Back in the U.S. of A., or Driving on 5

OK, we've officially been back in the U.S. of A. for two weeks, but with all the catching up with family, friends, laundry, and filing our late taxes, we've been a bit blog-negligent. Being back has been both strange and wonderful. For one, we have a plan for the whole next couple of weeks, and we've gotten to see family and friends on the west coast that we haven't seen for a while, as well as some friends that helped see us off on the trip about nine months ago. I should mention that a couple of friends are mere days/weeks away from having babies, which could only mean that Dennis and I possess some kind of shamanistic ability to help people conceive (a marketable job skill?).  It's also been a little strange but wonderful to be able to have great, long conversations (in English!) which hadn't happened often enough around the world. 

Our first real efforts at repatriation were going to Costco, and then buying a minivan that we could drive to visit said friends and get us and our stuff back to the east coast. Yes, not only are we bloggers, but we own a minivan. It has tinted windows, and we fluctuate between thinking this makes it even less cool or possibly more cool. At any rate, it's a mode of transportation and it runs equally well in the Town and in the Country. 

After staying with Ma and Pa Campbell for a few days, we headed to Seattle to visit Ben, Emi, and their charming 4 3/4-year-old daughter, Azi. After hitting the sites and a farmer's market (hello again, delicious west coast food), we headed down I-5 to visit Matt in Olympia, who took us sailing on Puget Sound. We arrived just in time, because the next day the boat was being sold. We got to enjoy a sunset cruise and spot lots of seals along the way. God speed, Spackle. We hit Interstate 5 again down to Portland to visit John, Jenn, and brand new Portland resident, Phil.  We relaxed and ate more delicious homemade food, including tacos, which we try to eat at least once a day now. Good luck with the 'birth plan' guys! Our last stop on the whirlwind tour of the I-5 was Eugene, where we saw Craig and Deb (good luck with your 'birth plan' guys), and Eric and Stephanie. After more great conversation and homemade food, including our second rhubarb pie, we had to head back to Camp Campbell to prepare for the longer drives ahead. And even though we've been kept pretty busy, it's easy to remember why we missed home.

-K