My Observations

I have learned a few things about southern Vermont.

All the cars are filthy.  You drive up here for a week and your car is done.  You can’t even read some license plates it’s so bad.  They give the dirty south a run for their money.

It is beautiful.  I mean so freaking pretty.  Mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, snow.  I mean dang, you need to check this place out.  I even think someone put more stars in the sky and the air is cleaning out my lungs.

Vermonters are, and I quote, “resilient sons of b!@*&%#” One of the locals described Vermonters this way, and I love it.

Everyone drives this thing…

People are nicer up here.  Southern hospitality is a myth.  Southern people suck…ish.  (I still love you south)

They take their time up here.  They move at the pace of their famous syrup.  Slow.  Internet was ordered for both families last week sometime.  It just arrived.  I was almost afraid it would be dial up.

The animals are very hardy.  Fat squirrels, fat deer, I bet the moose are even fat but I havent’ seen one yet.

Still, I like this pace of life.  It allows me to really look around and enjoy how freaking beautiful things really are.

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The Trip: Day 3

Sleeping in was awesome, as well a showering.  We had finally reached our destination but I still had 6 hours to drive.  We stuck around before we left because a local family came over and made Finnish pancakes (Finland).  They were awesome.

*The Caudell’s are good enough to let me crash at their place until I find lodgings of my own.

We took off about 10:30 toward Boston.  Nearly the entire trip I could not get my car to defrost.  It got to the point that the moisture inside the car froze.  There was ice on the inside of the car.  Cold much?  Of course we listened to the song “Boston” by Augustana.  Did it relate to us, no.  Was it totally awesome, yep.

The plan was going to be to ride the train into the city but we decided to risk the innards of Boston.  It turns out if you are just going to the airport then drive on in.  If you do plan on sight seeing do not drive.  We just went to the airport.

At the airport we had to say our goodbyes.  This sucked.  It was also the point everything hit me.  I am not going home with them.  I miss home.  I want to go home.

Day 3 was hard.  But Day 3 ended.

Now each day that passes I become more comfortable and more excited to be here. I am finally posting this on day 10 and I am pumped.  I am excited.  It’s go time.  I am where I am supposed to be and there is a lot of peace being in that place.

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The Trip: Part 2

Morning.  Tired.  Cold.  5am.

It was snowing outside so that brought a bit of excitement.  I started off the trip with Ben as navigator.  We headed out of Maryland and into New Jersey.

The entire time snow was falling and once the sun began to rise it was beautiful.  Everything was white, so pristine, then we hit New York.  The snow was falling but everything was melted and wet.  We entered over the George Washington Bridge after paying the $12 dollar toll to do so, Really New York?

Made our way around central park and into Times Square where we ate some pizza.  It was a neat experience walking through New York with all the snow falling.  Then we drove past the empire state building and we made our way out of the city.

Driving in New York was terrible.  Those taxi drivers are cold blooded.  I was scared and confused but slowly started turning into a New York driver.  It was a scary time in my life.

After escaping New York I was spent.  I turned over the wheel to Travis and caught up on some zzz’s.

By the time I took back over we were in Massachusetts.  Hello New England.  The trip went quick from there, through Massachusetts and into Vermont.  Everyone was very right; it is beautiful here.  Mountains, snow, woods, and moose crossing signs.

We got into town a little before 3.  Helped The Caudells and Prestens finish unpacking a few things and headed for Dinner.  We were hungry.  Went to Brattleboro and enjoyed a local pub.  It was really empty in there then we realized it was about 630, felt more like 10.

Ate and explored for a minute.  Headed into New Hampshire to visit wal-mart.  Felt a little like home.  By then it had been a long day and still the trip was not over.  So sleep was the next thing on our agenda.  Back to the Caudell’s and off to some much needed sleep.

And that night we were sleeping in.

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The Trip: Part 1

Well I would have updated you sooner but there is no internet at the house.  I am sitting in the local library using their perfectly free wireless goodness.  There is so much to write about so I shall do it in installments.  When will these installments come?  Nobody knows.

For now enjoy this brief explanation of the first day of the journey north.

The week leading up was a good one.  I was able to spend time with family and friends before I left.  I look back now and none of the goodbyes really felt like goodbye.  It felt more like, ok ill see you in a week.

5am Friday came very quickly and with only a few hours of sleep the trip seemed a bit ominous.  I started off the drive and it went rather quickly.  We were a good ways past Greenville SC before the sun came up.  I was ready for some sun.

Right after getting to North Carolina I was feeling the lack of sleep set in.  So, since Matt, Travis, and Ben had all been resting since we started it was time to trade off.

Our trip continued.  I had a nap then took back over.  We entered Virginia, drove through Richmond and by 2 we were in Washington DC.  My plan was to get an overall view of DC from Arlington then drive on by.

We visited Arlington cemetery, which is huge, walked around saw the sights.  There was the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the view from the hill at the Arlington house.

Our friend Jason Luttrell lives in DC so since we were so ahead of schedule we decided to visit.  He wanted to show us around a little bit so he gave us a “quick tour.”  Poured out the facts and took us to the Library of Congress all in about an hour.  Very awesome place I must say.

The trip continued out of DC and into Baltimore Maryland.  The trip between is only supposed to be less then an hour, but it was peak traffic time and it took a little longer.

Baltimore was our final stop on day 1.  We headed to our friend Torrye Hart’s home for a visit and much needed sleep, but first dinner.  We got into town met up with Torrye and decided to head to the bay.  Very good decision.  We ate at an Irish Pub, which hit the spot.  Then to cheesecake factory for some desert.  I have never been to the cheesecake factory but it was awesome and it also hit the spot.

Finally after a little exploring and sight seeing we headed toward bed.  Slept well that night, besides the death snore from Matt Casey.  Once again 5am was coming very quickly.

To be continued…

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