One of the highlights of this trip was the opportunity to spend time with our family and friends in Sierra Vista. My uncle has lived in Sierra Vista for 30+ years and I had a chance to hang out with him and my cousin and her family. We had a great visit and it is so nice to have a chance to catch up.

Our friends we have had for nearly 20 years – Army friends we met in California and we bonded immediately! We did church together, we did weekends together, we did life together. Amy and I were pregnant together and she stayed by my side during my whole labor with Kelton. Six weeks later, she had her own bundle of joy!

These friends have been a continual blessing in our lives and although we went our separate ways 17 years ago, we have stayed in touch through visits, camping trips and Amy is almost always my room mate for girl’s trips! I wouldn’t want to do life without them!

Our friends have a “Hobby Farm” called the Crazy Chicken Farm, and Char and I have so enjoyed learning about their animals and helping with chores, riding, and generally having a great time while we chill and relax at a home away from home! On the farm, there are about 40 chickens, a dozen or so ducks of multiple varieties, a miniature donkey named Button, a cow named Sampson, six goats and two horses named Cherokee and Sierra.

While visiting, we played games (Telestrations – a cross between Pictionary and Telephone – a SUPER fun game), Char had a bout with Altitude sickness – UGH! We had a lot of down time, enjoyed the warm weather and admired the views. We visited a horse rescue our fiends volunteer at and the kids did puzzles and played some Mario Cart. It was a wonderful three days!

We always look forward to time with our friends and family – especially those we don’t get to see as often as we would like. Until next time, Sierra Vista!!!!!

Our last day in California and it seemed as though she was sad to see us go. The weather was cool with low lying clouds and although I promise we WERE in San Diego (La Jolla Shores), you wouldn’t know it based on the weather – but there were a ton of surfers!!!!

Before we headed east, we had to stalk Jon Foreman – again – Char is sure this is his house! She was hoping he would be outside so she could say hi, but alas….

We headed east on Highway 8 towards Yuma, AZ and I cannot even describe the differences in landscapes we encountered! Just 30 minutes outside San Diego we entered the Cleveland National Forest and the rolling hills were stunning in their simplicity! From sea level to 4100 feet, up and down through the contours of the land – just beautiful.

Then as we approached a section close to the Mexican boarder, the hills turned to boulders! MASSIVE boulders everywhere you looked and it was something out a sci-fi flick!

Coming off the bolders was miles upon miles of flatland – cultivated in some places and barren in others – equally as stunning in its own way.

And finally, as we approached Arizona, we encountered the Imperial Dunes. It was like something out of Star Wars and my picture does not do it justice, but all of a sudden it was like the Sahara and then just as quickly, it was gone.

We arrived outside of Tucson as the sun set and Char snapped this picture while we were cruising at 75 miles per hour. The Saguaro cacti were growing more and more abundant and we were so happy to be arriving at our friend’s house for the next 3 full days! There will be lots of visiting, horseback riding and enjoy our friend’s little farm.

As we were leaving California, Char said, “If I could relive any 3 days in my life (because I loved them so much), it would be these days in California”. I love that she is making these memories – postcards in her mind of what she loves (the diversity of the landscape) and what she doesn’t (the smog); storing away these snapshots for her future. I am cherishing every minute!

Total Miles = 612

States = California and Arizona

Hours on the road = 11

Average Temperature = 68

Coffees = 3

Playlist = Switchfoot and Twilight

Major Landmarks = Imperial Dunes, Colorado River, SO MANY cacti!!!!!!

Speed Traps passed = LOTS (there was an Amber Alert as we approached Arizona and I am sure this is the reason). And LOTS of Border Patrol.

Gas bought = $63.00

Extras = $51.00 in trinkets at La Jolla Shores

Hotel = NONE!!!! The joy of staying with friends!!!

Back to school this morning before we hit the road for Char – she is dedicated – I’ll give her that!!! 5am wake up call to get on her classes on time!

When we left Northern California this morning, it was raining BUCKETS – like the raining cats and dogs type rain that you hear about! It made for fast pictures, dodging rain drops, misty photos, white knuckle driving and lots of laughs! We saw amazing redwoods along the way – a drive-thru tree (maybe with a Herbie car), drove a portion of the Avenue of the Giants, saw some elk, dreamed of seeing Bigfoot, and passed through some beautiful wineries on our way to San Francisco.

We arrived in San Francisco shortly after the skies cleared – just like the Golden Gate Bridge was waiting for us!!!! It was my first time seeing it and it was everything I thought it would be!!!! A great landmark to make time to see!

We boogied over to Lombard Street – you know the one? It is the famous zig-zag street in San Francisco… the pictures I took don’t do it justice, but we walked up and down the street, then drove down it! Char videoed the whole thing from the moon roof (don’t tell).

Finally, just after dusk, we arrived in Monterey Bay. We walked around a bit before checking in to our hotel – ordered takeout from Bubba Gump’s (Char was BESIDE herself – she LOVES Forrest Gump) and hit up an old school candy shoppe!

It was 19 years ago almost to the day that I arrived back in Monterey after Christmas break (Exodus) when I was stationed here in the Army. I met up with my new beau for a couple days before we both had to sign back in after our leave was over. We got married 3 weeks later and the rest is history. Monterey is a special place – I hope Char enjoys it, too.

