The Results are In!

We appreciate all the support from family and friends as we plan on our latest adventure.

It has been exciting to receive your advice, and especially your suggestions on must-see places and rocking road-trip songs.

Your Must-See Places:

Buffalo National River AR
Canyon De Chelly AZ
Four Corners AZ
Grand Canyon AZ
Hopi Reservation AZ
Lake Powell – Glen Canyon Dam AZ
Monument Valley AZ
Petrified Forest AZ
Sedona AZ
Sunset Crater Monument AZ
The Apache Trail AZ
Cochise County, drive Ghost Town Trail. Visit Tombstone! AZ
49-mile drive through Presidio National Park CA
Alcatraz Island CA
Carmel-by-the-Sea CA
Big Sur Coast Highway CA
Death Valley National Park – Bandwater Basin & Zibrisky Point CA
Elk CA
Fisherman’s Warf in San Francisco CA
Fort Point CA
Golden Gate Bridge CA
HI Pigeon Point Hostel CA
HI Point Montara Hostel CA
Highway 1 from San Fran to LA CA
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Avenue of Giants CA
Joshua Tree National Park CA
La Super CA
Leggett CA
Morro Rock – San Luis Obispo CA
Mount Shasta CA
Mt. Tamalpais CA
Pacific Coast Highway CA
Patrick Point State Park CA
Cabazon Dinosaurs CA
Point Reyes National Seashore CA
Redwood National Park CA
Redwoods CA
San Francisco Ferry Building CA
Santa Cruz Amusement park CA
Santa Monicas Pier Pacific Park CA
Scotia – Pacific Lumber Co. CA
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park CA
South Carlsbad State Park CA
Sushi Ran CA
The Lost Coast CA
Town of Julian CA
Trinidad – Humble Country CA
Venice Beach CA
Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs CO
Boulder (Neptune Mountaineering) CO
Frisco CO
Great Sand Dunes National Park CO
Mesa Verde National Park CO
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank CT
Route 169 CT
Roosevelt Monument DC
Lady Bird Johnson DC
WA Monument DC
White House DC
Lewes DE
Jekyll Island GA
Almo – City of Rocks ID
Arco – Craters of the Moon ID
Bonners Ferry, Shorty Peak Fire Lookout ID
Highway 12 – Northwest Passage national Scenic Byway ID
Salmon River Gorge ID
Sawtooth National recreation area ID
Shoshone Ice Caves, Mammoth Cave ID
Snake River Canyon ID
Stanley – hike one of the 10,000 foot peaks, perhaps??? ID
Chicago Field Museum IL
Millenium Park in Chicago IL
Pizzeria Uno in Chicago IL
River to River Trail IL
Second City Comedy Club, Chicago IL
Shawnee National Forest IL
Starved Rock State Park, French Canyon Waterfall IL
The Magnificent Mile in Chicago IL
US 50 IL
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore IN
Parks County for covered bridges IN
Chalk Pyramids, Monument Rock KS
Midway USA KS
Niobrara Chalk KS
Bourbon Trail in Bardstown KY
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park KY
Fort Knox) KY
Louisville Slugger Museum KY
Beacon Hill Neighborhood in Boston MA
Boston’s North end MA
Cape Ann MA
Cape Cod MA
Freedom Trail, Boston MA
Harvard MA
Martha’s Vineyard MA
MIT MA
Nantucket MA
Sturbridge Village MA
Walden Pond State Reservation MA
Annapolis – Naval Academy MD
Assateague Island MD
Catoctin Mountain Park MD
Crisfield, Smith, and Tangier Islands MD
Acadia National Park ME
Blue Hill ME
Booth Bay ME
L.L. Bean in Freeport ME
Monhegan Island ME
Moosehead Lake ME
Mount Katahdin ME
Ogunquit ME
Penobscot Bay Towns ME
Red’s Eats in Wicassett ME
Sabbath Day Lake in New Goucester ME
The Lighthouse Trail ME
Apostle Islands, Lake Superior MI
Greenfield Village & Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn MI
Isle Royale National Park MI
