Thursday, October 22, 2009

Four weeks and four states

We've been on the road now for 4 weeks, and we're still married!
I think I may have lost my mind 13 times, but I'm not a hundred percent sure. We've gone from cold to freezing, to luke warm, to hot and then back again. We've moved every week for the past four weeks, and when I say "move", I mean our entire everything. Our precious Tahoe is packed to the brim with all of our most important and favorite "must haves". And we cannot forget our beloved Koda. My joy. Seriously, this dog helps me stay sane! :) He's always here to lick me when I'm down. Always ready and willing to take me outside for some fresh air to throw the ball. He knows that nothing lifts my spirits like throwing a slobbery tennis ball 467 times.
The boys are having what I believe is a "blast", I mean what child hasn't dreamed of living out of a hotel room? It's like Zack and Cody 24/7. Except we don't watch that show. ;)
We started this journey in Easton, Ohio. It was fairly chilly, and incredibly windy at all times. It made for some not-so-fun outdoor times. The boys cheeks were permanently flushed from day one. But that didn't last long, 7 days later we headed south to the good ol Alabama. This truly is a godforsaken state. I've said that in the past, and then felt bad later- but I must admit now to America- I really loathe that state. After a week in Birmmingham, we headed back up to Ohio for another cold run. My boys are such troopers in the car, they really don't utter a word until we get about an hour outside of where ever we're going. Then the "when are we going to be there"'s start coming. I don't mind so much, I have to chuckle to myself when they ask, I mean really, isn't that just part of parenthood?:)
After another week in beautiful Easton, we headed back south again for a brief stop in Al once again, then on to Baton Rouge LA.
I have to admit, I was a bit weary about coming to LA. Evan kept saying things like "well honey, get ready to enter into another world" and scary things like that.I didn't know WHAT in the hell I was in for. Not to mention my kiddos!!
When we entered the state, we stopped for gas and I half way expected an alien to be at the cash register. When it was a human I sighed a breath of relief, and when the human was actually a nice guy, I was just perplexed! I kept saying, "Evan, these people are normal" in kind of a shocked sort of tone. I don't know what I expected, but this definitely wasn't it! :)
Baton Rouge has been a fabulous experience to say the least. The culture here is incredibly friendly and lively! I love the smell of salt water in the air, the laid back feel, and even the funny accents people have;). I don't so much love the fire ants however. This doesn't bode well with me and Koda. We like our outdoor time, as I mentioned before- the red ant thing has just got to go. I mean, don't they have spray for that or something?! Geesh.
The food has been fabulous thus far, and I think thats mostly because I have a Whole Foods within walking distance:). But really, I do intend to check out some Louisiana cuisine for sure!
Evan had some oysters for lunch yesterday but spent the entire night in the bathroom, so I may take a rain check on those.
We did eat at a fabulous little sushi place called Tchoup Stixx on our way into Baton Rouge. The coconut mango roll was to die for!
Yesterday I took the boys into New Orleans, it sounds lavish but really I was only going to buy some nutriwest supplements that I was out of. There's a chiropractor in new orleans who sells them:). But- back to the story- we ended up sitting outside of a starbucks, soaking up the sun in 80 degree weather. It was dreamy. There were these two men to our right who were chattering away like two long lost friends. Come to find they were brothers who see each other every day, how adorable. They acted like long lost best friends who needed to enjoy every minute they could get with each other before parting once again.
We had Koda with us and they LOVED him, they told us about a beloved german shepherd that they had had as children. They had him for eight years and then one day he got bitten by a rat that they said was at least 3 feet long. (sounded like something from a horror movie) Within a day after getting bit, the dog died. They seemed to tear up as they remembered their german shep, like it had been yesterday. They were fabulous. They made me fall in love with the city, I mean, how can a story about a german shepherd not make you fall in love with ANYTHING?! :)
So here we are, in Baton Rouge for a few more weeks, soaking up the sun and enjoying where we are. Trying to find sanity in this lifestyle and appreciate that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, though challenging, incredibly unique. My boys will hopefully remember this forever, and one day tell their kids about all their travels:). I hope that they can look back and really appreciate this season, and understand why we did it. (I hope I can too!! ha!)

And on we go...

2 comments:

  1. I love hearing all about the trip, and love hearing you write, its like im talking to you personally, you are a great writer!
    i miss you so much, and cant wait to see you next!

    love you

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  2. i love an adventure, so i'm glad that you're loving it too...just make the best of all that we're given, right? can't believe evan let you blog about his night in the bathroom though...kind of like when i blogged a pic of derrick in his "undies"...kind of...and speaking of, where are the pics of my 3 little darlings??? ;-)

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