Trip highlights

Looking at the calendar today and, realizing I've been in Florida for a full two weeks now, I decided it was high time for a blog update! The road trip that brought me down here with Lisa and Julie already feels like an event of long past, but here are a few pictures to highlight some of it's finer moments...

Milwaukee was the first big city we had to navigate. I think this is Miller Stadium.
Five outta six isn't bad, right? The seven and eight lane stretches through Chicago were a little intimidating, and I did miss getting into the Cash Lane for one of those 80 cent tolls... I haven't received a ticket in the mail or anything, though. Sorry to short you, State of IL!

We enjoyed a fine spread of personal pan pizzas at the local Hut in Tuclosa, IL. We also enjoyed the GAP outlet.

Lots of classy things to see in IL! We pulled over at a Shell station for a potty break and didn't immediately notice the shady building and parking lot next door.

The stretch of the drive from Nashville to Chattanooga was NOT fun... it rained so hard we slowed to 40 mph to avoid hydroplaning. The road was dark, slippery and full of semis with blinking hazzards. We must have been coming down through hills or mountains because I kept notices signs for "Runaway Truck Lanes."

Julie cashed out as we passed from Tennessee into Georgia.

If you have to drive through Atlanta, it's good to do so on a Saturday morning well before 9 a.m. Another city with way too many lanes and lots of road construction!

We started noticing Waffle Houses every five miles once we entered Georgia... by the time we were ready to pull over for breakfast we knew where we HAD to go. Disappointingly, Waffle Houses don't offer healthy meal options. Lard and grits are plentiful, though!

Libby's nose guided us into FL. We needed a the extra help after our miserable stop-over in Macon to try to catch a little nap!

The Jacksonville skyline was a beautiful thing to see as we came into the city from the west!

Home sweet home... welcome to Cape House Apts.

I'm feeling so much love! Our first couple nights in the apartment were pretty sparse. It was so nice to see the movers show up on Monday... with beds, chairs, tables, couches, dishes, food (you know, a few basic essentials).

We've arrived!

Yesterday around 3 p.m. we finally rolled into Jacksonville -- after 1535 miles of driving (a large portion of it overnight). It is so great to be here and to be able to show the girls my new city! We've checked into my apartment (love it) and are currently settling in, buying groceries, getting organized and awaiting the movers. While we wait, it seems only logical to check out the beach. :) I'll post more pictures and notes later... Hope everyone is doing great!

We watched for this sign for a good ten miles, and were beginning to think FL didn't offer a welcome. They are right to call this the "sunshine" state -- it's going to be nearly 90 degrees every day this week.

Off to a rotten start

The last thing I thought I'd be doing at 4 a.m. on the first leg of our FL road trip is blogging. But being we're currently holed up in motel near the interstate in Westfield, WI with nothing to do but sleep or worry -- I've decided to write instead.

Earlier this evening we loaded up the car, said our good-byes and started out late (good plan since traffic is usually lighter at night, right?) The idea was that we would drive through Wisconsin and llinois all night and be seated in front of a steaming $1.99 Grand Slam breakfast at a Denny's in Kentucky by daybreak. However about 70 miles north of Madison state troopers began routing all vehicles off the freeway and we detoured with a long line of semis and cars onto a smaller highway still heading east. After 20 + minutes of stop-and-go on, the troopers zoomed up from behind to set up a blockade at our connection. We learned all minor and major roadways southeast of the I90/I39 interchange began closing tonight due to flooding -- with no estimates of re-opening. Evidently Dane County got 4 inches of rain in a hour this afternoon, causing the already-swelled rivers to encroach on the roadways. Madison and the Dells are a mess. Even roads in cities as far east Fond du Lac and Milwaukee have closed. We're pretty much trapped at Westfield for now!

So tonight the good ol' Pioneer Mountain Inn is hosting a full house of stranded travelers. I'm thankful for (and really quite amazed at) their wireless capabilites, but I'm a tad distraught about their "no pet" policy. I crammed Libby into my suitcase to sneak her inside the room with us overnight, but then became so paranoid about her barking and getting us all kicked out that I reloaded her into the suitcase and snuck her back out to the car. It will be a sleepless night with running out to check on her!! I guess come morning we'll be checking the weather and road condition reports ASAP to see what we can do.

Does someone want to call the cable guy in Jacksonville to reschedule my hook-up? I don't think we'll be getting down there in any kind of timely fashion... :( Wish us luck and send good thoughts. (Or possibly a boat or a plane -- in either case the problem of flooded roads would be eliminated :).

Julie and Libby kickin' it in the backseat
Scene from the back of the line

Last fill of family

Cheers to a very "happy" weekend of celebrations and memorable moments...

Happy Birthday to sister Lisa! 23 will be a great year for you - I can just sense it. :)

Happy Graduation to sister Julie! 4 years you probably thought would never end. :) Happy times out and about on the town...

Sleeping baby = happy parents.
I've decided Lucas also somewhat resembles a baby bird... or possibly a frog. The little guy is really growing and stretching out these days! I'm sure I'll hardly recognize him the next time I see him. (I love how clever the logos on onesies are these days, FYI).

Last day in MN?

Happy June, everyone!

I'm beginning to think I'll NEVER get to Jacksonville. Because it will take the movers up to 10 days to transport my personal effects to FL, I've been given permission to push my work start date back by a few days. I was readying myself to say all my good-byes, but it turns out I'll be around just a bit longer. Every cloud definitely has it's silver lining! My lining is more time with friends, family and coworkers. (Not to mention more time to clean and organize, get Libbs to the vet and groomer, squeeze in a few more DAHLC work-outs, pick up AAA maps, get my car fixed, shop for summer clothers... I'll spare you my entire "To Do" list.)

Wonderful friends (accompanied by lots of wonderful food).

Probably the only time it's acceptable for five women to adore one man...

And Lucas is one adorable little guy. In fact he sometimes has the facial expressions of an old man (wise beyond his years, right?!) My heart is already aching over how much I'll miss my nephew. Perhaps I'll have to become that eccentric aunt who lives over a thousand miles away but always mails great presents!