Mackinac Island MI
Pictured Rocks MI
Saugatuck MI
Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway MN
Gunflint Trail MN
Highway 61 – The North Shore MN
Mississippi headwaters MN
St. Croix River Valley MN
Superior National Forest MN
The Boundary Waters MN
Voyageurs National Park MN
City Museum in St. Louis MO
Herman MO
St. Louis Arch MO
The Katy Trail MO
Natchez MS
Beartooth Scenic Byway MT
Big Mountain MT
Chico Hot Springs MT
Cut Bank MT
Glacier National Park MT
Bitterroot Mountains MT
Asheville NC
Blue Ridge Mountain NC
Nantahala National Forest NC
Roanoke Island NC
The Biltmore Grove Park Inn NC
The Outer Banks of NC NC
Ashville NC
Garrison Dam ND
Little Missouri National Grassland ND
Teddy Roosevelt National Park ND
Regent ND
US 2 to Minnesota ND
Buffalo Bill Rodeo NE
Carhenge NE
Chimney Rock NE
Fort Niobrara Railroad bridge NE
Snake River NE
Railroad Classification Yard NE
Sandhills of Nebraska NE
Jackson NH
Lake Winnipesankee NH
Moose Path Trail NH
Mount Washington NH
The Rock Estate NH
Atlantic City NJ
Rut’s Hut in Clifton NJ
The New Jersey Shore NJ
Bandelier National Monument NM
Carlsbad Caverns NM
Pie Town’s Lightning field NM
Santa Fe NM
Sleep in an Earthship house in Taos! NM
Travel parts of Route 66 NM
White Sands National Monument NM
Extraterrestrial Highway NV
Hoover Dam NV
Las Vegas NV
Rainbow Canyon NV
Ruby Mountains NV
Brooklyn Bridge NY
Central Park, NYC NY
Eat pizza at Lombardi’s NY
FDR’s Springwood in Hyde Park NY
Finger Lakes NY
Florent Restaurant, Meat Packing District, NYC NY
Niagara Falls NY
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island NY
Stone Barnes in Pocantico Hills NY
The Empire State building to climb the 1576 steps! NY
The Erie Canal NY
Times Square in NYC NY
West Point NY
World Trade Center – Ground Zero NY
Hocking Hills OH
Port Clinton OH
Wichita Mountains wildlife refuge OK
Crater Lake OR
Hershey PA
Dutch Country PA
Easton PA
Eat a Philly’s Cheese Steak PA
Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg PA
Hershey PA
Independence National Historical Park PA
Lititz – Wilbur Chocolate Candy Factory PA
Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh PA
Ricketts Glen State Park PA
Duguesne Inclines PA
Block Island RI
Newport, Vandebilt Summer Cottages RI
The Cliff Walk in Newport RI
Waterfire in Providence RI
Badlands National Park SD
Custer State Park SD
Deadwood SD
Mount Rushmore SD
Pierre state capital grounds SD
Sun City Music, Memphis TN
Civil Rights Museum, Memphis TN
Graceland in Memphis TN
Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN
Great Smokey Mountain National Park TN
Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg TN
Memphis TN
National Civil Rights Museum TN
Cadillac Ranch TX
Midpoint Café in Adrian, TX TX
Arches National Park UT
Bryce Canyon National Park UT
Canyonlands Needles & Island in the sky UT
Goblin Valley State Park UT
Hovenweep National Monument UT
Zion National Park UT
Blue Ridge Parkway VA
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge VA
Natural Bridge VA
Williamsburg VA
Burlington VT
Mad River Valley VT
Middlebury VT
Mount Mansfield VT
Route 100 VT
Woodstock VT
Dane County Farmer’s market, Madison WI
Door County WI
Long Lake canoe trail in Trempealeau WI
“The Mon” WV
Harper’s Ferry WV
Highland Scenic Highway WV
Bighorn Scenic byway WY
Custer Battlefield WY
Devil’s Tower WY
Grand Teton National Park WY
Saratoga WY
South Pass City WY
Wind river Country WY
Yellowstone National Park WY

