Crossing the Border

As I am writing this, we are waiting at the border, waiting to cross back
to the US. We had a great trip and are sad and happy to leave our "little"
boy in Vancouver - he is going to great! We're so proud of Walt and all
our kidsis!!

And due to our crazy week, this will have to serve as my Valentine greeting
to all you'll!! Happy Valentines Day!!

Be home soon, Marais!!

(Via Blackberry)

Lazy Blog update

Please check Shawn's blog. She's doing a wonderful job documenting the
move. Check it out here: http://srblog.blogspot.com/

(Via Blackberry)

The GREAT northwest

I think the reason they call it the GREAT northwest is the fantastic coffee stands they have at most of the major intersections. This one was called "Highway 2 brew". It was delicious!

Traveling across the state of Washington was very interesting - We were in thick fog, baren tundra, totally white snow fields, graggy mountains, snowy mountain tops and rain forests...A little of every thing! Even fish Tacos half way across the state!

It's a big country cats!

In Spokane

We made it to Washington State. We agree with Candy - Montana takes
forever! Tomorrow night we will be in Everett for dinner with the
Tuohimaa' s. Can't wait!

Keep on truckin' cats.

(Via Blackberry)

Bright Blue skies!

We're in wyoming - into the foot hills! The sky is looking huge and we
aren't even in big sky country yet. We are hoping to make Boseman MT
tonight.
Walt bought some prime rib jerky at the last stop - sure it's pricey, but
it may just be the best big hunk of beef I've had since Christmas!

Keep your pemican handy cats!

(Via Blackberry)

Badlands

We made it to the Badlands. We are well packed and making good time - what
more can a dad ask for!

We stopped at Wall Drug because we needed dental floss - no better place to
stop. Thankfully, they had gummi bears. We stocked up cause we know that
there is no travel worry that can not be solved by gummi bears!

Quote of the day ". . . I was born a ramblin' girl! --- Shawn

Into the sun set cats!

(Via Blackberry)

Here we are on the way! We have the Dodge Journey totally packed to the gills. Although, Shawn keeps reminding walt and I that we did not fill-up the storage containers. I was just leaving room for incase we bought a crate of Clementine Oranges along the way :-/ .

It's been a fun trip (the back seat is not so much). It's funny why Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota fave not figured out that high interchanges are great places for gas stations and meijer stores. We have done a lot of searching for gas stations and grocery stores!

A few more images:

...And don't call me Shirley

Our hotel is on Shirley . . .

We made it to sioux falls, South Dakota. We had a long day driving - its
good to relax a bit!

Tomorrow on to the Mountains!

Cya cats!

(Via Blackberry)

GroundHog revelers

This is Tom (fellow civil engineer / MTU alum / Aimees' friend's dad) and our neighbor Karen.  Just a scene from the party.

I put the party on face book and dang if a lot of people didn't see it, and now they want to come - We are all ready making plans to expand the living room...Or maybe we should rent a hall!

Tomorrow we are off for the great Northwest.  We have the rental car, a new Dodge Journey.  I'll give a car report from the road.  So far it's a good car, cause I think we will be able to get Walt's ski's in no problem.  We hpe to make it to Minnesota tomorrow - maybe farther.

Happy travels cats!

WInd up the cat and throw out the clock!

I wanted to share a christmas present I got this year...

I have grandpa Traxler's old Cuckoo clock in the basement, always thinking I could get it cleaned up to run.  I tried, but no matter what I did, the thing just wouldn't go.  Then I read that these clocks get very gummed up as they run, and,  at some point they just kind of give up the ghost.  So I asked Santa for a wind up Cuckoo and he(she ;-)  ) came though for me.   

I love hearing the tick tock and of course the cuckoo on the hour and half hour is so fun to hear.  I am still trying to get the timing right - it's a little different then the quartz movement on your Timex Ironman watch.  I have it down to about 5 minutes slow a week...I will get it!

Don't be cuckoo cats!     

We had visitor the other day

This little guy wandered into our back yard on Saturday.  He was a little goofy - shaking like crazy and not trying to get away from me.  I have heard the Opossums are really not designed to survive michigan winters.  They just find living with us up north is kinda nice cause we got good garbage!  

I let him go -  I'll have to see if he'll survive.  If I see him again, he may get some anti-freeze  frosted cake.  

I learned today that these guys ..er..ah..gals, can have 18 little ones 2 times a year.  One of the reasons they survive is they can be very prolific.  

Stay warm cats!

New Bars!

This is my Single Speed Mountain bike - Black Max.   Shawn got me new handlebars for it for Christmas.   They are raked back, just like an old school bike.   Also, she found these ergonomic grips, that I am really looking forward to - no more numb hands!  

I took Max for a ride around the block today, but then I took Felix for a 16 mile ride.  Felix has studded tires, so it is the ride of choice for winter time.  It's nice day here, overcast, but a few blue spots here and there and very bright.  Slightly above freezing. 

Vote for Jimmy Cats!