a long drive cross-country

I have driven across the country several times:

• In 2001 I drove from Ishpeming, MI to San José, CA to start studies at San José State University as part of the National Student Exchange.
• In 2005 I drove from Ishpeming to San José again after graduating from undergrad. to begin my teaching career.
• In 2009 I drove from San José to Ishpeming via Flagstaff, Santa Fe, Oklahoma City, Warrensburg (MO), Indianapolis and Chicago.... then back to Flagstaff at the end of the summer to begin graduate school.

I arrived in Washington, DC two days ago after over a week on the road.  I was lucky that my mom was able to make the trip with me this time.  We left Flagstaff Wednesday, July 13 and drove to Minneapolis via Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota (Mt. Rushmore!!).  Then after two days in Ishpeming to D.C. via Ohio, Pennsylvania and (my future homestate of) Maryland.

Highlights of the trip:

• HORRENDOUS lightning and thunderstorms in Utah.  There is a beautiful scenic byway heading east out of Moah, Utah.  Unfortunately, we saw very little because of the heavy rains.
• Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.  I've driven this stretch several times but each time I am amazed at the beauty of the mountains.
• Mt. Rushmore.  It was my first time visiting and thought it was very much worth the time and extra driving.  Learning about how it was created is fascinating.  They didn't take what we'd consider normal safety precautions back then.  I can't imagine tackling such a large project.
• In Minneapolis I attended two days of the National Seminar of Hanbell Musicians of America, formerly known as AGEHR (the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers).  I will be teaching handbells this fall at Norwood and learned SO much and met some wonderful people from Area III (DC, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, & North Carolina) who can help me with the 439083098 questions I have about how to teach handbells at the middle school level.  It's a good challenge... I'm excited.
• Being at home for a day.  Not long enough.  Every time I go home I realize more and more how lucky I am to have been raised in such a tight knit community.  I have been very much shaped by my experiences growing up there.  It was fun to see family and friends.  I even got to sit in with my grandma Palkki's card club (the Tilden Terrors!).  Such fun.

I'm now in the process of trying to find an apartment on the Maryland/DC border.  Wish me luck!