We're here!

A view of Mt. Hood from the west hills. 

Mt. Tabor is the hill below.

We arrived in Portland yesterday afternoon, van-weary and exhausted, but thrilled to be here.  We slept in our empty old house on some air mattresses, watching the lights of the city twinkle in our window.  We woke this morning to a beautiful sunrise, had our coffee and a walk up Mount Tabor.  Our old neighborhood has undergone some change, but in many ways, it feels just like it did when we left almost 15 years ago.


Our furniture arrives tomorrow and the process of making this "our home" again will begin in earnest.  Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement as we traversed this beautiful country over the past 10 days and 4,045 miles.  It's been great but we're glad it's over.


To the family and friends we've left behind: we miss and love you so much.  Please know that you have a lovely room, great food and beverages, and all the hospitality we can offer whenever you want to come and visit.


Love, 


Peg and Michael

Chico, CA

It seemed like one of our longest days of driving yesterday, but I think it was really our anticipation of reaching our final destination.  At the end of the day we drove almost 30 miles off I-5 so we could stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Chico.  I'm so glad we did: our room was spacious, comfortable and very quiet.  Just what we needed!


When I write again, we will be home in Portland.

Laguna Beach, CA with Laura and Bob

We drove out of Palm Desert this morning into eastern suburbs of Los Angeles and we realized why so many people want to live here: it's stunningly beautiful!  We are staying with our friends Laura and Bob Dickson; Laura treated us to a drive north on the Pacific Coastal Highway; tomorrow we'll be on the PCH again headed south.  Had a wonderful dinner at "Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer".

Indio, California

It was a long day in the van: 10 hours on the road and 635 miles on the odometer.  As I watched mile after mile of cactus and mountains go by,  I realized how good it is that we chose to drive and to drive the route that we're on.  This is one awesomely beautiful country.  Next stop: Irvine, California.

Las Cruces, NM

We logged 585 miles today: easy with beautifully straight desert  highways, an 80 mile an hour speed limit, and perfect weather - 85 degrees and sunny!

The new twig on the family tree

We left San Antonio this morning with some of Aunt Dee Dee's ancestors: her grandparents, the Henze's and great grandparents, the Reibers.

Happy Valentine's Day in San Antonio, Texas

We arrived at my Aunt Dee Dee's house on Sunday afternoon and had a great dinner with my cousins and uncle.  I was also able to get more information on the family tree!

Today Dee Dee took us into town for great mexican food at Casa Rio on the "River Walk", followed by a river boat cruise on the San Antonio River. We visited the Alamo and the Market Square, then wrapped up the afternoon with our second round of Margueritas - Yum!

Absolutely great weather makes us wish we could stay a little longer, but we head out tomorrow morning for El Paso, a full day's driving at over 600 miles.  See you then!

Cajun Country

We put on another 586 miles to reach LaFayette, LA.  After going to Mass at an old church (St. Peter's) we went for what was reported to be the best place for cajun food in the area: Prejean's.  The reports are true!  The fried green tomatoes, seafood-stuffed eggplant and grilled catfish were sublime.

Tomorrow's destination:  San Antonio, TX!

Atlanta - DONE!

We logged over 600 miles today and made it to our hotel by 6pm.  Great weather, good highways and traffic (until we reached Atlanta's beltway - think 495 at rush hour!).

Tomorrow's challenge: to New Orleans and beyond.

Friday's Itinerary

We're packed to the gills and heading out around 8am tomorrow!   Target:  ATLANTA !

Let's Get Warm !

It has just been too cold in Maryland in January!  We got away from the snow and ice for a week on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's "Liberty of the Seas" with ports of call in Belize City, Costa Maya and Cozumel.  

I loved our little island off the coast of Belize: Goff's Caye.  Great snorkeling for Michael and lovely sand and sea for me.

We're shaking our booties on the Promenade!