We've been marking your suggestions on our big US wall map.
The landmarks have created a nice skeleton road across the country.


While we have loads of "must see" places, we've left it mostly unplanned. For those that know me - this is going to be a bit challenging - but the best way to do a trip like this.

And of course, what would a road-trip be without the perfect music?

Your Favorite Road Trip Songs:

The River, Garth Brooks
Everybody Dance Now, C & C Music Factory
Imagine, David Archuletta
Proud Mary, Ike & Tina Turner
God Bless the USA, Lee Greenwood
Sweet Home Alabama, Lynard Skynard
Don’t Stop Believing, Journey
On the Road Again, Willie Nelson
Walk This Way, Aerosmith
Love Shack, B-52’s
Get Out the Map, Indigo Girls
Holiday, Weezer
Hangin Around, Counting Crows
Wasted Days & Wasted Nights, Freddie Fender
Delilah, Tom Jones
Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
Ten Year Night, Lucy Kaplansky
What a Wonderful World, Eva Cassidy
Up Around the Bend, CCR
Not Ready to Make Nice, Dixie Chicks
Into the Nightlife, Cyndi Lauper
Drop the Phone, Shy Child
Disturbia, Rhianna
On and On, Jack Johnson
Jeremy, Pearl Jam
All Along the Watchtower, Jimmy Hendrix
Heads, Carolina, Tails California, JoDee Messina
Boats to Build, Jimmy Buffett
Boondocks, Little Big Town
Soul Meets Body, Death Cab for Cutie
Cloud Colt, Transistor Radio
California Dreaming, The Mamas & The Papas
Let it Ride, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Blue Highway, Eilen Jewell
Fake Empire, The National
Desperado, The Eagles
Movin Right Along, The Muppets
Kiss Me, Six Pence non the Richer
Mercy, Duffy
Ironic, Alanis Morrisette
Have a Nice Day, Bon Jovi
Hard to Handle, Black Crows
Say Hey (I love you), Michael Franti & Spearhead


Many thanks to those who burned CDs for us. You're so cute!

1, 2, 3... Party!

When we first moved to the island, we weren't too sure how well we'd fit in.
Uprooting two southerners who are used to 90 degree heat and 80% humidity - and expect them to survive in an upitty northwest bubble town.
We remember our first Christmas back in 2005.

The Seahawks were in the Super Bowl, everyone had family and friends over, and the power went out. Do'h!
It wasn't a big deal for us - we aren't big football fans (Okay, okay... stop gasping!), and we weren't preparing a big dinner. In fact, I think we cooked frozen pizza on the wood-burning stove!
With no power, we decided to explore the island a bit. Just two blocks from our house, we walked past an older couple. They didn't smile, or say hello.

Despite our first encounters... we've come to adore this quaint little speck of land in the Puget Sound, and the wonderful quirky and compassionate people that make it a community.

While Richie gets to keep his job part-time, I will not be able to.

Teens often get a bad rap, but they are quite remarkable.
They persevere through some really tough stuff.
They are aware of the world around them, and are intelligent beyond belief.
I'm going to miss their spontaneity and goofy sense of humor... their curiosity and smiles... and I'm going to miss their friendship.

We are lucky adults to be working with these youth. I hope I get an opportunity to work in this capacity again.

Most adults say teens think of no one but themselves, but I beg to differ. A dynamic group of students visit the office daily during lunch or after school. January 14th was my official last half-day of school at BYS. This group decided to throw me a surprise party. There was no adult initiating the idea or planning. These students planned and executed the party all on their own.
I've never had a surprise party before! And I've never felt so loved before by people who aren't required to!


So to those students - you know who you are - thanks for making my job at BYS so memorable.



It has been a privileage knowing you - and I promise to get a facebook page.

This party sparked a second party...

This Christmas, we received record snowfall, which interrupted everyone's holiday plans. Fortunately, we decided to stay home and relax. We'd spent the last few months planning for our next adventure - we just needed the break. Blanche, our neighbor and "Mom," was planning a wonderful dinner for her daughters who were driving up from Oregon. With the dangerous road conditions, Blanche's daughters were not able to safely drive to Washington, and therefore unable to have Christmas dinner with Mom.

I forget how it came about... but Blanche invited us over for Christmas dinner. We arrived at 4pm and didn't leave until midnight! Laughter, salmon, adoring friends, a homemade apple pie, and wine make for one heck of a good time!
We talked about a "Send-off Supper" - and so it happened.


We had a glorious time! Everyone brought their favorite "tried and true" dish... There was great wine and wonderful laughter. Here are a few photos...






