On the Road Again

Sunday, December 18
We rolled out of Raleigh late morning after a delicious breakfast at the Larkin's. It was pretty surreal that we were leaving Raleigh, and the only time we would be back was to visit. We had a great time in Raleigh and really grew during the last 3 1/2 years there. We met great people and made lifelong friends. We will miss them, our ward, Harris Teeter, Oberlin Road, the round abouts by NC State, NS State, Snoopy's hotdogs, Six Forks, the fun trips we went on throughout the east coast, the beach, the ocean, and so many other things. It was a great experience for us and we really learned a lot while there. We were both a little emotional leaving the state that day.
Ryan wanted to go see a museum in downtown Atlanta, so we stopped there. Me and Nolan waited in the car while Ryan ran around and took pictures. We crossed through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and spent the night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

A Georgia peach

Monday, December 19
We drove around the University of Alabama before hitting the road for Fort Worth Texas to stay with Nate and Olivia. When we entered Texas, it was just as everyone says, the sky opens up and everything is bigger in Texas. :) From Dallas to Fort Worth it seemed like it took forever! We were glad to finally make it to the Haynie's house!


Tuesday, December 20
Slept in, which was the best thing ever! We have been go, go, go for so long it felt nice to take it easy and not worry about rushing to get anywhere. We went to Dunkin Donuts for some hot chocolate and donuts - I really love DD's hot chocolate! I would say it is some of the best out there. After that, we went downtown to the Kimbell museum another one of Ryan's architecture stops. We went back to the Haynie's loaded up our stuff, had a sandwich and hit the road for Fayetteville, Arkansas to stay with the Leonard's. We stayed up an chatted with Bonnie and Scott for a while, it was good to see them and we appreciate them letting us stay with them.




Wednesday, December 21
Bonnie made a nice breakfast for us. Scott and Ryan talked architecture, I got Nolan ready, and off we go to another museum in Bentonville Arkansas, Crystal Bridges. This museum was very neat and was designed by Moshe Safdie. Ryan went with Scott to see his office, Bonnie went to work and I packed up the car while Nolan took a nap. Next stop was dinner at Johnny Carino's with Aunt Vicki and Gram in Tulsa Oklahoma. It was so fun seeing them. Ryan wanted to stop by the Price Tower in Bartlesville, OK that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Are you sensing a theme on this trip....lots of architecture! :) I was asleep in the car with Nolan while Ryan went in a took a look around the place. We drove to Wichita Kansas that night.





Thursday, December 22
The plan was to get up and drive to Denver, but due to snow and icy conditions we decided to stay in Kansas for another night. We spent the day in the Best Western Hotel taking naps, Ryan emailed some firms, Nolan was able to get a much needed break from the car and all in all it was a fun day with our little family in the hotel.



Friday, December 23
We finally left Wichita, Kansas early in the morning and started on our second to last leg of the trip to Denver to see Ryan's family. The roads were not bad, there was snow on the sides of the road, but luckily the sun was out the whole day. We rolled into Denver early evening and spent the rest of the evening visiting with Ryan's family.

At least this time we had a different view of Kansas - with snow

This was the third time I have driven across the country this year and I do not hope to do it again anytime soon. I really hope that the place Ryan ends up at is in the west (like we are hoping) and not on the east coast....if that is the case I think me and Nolan will fly and i'll let Ryan make the drive!