Total Miles = 476

States = California

Hours on the road = 10 including lots of stops and detours

Average Temperature = 55 – getting warmer

Coffees = 2 (I could’ve used one more!)

Playlist = Quite a few chapters of Twilight and Hamilton (surprise!)

Major Landmarks =Giant Redwoods, San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, our old house in Seaside, CA, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay.

People not wearing masks in public places = This is CA – people where them even in their cars…while they are alone!

Gas bought = $37.00

Extras = $80.00 – trinkets

Hotel = Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay/Cannery Row – a nice hotel – small – but fits the area – also a little dated on the outside, but we had a room with two double beds and it looked like it has recently been renovated – we had a nice stay. $100.14/ night

I know some of you are probably wondering what spending so much time alone with my teenage daughter was like – especially for 70+ hours in the car.

Well, I can tell you that is was fabulous! Char is easy going, and neither one of us are drama people, and all this time in the car, and together in general, allowed for some great topics of conversation. Over the past 10 days we have discussed in detail; eating disorders, boyfriend relationships, friendships, future plans after high school, slavery, the American Revolution (thank you, Hamilton – I love talking history), democracy, liberty, responsibilities of citizens, credit cards, financial responsibility, and how to love people even when they are frustrating.

I won’t say that she wasn’t hard to get up a few days (especially when she had to be on line for school at 5am Pacific time), and never mentioned being tired, but all in all, she was a great sport for the activities and experiences we had planned and game for it all with joy!

Now, I do not want you to think everything is always perfect – I admit to being very blessed in my life with my kids and hubby, and the ONLY point of contention we had was the night of the rodeo. I told her it was 7pm-9pm – so when it was 9pm she had it in her mind that we would be done (and Char is a very literal person) – BUT it was the first rodeo of the season and the schedule was running behind. Well, they hadn’t gotten to the part I was looking forward to most; the barrel racing. So, Char started to fuss about it a bit and even saying she would wait in the car for me (yeah, right!) so I got ticked and we left.

After some reflection and stewing about it, I decided that if there is a situation like this again, I will not cave in. I was not asking her to be unreasonable or unsafe and it was important to me that we stay. And I do think she would have enjoyed it. If this is the only thing I have to gripe about, I will take it gladly.

We all learn lessons through life – and this was one for me and for Char. I hope we find another rodeo!

I am really looking forward to our drive home – and NOT because I am looking to leave my in-laws!!! We just had so much fun on our drive out and I know we will have some even cooler experiences as we make our way home. I hope you’ll join us on our journey eastward. Until then, we wish you a New Year that is full of joy, happiness, and health!!!

Today is our last full day “on the road”, although we really aren’t traveling. We are spending the day in Leavenworth, WA enjoying the adorable town and then going to visit Santa and his reindeer at a nearby farm.

I love traveling because I learn so much….did you know that this cute little Bavarian town used to have a western feel? In the late 1960s, this old western town was severely feeling the loss of income and tourists when the rail industry decided it was done dealing with frequent avalanches in the area and moved their route around the town/region. So, in 1967, the BAVARIAN town was born out of necessity to sustain a booming industry of tourism. And boy did they hit the nail on the head.

I also want to give a huge shout out to our hosts here at Haus Rohrbach Pension. This adorable chalet, dropped right into this little Bavarian wonderland, was custom built in 1978 by the original owners after they toured the Bavarian regions in Germany. They saw an opportunity to capitalize on the thematic genius of this tourist town, bought 13 acres on a mountainside, and built Haus Rohrbach Pension (they were a family with 12 children – the hills are alive with the Sound of Music, anyone?). Mike and Carol, the current owners, visited this little slice of paradise through the years and purchased the property in 2000.

They have carried on many of the traditions that came before them and improved on others (breakfast is Mike’s “engineered” version of the Dutch Baby – his is magnificent with a soufflé feel that is light and airy, yet filling and wholesome! Top that off with Carol’s home made raspberry preserves and breakfast is a thing of wonder). One feels as though they have entered a travel warp when they step inside this B&B – if I didn’t know better, I would think I was in Bamburg or Wurzburg, Germany on my river cruise again! When you step inside the quaint en-suite rooms, you may first get the impression that they are dated – but I can tell you from experience that they are SPOT ON with what you find in the Bavarian/Alpine regions for accommodations for travelers. If you have an opportunity to visit these fine folks, do not miss out! Oh and in addition to the amazing breakfast, they offer nightly desserts! Visit them at http://www.hausrohrbach.com/

This morning we headed to town to get some daylight snapshots of Leavenworth and also pick up a few gifts. We got some gluhwein – mulled wine served warm on a cold winter’s day – and enjoyed an al fresco lunch! I HAD to have bratwurst and sauerkraut (and rosemary sea salt fries) – and even though I am not a beer drinker, when in Rome….or Bavaria.

To top off this wonderful day, we visited the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm and fell in love! Not only were there chickens, draft horses, and reindeer, there were tiny ponies that just wanted to snuggle! Hubby – when can we get a farm?

Tomorrow we reach Babue and Papa’s house (Kelly’s mom and dad) and the “Waning West” part of our journey will be done. BUT, we still have our easterly travels to make – so don’t go far! Also, before the New Year, I’ll post a recap of our westward adventures to include a cost total and my favorite bits and pieces!

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Today’s food expenses – $75.00

Gifts for family and a few souviniers – $309

Reindeer Farm – $42.00