Holly, Esther, and Lynn - three of the cutest ladies you'll ever meet!

Tim and Veronica

Ms. Courtney (The life of the party!)

"Mama" Blanche (We'll miss her terribly!)








Karla and James (Okay folks, now we have a picture of James... so if he scratches our kayaks, you all know who to look for! Just kidding... or am I?)









The Yummy Spread









And the tulip that caught on fire... Sorry little fella!















And this party sparked a third party...

This time from our dear Island Fitness family - the group who helped us climb mountains - literally and figuratively. Ironically, it was held on Friday, February 13th, but it was a blast!


Looks like people are happy to see us go!
















Michael & Alexa Rosenthal, owners of Island Fitness wrote an incredible poem. We think you'll enjoy it - we did!

Aren't Muffolettos the things you wear,
When it's really cold, upon your ears?
Well, actually, if you google you'll see
The name means "soft spongy bread" from Sicily.

Is it Richie and Michele
Or Michele and Richie?
'cause finding rhymes can be a bitchie

Or am I trying to rhyme with Muffoletto?
That's a little tough from the get-go.

If I'm rhyming with the one named Richie
I can talk about the time I pulled him out of a ditch(ie)
Or the time he jumped 6 feet high
Ask his trainer, (he doesn't lie!)

Reduced to tears by her brutal trainer,
Michele made one thing clear,
Getting to the top was a no-brainer
And she did it without any fear!

So maybe I'm rhyming with Michele
There's too much there I can not tell
Like the time she collapsed, climbing up Baker,
Turns out she was just a big'ol faker

Because Michele proved as strong as a climber can be
Even though the summit, we couldn't see.
We made up for that on Mt. Rainier
The end of a quest, they both made it there!

Yes and they're still happily married!
That's cause one would push when the other tarried.
But really, they're just so much fun,
If I had to pick a favorite, I couldn't pick one.

If the climb is like a metaphor
Then you work hard, you open doors
So you take this life, how we choose to live
Some are users but others give

They're traveling the country before they travel the world
Their lives open up like a flag unfurled
Doing things the rest of us can only dream
Like eating lots of MORA ice cream

So we're all here to wish them well
Richie Muffoletto and his Michele
You shared with us for too short a time
But friends we count you for a lifetime.

________________________________________

Honestly, we had been working on a poem for the last week... but we just couldn't get it right. 4 hours before this gathering, the creative process started. Here's what we came up with:

What an honor it is to meet here tonight
The poetry isn't that bad, so please don't take flight.

So we've been here 3 years, but where do we start
To thank all of you straight from the heart?

We'll start with what we know best
And that's Island Fitness.

Our first trainer was Jillian with a smile to light up the room
Sweet little lady went and had baby number two.
Without McCloud, we never could have lifted so many pounds.
Without Jillian, we never would have survived McCloud
(So thanks Jillian for the preparation!)

We've cried, whined, sweated, and laughed
Planked, squated, and worked on our abs.
McCloud, thanks for your great training this past year
And if anyone ever asks... Yes - there really are BOSU's on Mt. Rainier!

To the mountains we've climbed, it's been quite a treat
Afterall, the highest spot in Louisiana is only 535 feet!
A better guide service, we never could have picked.
And next time, Mt. Baker, we'll hold the eggs benedict.

To our climbing buddies, whom we'll never forget,
Man - some of you really do sweat!
Protected from lightning in the hut at Camp Muir
We all lay in anticipation and a little fear
The blue bag some thought was a landing pad
And then we all realized it wasn't so bad.

After all the Diamox, thank goodness the bathroom was near!
The mountain experience was so real and so clear.
Names we won't mention, in case you're not ready
To make an appearance in your little pink teddy.
We wish we could join you again this year
But we look forward to the photos of the after-climb beer.

To the club members that are here
I'll miss your smiles and making me laugh to tears
You are the ones I'll hold dear.

To the front desk staff, we've had quite a blast
From keys, to machines, to kissing ass.
Stinky, sweaty towels in the washer with bleach
There's water for sale, one dollar each.
Group Power tickets, you've got to ask nicely
We don't want everyone packed in too tightly.
You are the best crew,
And without you,
Members would never know what to do!

