camera cable is currently packed, however I will be posting pictures of this hike because it was so incredibly cool! Go google image search for "hanging lake colorado" Trust me!

After the hike we headed back into town and relaxed in the hot springs for an hour or so. We sat in the hotter pool and watched a storm roll in over the moutains and decided it was time to get going. A quick dinner accross from the historic train station and we were back on the road.

Tonight we are in a KOA Kabin in Green River, Utah, about an hour West of the Colorado border. It is dark now, but I'm sure it will be another beautiful drive tomorrow.

Getting out of Texas

So this morning Ron picked up our new alternator and installed it before I was out of the shower. We were on the road at 8:30am and stopped for breakfast at a gas station cafe outside Des Moines, NM. Not surprisingly they had the best huevos rancheros with fresh green chillies I've ever had. At the New Mexico/Colorado border in Raton, we picked up I25 and headed North to Colorado Springs.

Driving through Colorado was a welcome change after an entirely too long trip getting out of Texas. There is a steady ribbon of yellow sunflowers between the highway and fenceline which continued from the border practically into Manitou Springs. Beyond the fenceline is a sea of little bluestem and other high plains grasses which look soft and watery in the morning light. The entire drive into Colorado Springs was uneventful car-wise, but beautiful and entertaining with spottings of antelope, lots of cows and horses, and for Grandma Helen a roadrunner!

We stoped for a quick hike through Garden of the Gods and then went into Manitou Springs for lunch. The food was touristy and dissapointing but the beer was cold. On a high note, a woman who had a wood carving and quilting shop there when I was a child is still in business and making more of the same.

Around 4pm local time we got back into our respective vehicles and headed to Denver, then I 70 towards Glenwood Springs. The passes here are beautiful but rough with the trailer. The last one which took us into Breckenride was over 10,000 ft. I'm tired and grumpy and Glenwood was sold out so we're in for the night at the local DaysInn. Unfortunately they didn't have any doubles so Moxie doesn't get her own bed tonight.

Tomorrow we're shooting for Idaho. And to wake up refreshed.

Love to all

The start of our NW tour

This is in response to many people and questions about our travels and current relocation project. Ron, Moxie the dog and I are caravaning his Kia with 5x8 UHaul trailer and my Prius from Houston, Texas to Portland, Oregon. I will post when we have internet and pictures will come when I can find that box...
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So, at 4:30am on Tuesday we began our caravan Westward.

I jammed out to KGSR until the static overwhelmed Lyle's voice and I had to switch to CD--
M Durbin made an awesome 'Screw you, we're from Texas!' compilation that has been on frequent rotation since we left Houston. Which of course I never thought I'd shed a tear over leaving, but it turns out I really, really love the people who've supported me the past four years and I have been missing that home since I locked the gate last.

Yesterday about ten miles South of Post, Texas, Ron's 2001 Kia Sportage died and quietly rolled to the side of the highway. Two hours, many phone calls to Daddy and a trip to the local "auto parts" store later we were back on the road. At least until we rolled into Dalhart, Texas, where we stopped for gas and didn't get much further considering the Kia also required a new alternator.

So this morning Ron went and pulled out the old alternator and walked accross to the local Napa store and ordered us a new one which will be here at 7am tomorrow. Oh excitement! So we've been enjoying the sights here in Dalhart. This included an algae filled lake which Moxie took full advantage of and a nice Best Western which happens to have a pool with view/scent of the local cow pasture. And best of all a moving art museum aka the trainyard accross the street which brings in new graffitti every 4 hours.

So the plan for now is to install the new alternator and get on the road ASAP and hopefully pull into Colorado Springs for lunch around 2pm local time. Glenwood Springs is the final destination for tomorrow evening, camping near the pool and relaxing before we head Westward to our final destination of Portland, Oregon.

Will be posting when we can.
More to come ASAP.
love to all!
julie ron moxie