It has been awhile since we have posted. Largely because we have been on the road with limited time and limited access. And, in the few days after this Saturday, there is not much to tell. Saturday morning Di and I ditched a few more items by the trash to have our apartment finally cleaned out and ready. Our bodies hurt from the work of the last few days but the adventure was about to begin.
When Katy Jo made it to our apartment we were ready to work again. We sold her the TV that we had used for the last few months and neither Di or I fully comprehended the journey we were about to start. Today was simply driving to Brookings, SD to help a friend move. We left St. Cloud for the cities and the fact that this would be the last time I locked the doors to the 201 Brewery (perhaps more on that name some other time but for now, suffice it to say, that is what we called the apartment). Of course the keys did not fit under the door so now I had to find a way to get them to our roommate. Or rather, former roommate I suppose.
Our first stop was in the cities to meet Katy Jo’s family (minus her sister Becky) for breakfast. Of course in typical Katy Jo family fashion we had to take pics! What is an adventure worth if you don’t document it?
Finally at Perkins and I order a hearty meal. Partly because I know I will need it from the last few days and today’s scheduled work but mostly because I know Katy Jo will pick up the tab. The thing of note here is that her brother, who is actually quite small but a really great guy, ordered a man’s meal. Chocolate chip pancakes with a side of bacon. I loved it. I tell you I would not be more impressed if he chewed off the lid of a spinach can and downed it in cartoon fashion. And guess what? That was a really unnecessary detail since he would not be joining the caravan to Brookings. But, it’s my blog and I enjoyed that part of the day.
Finally saddled up again and we were off to Brookings. We met Katy Jo’s boyfriend’s friend somewhere in west MN and he led the rest of the way since he did his undergraduate work at the university Katy Jo was to work at. Again, not much to tell. We moved her in and she lives in an amazing place. The apartment actually has 2 suites you can rent and she put us up there for the night. The next day Ben and his friends left and we remained with Katy Jo for a few days.
Sunday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Over these days we stayed with Katy Jo and explored the town of Brookings and South Dakota State University. They have a nice union and everytime I see a union at a university I think about working in that world again. The pay is not exceptional but the reward is high in terms of internal growth and achievement. Anyway, we saw some things, ate some things, and slept on an air mattress. One thing of note, the university there is big into its agricultural programs. They have their own cows and that milk gets made into SDSU ice cream. I hade a single scoop of blueberry cheesecake ice cream in a waffle cone. Katy Jo had the same and Di got cookies and cream. I barely finished mine. Best 3 bucks I have spent the entire trip.
Tuesday night we went to Old Chicago and Sioux Falls, SD. That was a fun little getaway and I even got a chance to catch part of a Twins game on TV there. We left Thursday morning, early. Katy Jo put us up and that is excellent and I am indebted to her for that. However, we were starting to feel like we were getting in the way. What is starting to get tough at this point is Di and I do not have a space that is ours. We will feel that way all throughout the trip and even when we get to Sacramento. The room in the apartment in St. Cloud was ours. We spent Sunday mornings there being lazy but being in love. Lost in the fun of avoiding productivity we would eat like crap and laugh like maniacs. The truth is we will not have that for awhile. Along the journey we will catch shades of that pure joy but we will not fully recapture that feeling until we strike our own place and our own mark. And hopefully it will make it all the better when we spend another lazy Sunday reflecting on the journey that brought us there.
But we aren’t there yet and there is a lot of work to do along the way. I know we are behind on this blog because as I write this it is Monday the 23rd and I am in Medford, Oregon at a Travelodge. But how we got here is quite the story that I hope you will follow and enjoy. Please, read and follow our blog and send positive vibes our way. There have already been moments on this adventure where they have been needed.
For now though, I will write again soon!