There and Back Again...

We have packed, loaded, moved, unloaded, unpacked, and drove back over the past week.

We had started putting things in boxes around the beginning of the week last week. By Monday the 14th everything we owned but a suitcase each was in the back of our Penske moving truck.

(Oscar liked playing in the packing supplies)

We slept in sleeping bags Monday and Tuesday night, our last nights in our first apartment. The truck was packed with every square inch full. Even our bikes were stacked on top of each other. I never realized we had so much stuff.

So with the vehicles packed, we set off on Wednesday. Ruth drove to her parents early in the morning and the left Carthage around 8:30 that morning. I had work and a final that day so I didn't leave until the afternoon. I did have a chance to eat at my favourite Muncie restaurant, Thai Smile, one last time for lunch with my friend Aaron (see Folk Tails photo in previous post). After my final I left Muncie around 2:30. Ruth and her parents were in St. Louis by the time that I left. Due to their frequent and extended pit-stops, I was able to catch up with them in Manhattan, Kansas around 12:30 Thursday morning. We started back on the road by 8am and made to Colorado Springs around 3:30 MNT.

(Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore)

We unloaded the truck that night. By the end, we were all exhausted. We set up our bed, the Zeilingas bought an air mattress and we ordered a pizza and went to bed. The next day we tried to take advantage of the sunlight and see some of the sites. We visited Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. We then went back home and started to empty boxes and put things away. It was a tedious task but we're glad to have it done. We have a few more things to do, such as hang up our pictures and organize our closets, but all the big stuff is done. We visited Pikes Peak the next day, Saturday. We got to to go all the way to the summit. It was awesome. Anyone who ever comes to visit has to go up there. The day we went it was frigid (40 degrees less than the springs) and the wind was extremely strong. They do have a lot to do and see when you reach the summit, including a gift shop with donuts made right there with a secret 14,110 feet altitude recipe.

We went to Mass that evening at Mount St. Francis because we knew we would be in the car on Sunday and we had a lot to give thanks for.

After Mass however, we were feeling kinda crazy and we had decided to leave that night about 7:00 pm. So we went back to our apartment, packed our things, and hit the road. Fred started us off and drove us to Kansas. From there Ruth picked it up (about midnight) and drove us all the way to Kansas City (6:30). I drove through Kansas City and Missouri until we got breakfast (10:30) outside St. Louis. Fred wanted to drive again after breakfast but lost the mood after STL so I took over again and finished out the trip. We arrived at the Zeilinga residence around 4pm.

Since we've been back we have taken life easily. We are glad to see our dogs again. Ruth's brother Freddy fed them and took care of them while we were gone. We have enjoyed cuddling them to make up for lost time. We have also spent time with family and friends. Yesterday we saw the Kimble family for a few hours, today we got lunch with Nicholas (high school friend who now studies music in UMass - Amherst) in Rushville then spent time with the Vogels and even brought Cayden back to Papa's and Nana's to stay the night. We are really grateful to have this time to spend with people who we won't have the opportunity to see much.

Starting tomorrow the Christmas festivities begin. We have a lot of places to go and people to see yet before we leave. We have been watching the weather so we can plan our trip accordingly. Right now the Blizzard of the Century is supposed to hit Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas late in the week, about the time we were planning on leaving. Hopefully St. Christopher watches over us as we make our endeavor. Prayers are encouraged.