Empty Apartment

This is what the apartment looks like empty.

$4 Shoe

We went out to explore our new 'hood a bit today and went to a nearby farmer's market. The best part was this wonderful bluegrass band playing on the sidewalk: $4 Shoe.

Mushroom implores

Am I cute or what?

Golden Gardens

Went to the little beach today that's only a 10 minute drive from our new place. I love that I can feel like I am totally out of the city with just a short little trip. It was one of the things that sold me on Seattle on my last trip here in January.

Look how far we've come...

NY to Seattle sure is a long way...

Mushroom

I am FAR superior to you humans.

The New Place 3

Another view of our front entrance.

The New Place 2

We live in the apartment on the lower level - you can see our window on the left with all the plants in it.

The New Place 1

We arrive! Finally!



-photo by D/J

Eastern Washington

We finally arrived in Washington State after 8 long days in the car. Neither one of use expected Eastern Washington to look anything like this!

Columbia River 3

We are completely car delerious at this point.

Columbia River 2

J at the Columbia River Gorge. He hasn't shaved since we left Brooklyn.

Columbia River 1

We reach the Columbia River and it is beyond gorgeous.

J Driving

He totally looks like he knows how to drive stick shift, doesn't he?

Mushroom

For anyone worried that Mushroom was uncomfortable on the trip out. He had more room to stretch out than we did!

Little Bighorn Battlefield

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of the June 26, 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, near Crow Agency, Montana, in the United States. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho force.

I had been here in the mid-eighties when the site was really all about Custer fighting the "hostile indians" and there was no memorial to the Lakota Warriors. It was very interesting to see how our new world-views have been incorporated to honor the Native Americans who fought and died here defending their nomadic way of life.

J thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mt. Rushmore

In our defense, we've been in the car a very long time at this point.

Brontosaurus

Some days, you are just driving along and you see a Brontosaurus.
Rapid City, South Dakota

The Badlands 4

This should be an album cover for J.

The Badlands 3

Made it this time.

The Badlands 2

Photographing yourself on vacation isn't always easy. In this case, self timer, on top of the car, composed through the sun roof, 10 seconds, RUN, oh darn!

The Badlands 1

This is kind of an ominous entrance to the Badlands. It's the last gas station before you enter the inhospitable desert. Look closely. Look closer. Look in the garbage can.

Jesus in South Dakota

This is the second time I have photographed this particular Jesus lawn ornament at a lawn ornament store in Mitchell, South Dakota. Something about it being behind a chain link fence intriques me.

The Tranny Shop

J made me take this photo. If you want to ask him about it, go to his blog anzioj.blogspot.com

Spam Museum

Here's J working on the Spam assembly line at the Spam Museum in Austin, MN. Don't quit your day job, J!

Madison, WI

This is the capital building in Madison, WI - it's really quite beautiful when it's not blurry! But, after 8 hours of driving - I didn't have any patience left for tripods or serious photography.

J for Julia

First stop across country: The Farm! It was the perfect place to stop on the first night of driving. I recommend it for anyone who may be moving cross country.
For the first time ever, Julia remembered who I was from a previous visit so we weren't just starting from scratch all over again. I think she's still not sure what to make of my "buddy" J though.
We had a little bit of fun on the cross-country trip, but it's really not like you see it in movies - all cute convertibles, charming roadside diners, freedom, sunshine, etc. It's really a lot of driving, a LOT of driving, and then when you are sick of it, a little more driving.

Emptiness

It's very strange to see the place where you have lived and loved sitting empty. We had a nice goodbye and then it was time to leave it all behind.
We loved you little apartment, you were great!

J in NY

One of J on the subway platform taken with my camera phone! This is the first picture we've ever been able to actually get off of my camera phone. (And the last, too)

Drinks over Boxes

More goodbyes with friends...this time sharing a drink with our friend Stefan. I like that this one really feels like the last few days before a move - lots of boxes, no place to sit, scotch in plastic cups, and a few random things left to be done.

Saying Goodbye to Friends...

We are beginning the days of going out, saying goodbye to all our friends, not knowing when or where we will see them next.

I shed a little tear on my walk home from this night.

Here we are dismantling our beloved orange kitchen...

The Boxes are Winning