To Michael and Alexa, you are an adorable couple who love this community
And give all visitors diplomatic immunity.
We couldn't imagine you out of this picture
You and this team are an essential fixture.

And last but not least, to BYS staff and volunteers
Your hopeful spirit helps wash away tears.
I hope you can see
You make BYS the place to be!
Right now, it's really hard to show
That I'll miss you and the students more than you know.

At our core, we think we are nomads
It's been great having you as brothers, sisters, moms and dads
Throughout our life we are destined to roam
But Bainbridge has been wonderful, our home away from home.

Now, I don't bake for goodness sake,
But we tried and here's what I could make
So enjoy the cookie cars
They won't get you far
But they are cute, and good with milk, cold
And we're sorry they look like they were painted by a 3-year old.

We love you all, and good night!
________________________________________

Below are some photos of our car cookie bake-off. This was more challenging than you might imagine. See - we sold most of our kitchen items - no fancy mixers or spatulas. We mixed dough with our fingers, and worked our biceps to stir the icing. Lovely!

This is the first place where we really felt part of the community.
We are going to miss everyone!

The Stuff Dilemma and More...

Wow - we haven't posted anything since August? Oops...

We have been busy bees.


Many of you received our August letter. In it, we mentioned we were going to store our things in a storage unit and head out for the road trip. Well, on a bright sunshine-filled day, we walked over to the 2 local storage unit facilities to get prices. The good news - they were very understanding and incredibly generous. The bad news - to store our stuff in a 5x7 storage unit for 4 years would have cost us $3,000. Yikes!

On our walk home from the storage facilities, we made the decision to pack very personal belongings (photo albums, letters, unique gifts, and buried treasure), and sell the remainder of our stuff (furniture, clothes, books, etc.)
So for the last 6 months, we have been vigorously selling stuff. If you have never utilized Craigslist.org before - try it! We have met some incredible folks - who we know will love our stuff as much as we have.

The moral of the story: I love the sun! Whenever you are trying to make a big decision - go for a walk in the bright, bright sun. It makes all the difference!

The first question people ask when they hear about us selling our stuff is "Isn't that hard to part with all of your things?" We must admit that it was, at first. Eventually, you realize that your stuff is just that - stuff. We look at it this way... If your house was on fire, what would you run in to save? I'd pick Richie, Willis (our dog), and some precious photos. When you look at it that way, it isn't so hard. For us, it wasn't worth paying to have stuff stored for 3-4 years - especially when someone else can use it while we are away.








Peace Corps Update:
Our last letter stated we would be departing for the Peace Corps in September 2009. Unfortunately, we, along with 3 couples in this region, have been delayed in getting placements. We expected a delay because it is more challenging to place couples. The good news is Erin, our dynamic recruiter, is resubmitting our request and the Peace Corps is hoping to have placements for couples who have been waiting for programs. If we are accepted this round, we should know our location and project by March or April, which departs in February or March 2010.

With news from the Peace Corps (Or no news... depending on how you look at it.), we have decided to extend our road trip from 6 months to 10 or 12 months. Wow - considering we only budgeted for a 6 month adventure! We've worked, reworked, stretched, and restretched the numbers... and it looks like we'll be eating Ramen Noodles for a while.


Thankfully, Richie is a phenomenal and reliable worker! His boss, Scott, was kind enough to let Richie drop to part-time for the road trip. Whew!

Our plan is to spend most nights at a national or state park. They have nice shower facilities and safe campsites. The National Park Service offers an annual pass which gets us into every national park and federal reacreation area at no-cost. We also receive 50% off campsite fees!

Every week or two, we'll stay at a hotel to take a real shower and sleep in a real bed.

And here we are - leaving in 2 weeks.

We've packaged and shipped all those sacred items we'd like to see when we return from our adventure (Thank you Mrs. Linda & Mr. Joe for storing them for us!). We figure it will be like Christmas morning - opening up a "new" toy.

We've sold almost everything.
And are currently sleeping soundly on the floor...


And cooking gourmet dinners with 1 pot, 2 sporks, a plate, and 2 mugs.


We sanded and put a UV protective coat on our kayaks...

















Luckily, they will see the water this season - many thanks to our friend, James. He has vowed to keep them scratch-free. If he doesn't - we'll kill him.